Must-see attractions in Tibet
Tsang
The main reason to make the 20-minute climb to the top of this 14th-century fort is for the fabulous views of Palcho Monastery and Gyantse's whitewashed…
Tsang
This former merchant’s house once belonged to the largest noble family in Tsang (the Palha – one of the five largest in Tibet), but is now a government…
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This Tibetan-style building is recognisable by its red tower. Just behind it are three Dumburi chörtens and the shrine and natural springs that mark the…
Lhasa
A recent addition to the northeast side of the Barkhor Circuit is the Perdu Ambam Yamen, a politicised museum firmly aimed at local Chinese consumption …
Lhasa
Nestled at the southern foot of Marpo Ri (Shöl literally means ‘at the base’), the former village of Shöl was once Lhasa’s red-light district, as well as…
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The county town of Gongkar Xian is of note for hosting Tibet’s only public Chairman Mao statue, located next to a school west of the town centre. The 12m…
Lhasa
On the southern side of the Barkhor Circuit, this dull museum focuses on a fascinating character. Choephel (1903–51) was a monk, poet, translator,…
Tsang
This traditional water mill is located halfway between Gyantse and Shigatse. Peek into the back room to see the working water-powered stone mill grinding…
Lhasa
This mosque in the Muslim district serves as the spiritual focal point of Lhasa's several thousand Muslims, especially on Fridays. It's closed to non…
Lhasa
One of the monastery's recently renovated minor residences, this building can be missed if you are running short of time.
Lhasa
One of the monastery's recently renovated minor residences, this building can be missed if you are running short of time.
Lhasa
Next to some rock paintings is this support wall, used to hang a giant thangka during festivals.
Lhasa
This college is worth popping into if you want to explore off the beaten track.
Eastern Tibet
Riwoche Tsuglhakhang was founded in 1276 by Sangye On, who relocated to Kham after the death of his master Sangye Yarjon (1203–72), the third leader of…
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The main chapel of Keru (or Drakmar Keru) is one of Tibet's oldest temples, dating from the mid-8th century, before Samye Monastery was even a glimmer in…
Eastern Tibet
At 4800m this is one of Tibet’s highest monasteries, and its location, strung out along a ridgeline below a series of natural cliffs and caves, is one of…
Eastern Tibet
This 700-year-old monastery, 30km east of Jomda, contains Tibet’s largest Sakyapa monastic school with more than 200 monks studying here at any time. The…
Nagchu Prefecture
This impressive monastery perched on an outcrop in the southern suburbs. Built in 1667 by the Mongol leader Gushri Khan, this Gelugpa monastery, home to…
Eastern Tibet
On a hillside about three kilometres west of town, this interesting Bön monastery is home to more than 200 monks, and is made up of two separate…
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To visit the separate Dzong Kumbum cave complex you really need to spend the night in the valley. Make your way back to Ngadrak village and drive 6km to a…
Eastern Tibet
Around 10km past an old caravan-trail turn-off, and 6km before the Chamdo airport, is a turnoff that heads 7km to the remote and welcoming Yushig…
Nagchu Prefecture
On the western outskirts of the town is the surprisingly large monastery (founded 1814), a branch of Lhasa’s Sera Monastery, with more than 90 monks. The…
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A rewarding 90-minute hike, gaining 400m, leads from Chode Ön village just north of Keru Lhakhang to the impressive, sprawling ruins of 12th-century…
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This small pond marks the birthplace and spirit lake of Guru Rinpoche’s consort Yeshe Tsogyal. The golden-roofed chapel at the north end of the lake has a…
Eastern Tibet
Overlooking Chugu Gompa is this rarely visited Nyingmapa monastery, which was built in 1872 and is home to 30 monks. The hilltop grassland setting here is…
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Tashi Dhoka is famed as a meditation retreat of Tsongkhapa. You can visit the meditation caves of Tsongkhapa and his student Genden Drup (who later became…
Nagchu Prefecture
Making up the southern part of a half-open courtyard in the monastery, this wall looks like any other Tibetan mani wall from a distance. But as you…
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Hidden in a cleft in the rock a couple of kilometres south of Rechung-puk is the Bhairo-puk. The tiny cave is home to a nun who spends her days and nights…
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Ngadrak is the main Karma Kagyu monastery in the valley. Look for the stone footprint of Yeshe Tsogyal beside one of the assembly hall pillars. Pilgrims…
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The large Gongtang Bumpa chörten was allegedly commissioned by Vairocana as a way to resolve a border dispute between rival kings. It's just off the main…
Eastern Tibet
This Kagyupa-sect gompa is home to more than 100 monks and nuns, it has an enormous courtyard and a lovely grassland setting. It dates back to 1670,…
Nagchu Prefecture
This 800-year-old monastery was undergoing extensive renovation at the time of writing, including construction work for a guesthouse just outside the main…
Ngari
This scenic monastery is worth a visit for its fine views and unusual chörtens. It's 42km from Saga (Km1759), on a hillside about 1.5km off the main road
Nagchu Prefecture
A short walk up the valley brings you to this small nunnery. The main hall here contains 1000 silver statues of the female bodhisattva Drölma (Tara).
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A small chapel commemorates the birthplace of Nubchen Sangye Yeshe, a 9th-century Tantric master who was one of the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche.
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This 17th-century nunnery was largely left in ruins after the Cultural Revolution but has since been rebuilt and is now home to about 14 nuns.
