The man made Mogao Caves contain over 40,000 colorful wall art.

The man made Mogao Caves contain over 40,000 colorful wall art. If laid side by side, they would extend 30 kilometers (20 miles). The Mogao Caves also contain thousands of painted statues (see photo) and scholarly scrolls. Welcome to China, Chinatourguide.com is pleasure to provide service for your China tours, We also provide Thailand tour packages or Cambodia tour packages.

 
Mogao’s cave temples rise three levels along a 1.6 kilometer escarpment near the Daquan River. Even veteran travelers to Dunhuang are overpowered by their rich complexity and astonishing detail. The 492 decorated caves, hand hewn from the cliff face over a millennium, are numbered for reference but few visitors have seen them all.

Measuring approximately 39” (100 cm) in width and 30” (76 cm) in height, the Cave 231 image comprises four figures arranged two on either side of an inscribed tablet.1 To the left, a woman clothed in layers of multi-colored fabric kneels facing the central tablet. In one hand, she holds forth a rounded censer. On the right, a man dressed in a simple red robe kneels in the same manner and extends a long-handled censer. A standing female attends the kneeling woman, while a standing male attends the kneeling man. The attendants hold offerings of flowers and are represented in smaller scale than the kneeling figures. The painter has employed hierarchical scale to emphasize the attendants' lesser importance as compared to the central figures. A rectangular border referencing intricate textile patterns frames the entire group. Over time, the oxidation of pigments containing iron has darkened skin tones that would originally have tended toward a light orange or tan color.

Dali Ancient City is well known for its traditional arts and crafts

Dali Ancient Town is well known for its traditional arts and crafts. It is particularly famous for its marble and hand woven handicrafts. The marble from Dali is used in construction and decorative objects. Dali is so famous for its marble, that the Chinese name for marble is literally Dali Stone. Many unique items can be found along the streets by the artisans who created them. The new"Foreigner"Street is filled with shops selling traditional Bai ethnic snacks and the famous Three Course Tea ceremony. The ceremony is used for receiving guests and includes three courses of teas. The first course is very bitter, the second is sweet, and the third is normal tea. Welcome to China, Chinatourguide.com is pleasure to provide service for your China tours, We also provide Thailand tour packages or Cambodia tour packages.

 
Dali has an old town lying within fortified walls with impressive gates. It is pleasant to stroll the clean pedestrian streets. Outside the walls, many horses and horse carriages are available for a ride. Backpackers appreciate this town for the relaxing atmosphere and the food, not the least being the copious banana pancakes, a rarity in China. Outside of the old town, the most remarkable structure are the Three Pagodas (San Ta Si), erected in the 9th century. However, the main attractions might consist of the surroundings, including the 4000m high Cang Shan mountains, and the beautiful Erhai lake, where you can watch the old art of cormorant fishing.

Dali has many beautiful types of scenery. Above all, the “wind” of Shangguan County, the “flower” of Xiaguan County, the “snow” of Cangshan Mountain and the “moon” of Erhai Lake are the best sights of Dali. All the four sights have their stories.

Hanging Monastery is situated at the foot of the Hengshan Mountain

Being the most outstanding Buddhist temples in China, Hanging Monastery is situated at the foot of the Hengshan Mountain, 75 kilometers southeast of Datong. First built in the late Northern Wei dynasty in the 6th century and renovated three or four times since, the serried buildings look as though they are supported by a dozen or so slim wooden posts no more substantial than chopsticks. Huge rocks loomed overhead, apparently liable to fall at any moment. The fragile path was strung out along the face of the cliff. There were two reasons to construct the Hanging Temple here. One reason is because there used to be a vital center of communication in old times, it is necessary to construct a temple along this route for the passing pilgrims. But the Hunhe River that flowed past the foot of the cliff was capricious. The other reason is whenever there was a storm there would be a terrible flood. In those days people believed that a golden dragon was the cause of all this trouble, so they thought of a construction of a Buddhist temple to ward off the influence of the dragon. Welcome to China for Canton Trade fair. HRC is pleasure to provide Guangzhou hotels booking and China Tour guide .

