Tibet is the referred real Shangri-la, the forbidden land, the roof of the world and the holy land of your innermost desire.
Tibet has snowy mountains and grasslands, scattered herds of yak and nomads on the plateau, spectacular monasteries and unsophisticated smiles, tranquil lake and transparent blue sky.
These are just a few of the reasons visitors to Tibet often find themselves coming back.
The first stop for most Tibet tours is inevitably Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Province.
Colorful and historic, the holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700 meters above sea level.
The Potala Palace and Jokhang are the must-see destinations for visitors to Lhasa.
Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet.
This palace is sacred in Tibetan people hearts.
With its majestic splendor, the Potala Palace would impress the inhabitants of any world capital.
Thus the humble Tibetan pilgrim, who has always lived in a yak hair tent, must view the Potala Palace with great reverence.
It is hard to believe that this 13-storey edifice containing 999 rooms was built on a steep mountain as long ago as the seventh century.
Touring it just like a huge labyrinth.
It makes you keep going and going.
It is hard to find the way out if let you wander alone there.
Jokhang monastery, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet.
It is the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers.
Thousands of pilgrims come here for worship everyday.
Many of the pilgrims were crawling on the ground.
Apparently, on their pilgrimage from their homes, pilgrims prostrate themselves on the ground after walking two steps and then repeat the process again and again.
Many others were spinning prayer wheels.
Within the city, are many sites that must be visited; the huge university monasteries of Drepung and Sera, the Barkhor pilgrim circuit and Tibetan Museum.
Besides city Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsetang in Tibet also remain mystical in many people's minds.
Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China.
Gyantse's symbol is the Kumbum Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and 100,000 images of the Buddha.
Kumbum Stupa is the finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the world.
Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built atop a massive rock) are other major sights here.
Driving from Lhasa to Gyantse is a long, yet spectacular drive.
Along the way, you will get unforgettable views of the Yamdrok-Tso Lake and Mt Nojin Kangtsang.
Shigatse (3,900 m) lies some 274Km to the west of Lhasa and is the second largest city in Tibet.
The highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges and broad river valleys.
Farmers plowing their fields with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awesome sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the scenic rewards of this journey.
The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, is Shigatse's most important cultural and religious site.
The main structures found in the Tashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya Chapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple.
Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
Tsetang: During the long years, Tsetang has had many "first", for instance, the first king Nyatri Tsenpo, the first palace Yumbu Lhakang, the first temple Tradruk, the first cropland Syarisotang, the first Tibetan Opera Pakhapu and the first Buddhist scripture Pangkong Chagya.
Tsetang is also the place where King Songtsan Gampo united the whole Tibet and once lived with Princess Wencheng.
The Tangka made and embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself is still kept in Tradruk Temple, which is a great treasure house of culture and art.
Samye Monastery is Testang's most important cultural and religious site.
Samye monastery was built in the mid-8th century.
Samye is first formal Buddhist Monastery for the monks in Tibet.
The magnificent and unique Central Hall is three-story high.
The first floor is of the Tibetan architectural style, the second the Han style and the third the Indian style.
The halls in the monastery house many statues and murals.
Tibet has so many destinations, too numerous to mention, which makes visitors keep coming back.
It is a province unique in China for its magnificent temples, snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims and ethnic culture.
It is a truly a place to stir the senses and nourish the soul - of all the destinations in China.
Tibet has snowy mountains and grasslands, scattered herds of yak and nomads on the plateau, spectacular monasteries and unsophisticated smiles, tranquil lake and transparent blue sky.
These are just a few of the reasons visitors to Tibet often find themselves coming back.
The first stop for most Tibet tours is inevitably Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Province.
Colorful and historic, the holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700 meters above sea level.
The Potala Palace and Jokhang are the must-see destinations for visitors to Lhasa.
Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet.
This palace is sacred in Tibetan people hearts.
With its majestic splendor, the Potala Palace would impress the inhabitants of any world capital.
Thus the humble Tibetan pilgrim, who has always lived in a yak hair tent, must view the Potala Palace with great reverence.
It is hard to believe that this 13-storey edifice containing 999 rooms was built on a steep mountain as long ago as the seventh century.
Touring it just like a huge labyrinth.
It makes you keep going and going.
It is hard to find the way out if let you wander alone there.
Jokhang monastery, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet.
It is the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers.
Thousands of pilgrims come here for worship everyday.
Many of the pilgrims were crawling on the ground.
Apparently, on their pilgrimage from their homes, pilgrims prostrate themselves on the ground after walking two steps and then repeat the process again and again.
Many others were spinning prayer wheels.
Within the city, are many sites that must be visited; the huge university monasteries of Drepung and Sera, the Barkhor pilgrim circuit and Tibetan Museum.
Besides city Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsetang in Tibet also remain mystical in many people's minds.
Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China.
Gyantse's symbol is the Kumbum Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and 100,000 images of the Buddha.
Kumbum Stupa is the finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the world.
Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built atop a massive rock) are other major sights here.
Driving from Lhasa to Gyantse is a long, yet spectacular drive.
Along the way, you will get unforgettable views of the Yamdrok-Tso Lake and Mt Nojin Kangtsang.
Shigatse (3,900 m) lies some 274Km to the west of Lhasa and is the second largest city in Tibet.
The highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges and broad river valleys.
Farmers plowing their fields with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awesome sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the scenic rewards of this journey.
The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, is Shigatse's most important cultural and religious site.
The main structures found in the Tashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya Chapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple.
Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
Tsetang: During the long years, Tsetang has had many "first", for instance, the first king Nyatri Tsenpo, the first palace Yumbu Lhakang, the first temple Tradruk, the first cropland Syarisotang, the first Tibetan Opera Pakhapu and the first Buddhist scripture Pangkong Chagya.
Tsetang is also the place where King Songtsan Gampo united the whole Tibet and once lived with Princess Wencheng.
The Tangka made and embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself is still kept in Tradruk Temple, which is a great treasure house of culture and art.
Samye Monastery is Testang's most important cultural and religious site.
Samye monastery was built in the mid-8th century.
Samye is first formal Buddhist Monastery for the monks in Tibet.
The magnificent and unique Central Hall is three-story high.
The first floor is of the Tibetan architectural style, the second the Han style and the third the Indian style.
The halls in the monastery house many statues and murals.
Tibet has so many destinations, too numerous to mention, which makes visitors keep coming back.
It is a province unique in China for its magnificent temples, snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims and ethnic culture.
It is a truly a place to stir the senses and nourish the soul - of all the destinations in China.
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