TIBET INFORMATION ABOUT Tibet access to Sergi Reboredo
Potala Palace. Lhasa. Located in Hongshan Mountain in Lhasa, capital of the Autonomous Region of Tibet, the Potala Palace is 3,700 m above sea level. Is said to mark the arrival of Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang imperial family, the Tibetan King Sontsa Gampo had built the magnificent palace of a thousand rooms and halls in the year 631. It occupies an area of 410,000 square meters and has a floor space of 130,000 square meters. This is the quintessence of ancient Tibetan architecture. Inside the Potala Palace. Lhasa. The Potala Palace retains many pieces of iron, copper, gold and silver, including weapons and armor of the Tubo Kingdom. But there are also liturgical vessels, skins and leather, textiles and paper, gold and books, stamps, porcelain, jade, emeralds and carved vessels that the emperors of the national government gave the Dalai Lama. Potala Palace. Lhasa. In 1961, the Potala Palace was included among the relics under state protection. The palace was restored in 1989 with funds allocated by the Central Government. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
     
Inside the Potala Palace. Lhasa. The murals in the Potala Palace, totaling 2,500 square meters. Five of the palaces have copper roofs and are painted gold. Its design and construction taking into account the sunlight of the plateau, and its broad and solid foundations there are tunnels and windy. Each room or bedroom has a skylight for lighting and ventilation. Columns and beams are carved palace and the walls have murals colorful. Since ancient times Tibetans usually painted wood and ceramic pieces. Every day thousands of Tibetans pray and sing prayers Jokhabg kneeling next to the temple. Jokhang Temple Jokhang Monastery or the most famous Buddhist temples in Lhasa in Tibet. It is the spiritual center of the city and perhaps his most famous tourist attraction. He is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site with the Potala Palace and Norbulingka. Near the Jokhang Temple Pilgrims. Lhasa. The Jokhang Temple, 1300 years old, is the spiritual center of Tibet. The waves of pilgrims prostrate themselves on the outside and its golden dome are fascinating feature. Was built over a pond to mark the link Whencheng princess of the Tang dynasty with King Songtsen Gampo. This pond was indeed, as the princess, the heart of a witch. Today it houses a solid gold statue of Buddha Sakyamuni that offered pincesa Tibet, along with extraordinary treasures of Tibetan religious art. It is best visited early in the morning, afternoon is entered through the side door is on the right of the main and the interior chapels can this closed. Often, around 18.30, held prayers led by the monks on the terrace. This and outdoor rooms are open from dawn to dusk.
     
Views from the Jokhang temple Barkhor Square and the Potala Palace in the background. Near the sanctuary of Jokhang, the bustling Barkhor and the surrounding streets will permeate the atmosphere of the ancient Tibetan city of Lhasa. It is an area full of contrasts: on one hand, is one of the holiest areas of Tibet and is flooded with pilgrims, monks, nuns and temples. On the other, is the hub of trade in Lhasa. The street traders, hawkers and businessmen move around the Barkhor area. Today, this area is not simply part of a pilgrimage circuit, but also the liveliest part of town. Here you can buy the most curious things: Tibetan knives, Tibetan robes and hats, tapestries, religious musical instruments, gold and silver ... The offer is unlimited magical memories. Pilgrims around the Jokhang Temple. Lhasa. Every day thousands of Tibetans make the kora in Jokhabg temple. For Tibetans, to walk the kora is turning in the direction of clockwise sacred places or buildings by either a monastery or a lake or a mountain. A pilgrim spinning their prayer wheels while doing the kora around the Jokhang Temple. "Om mani padme hum" repeated ad nauseam thousands of Tibetans in their tireless round the Jokhang Temple, the most famous Buddhist temples in Lhasa in Tibet, the spiritual center of the city. It is the area known as Barkor, the true heart of the city. While not leave say their mantras spinning their prayer wheels, always in the direction of clockwise.
     
Pilgrims around the Jokhang Temple. Lhasa. Every day thousands of Tibetans pray and sing prayers doing what they call the kora around the temple Jokhabg. Jokhang Temple is the largest temple of Tibetan Buddhism in Lhasa. It is located about a mile of the Potala Palace immersed in the busiest district of the city. No doubt impressed by the path leading to the Temple. In the main entrance there is a place where you usually set a market where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, clothing and art from the region, in fact is full of shops that refer to Tibetan art. Elderly Pilgrim near the Jokhang temple. Lhasa. Located in the heart of the city and surrounded by Barkhor Street, the temple is a glorious shows the architecture of Lhasa with his culture. Monks and pilgrims near the Jokhang temple. Lhasa. It is impossible not to get carried away by the extraordinary human tide of the Barkhor, which is not a monument but a kora advancing in the direction of the clockwise around Jokhang temple. He seems to possess a kind of mystical and spiritual gravity inevitably attracts every visitor who comes to within 50m, and even invited him to repeat the whole circuit again.
     
Near the Jokhang Temple Pilgrims. Lhasa. Only you can live the authentic and fantastic weather in the neighborhood Tibetan Barkhor, Jokhang temple there is great keep most sacred pilgrimage circuit of Tibet from the seventh century, where stalls selling fruit, vegetables, textiles, souvenirs and so on. cater to the pilgrims who go around the temple in the direction clockwise. A monk on the outside of the temple of Sera. Lhasa. The Sera Monastery is one of the three major monasteries of Gelug sect in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, suoreste China. Here the young monks need to study all kinds of Buddhist books every day. Out of the temple monks of Sera after fitting in the form of debate and go to their rooms. The Sera Monastery in Lhasa, is known for the debates between monks. The debate takes place in a courtyard where there should be between 100 and 200 monks.
     
