Top Choice Buddhist Stupa in Gyantse
Gyantse Kumbum
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and sitting beside Palcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the town’s foremost attraction. This 32m-high chörten, with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and crown-li…
Top Choice Buddhist Monastery in Samye
Samye Monastery
About 170km southeast of Lhasa, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) is Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet. Founded in 775 by King Trisong Detsen, Samye is famed not just for its p…
Top Choice Palace in Lhasa
Potala Palace
The magnificent Potala Palace, once the seat of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, is Lhasa's cardinal landmark. Your first sight of its towering, fortress-like walls is a moment you…
Top Choice Base in Everest Region
Everest Base Camp
In February 2019, Tibet's Everest Base Camp was further closed to visitors to allow for continued cleanup and environmental restoration efforts, begun in 2018 with the removal of eight tonnes of garbage. Tourists ar…
Top Choice Buddhist Temple in Lhasa
Jokhang Temple
The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Tibet: the continuous waves of awestruck pilgrims prostrating themselves outside are a testament to its timeless allure. The central golden Buddha image her…
Top Choice Buddhist Monastery in Shigatse
Tashilhunpo Monastery
One of the few monasteries in Tibet to weather the stormy seas of the Cultural Revolution, Tashilhunpo remains relatively unscathed. It is a pleasure to explore the cobbled lanes twisting around its aged buildings. …
Top Choice Buddhist Temple in Samye
Ütse
The central building of Samye, the Ütse comprises a unique synthesis of architectural styles. The ground and 1st floors were originally Tibetan in style, the 2nd floor was Chinese and the 3rd floor Khotanese. The co…
Top Choice Buddhist Monastery in Sakya
Sakya Monastery
The immense, grey, thick-walled southern monastery is one of Tibet’s most impressive constructed sights, and one of the largest monasteries – home to about 200 monks. Established in 1268, it was designed defensively…
Top Choice Buddhist Monastery in Tsurphu Valley
Tsurphu Monastery
Tsurphu has four main buildings and you could easily spend half a day here – longer if you plan to do the excellent outer kora (pilgrim circuit). If you're short on time, concentrate on the large central assembly ha…
Top Choice Buddhist Site in Drepung Monastery
Main Assembly Hall
The main assembly hall, or Tsogchen, is the principal structure in the Drepung complex and is the one chapel you must not miss. The hall is reached through an entrance on the western side, just past a wonderful medi…