Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama, is located on the hillside overlooking Shigatse northwest of the town. It was established in 1447 by Genden Trup, a disciple of the founder of the Gelugpa Order. Genden Trup was later named the first Dalai Lama. Later, the fifth Dalai Lama named the Abbot of Tashilhunpo as the first Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama. Ever since then, the title of Panchen Lama has been one and the same with the Abbot of this monastery. 
 
This temple for the most part escaped the ravages of the Cultural Revolution and its chapels contain countless statues and mural decorated halls. Find the Chapel of Maitreya as you enter the Monastery. Inside there is a 26 meter high statue of the Maitreya Buddha which is the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Also, the tombs (burial stupas or chorten) of most of the Panchen Lamas are housed in the Monastery. Worthy of note is the Tomb of the tenth Panchen Lama who passed away in 1989.

The most magnificent part of the Monastery is the Kelsang Temple in the northeast area of the compound. There, you'll find enough chapels, statues and murals to keep you enthralled for several trips. Wander around and take it all in slowly. There is just too much in this one building, from Chapels dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha to the Tara protection goddesses.

Opening hours: Theoretically from 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm, but the monks may occasionally close down early or change the hours. If they try to shoo you off, don't get angry, but try to smile and show them your ticket. Your getting angry just makes them more determined to close the monastery.

Cost: RMB40 entry fee. Photography fees of around RMB 80, but negotiable.(ctrip.com)

Shalu Monastery

Shalu Monastery is located 20 kilometers southeast of Xigaze. It was first built in 1087. It demonstrates a combination of the Tibet and Han architectural styles. It is famous for its sandalwood slips carved with Buddhist scripture and a jar for filling sacred water. It is said that for years the water does not decrease or deteriorate. The murals in the monastery are rich in contents and excellent in workmanship and are one of the rare fine arts in Tibet.

Legend has it that Jigzun Xerab Qoinnyai asked for advice from his teacher Lhodain Dorje Wangqug on the selection of the site for a monastery. The latter hurled his staff, as if shooting an arrow, and the staff fell where the site of the monastery was established. The staff fell on the tender leaves of canola; thus inheriting the name of Xalhu, meaning new growth of tender leaves. In 1329, the monastery was destroyed in an earthquake. The emperor of the Yuan Dynasty at the time granted great wealth for the monastery to be rebuilt. In 1333, Master Purdain Renqen Zhuba took charge of the project. He invited many Han Chinese craftsmen from inland provinces and had the monastery rebuilt in a unique architectural style.

Xalhulhakang, the main building of the monastery, has an arch-like ceiling, glazed tiles and bells hanging on the roof, a complete imitation of the style of inland temples. Yet it still retains the characteristics of a Tibetan monastery with red mud-and-stone walls and interconnecting halls. It can be considered a perfect combination of Han and Tibetan architectural styles. The murals in the halls are rich and lively with a strong Yuan-dynasty flavor. The images of Buddha are particularly refined and special. Among the relics housed in the monastery are eight precious Yuan-dynasty proclamations of the Pagba time, besides religious implements, Buddhist scriptures on pattra, sacrificial utensils and tangka painting scrolls.

The Xalhu Monastery is famous for its four treasures. The first is the printing plate of Buddhist scriptures, which is made of 108 blocks of wood by Abbot Purdain. It is said to be able to last one thousand years, yet it cannot be broken apart because it is impossible to arrange them in their original positions. Master Purdain had written many works in his life; the most well-known are Dangyur and History of Buddhism by Master Purdain in 1322. The second treasure is the holy jar made of bronze.It is claimed that inside the jar is the clearest water in the world, which is replaced every 12 years. The mouth of the jar is covered with red cloth. Legend says that the water can cure diseases and wash away dirt and filth. The third is the stone tablet with six characters. It is said that the tablet bore the six characters when it was unearthed during the construction of the monastery. Its edge is engraved with four exquisite small towers. The fourth is the huge basin-shaped stone in which the Living Buddha Jigzun Xerab Qoinnyai, who built the monastery and Pandit Gonggar Gyaincain of Sagya, had once washed their faces. It is said that the stone basin would not overflow even if filled with water on a rainy day.

It can be reached by taking the public bus from Xigaze to Byangze and walking for another hour after getting off the bus on the half way.

Sakya Monastery

Being 160 kliometers west of Xigaze, the Sakya Monastery is composed of Southern and Northern Monasteries. The Northern Monastery was built in 1097 and was damaged now while the Southern Monastery in 1268. The Southern Monastery houses great amounts of cultural relics including the titles, seals, crowns, garments and ornaments awarded by the Yuan imperial court to the local officials, the statues of Buddha, ritual instruments and porcelains from the Song, Yuan and other later dynasties, and the precious murals of historical themes. Also the monastery preserves great numbers of books such as the "Bakgyur", "Bstanggyur",Pattra-leaf scripture and other Tibetan classics on astronomy, geography, history, medicines and literature.