Sera monks of the temple. Lhasa. The Sera Monastery is situated at the foot of the hill Tatipi in the northern suburb of Lhasa. It is one of the three most famous monasteries of the city, along with Deprung and Ganden, and the monks who live here belong to a sect of Tibetan Buddhism known as "Yellow Hat", founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, undertook to build the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The monastery was named Sera, in Tibetan language means "Wild Rose", because the hills are covered with blooming roses when the monastery was built. The Sera Monastery is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 meters square. Its main buildings are the hall Coqen (school) and Kamcum (bedrooms). Writes performed using gold powder, fine statues, scented cloth and unparalleled murals can be found in their classrooms. Lively debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here, using the distinctive style of other famous monasteries existing in the city. Sera monks of the temple. Lhasa. The monks of Sera Mey Monastery, who came expressly from India, offering the public the songs and music that accompany the traditional rituals in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The intensity and depth of these songs, which to our Western ears come to us as an extraordinary manifestation, is instead a daily habit in the day every day inside these monasteries. Prayers first thing in the morning, prayers of the sunsets, but also songs directed at various aspects of the manifestation of the Buddha, compassion and universal love, wisdom, purification, energy, healing and petitions long life, clarity of thought, among many other prayers made with recitations of sacred words and mantras. Also the special way it is used the voice, instrument of pure manifestation, makes this concert a unique concert. Sera monks of the temple. Lhasa. In a suburb located about three miles north of the capital of Tibet (Lhasa), on the slopes of the hill that bears the name of Tatipu, we find the magnificent monastery of Sera and Drepung near the Ganden are three of most famous religious sites in the city. The monastery is dedicated to the cult Gelupta (the order in the yellow hat), a branch of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Tsong Khapa. SagyaYexei would be one of the disciples of Tsong Khapa, who ordered the building of the monastery back in 1419, with the passage of time will become one of the six major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism l sect devoted to Gelupta. But undoubtedly the main attraction are the famous Sera exoteric discussions (discussions that deal with different aspects of Buddhist doctrine) that take place between the monks inhabiting the monastery. Such debates take place outdoors under the watchful gaze of an audience-tourists-layman carefully observing the gestures, pushing and vehemence with which the monks defend and argue their views. These discussions take place from Monday to Friday and begin at 3 pm with an approximate duration of an hour and a half. It is important to assist them with the utmost respect in order not to interfere in the discussions of the monks ....
     
A woman with a picture of a deity out of Tsepak Lhakhang Monastery. Lhasa. Women make a procession around the temple to ask the god of longevity (Cherisi chepal) have a good birth, or elderly people to pray. Monk praying inside the Tsepak Lhakhang Monastery. Lhasa. Women make a procession around the temple to ask the god of longevity (Cherisi chepal) have a good birth, or elderly people to pray. Virudhaka sculpture inside the Jokhang Temple. Virudhaka, guardian of the South is the Lord of the Kumbhandas, faced dwarf buffalo. He is the protector of the Buddha Ratnasambhava, born of a jewel.
     
Inside the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple is the most important Tibetan Buddhist and therefore welcomes thousands of pilgrims daily arrivals from all corners of Tibet. Its main facade overlooking a large square which huddle a great number of people falling down and performing prayers with great devotion. Precisely because of this human tide goes daily to the temple, the interest is divided not only to contemplate the architecture and decor of the place, but also because it provides a faithful Tibetans themselves have come from the borders of Tibet or Himalaya: different ethnic groups, with different features in their faces, their clothes, etc.. An old man with his son in Tsepak Lhakhang Monastery. Lhasa. Women make a procession around the temple to ask the god of longevity (Cherisi chepal) have a good birth, or elderly people to pray. The wave of immolations to bonzo holding Tibetans in China for over a year does not stop, and the Government has responded with arrests and increased deployment of security forces in the affected areas , which have little to do to put end the string of suicides. Several women spin the prayer wheels in Tsepak Lhakhang Monastery. Lhasa. Women make a procession around the temple to ask the god of longevity (Cherisi chepal) have a good birth, or elderly people to pray.
     
A woman carrying her child on the streets of Lhasa. Lhasa's history is the history of Tibet. Since it became capital of the country when it was first unified under Sontsa Gampo, losing its importance with the collapse of Tibet in the ninth century. Never be the capital until 1642 when the Fifth Dalai Lama to ascend to power. Under the leadership of this ruler is when building the Lhasa currently being visited, as it was during his years in office when they got the most representative buildings of the city, including the Potala Palace and other monasteries. Since then its importance will grow. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was not only the political and religious center of Tibet, but also the economic center they were headed the caravan of merchants and the place where the nobles sent their children to live with the hope of favors Government or any of the great monasteries. The only major population center halfway across the country, has suffered in recent years of Chinese emigration, with important positions in the administration and the military, creating in fact two cities. The traditional city, Tibetan, and modern, and China. The pilgrims spinning their prayer wheels as they make the kora around the Jokhang Temple. Lhasa. They come in all shapes and sizes, from some that fit in the palm of the hand to some huge found in monasteries and even the electrical system is driven by water or by the rivers. Has within a few scrolls are handwritten mantras, usually in their ancient language, Sanskrit, scrolls that can be ten to twelve feet long inside perfectly wrapped and that motion on the sky for your prayers and prayers. A Tibetan boy mill spins his prayer in the streets of Lhasa. Thousands of Tibetans debotos spin their prayer wheels, while doing the Kora around Kokhang and recite their prayers. Inside the mill there is a paper written with the prayer recited, so that when you spin once, as if reciting the prayer.
     
Near the Jokhang Temple Pilgrims. Lhasa. Every day thousands of Tibetans pray and sing prayers doing what they call the kora around the temple Jokhabg. People who go to the temple and does not enter, walk around it in the sense of clockwise. The pilgrims pray while riding high, even some singing. A father walks with his children on the streets of Lhasa, near the Jokhang Temple. A pilgrim spins his prayer mill while doing the kora around the Jokhang Temple. Lhasa. In all Buddhist temples there are plenty of these mills and pilgrims passing through them by making them rotate counterclockwise clock. Thus, their prayers are attacks by the deities to whom they pray. Founded in North India in the fifteenth century BC, Buddhism is one of the great religions of the world. The doctrine of Buddha is built around the theme of suffering and the means to cross. After being released in India for several centuries, this religion awakened in the Far East to a religious philosophy and original ethics. Buddha left no writings. His words were transmitted orally by his faithful were gathered in the sacred texts.
     
A typically dressed Tibetan, including their ardornos in turquoise. The turquoise is mined in eastern Tibet, western, and around Lhasa. The richness of color is the determining factor in the value of a turquoise: In general, most desirable color is dark blue, however, in Tibet are most valued more greenish blue. It is believed that the word turquoise comes from the relationship with Turkey as a country where traded since antiquity, although in Turkey are not Turks. It was probably the first to be introduced in Europe through Turkey, along with other products from the Silk Road. The turquoise did not become important until an ornamental stone the fourteenth century. The stones were exported to Germany, where they were known as Turkish Steins, which translates as "Turkish stone". When the stones arrived in France, the German name means turquoise Pierre - stone from Turkey. Near the Jokhang Temple Pilgrims making the kora. The Jokhang temple has more than 1,300 years old and his visit was perhaps the most authentic we do in China, being inside a living temple, full of faithful praying for you see, lighting candles and pouring butter yak to them to not turn off. Despite containing a large image of Buddha, made of solid gold, the feeling that we caused this temple was not precisely that of ostentatious, but rather the opposite: it's all very simple. The faithful revolve around the Potala Palace Jokhang or reciting their prayers and spinning mills, some are doing a real exercise and standing praying and suddenly put his hands on his head and thrown to the ground as long they are. Others work to beg and lie on the floor to pray continually for anyone who wants to give them a tip.
     