Suspended some 50 meters over the ground and consisting of 40 pavilions and halls, the Hanging Monastery is constructed with the help of wooden pillars that are anchored into the cliff face behind the edifices, though no one today can say for certain whether the holes into which the pillars are anchored were manmade or natural. The monastery is reached via a bridge that leads up a stone staircase that has been chiseled into the cliff face. The monastery's 6 main halls are intricately and ingeniously linked by winding corridors, bridges, and boardwalks that offer a perilous glimpse of the ground below, increasing the visitor's awareness that this truly is, quite literally, a hanging monastery.
The hanging temple is a temple built more then 1500 years ago, into a cliff. It is an extraordinary temple because it represents a combination of Buddhism, Taoism andSONY DSC Confucianism. It is built of wood but due to its ‘hanging’  in the middle of the cliffs, which is under the summit prominent part, protecting the temple from rain erosion and sunlight, the colors in the temple are relatively well preserved.

Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple

Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors. Chinatourguide.com is pleasure to provide Tibet tour for you, we also provide other China tours and indochina tours with local guide.

The most famous pilgrim circuit in Lhasa is Barkhor Kora or Barkhor Pilgrim Circuit circling the ancient Jokhang Temple. On the Barkhor Street, you can see thousands of people with pray wheels, Buddhist prayer beads or incense walking clockwise around the Jokhang Temple. Follow this Lhasa  pilgrim circuit, you can get a feel for Tibetan arts, handicrafts, and customs. This kora is lined with traders selling everything, as well as small alleyways leading to temples, markets and homes. Therefore pilgrims can do shopping at the end of their kora. The Barkhor Street is always thronged with pilgrims from all over the Tibet, even other places of the world. Some of them have covered thousands of kilometers to complete this sacred circuit. Some of them, even teenagers, move forward body-lengths by body-lengths from morning to night. All they do is to testify their piety to their beliefs. It is here that you can witness the devotion of the pilgrims and directly feel the strength of religion.

The street area is very big covering many streets and alleys. The main street surrounding the temple is a 1,000-meter street bustling with hundreds of store fronts and street vendors. Worshipping wares and tourist souvenirs are hawked along this Tibetan-ambience stoned street: yak butter lamps, prayer wheels, scriptures, turquoise and coral jewelries, antique carvings, Tibetan carpets, etc. Tibetan snacks and cuisines are easy to spot here.

The magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge

The magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia) lies in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan on the Jinsha River. Yunnan is diverse, the southern region being more tropical and akin to the climate of Southeast Asia (it borders Burma/Myanmar). Northern Yunnan, where the gorge is located, is renowned for its mountainous countryside that more closely resembles the landscapes of Tibet. Welcome to China, Chinatourguide.com is pleasure to provide Yunan tour for you, we also provide other China tours and indochina tours with local guide.

 
Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges on the planet, and it has the best hiking trail in the Lijiang area. The scenery is spectacular. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s. Inns and guesthouses have been built along the trail for hikers. The Yangtze River in the canyon isn’t navigable. Tourists can tour the gorge area on tour buses along a road at the bottom of the canyon that follows the course of the river. This tour road is very popular with Chinese tourists. The people who walk the High Trail above the road are mainly foreigners. If you hike the path, you’ll find some solitude because you may meet only a few groups of hikers all day. Local Naxi people also use the trails. Whether you visit on a tour bus or hike, you can see some spectacular sights.

Popular for its snow-clad mountain scenery and the chance it offers to escape China's crowded streets and overnight in authentic ethnic villages, the High Trail offers solitude and space in a country where wilderness experiences are rare, and almost never come without handrails and toll booths.
Travel Tips
Admission Fee: 50RMB. If visiting the Tiger Leaping Gorge before 7:00, no admission fee is needed. Open Time: 9:00~18:00 Location: Northeast of Pannong County, Jade Dragon Autonomous Prefecture, Lijiang, Yunnan Province. Suggested Traveling Duration: 2 days Best time to visit: Spring and autumn How to get to: There are shuttle buses from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, which is available from 7:00 to 4:30. Just go to the local bus station to buy ticket, which cost about 20RMB. For renting a car, it costs about 500RMB per day.