Sakya reached its heyday in the second half of the 13th century, when it was showered with gifts and privileges and given control over all Tibet by Kublai Khan, the Mongolia emperor of China. A separate sect of Tibetan Buddhism, named Sakyapa, also took from here. Sakye is reputed as the "Tibetan Dunhuang", for its great amount of Mongolian fineries, porcelain, statues, fresco, precious Tangkas and original Buddhism Scriptures.

It can be reached by taking the bus at the Xigaze Bus Station to Sakya. The bus leaves at 7:00-8:00 and takes five hours for 27 yuan.

The admission to the monastery is 30 yuan.
Open hours: 9:00- 12:00 and 15:00-16:00.

Rongpu Monastery

Atop the Rongpu Qinzhogma Hill at the foot of Mt. Qomolangma, the monastery is 90 kilometers away from the Tingri County seat and is 5,800 meters above sea level, the highest of its kind in the world. Annually it holds three-day sorcerers activities on the 15th of the fourth month and the Ghost-Beating Festival on the 29th of the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar.

It is 60 kilometers from New Tingri to the Rongpu Monasterry. Tourists can take a taxi to go to the monastery because there is no regular bus. The monastery provides lodging places for 25 yuan each bed. Camping on lawn costs 10 yuan.

Kumbum and Palkhor Chode Monastery

Kumbum is a spectacular stupa temple, whose name means "Place of 100 Thousand Images", was the centerpiece of Palkhor Chode Monastery, and the pride of Gyantse. The great pagoda is consisted of 9 tiers, over 32m, has more than 77 chapels, shrines and chortens, is the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet.

The Palkhor Chode Monastery occupies an important place in Tibetan Buddhism history because different Buddism sects, like Gelugpa, Sakyapa, were compatible in this monastery.

Dzong Fortress

Dzong fortress lies at Dzong Hill at the center of Gyangtse. In 1904, British troops invaded into Tibet and occupied parts of Tibetan territory. However they met with strong and hard resist in Gyangtse at the small hill which was the seat of the local Dzong government. Brave and unyielding Gyangtse people using primitive weapons fought British invaders equipped with advanced guns. The hard defense lasted for 8 months and finally failed. Tibetan warriors exhausted stones on the hill, which were their last ammunitions. They jumped out of cliffs, never surrendering.

Emplacements in the ruins still overlook the valley now. Dzong government of the feudal serf system is still well kept, giving visitors a better understanding of the serf system in old Tibet. Four steles erected by Qing ministers during the reign of Emperor Qianlong are well preserved.

Zhangmu Town

Also known as Kasa, Zhangmu perches on a mountainside 10km (6 miles) inland from the Friendship Bridge across the Bhotekoshi River (Sun Kosi River). The small town has become the major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. The subtropical oceanic climate endows the small town a warm, and humid weather and beautiful scenery throughout the year. A road snakes through the small border town. Along the only street in the town, private houses, shops, restaurant and government buildings are built. The booming border trade attracts merchants from inland China, Tibet and Nepal running business here. Nepalese merchants export rice, flour, pepper, vegetables, and perfumes while Chinese merchants sell wool, tea, salt and Tibetan medicine. Nepalese even run Nepalese restaurants in the small town, serving Nepalese dishes, instant noodles and beer produced in Nepal. A free trade market formed near the Friendship Bridge spontaneously 8 years ago, which is now still developing. According to an agreement between Chinese and Nepalese governments, people living near the border may cross the border freely within 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border. Every day, hundreds of Chinese and Nepalese merchants are doing their business. The local Sherpas lease their houses to those merchants, sharing profits from the border trade. 

Zongshan Site

It is an ancient castle in the center of Gyangze. In the spring of 1904 the Gyangze armed forces and local people waged struggles against the invading British forces here. Today it is a tourist attraction.

Palha Manor

Palha located in the Banjorlhunbo Village of Jangra Town 4 kilometers southwest of Gyangze County. Palha was originally the chief of a tribe in Budan.Later, he fled away into Tibet owing to civil strife, and held an official position in Tibetan local government. With the development of the Palha family's influence, Palha manor's scale was extended continuously.But Palha manor was ruined by British invaders in 1904.After the war,Palha Manor was reconstructed in succession.Up to The present,Palha Manor is only the best-preserved noble manor in Tibet.There are 57 rooms,including prayer room.bedroom,guesthouse,etc.,and all of them are decorated with gold,jade articals and silvers,making it looks grand and magnificent.In addition,many precious foods,dishwares,import liquors & white vinegars,rare costumes exhibiting there take on a vivid picture of Palha's luxury.