Barkhor Square to commemorate the 60th anniversary of China's occupation of Tibet. The Plaza is located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, which is located in the fabulous The Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet. The Tibetan people have always been very proud of it. It is a symbol of Lhasa and is a perfect destination for all tourists. Today, there are still many pilgrims even celebrating ruedas.Caminan prayer clockwise from dawn to dusk. It also has many pilgrims can see with their own bodies moving along the calle.Incluso some of them are teenagers and have traveled many miles on foot to reach this sacred place. Inside the Norbulingka or the Summer Palace. Norbulingka, which means "treasure park" in Tibetan, is located in the western suburb of Lhasa City, the Kyichu river bank, about a kilometer (about 0.6 miles) southwest of Potala Palace. The garden has an area of 360,000 square meters (about 430 000 square meters), with 374 rooms inside. It is the largest garden made by the man in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The chronicles relate that construction began in the 1740s on a wilderness with wild animals, weeds and bushes, but when the Seventh Dalai Lama visited the site liked it, and consequently built a palace. After a series of expansions and renovations, with the improvement in the appearance more pavilions were built, gardens and forests. Now it has become a park open to the public. It consists of several complex of palaces as Potrang Kelsang, Potrang Tsokyil, Golden Linka and Takten Potrang Migyur. Each palace complex is divided into three sections: the palace, the section in the front of the palaces and forests. In mid-March each year, the Dalai Lama moved here from the Potala Palace, and stays until the end of October. Therefore, to be called the Norbulingka Summer Palace and the Potala Palace, the Winter Palace. Potala Palace. Lhasa. Unesco included the Potala Palace World Heritage status in 1994 and later as a supplement, the Jokhang Temple and Norbu Lingka Palace. In the reconstruction and expansion of the palace in the 17th century made famous painters participated from different regions of Tibet. These brilliant artists decorated with thousands of elegant and beautiful paintings the walls of rooms, hallways, corridors and galleries. The themes of these murals is very rich, encompassing stories about figures of antiquity, stories from the sutras, and specimens of architecture, folk customs, sports and other recreational activities. These works are an artistic treasure. The Potala Palace is also preserved about 10,000 objects of great value. In addition to countless rolls of paintings, sculptures in stone and wood, clay figurines and other art objects, abundant cultural relics, including sutras written on sheets of Pattra, Tibetan rugs, banners with sutras, porcelain and jade, samples as well as various traditional crafts. All this not only has great artistic value, but a translation of the bonds that united the Tibetan and other ethnic groups have the country for more than a thousand years, as well as exchanges they had with them.
     
Drepung monastery surroundings during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. Each year in the month of August, between 35,000 and 40,000 tourists flock to Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, on the occasion of the celebration of Shoton Festival, together with the Tibetan New Year, is considered the most popular festival of Tibetan culture and tradition. The Festival, which dates from the eleventh century, is also known as the Yogurt Festival because the inhabitants of the region offered yogurt to those monks who had completed their retreat. Since the seventeenth century, the festival formerly held exclusively for religious, has become the perfect occasion for Buddhist rituals, folk performances of Tibetan opera and yaks and horses racing. The Festival begins early in the morning at the Drepung Monastery a few miles from the city, when 100 lamas carry a Thangka (typical painted or embroidered tapestry) with the image of Sakyamuni Buddha, 35 meters long, up a hill close to the monastery and operate for visitors to admire and seek health and happiness. The celebrations continue for a week at the Norbulingka, former summer residence of the Dalai Lama, which organizes performances of Tibetan operas provinces. In the beautiful park of the palace, Tibetans and their families gather for picnics. Included in most of the tourist routes that take place in August, in recent editions, the festival has been "contaminated" by the effect of commercial development of the area, with non-traditional events such as fairs and car showrooms and real estate. In 2010, during fairs and exhibitions were signed commercial contracts with a value investment than 4,000 billion yuan. Drepung Monastery during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. A huge portrait of a Buddhist religious figure made in embroidered silk is displayed every year in the mountains of Tibet. On the thirtieth day of the sixth month of Tibetan calendar, the monks end 100 days of recollection within the monasteries that celebrate the Shoton Festival. Religious practice, carried out from the SXI, has now become a cultural festival that attracts locals and visitors. Tradition dictates that when they leave their confinement lamas people should give them yogurt and opera performances make for them. Hence its name, as Shoton literally means "sour milk banquet." In the discovery of the van rear sways the dead body , wrapped in white clothes . It has been three days since died and, according to mark religious principles of Tibetan Buddhism, the songs of the lamas - who recite passages from the " Book of the Dead " - have helped the soul of the deceased to advance through the 49 levels of " bard " , the intermediate state following the death and precedes a new reincarnation in the wheel of life. Drepung Monastery during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. This festival is not only popular in the city of Lhasa, but also in the city of Gyangtse. The Shoton Festival in Gyangtsese later established in the city of Lhasa, and is called by locals Semuqinbo. Before the 17th century, Shoton was exclusively religious celebration. According to the commandments and rules of Tibetan Buddhism, monks are not allowed to leave the monasteries of several tens of days in the summer to the lifting of the ban. And when they were able to leave the monasteries, the premises were offered alms of yogurt (Sho in Tibetan) to them. In addition to the banquet of yogurt, the monks also had fun with leisure activities and entertainment. This is the origin of the Shoton. Q7 century, the government of Qjng Dynasty (1644-1911) formally conferred nobility tiles in the fifth Dalai Lama and the Panchen room, and religion, Tibetan politics integrated system has been strengthened so much. Shoton activities were more colorful then, and people began to perform Tibetan opera. Consequently, the fixed Shoton Festival was established. Later, religious activities and entertainment are combined together during the festival, the range of the party spread from the Potala Palace in Norbulingka, and people were allowed to enter the monasteries of Tibetan opera. After that, the Shoton Festival activities were so complete that a fixed set of celebrations for the festival came into being.
     