Punakha dzong served as the centre of government

Located on a stretch of land where the Pho chhu and Mo chhu converge, the Punakha Dzong served as the centre of government and the first session of the National Assembly was also held here in 1953.

 
Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutanese state. It was originally named Puntang Dechen Phodrang Dzong which means the Palace of Great Bliss. Indochinatourguide.com is pleased to offer genuine Bhutan tour for you.
Punakha Dong was built on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire ox year in 1673. The dzong was attacked by the Tibetan in 1639 and 1644. The attacks were successfully repelled by the defenders. To commemorate the victory, a New Year festival was introduced and Yu Gyal Gonkhang Chen Mo, “the great shrine of the protective and victorious lord” was built.

Punakha is the least elevated of Bhutan's central valleys and famous for its benign climate in which fruit trees flourish within sight of the snow-crested Himalayan Mountains. The valley is about 3 hours drive from Thimphu town and is famous for the picturesque Punakha Dzong which is one of the most photogenic Dzong of Bhutan.

Nyainqentanglha Mountains is one of the major mountain ranges on China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Nyainqentanglha Mountains is one of the major mountain ranges on China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which serves as the ridge dividing Yarlung Zangbo River and Nujiang River. Stretching 1,400 kilometers and rising to 7,111 meters at its peak, Nyainqentanglha Mountains is capped with heavy layers of snow year-round. HRC is pleased to offer great service to build a unique China Tour or Indochina Tour for you.

 
The local folklore has it that in Nyainqentanglha there is a mysterious crystal palace. The palace door, inlaid with all kinds of precious stones, is dazzlingly brilliant. The palace itself, with the top surrounded by white clouds and the middle wreathed by colorful mist and light, is floating over the sea of amrita, with colorful fresh flowers flourishing around.

Legend The Nyainqentanglha that we can see today is grand and snow-capped. The local folklore has it that in Nyainqentanglha there is a mysterious crystal palace. The palace door, inlaid with all kinds of precious stones, is dazzlingly brilliant. The palace itself, with the top surrounded by white clouds and the middle wreathed by colorful mist and light, is floating over the sea of amrita, with colorful fresh flowers flourishing around.
Wreathed by cloud and mist all the year round and frequented by wrathful lighting and peals of thunder, the snow-capped Nyainqentanglha stands mysteriously tall and upright over plains, gorges and other snow mountains.

Bangong Tso Lake in Tibet

Bangong Tso Lake, meaning long neck swan in Tibetan, is located partly in China and the rest is in Kashmir that is controlled by India. This inland lake is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from northwestern Rutog County, Ngari District of Tibet. It is 155 kilometers (96.3 miles) long from east to west and very narrow from south to north, 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) at the widest part and only 5 meters (16 feet) at the narrowest part. The depth of water is 57 meters (187 feet). And the entire lake is 4,240 meters (13,911 feet) above sea level. HRC is pleased to offer great service a China tour or Indochina tour for you.

 
The limpid water is so blue and looks like an opal in the earth. It mirrors the blue sky, white clouds and snowy mountains, forming a picturesque view. Its uniqueness is that the same lake has different characteristics in China and Kashmir: The water in China is clear and sweet, harboring a kind of freshwater fish without scales; but the water in Kashmir so salty that no creatures can survive.
Bangong Lake is about 155km in length from the west to the east, and its width ranges from 40meters to 15km, the average depth about 57meters. In the lake there are at least 5 islands such as Shu Island, Tu Island etx, and the largest one named Bird Island, is the kingdom of birds, also breeding place in Spring for some birds such as Anser ndicus. Photo taken on August 22, shows the tourists are preparing to board a pleasure-boat.

This vast lake is dotted with big and small islands like stars in the night sky. The central island is the kingdom of birds, and is named Bird Island. It is not that large, about 300 meters (984 feet) long and over 200 meters (656 feet) wide. However, around ten thousand birds of more than 20 species inhabit it. The main species include the bar-head goose, brown-head gull, seagull, crested duck and tadorna ferruginea. These birds feed on the fish and aquatic plants in Bangong Lake. During the birds’ breeding season, the whole island is almost covered with thousands of birds. Bird nests and eggs are everywhere. Because there are no natural enemies or anything to disturb their habitat, they live in a quiet and peaceful life. Thanks to the natural barrier of water protecting the birds, it becomes a special sight on the Ngari Plateau.

