Tibet: Places of Interest

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level and has a history dating back over 1300 years. It remains the center of politics, economics, culture and religion in Tibet.
There is so much to see in Lhasa which makes it difficult to know where to start and where to end. Potala Palace, Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine of Tibet, and the famous Ramoche Temple are only some of the many highlights of the city.
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Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet and most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and is the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. Located at a height of 3900 meter (12600 ft), it is the center of transportation and the distributing centre of agriculture and husbandry products from the South Eastern part of Tibet.
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Gyantse lies at 3950 meter (13050 ft) in the Nyang Chu Valley, 254 km south-west of Lhasa and is an important city regarding ancient trade routes especially famous for its wool. It has connections to Bhutan, India and is situated close to the main road between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Main attractions are its Fort, the Palchor Choide Monastery and Pangmo Chorten, the largest 'stupa' in Tibet.
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Tsetang is the jumping board for exploration of the Yarlung valley area which is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. This area has the oldest building in Tibet, Yumbu Lagang, the oldest monastery, Samye, and has the birthplace of the six original Tibetan clans, the Monkey Cave on Mount Zodang Gongpori.
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Yamdrok Tso, one of the three largest lakes of Tibet, lies about a hundred kilometer to the southwest of Lhasa on the road from Lhasa to Gyantse. The surface of the lake, with its fathomless depth, covers some six hundred square kilometers and holds plenty of fish. In the middle of the lake, ten or so hilly islands stand independently one from the other providing homes to flocks of wild ducks.
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Xegar (4350 meter or 13800 feet), also called Shekar Dzong or Tingri, is a town at the base of Mount Everest on the Tibetan side. From this small town climbing expeditions are launched attempting to reach the summits of the highest peaks in the world!
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Lhatse (3950m) is situated where the main Tibetan road turns westwards towards Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. It is a welcome change after the barren lands of the Tibetan plateau. Nearby Lhaste is the town Sakya and Sakya Monastery (that looks more than a fort), a very interesting monastery and definitely worth a visit.
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Mt. Kailash (Kang Rimpoche), situated in the Western region of Tibet, has been considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bonpos for thousands of years and is seen as the centre of the world. Beneath the mountain, Lake Manasarovar is situated which is the source for four great rivers of Asia and seen as the holiest lake of Tibet by many.
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Other places of interest include Nyalam, Zhang-mu (Khasa), the Karo ruins, the ruins of the Guige Kingdoms and the terrestrial heat in the North of Tibet. These places are described more thoroughly in this section to give you a better idea about all the oppurtunities Tibet has to offer.
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