Drepung Monastery during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. Shoton Festival takes place Yogurt or the 30th day of sixth month (August) since the seventeenth century, when monks practiced their summer retreat and pilgrims ate them with yogurt and staged operas to entertain. Currently operas continue to show huge Norbulinga and representations of Buddha in the Drepung Monastery. Shoton The Tibetan word literally means "yogurt banquet." From its origins back in the eleventh century, during the celebration of Shoton Festival, pilgrims offered yoghurt to monks and nuns when they finished their retreats to meditate at the end of summer. If the Chinese and let you have the opportunity to be in Tibet later this month, you can enjoy Tibetan culture. We going to the races, traditional Tibetan music and dance, etc.. Although undoubtedly the most impressive moment is when deploying a huge thangka of 35 meters long on the slopes of Drepung Monastery, about 8 kilometers from Lhasa. Drepung Monastery during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. Pilgrims burning incense around Drepung. Generally, the festival takes place Shoton the last two weeks of August, the exact dates change from year to year depending on the lunar calendar. This event is also known as the festival of opera, and you will see performances by singers and acrobats throughout the city and especially in the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, known as Norbalinka. Drepung Monastery during the Yogurt Festival, also known as Shoton Festival. Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Tsongkhapa's disciple Jamyang Choeje. It was the home of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built in the 17th century. It resembles a pile of white rice at a distance, what was called "Monastery of the rice harvest" (Drepung Gompa) in Tibetan. The monastery he was relatively well in the Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1977), but their participation in demonstrations for independence in 1987 has allowed a close surveillance by the Chinese government. On September 27, 1987, about 20 monks from Drepung unfurled banners and a Tibetan flag and marched around the Barkhor in Lhasa before being arrested in front of the headquarters of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Today, a compound of the Public Security Bureau is below the monastery and "monks painting" keep a close watch on the activities of everyday life. The most venerated image of Drepung is the statue of Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha), 15 meters high and designed by Tsongkhapa located on the third floor of the main building. Visitors are offered holy water to receive it. In the Buddhist scriptures second floor and first floor contains many Buddha statues and other decorations. A chapel north of the second floor houses a sacred mirror said to cure diseases of the face of those who look at it. Similarly, several yards into the woods around the monastery used by monks to discuss the sutras (Buddhist scriptures). The winners of the debates can take an examination for the higher degree of Geshi. One of the traditional events taking place in elMonasterio Shoton Festival is held every August, where the monks go to the mountains for meditation. Now back to the monastery, they participate in the festivities, including performances by the Tibetan Opera ..
     
Attractive landscape of Lhasa train journey to Shanghai. Yuzhu Peak: with 6178 meters is the highest point of the Kunlun Mountains. The views of the mountains from here are spectacular. Hopefully, it will be also possible to see yaks too common species or Tibetan antelope. Chuma River: This river is considered as the point of convergence of different antelope migration routes. Tuotuo River: This river feeds the Yangtze River, the third longest in the world and the largest in China. Buqiangge: The station is located at 4823 meters above sea level, surrounded by vast prairies. Tanggula: highest railway station in the world at 5068 meters, where you have extraordinary views of the mountains Tanggula. Lake Cuon: with an area of 400 km2 and 4594 meters, is one of the largest fresh water lakes that are high. In winter, the frozen waters reflect sunlight much like a kaleidoscope, while herds of Tibetan yaks grazing on its banks, in addition to cranes, snow leopards, donkeys, swans ... Nakqu: extensive pastures where horses are done racing. Damxung, located 60 km. Lhasa, the region rich in wildlife, is the northern gateway to the Tibetan capital. Yangbajain: zone of sulfate-rich hot springs and beautiful scenery hydrogen. Lhasa Railway Station. Since opening the railway between Beijing and Lhasa in 2006, many tourists choose this way to get to Tibet. This is a journey of 4062 miles between Beijing and Lhasa, nearly 48 hours through some of the deepest parts of China. Although the project was conceived in 1956 through 2006, the line has not been open to traffic. More than 3,300 million Euros and 30,000 employees helped build the highest railway line and one of the most complex as well, as 960 kilometers performed more than 4,000 meters high and 550 kilometers pass on thick layers of ice, so it was necessary to build pillars high above the ground and provide the track with a heating system against freezing. In the Kunlun Mountains cross the world's longest tunnel built on frozen ground and reach the highest point on the planet railway station in Tanggula. However, the train is disputed between the Chinese government and the Tibetan Dalai Lama supporters, for while the former is defended as a symbol of development for the local economy, the latter argue that the rail line will encourage the influx of Han, which could cause the extinction of Tibetan culture. Lhasa Railway Station. China launched the first Express to Tibet, the highest in the world - They call it Way to Heaven. The first train to Tibet, opened in 2006 by China, through a paradise of icy mountains, and its highest point, reaches 5072 meters in the mountains, Tibetan Tanggula-which makes it the highest railway the world. Not for nothing under the seats there oxygen masks for each passenger, while the windows have a filter that prevents the passage of ultraviolet rays (which are more potent and harmful to the increase in height). Qinghai-Tibet line, the first phase was begun in secret in the 50's, covers the route from Beijing to Lhasa, capital of Tibet, in an amazing journey that crosses China from northeast to southwest, which curiously is shorter in uphill leg (47 hours and 28 minutes) than in the downhill turn (48 hours). While the Chinese government, which invested 4.2 billion dollars in construction, says the new line will bring to Tibet from their isolation and help invigorate the economy (and is expected to increase the number of tourists in 4000 people a day) in Tibet is interpreted as a step in the colonization of this small country occupied by China since 1951. On the other hand, environmentalists fear the impact of the train in permafrost or endangered animals. Beijing, meanwhile, announced that to mitigate the ecological damage will invest 187.5 million dollars. Also, the train windows tightly closed to prevent objects being thrown outside, especially as it passes through the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, home of the Tibetan antelope.
     
Before arriving at Nam Tso Lake is reached Nagenla Pass located 5190 meters from where it descends to the lake located at 4700m. A family living on the base of Mount Nyenchen Tanglha of 7111 meters high. The Nyenchen Tanglha is the highest peak of the mountain Nyainqentanglha. It is located near Lhasa, the road paved Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is surrounded by grassy plains from south Damshung sacred lake and the picturesque Nam Tso (4700 m, one of the largest lakes in the world) in the north. Step Nagenla located 5190 meters from where it descends to the lake located at 4700m.
     