Ramoche Temple in Lasha

Ramoche located in Lasha City northeast of Barkhor Street about 500 meters north of Block west to east, from the courtyard of the Temple, the gatehouse, Sakyamuni like roofing golden dome and internal and external transfer The cloister, a total area of about 4,000 square meters. The temple named A up hot wood Qizulakang, "meaning" Han tiger god into the Temple. The Ramoche Chinese title; small, the corresponding Jokhang Temple; Zhao is a transliteration of the Tibetan "sleep lying", which means "Buddha. Temple for like the Sakyamuni eight-year-old life-sized pure gold and many statues and Thangka. 1962 as a regional key cultural relics protection units. HRC is pleased to offer great service a China tour or Indochina tour for you.

 
In the days of King Songtsan Gampo (617-649), founder of the Tibetan Empire, Ramoche Temple was originally built to house the famous statue of Sakyamuni, now found in the Jokhang, which was brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng. Legend has it that when Princess Wen Cheng and her entourage arrived at the north gate of Lhasa, her carriage got stuck in the mud. Her assistants could not remove the statue and so they covered it temporarily with 4 pillars and white brocade. Later, the Princess ordered the construction of Ramoche as a shrine for the statue.
Ramoche was founded in the mid-seventh century AD, incense stretches than a thousand years. According to legend, Wencheng princess to Tibet with a 12-year-old Sakyamuni life-sized pure gold like, the line to Ramoche now,, wooden car into the sand. Princess calendar, Sakyamuni Buddha decided to put here to worship, was built Ramoche. Presided over the construction of the temple by Princess Wen Cheng started at the same time with the Jokhang Temple, see completed at the same time, the opening at the same time; door to the east, to the princess home parents miss sustenance.

Nowadays, the temple has become the very place for the Tibetan monks to study the Mi Zong (one of the sects of Buddhism).
Ramoche Temple of the original main supply Wencheng Princess Sakyamuni Buddha brought from Chang'an, the main shrine of the Jokhang Temple is the original main supply Princess of Nepal from Kathmandu statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, Later, two statues for a bit. According to the Fifth Dalai Lama book "Jokhang Temple directory and the book records: the first Xiaozhaoshi main supply Buddha Sakyamuni Buddha brought by Princess Wencheng. After the death of Songtsen Gampo, in accordance with the will of Princess Wencheng, Jokhang Temple and Xiaozhaoshi, Sakyamuni Buddha was on the exchange, Princess of Nepal brought Sakyamuni Buddha as Main St. for Ramoche.
Remoche Temple was originally built to house the famous statue of Sakyamuni, now found in the Jokhang Temple, which was originally brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng, It was said that when Princess Wencheng and her entourage arrived at the North gate of Lhasa, her carriage got stuck in the mud. Her assistants could not remove the statue and so they covered it temporarily with 4 pillars and white brocade. Later, the Princess ordered the construction of Ramoche as a shrine for the statue.

Potala Palace immense religious and administrative complex in Lhasa

Potala Palace is considered a model of Tibetan architecture. Located on the Red Hill in Lhasa, Tibet, it is 3,700 meters above sea level and covers an area of over 360,000 square meters, measuring 360 meters from east to west and 270 meters from south to north. The palace has 13 stories, and is 117 meters high. Interesting in Potala Palace Tour? HRC is pleased to offer great service to build a unique China tour for you.

 
Potala Palace immense religious and administrative complex in Lhasa, southern Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China. It is situated atop Mar-po-ri (Red Mountain), 425 feet (130 metres) above the Lhasa River valley, and rises up dramatically from its rocky base. Potrang Karpo (completed 1648; White Palace) once served as the seat of the Tibetan government and the main residence of the Dalai Lama; from the mid-18th century it was used as a winter palace. Potrang Marpo (1694; Red Palace) houses several chapels, sacred statues, and the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas; it remains a major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.

The central part of this group of buildings rises in a vast quadrangular mass above its satellites to a great height, terminating in gilt canopies similar to those on the Jokhang. This central member of Potala is called the "red palace" from its crimson colour, which distinguishes it from the rest. It contains the principal halls and chapels and shrines of past Dalai Lamas. There is in these much rich decorative painting, with jewelled work, carving and other ornamentation.

Ganden Monastery is attainable on a day trip from Lhasa

Ganden Monastery is attainable on a day trip from Lhasa. It lies 45km east of Lhasa, on the Sichuan highway. It is the most dramatically situated of the main temples near Lhasa, high up on the ridge.
The Ganden Monastery has been re-established in Karnataka, India by the Tibetan population in exile. The Ganden Monastery is located in the Tibetan settlement at Mundgod. This settlement of Tibetan refugees is the largest of its kind in India and was first established in 1966, from land donated by the Indian government.

 
In the Tibetan settlement near Mundgod are the Ganden and the Drepung Monastery. In 1999 there were in total about 13,000 residents. The Tibetan settlement consists of nine camps with two monasteries and one nunnery. They have established a credit bank for farms, an agricultural institute and a craft center. Modern technology and communication technology are being introduced. The curriculum of the Ganden Monastery remains similar to the teachings of the pre-1959 Ganden Monastery.

Ganden Monastery was completely destroyed during the rebellion of 1959. In 1966 it was severely shelled by Red Guard artillery and monks then had to dismantle the remains.[4] Most of Tsongkhapa's mummified body was burned but his skull and some ashes were saved from the fire by Bomi Rinpoche, the monk who had been forced to carry the body to the fire.[6] Re-building has been continuing since the 1980s and the "red-painted lhakang in the centre is the reconstruction of Ganden's sanctum sanctorum containing Tsongkapa's reliquary chorten called the Tongwa Donden, 'Meaningful to Behold.'

The word "Ganden" means "joy" in Tibetan and is also the name for the "western heavens" where the Maitreya Buddha (the Future Buddha) resides. Ironically, this Monastery was heavily damaged during Cultural Revolution bombings, making the place somewhat depressing. However, work is underway to repair the damaged buildings of the monastery, so that Ganden Monastery is being quickly restored to its must-see status as one of Lhasa's most impressive monasteries. Seek out the Golden Throne Room of the Dalai Lama. Placed upon the throne, there is a cloth bag containing his yellow hat that he left behind in his escape to exile in India.

The Sho Dun Festival in Tibet

The Sho Dun Festival , commonly known as the Yogurt Festival  or Banquet is an annual festival held at Norbulingka or "Jewel Park" palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

The festival is celebrated in the summer, from the 15th to the 24th of the 5th lunar month - usually about the middle of August, after a month's retreat by the monks who stay within their monasteries to avoid walking on the emerging summer insects and killing them.
Partying at Sho Dun Festival, Norbulingka, 1993

It began in the 16th century with a banquet given by the lay people for the monks featuring yoghurt. Later on, summer operas, or Lhamo, and theatricals were added to the festivities. The operas, "last all day with clashing cymbals, bells and drums; piercing recitatives punctuating more melodious choruses; hooded villains, leaping devils, swirling girls with long silk sleeves. In the past dancers came from all over Tibet, but today there is only the state-run Lhasa Singing and Dancing Troupe."

The beautiful grounds of the Norbulingka are filled with partying groups shielded from the wind by gaily coloured hanging walls of rugs and printed canvas. There is much feasting and visiting between family groups and bonfires are common at night.

 

Shoton Festival originates from the 11th century. It had been exclusively a religious observance until the 17th century when the Great 5th Dalai Lama introduced the Tibetan opera into the celebration, making it a nationwide gala. Being the largest and most mysterious festival on the roof of the world, Shoton Festival serves as a showcase to rooted tradition, appealing culture and great piety of the Tibetan people. Global travelers, who urge to discover more than just turquoise lakes and snow capped mountains on this forbidden land, are drawn to Tibet at this time of year.

The festival mainly consists of 3 parts - Great Buddha Display, Tibetan Opera Show and Horsemanship & Yak Race Show. In combination they represent the best of Tibetan religion, culture and tradition.