Prayer Flags at the lake Nam Tso, the central Tibet area. Nearly 200 km of Lhasa is the second China salt lake surrounded by mountains 7,000 meters, which are the Heinrich Harrer crossed on his way to Lhasa. It is a beautiful lake with turquoise waters. Prayer Flags at the lake Nam Tso, the central Tibet area. Namtso Lake Nam or (officially, Nam Co; in Mongolian: Tengri Nor, literally "heavenly lake") is a great mountain salt lake in China, one of the most famous lakes of the Tibetan sacred lakes, located on the border between Damxung County, the (Lhasa Prefecture) and the District of Baingoin Nagqu Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region, about 112 km NNW of the city of Lhasa. It is a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism and many worshipers gather around the lake for a great ceremony that takes place the year of the sheep, every 12 years. In the extreme southeast is the Tashi Dor monastery. Nomads Drogpas lakeside Nam Tso to 4700m. The stunning landscape of Namtso lake is one of those divine works. It struck me as a painting or a tapestry made by the Creator, and also a mirror of gods and celestial land, which reflects all blue and green sky, the Tibetan plains and the mountains. And an essential element of that heavenly painting are Tibetan nomads. Masters of this earthly paradise, are the true owners of the majestic snow-capped mountains, the endless plain, herds of yaks and the great Namtso, all your source material and spiritual life.
     
Namtso is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the mountains Nyainqentanglha. Hermit caves have for centuries been the destination of Tibetan pilgrims. In 2005 he completed a paved road to the lake through the passage of Laeken, at 5186 m, which allows easy access from Lhasa and the development of tourism in the lake region. The main settlements in the area are Dobjoi, Cha'gyungoinba Donggar and Tashi Dor monastery and is in the southeast corner of the lake. A Chinese tourist is photographed standing on a yak in the lake Nam Tso. Namtso is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the mountains Nyainqentanglha. Often incorrectly said to Namtso is the highest lake in Tibet (or even the world), or saline lake is the highest in the world, but there are many small lakes at altitudes over 5,500 m in the Himalayas and the Andes. Among the lakes with an area of over 50 km ², the highest lake of fresh water is Lake Sengli, at an altitude of 5386 m and an area of 78 km ², while the salt lake higher the lake Meiriqie, at an altitude of 5354 m and an area of 64 km ² (both found in Tibet). However, if that is the Namtso highest lake in the world with an area of over 500 km ². A Yak at the foot of Lake Nam Tso. Namtso is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the mountains Nyainqentanglha. The yak (Bos mutus or Bos grunniens) is a large bovid and woolly coat, native to the mountains of Central Asia and the Himalayas, lives on the steppe and cold desert plateau of Tibet, Pamir and Karakoram, between 4000 and 6000 meters, which is found in both wild and domestic.
     
Yaks grazing at the foot of Lake Nam Tso. Southeast of Lake Namtso, is the main peak of the snow-capped mountains Danggula sentences. Surrounded by pastures, the lake looks like a large mirror, with the clear blue sky over the dark blue lake, white snow, green grass, wild flowers of various colors, all this makes a beautiful natural picture. Namtso Lake is abundant in plants for Chinese medicine as the Chinese caterpillar fungus, Fritillaria, and the snow lotus, and several species of fish such as fish and fish fine saw thorn. The lake is a habitat of various wild animals like black bears, wild bull, wild ass, blue sheep and marmots, etc. A pilgrim and several yaks grazing at the foot of Lake Nam Tso. The turquoise waters of the sacred lake Nam tso, 195 km north of Lhasa, in the rarefied air at 4500 m, have a transcendent brightness can test the best artist's palette. Part of Changtang plateau and is flanked to the north by the mountains of Shan Tangula and southeast by Mount Nyenchen Tanghe. All the surrounding countryside is just spectacular. However, the views do not remove both breathing height. Nam tso is 1000 m higher than Lhasa, so it is advisable to have spent an acclimatization before making the trip to the lake. A Yak at the foot of Lake Nam Tso. Or Namtso Lake Nam is one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. Located in Damxung County in Lhasa, is located over 4,700 meters, is considered one of the highest lakes in the mundo.Ocupa an area of about 2,000 square kilometers, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery of Tibet Autonomous Region in China. In the lake are several islands and caves turned into shrines that have for centuries been the destination of Tibetan pilgrims.
     
Nam Tso lake next to two huge stones with inscriptions and drawings, and hundreds of prayer flags colors, fluttering in rows. Yaks white saddles resting on the shore and offered to take a walk for 10 yuan. Also offer horseback riding. The twin stones Nam-tso Lake, with hundreds of prayer flags. Nam-tso Lake to 4718 m, is another holy lakes in Tibet, and the lake in the world's highest. In this picture it is raining and not appreciated its spectacular beauty. The impact of the Nepal earthquake in Tibet As the world's focus is turned to Nepal after the devastating earthquake, little is known about the situation in Tibetan areas close to the border, other than reports from the Chinese state media, due to tight information controls, restrictions on foreign visitors and lack of access to media. A pilgrim with twin stones Nam-tso Lake, surrounded by hundreds of prayer flags. Nam Tso Lake was generated due to the movements of the Himalayas. The meadows surrounding it are rich in herbs, which makes them perfect natural grass. At the beginning of every summer, wild ducks move there group after group. Around the lake live bears, wild oxen and donkeys, sheep, blue foxes, marmots and other wildlife.
     
Prayer flags at the base of Mount Nyenchen Tanglha of 7111 meters high. Tibetan prayer flags flutter over the whole world of Tibetan culture. A typical prayer flag in its central image is a horse who carries on his back the Three Jewels in flames. This horse is known as the Horse Wind and flags gives its name in Tibetan "Lung-Ta." The three jewels symbolize the Buddha (the state of enlightenment), dharma (Buddhist teachings) and Sangha (the Buddhist community). The train reaches Lhasa opened in 2006, passes by the Monte Nyenchen Tanglha of 7111 meters high. Taking a trip by train from Beijing or Shanghai to Lhasa, Tibet, is one of those dreams that may have any traveler. Some horses are twenty mantras, powerful emission of sounds, each dedicated to a particular deity. The idea is that the wind passing over the surface of the flags, the air is purified, sanctified and sweetened by the mantras. This blessing is on all people of the neighborhood. Groups of houses located along a tributary of the Brahmaputra river. The river is known as Tsangpo in Tibet and in the central area of Bangladesh is divided into two branches, the main Jamuna River, the name is known in that region, and the other, less flow, the river Shitalakshya .
     
Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo monastery was home to the second authority in Tibet, the Panchen Lama. When the Dalai Lama fled the Chinese invasion, Beijing sought and found their support. But the idyll was short and ended up imprisoned Panchen Lama. I'm in Shigatse at the foot of the largest Buddha statue in the world. A monk asked me 30 yuan per photograph. Is it true that some of them are Chinese agents? Stupas Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Today, Tashilumpo Monastery is located at 3,800 meters above sea level and offers tourists different rooms, temples, galleries, patio, and chapels. A distinctive feature of the monastery is the temple of Maitreya. It is the western ubicadoen tallest building in the monastery. The Ninth Panchen Lama ordered its construction to accommodate the 86 foot statue of Maitreya Buddha containing 614 pounds of gold, 330,000 pounds of copper. Its wooden frame is made of brass courtesy of Tibetans and artisans of Nepal. Stupas Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Other places to visit in Tashilumpo Monastery are: Panchen Lama, the Palace · Sing Gyeni Hall Main · Sutra · Lounge · Lounge singing The Roof Chapels Ngang College · The Gallery · The Patio Great Great Good time to visit the monastery is at the Festival when the place is transformed into a colorful and energetic landscape that promotes China's rich history, culture and religion.
     
Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. The Panchen Lama was swallowed by the earth for fourteen long years. Desperate, he attempted suicide several times in prison. It reappeared in 1978, but years of imprisonment and the threat of returning to prison silenced his public criticism. He worked in the shadow of the settlement between the Chinese and Tibetans and returned to Tibet in the spring of 1982 to die surrounded by mountains. Seven years later, died of a heart attack in his beloved monastery Tashilumpo at age 53. Many still think that he was poisoned by the Chinese Government. One of the monks of the monastery Tasha Dor at the southeast end of Lake Nam Tso uploaded to your motorcycle. In Tibetan sheep, numerous Buddhist monks and lay believers arriving from other parts of Lake Namtso, they will feel satisfied, comfortable and happy after performing a ritual walk around the lake. This activity, which lasts several months, usually reaches its climax on April 15 in the year of the sheep when Tibetan Buddhist followers come and go in large numbers. Portrait of a monk in the monastery of Tashilumpo, located in the heart of Shigatse. This place was the residence of the Panchen Lama until he was exiled. The Panchen Lama is a great spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists at the same level as the Dalai Lama, only the latter is also the political leader as well as spiritual.
     
Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo Monastery, the jewel of the monumental city of Shigatse, the official residence of the Panchen Lama, the second figure hierarchy of Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Shigatse is at 3.900 m. Although we already acclimated to this altitude and is supported normally. In this town once had its basis the Panchen Lama as previously was the capital for a short period of time in Tibet. Tashilumpo monastery near the roof ridge of golden Drolma and cobblestone streets was founded in 1447 by Gender Drupa who was later the first Dalai Lama. This population is now Chinese people, these are often in populations with more presence of tourists. Here now are shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotels not only Tibetans. It is always best Tibetan restaurant or hotel. These are cleaner and better serve the visitor. The Chinese tend to be more dirty, the prices of both products in supermarkets and hotel and restaurant are much more expensive and sometimes treatment of arrogance. Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpu monastery is one of the six major monasteries in Tibet. Tashilumpu stood at the foot of the hill of Tara. He was found by the first lama Dailai in 1447 and expanded by the fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. The monastery covers an area of nearly 300,000 square meters including the main structures of the Chapel of Maitreya, the box of the Panchen Lama and Kelsang Temple. Tashilumpu is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas. Standing at the entrance to the monastery, you can see the grand buildings with golden roofs and white walls.
     
Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpu is one of the six major monasteries in the Tíbet.Tashilumpu located at the foot of the mountain of Tara.Fue found by the first Dalai Dailai in 1447 and was expanded by the fourth and sucesivos.El Panchan Lama monastery has an area of nearly 300,000 square meters which includes the main body of the shrine of Maitreya, the Dalai Panchan Palca and Kelsang.Tashilumpu temple is home to the Dalai Panchan from the Fourth Dalai Panchan took over the monastery, and now there are about lamas.De 800 standing in the doorway of the monastery, one can see large buildings with golden roofs and white walls. Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. The monastery also Tashilumpo one of several monasteries remain intact in the 1970's cultural revolution. A monk spinning the prayer wheels inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo monastery is huge, as befits a building that holds 700 people.
     
A monk behind a window inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo Monastery: With the peak Drolmari (Tara's Mountain) in the background, the monastery of Tashilunpo shines every day at dawn. It is located west of Shigatse. The Monastery, also known as 'Mind of Gloria', was founded in 1447 by the sovereign and a disciple of Tsongkhapa (founder of the sect Gelukpa) Gendun Drup. Gendun Drup was appointed the first Dalai Lama after his death. Because of its association with the founder of Geluk, the monastery is considered one of the most important monastery of the Geluk order. China One of the guides inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Sometimes these guides have a skewed version of reality Buddhism and close to the Chinese government interests. Portrait of a Buddhist monk dressed to go to prayer inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo monastery itself is a great city. Built in 1447 has traditionally been the home of the Panchen Lama. It contains many works of art and paintings, thankas, fresh and beautiful carvings.
     
Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Founded in 1447, Tashilumpo is reason enough to Shigatse shown on the maps. Upon entering the main avenue, the golden roofs of the tombs of Panchen Lamas immediately call the attention of visitors. To the left is the Chapel of Jampa (Maitreya), the Buddha of Kindness, immortalized with a statue towering 26 meters high. Erected in 1914 under the auspices of the ninth Panchen Lama, nearly a thousand of artisans and workers involved in construction for four long years. It is really overwhelming presence of this Buddha bathed in 300 kilos of gold and precious stones. In one corner, a monk sitting cross-legged on a mat keeps a watchful eye. For every photo you have to pay 30 yuan and this "debt collection" Buddhist does not lower our guard. Faced with such magnificence, surprised to see rats walking at will by the sacred images. In the ancient hall meetings, where the monks gather to pray after meals, two huge rodents climb, the indifference of the religious, the image of Sakyamuni, "Sage of Sakya", the original Buddha, known by Tibetans as Thukpa Sakya. Beware: dozens of stories circulating related to Beijing monks willing to report to the pilgrim or tourist caught with a photo of the Dalai Lama or censoring China's policy in Tibet. The Assembly Hall is a good place to sit and watch the monks and listen to their spiritual litanies. On a small stand placed the scrolls with prayers. Stay lit only by a few yak butter lamps, the atmosphere surrounding the visitor has an aura of unreality, of pleasant pinch of another era. That mysticism envelope is not eternal, grotesquely dissipates when the monk who leads the prayers gets to count the Yuan bundles left by tourists. Is the toll of globalization. Monks inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. In addition to wander through the streets and countless chapels Tashilumpo, good traveler should not forget to visit your lingkor (pilgrimage route). In this two-mile path that encircles the monastery many devotees circulate the ubiquitous spinning prayer wheels while chanting the sacred "om." This mantra, one of the most sacred Buddhist Sanskrit is composed of three letters: A, U and M. Each represents a state of consciousness: A symbolizes the waking state, U the dream state, and M, the state of deep sleep. A Buddhist monk inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Tashilumpo Monastery is the main attraction of Shigatse. You can see a great distance the golden reflections of their roofs. Here is the impressive giant statue of Buddha, the world's largest with 26.2 m. high, 11.5 wide and numerous inlaid jewelry. The Sakya Monastery is known as the "Tibetan Dunhuang" by Mongolian style statues, porcelain, fresh, thangka (representations of the Buddha) and writes. The monastery became famous in the thirteenth century, when Kublai Khan gave him gifts, privileges and control over all Tibet. Here was conceived a Buddhist sect called Sakyapa.
     
Portrait of a woman breastfeeding her child in the Tashilunpo Monastery, Monastery Tashilumpo, located in Shigatse, Tibet, is a reflection of Chinese culture and religion that has influenced people around the world. Visitors to the monastery are mostly Buddhist followers who want to honor and tribute to the sacred place. Others are simply curious about the lifestyle and the teachings of Buddhism. These beings visit the place to catch a glimpse of the rich and influential Buddhist tradition. Some monks carrying musical instruments inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. The monastery is located in Tashilumpo 280 km from the city of Shigatse, west of the city of Lhasa. Originally built in 1447, has an occupation of 300,000 square meters, built for the first Dalha Lhamo. Tashilumpo monastery is also one of the six largest monasteries in Tibet. A Tibetan monk plays trumpet inside the Tashilumpo Monastery, located in Shigatse, Tibet. Trumpet cylindrical giant whose length can exceed 5 meters. Copper is usually decorated with various pieces gold or silver (once used silver and gold). It consists of several parts as a telescope, fit together. The mouth is wide and flat. They are played in pairs, producing a continuous sound, serious and deep, capable of reaching distances. To touch is to relax and make the lips vibrate like a whinny. You can change the pitch by increasing or decreasing the air pressure. It is shocking to hear a mysterious sound when a teacher arrives at a major monastery. The pair is placed on your roof and solemn tolling as welcome as the sound fills valleys and mountains.
     
Farmers along the road from Shigatse to Gyantse. Large farms and farmers from the area between Gyantse Shigatse. Peasants with separate plantations of Gyantse Shigatse.
     
Two Tibetan women Bainans village, located along the road from Shigatse to Gyantse. A family celebrates the graduation of a relative in the village of Bainans, located next to the road from Shigatse to Gyantse. A family celebrates the graduation of a family of naturally fermented beer in the village of Bainans, located next to the road from Shigatse to Gyantse.
     
Housing Tibetan monks from the monastery of Pelkhor Chode. Gyantse. This monastery is located near Kumbum, was founded in the 15th century, was remarkably well preserved and many of the statues inside date from the date of its foundation. Pelkhor Foreign Chode monastery. Gyantse. It is near Kumbum, was founded in the 15th century, was remarkably well preserved and many of the statues inside date from the date of its foundation. Views from the Dzong Fortress Pelkhor Chode Monastery. Gyantse. The majestic Dzong fortress presides over the village from the top of the mountain but are even more impressive the 9 floors of the Tibetan Stupa Kumbum. Unlike Shigatse, the town retains the essence of Tibetan and has not yet been fully colonized by the Chinese.
     
Pelkhor Chode Monastery. Gyantse. Kumbum Monastery and Pelkhor Chode is the pride of Gyantse region. Kumbum is a temple - spectacular stupa whose name MEANS "Place of 100,000 images" and is the center of Palkhor Chode monastery. The great pagoda has nine stories, with a height of 32 m. With more than 77 chapels, shrines and chortens, is one of the architectural marvels of Tibet. Palkhor Chode Monastery occupies an important place in the history of Buddhism as sects lived here. Kumbum Stupa located inside the Pelkhor Chode monastery. Gyantse. Kumbum means one hundred thousand images sacred. The stupa contains a large mandala that portrays the Buddhist cosmos, with a vast repertoire of deity, Dhara Vhajra crowned at the top. Palkhor was built in the fifteenth century and its construction was completed in just 10 years. The monastery has three levels: the bottom has 2,200 m2, which includes 108 doors, 77 chapels and a maze of corridors. Highlights the great octagonal tower of 40 m. in height. Besides the numerous sculptures and reliefs of Buddha, the monastery is considered a jewel of Tibetan wall painting: Buddha reproductions are countless in the finishes of the walls, which gave the monastery the nickname of thousands of enlightened Buddha. Pelkhor Interior Chode monastery. In the background you can see the majestic Dzong Fortress. Gyantse. Wandered through the crowded stalls and we stand before the huge pieces of meat of yak, or goat hanging from beams and beautifully polychromed wooden poles. The animals' heads are arranged neatly at the foot of what once were the bodies that were joined. Curiously, the smell is not unpleasant, it is seen that the altitude and the temperature kept the merchandise in a more than acceptable. While women are notable for wearing traditional headdresses, men, adults and children dress in Western fashion, most of them in clothes that seem from another era, faded and dirty as if they had taken from a trunk forgotten in a dusty attic. The market breathes life, the hustle is constant and the old and thumbed yuan constantly changing hands. Gyantse, barely keeps the flavor of a small medieval town, dusty, unpaved streets dotted on both sides by small whitewashed buildings. Circular are still donkey carts and donkeys wandering along the lonely parsimoniously cattle.
     