Siling Lake is a lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region

Siling Lake , is a lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region, to the north of Xainza. Doijiang is located near the lake. Administratively it belongs to Xainza County and Baingoin County of the Nagqu Prefecture.

The temperature at the lake is an annual average of -3 to -0.6°C, the maximum annual temperature 9.4°C. The average rainfall is 290 millimeters per year, 90 percent of which falls in the months of June to September, often in the summer as hail.
The areas of Selincuo Lake are larger than that of Namucuo Lake, and it becomes the largest saltwater lake in Tibet autonomous region now. The increases of air temperature and surface temperature lead to ice and snow melting, permafrost melting, which are the main reasons resulting in the lake rising. The above analysis shows that EOS/MODIS data are suitable to discuss the areas changes of lakes.

Ganden Monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain

Ganden Monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of Lhasa River in Tagtse County, 47 kilometers (29 miles) from Lhasa City. It stands at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level! It is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, and stands atop of the six famous temples of Gelugpa - a branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Its significance as a religious, artistic, political and cultural relic led to it being preserved by the National Key Cultural Relic Preservation scheme in 1961, and is now known as being one of the 'Three Great Temples', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery . Every year, one of the grandest of Buddhist activities - Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival - is conducted here, attracting thousands of visitors and disciples.

 

The main temple and over seventy buildings were completed that year, 1409, in strict adherence with the Indian monastic rules. The next year, on a hill behind Ganden, Tsongkhapa unearthed the treasure conch shell that Maudgalyayana had buried there. All the prophesies about Ganden Monastery were thus fulfilled. In 1416, Tsongkhapa gave the Ganden conch to his disciple, Jamyang Chojey ('Jam-dbyangs Chos-rje bKra-shis dpal-ldan) (1379-1449), who founded Drepung Monastery ('Bras-spungs dGon-pa) later that year. The conch has been kept at Drepung ever since. Another close disciple, Jamchen Chojey (Byams-chen Chos-rje Shakya ye-shes) (1354-1435), founded Sera Monastery (Se-ra dGon-pa) in 1419, the year Tsongkhapa passed away.

Ganden Monastery is comprised of two colleges, Jangtsey (Byang-rtse Grva-tshang) and Shartsey (Shar-rtse grva-tshang), meaning North Peak and East Peak respectively. According to one tradition, they were named after their location to the north and east of Ganden's main temple.
The Ganden Monastery Colleges Jangtse and Shartse have also been reestablished in India. They are named The Ganden Jangtse College and The Gaden Shartse Monastery. They are located in Karnataka. The three main sights in the Ganden Monastery are the Serdung, which contains the tomb of Tsongkhapa, the Tsokchen Assembly Hall and the Ngam Cho Khang the chapel where Tsongkhapa traditionally taught. The monastery houses artifacts which belonged to Tsongkhapa.

Pala Manor is one of the 12 main manors and the most well-preserved manor in Tibet

Pala Manor is located 4 kilometers southwest to Gyangze County of the Shigatse Prefecture. It is one of the 12 main manors and the most well-preserved manor in Tibet, showing the lifestyle of the wealthy landed family once lived in the manor.

 
The building is a three-storey structure with 57 rooms, including sutra hall, sunlight room, reception room, bedrooms, room for playing mahjong games, etc. The rooms are richly decorated with exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters. Traces of influence of culture of inland China are visible in the carvings, paintings, and furniture items placed.

Originally Pala, the former owner of the Manor, was a Bhutanese chief but due to civil strife in Bhutan, he moved to Tibet with his family where in due course he became a local official. In due course he rose to an important position as a local official, and gradually joined the aristocratic ranks.

Yumbu Lhakhang is the first palace of Tibet

Yumbu Lhakhang, the first palace of Tibet, is located on the Zhaxi Ceri Mountain, 5 kilometers from Nedong County in Lhoka Prefecture.
A legend counts Yumbu Lhakhang Palace as the first palace in Tibet. According to a legend of followers of the Bon Religion, Yumbu Lhakhang Palace was erected in the second century BC for the first Tibetan king Nitri Tsampo, who was believed to descende from the sky.

As the ancient palace of the Tibetan kings prominenting on a rocky hill, it is a narrow rectangular building with a slender white tower topped by a gilded rgya-phibs canopy. According to Tibetan legend, during the reign of the 28th king Lha Thothori Nyantsen in the 5th century, the first Buddhist Sutra to enter Tibet fell from the sky onto the roof of Yumbu Lhakhang together with a small golden stupa and a jewel.By tradition it was founded by the mythical king Nya-khri Btsan-po and it is associated, rather more possibly, with king Tho-tho-ri who may be placed tentatively in the middle of the fifth century. The story gives sanctity to the building which, which is approached by a narrow path up a steep hill and entered through a low door beyond which a steep ladder leads to the first floor.

The Ruins of Guge in Tibet

The Ruins of Guge Kingdom is located on a mountain in Zhabran Village,18km west of the county town of Zhada, 310km south of Shiquanhe Town.
The Guge Kingdom was founded in about the 10th century by a descendant of King Glang Darma, who fled from Lhasa after the collapse of the Tupo Kingdom. The kingdom played an important role in the second renascence in Tibet and survived for about 700 years before disappearing mysteriously in the 17th century.

"Guge" is a miracle. For years it strongly attracted numerous explorers, scholars, artists and journalists who traveled from afar to investigate and search for treasures. According to historical records, after the last king of the Tubo Dynasty, Lang Darma, died, the royal family began to fight for the throne. Gyide Nyimagun, Long Darma's descendent, lost the war and ran away to Ngari, where he established a small kingdom. Later, Gyide Nyimagun divided Ngari into three parts and gave them to his three sons. The Guge Kingdom was ruled by Dezogun, Gyide Nyimagun's third son. His regime ran for more than 700 years before being destroyed in a war. According to the Annals of Kings and Officials in Tibet, a total of 16 kings ruled the Guge Kingdom, and Guge Castle was accomplished through constant construction between the 10th and 16th century. Guge has a very significant position in the history of economic and cultural development of Tibet. Many significant Buddhist doctrines of ancient India were passed on to hinterland Tibet via Guge.Guge was also one of the important commercial ports linking ancient Tibet with the outside world.After the Tubo Dynasty died out,Tibet entered a 400-some year period of isolation. Guge was always a large and powerful kingdom. Even the dust of time cannot hide its prosperity and past glory.

The ruins lie at a hilltop near a river, covering 180,000 square meters. Houses, cave dwellings, monasteries and stupas are distributed on the hill and surrounding area. Palaces sat on the summit while monasteries on mountainside, cave dwellings for common people at the foot of the hill. The kingdom was enclosed in tunnels and walls with fortifications. Some structures survive time and remain in good condition in this untraversed region though many of them were reduced into dust. A 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long water tunnel built with stones, in ruins, still dives from the summit into the river below, which used to be water supply of Guge people.

Zhada stand the famous Tuolin Monastery and relic Guge Kingdom

Covering an area of 2,464 square kilometers, located in the Zanda County of Ngari Prefecture, Zanda Clay Forest,aka Zanda Clay Forest is the largest clay forest that was formed over one million years ago.

 
Zhada, whose Tibetan meaning is "the place where there are grass in the lower reaches of river", is a County under the govern of Nagri Prefecture. In this county stand the famous Tuolin Monastery and relic Guge Kingdom. As soon as you step into Zhada County, you can see the clay forest towering along both sides of five-kilometer-Elephant Spring River. These clay forest are of different shapes. Some like warriors defending the mountain, some like galloping horses, while others like devoted followers standing there quietly.
The best interpretation of the beauty of the scenery of Zanda, forest soil ditch.

Into the forest soil trenches, the people will be the eye as a vast sea forest soil the world shock and awe: the towering forest soil in the hot sun resembles a castles and towers, with one of the vast scene scorch .100 million years ago Zhada forest is more than 500 km wide and the Great Lakes Himalayan orogeny make the surface of the water to sink, the original lake basin in the Loess over many years by the wind and rain erosion and scour, eventually forming a sculpture of this magnificent natural forest soil. forest soil today under intensive folds and ravines, as long as the next torrential rains, it stretches over 30 kilometers of forest soil ditch immediately turned into a 'river' Zada county 'moat'.