Statues of some of the deities inside the monastery Pelkhor Chode. Gyantse. Besides the "normal" that may pose a Tibetan city for the traveler, are two complexes as key tourist attractions of the place. Pelkhor Chode Monastery and the strength or the Dzong. The first is a new set of buildings inside a wall with an environment similar to Drepung monastery, that is, their animals field, or superstitious devotion of pilgrims and local Buddhist monks, yak butter and chapels filled with Buddhas. Emphasizes a building stupa in the middle of the complex from which takes a broad view of the oldest (and most authentic style) of Gyantse and whose chapel houses reliefs of the guardians of Buddha Monks praying inside the Pelkhor Chode monastery. Gyantse. The Cultural Revolution ended this idyllic landscape and swept away walls, slats and ended the prevailing harmony. Currently living in Pelkor about 70 monks who are struggling to rebuild that which brought down the hatred and misunderstanding, it seems that little by little by little we are getting. In any case one must wonder that you will not lose and that keeps within its walls, besides a great library, one of the masterpieces of Tibetan architecture, the famous Kumbum Chorten or Gold. Sculptures by some deities inside the monastery Pelkhor Chode. Gyantse. The monastery is beautiful with its stupa of 9 floors and 108 chapels, but what we liked, is the village life, with its traditional houses and cattle tied in front of each door, as if the watchdog.
     
Closeup of a girl on the streets of Old Gyantse. When you walk through the streets of Old Gyantse seen when compared with other major towns like Lhasa and Shigatse, that the course has not changed too much because of rampant modernization undertaken by the Beijing government, and thankfully, although more more isolated from the pressure of a progress that stigmatizes and demonifica any hint of indigenous culture, we can still see their traditional charms tail in the slums of the city. A child plays with hula hoop on the streets of the old town of Gyantse. Today this Gyantse lives with some prosperity by increasing influx of tourists and surprise the visitor with its impressive Pelkhor Chode Monastery and magnificent fortress (or Dzong) which located on a hill overlooking the entire city proud. Although we mentioned that it is a small town not forget that Gyantse is the third largest city in Tibet. Two children playing in the streets of the old town of Gyantse. Gyantse is a small village nestled in the pastoral road connecting Lhasa to Shigatse (known as the Friendship Highway), about 264 kilometers just south-west of Lhasa. Gyantse is located in the main trade route to India from there in the past and because of this privileged status should be afforded an intense commercial activity which greatly emphasized the manufacture and sale of wool products including would mention the valuable carpets.
     
Before reaching Lake Yamdork you can make a stopover in Nangartse to eat and taste the local beer. The local beer called chang with which we water our main course (pasta accompanied by rich bits of yak meat and tasted awkwardly with chopsticks) we head rises rapidly because of the high altitude at which we find ourselves. The language breaks out and hammer clan chief with questions of all kinds to which our partner responds nicely one after another, calmly and without the smile disappears from his face at any time. Unfortunately, as I read in forums of travelers, the traditional Tibetan hospitality has given way to an interested and false kindness, frank and spontaneous smile of old has become a wicked grin that outlines the new "pastoralist false" when their pictures folk costumes in exchange for a few coins, is the price of progress. Wheat fields in Lake Yamdrok. This lake is the largest in China, and one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It has an area of 638 km ² and over 72 km long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by many streams, but only has an outfall at the western end. According to local mythology, Lake Yamdok Yumtso is the transformation of a goddess. The commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the flight of the Dalai Lama to India has reiterated the public debate on the present and future of the Chinese presence in Tibet. The Dalai Lama's flight meant then (1959) the failure of the Chinese government's commitment, proclaimed in 1949, with the Tibetan elites (called "seventeen points", 1951), both religious and aristocratic, always reluctant to accept any minimal reform. In the following years, Mao displayed a strong ideological campaign supported by an active policy of redistribution of land among the peasants. Despite the time elapsed, the Chinese government is far from having found an acceptable modus vivendi in the region. A woman milking a cow in a small settlement of Dopkas (pastoralists). Gyantse. These nomads traveling in these parts like ghosts of a past that mountain ranges surrounding us seem reluctant to let go. The hospitality and joy with which we receive is amazing and as we saw later completely devoid of commercialism that might involve comprehensive food and sharing experiences about Western tourists in exchange for a few yuan (one yuan equals about 0.10 euros ). Not even to say goodbye and despite our insistence, our friendly hosts agreed to receive any money in return for their time, and especially food. Outside the store entertain us first, and as is required with a tea made with yak fat somewhat bitter taste and characteristic odor (even today when I recall the smell of these places you think invading Tibetan environment). The burned skin of our hosts is mute witness to the harsh weather conditions in the herdsmen living in these harsh, nevertheless, cheeks flushed, the colorful headdresses adorning the hair and clothing, the slender but small figure showing the most of them and the serenity with which seem to face his destiny makes them appear very attractive to our eyes.
     
Lake Yamdrok seen passing Kamba La. A stone tells us that we are at 4441 meters over sea level. Tibetans consider sacred lakes, like the mountains, as they are abodes of the gods, protectors and are therefore endowed with spiritual powers especiales.Todos make pilgrimages to its shore. A Yak grazing at the foot of Lake Yamdrok, also known as Yamdok Yumtso. Yamdrok Lake in Tibetan, is called Yumtso Yamdrok is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, has more than 72 km (45 miles) long, surrounded by many mountains and snow elimentado by numerous streams. South of the lake, there is an output current at its western end. Yamdrok Lake, also known as Yamdok Yumtso. There are schools of fish that live in the lake Yamdok Yumtso, which are commercially exploited by the local population. From April to October, catches from this lake are sold in the markets of Lhasa, the provincial capital. In addition, the lake's islands serve as a land of rich pastures to local pastors.
     
Simi Overview The Swamp near the town of Gyantse. Leaving behind the majestic glacier Kharola and continued our route to Gyantse, again, through the windows of 4x4 images look gawking gives us the vision of paradise: Rivers run wild, endless valleys, peaks gigantic, turquoise lakes and skies so blue it almost hurts to look at them ... along the way we passed small settlements Dopkas (pastoralists) circulating in these parts like ghosts of a past that mountain ranges surrounding us seem reluctant to let go. Lake Yamdrok seen passing Kamba La. This lake is a natural wonder surrounded by green mountains and with some snowy peak as Ninjingkangsan. Lake Yamdrok seen passing Kamba La. The lake is located about 90 km west of the Tibetan town (about 60,000 inhabitants in 2003) and about 100 km northeast of the capital. The lake of unknown depth, is fan-shaped, opening just to the south and north. The lake shore is mountainous, very embattled, with numerous bays and inlets. Yamdrok The lake freezes in winter. Yamdrok Lake has a power plant was completed and put into operation in 1996 near the small town of Pai-Ti at the western end of the lake. This plant is the largest in Tibet.  
  Tibet photographies of the city