The highest monastery in the world

At the foothills of Mt.Everest, is located the highest monastery in the world - Rongbuk Monastery. It was founded by a Nyingmapa Lama in 1902 and had been in used by monks and hermits for over 400 years. The ancient monastery is only 200 metres (660 ft) lower than the north side Everest Base Camp of Mount Everest, and in the background of Rongbuk Monastery is the top of the world - Qomolangma.

Monks and nuns live in the same monastery and celebrate the Buddhist festivals together. From 15th April of the Tibetan Calendar a Buddhist dancing ceremony is held here, which will last for three days. This is held to celebrate the birth of Sakyamuni, which is known as Saka Dawa Festival. During the play, many monks disguise themselves as Rabbis and dance many scenes one after another, and most scenes portray different characters and clothing. The noisy and special activity often attracts many local residents and visitors to the temple. Another Tibetan festival is held on 29th December of Tibetan Calendar to placate wandering ghosts, and monks wearing masks also perform this grand ceremony.

Walking forward from Rongbuk Monastery, you will see the famous Rongbuk Glacier Zone, which is the largest among all the hundreds of glaciers formed around the Mt. Everest. The three glaciers north of the Mt. Everest flow south and congregate at a river traversing the foot of the monastery. This is called 'Rongbuk River', and the water there is extremely cold.

Travel tips for Potala Palace

In order to control the number of visitors, in 2006 began to restrict daily visitors to 2300 people, of which 1600 is provided to the travel agency, 700 is provided to fit. Individual tourist, prior to Potala Palace in order to receive a free ticket purchase voucher, Potala Palace, the next day with a ticket purchase voucher can purchase visit.

According to the reservoir development and reform price document [2007]464, Potala Palace from January 1, 2008 onwards busy season and off-season fare.

Potala Palace tickets tips

Ticket information: Potala Palace and limit the sale of pre-sale ticket system combination, the number of daily visitors limit 2300 people (about 700 individual tickets), a day after 5 pm the next day after the pre-sale tickets, each limited to 4 tickets, to be a day early to queue up for a ticket purchase voucher, and must provide the identity card number, according to the queue. Successively, ticket card marked the time of visit, in the Potala Palace big door holding identity cards to buy ticket to enter. If you have a teaching certificate or student ID card, take it out, you only need 49 yuan can go in the. In addition the Jinding cannot, treasures collection money is not much, not worth, can save 10 yuan.

Receive location: in Potala Palace square on the door, written with strict time, expired.

The best location: pictures of Potala Palace is located in the southwest side of the best position of the Potala Palace in a small mountain (the relative elevation of over 20 meters), the end of the tour went down after it passes through the Beijing road to the. Under the mountain there will be local charge, about 1-2 yuan.

 

Matters needing attention

Photograph: Yaowang mountain can shoot panorama of Potala Palace; the Dragon King pool can shoot in Potala Palace park reflection; the Potala Palace can not take pictures.

Toilet: white square on the right has a toilet, after nearly two hours of tours was no toilets, visitors enter the white house before this convenient; cloth Palace back door toilet is very characteristic, must try;

Remind: the palace is higher, up and down slowly; the relatively cold, even the best summer also prepared coat.

CMB / City Jeep: individual in cling to walk and Jeep fixed routes, fares 2 yuan, most of the lines Tibetan Hospital station.

Car rental: suggest tourist taxi ride from the mountain to the top of the Potala Palace, and then from the top down along Potala Palace, the fare of about 10 yuan.

The palace location: fit in Potala Palace front gate into the palace at Potala Palace, team tourists southeast side, hereby accept security check, check the ID card number, please be sure to bring your ID, otherwise cannot enter.

Security notice: into the Potala Palace needs security, all flammable and explosive, guns, tools (including nail clippers and other possible pry the Potala Palace any stones gadget) cannot be carried into the.

Tickets : Security after entering the palace, by the ladder walking to Potala Palace house in front of the ticket office, by buy ticket buy the real Potala Palace tickets.

Potala Palace tourism traffic

Traffic in the city

Lhasa City Taxi: Although very small, but surprisingly he has 1500 taxi. Hits in Lhasa, on the bus to bargaining, generally in the city of 10 yuan is enough.