Shigatse, meaning "the best farm" in the Tibetan language and it becomes traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, it is currently the second largest city in Tibet.
♦ June 22: Highway in Lhasa- Qushui county- Gambara Mountain-Yamdrok Lake –Nargaze county – Karuola glacier (can stop to take pictures) to Simila pass - Gyantse Kumbum - Para Manor- stay in Shigatse (south line)
From Lhasa to Shigatse going the North Line is about 260 kilometers, along the way through the Nimu county, Rinbung county, etc., all along the Yarlung Zangbo river road (other attractions is normal). The two ends of road is in good condition, bad in the middle, and the middle range is basically because you need to drive in the valley of desertification, the pavement damage is more serious. And we were going the South Line and set off at 8 o’clock in the morning.
♦ June 23: From Shigatse to Mount Everest
In the morning we visited to Tashilhunpo Monastery-Jiding town-Cuola Mountain pass-Lhatse county (we stopped and took pictures on the way of 5000 KM monument)-Jiacuola Mountain pass-Tingri Lankor-Jiawula mountain pass (there is a frontier inspection station on the way and people need to get off the bus and be checked, so prepare your frontier pass in advance, the whole process will be 15 to 30 minutes)- Rongbuk Monastery (the highest altitude monastery in the world)-stay at Mt. Everest base camp
♦ June 24: Going back over the same route to Shigatse- stay at Shigatse
Got up about 7 o’clock and prepared equipments for taking pictures of mount Everest at sunrise scenes, 8:00 we bought tickets for eco-cars (25 Yuan/person), at 8:30 lined up to take a closer look at Everest by eco-car, about 15 minutes driving. May to June each year is the best season to see Mount Everest, July to September is going into the rainy season may be three or four days interval can see Mt. Everest. When we got up in the morning, the Everest is completely covered by clouds. After reaching the barracks for a while, the clouds spread out completely and spectacular pyramid peak came out.
♦ Tips
► 1. Tashilhunpo Monastery
It is one of six Shanmanism Monasteries, is the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism temples in China. It is called four big monasteries of Gelug together with Gandan, Sera and Drepung, and ranked as six big monasteries with the Kumbum monastery in Qinghai and Gansu Labrang monastery. Tashilhunpo monastery built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and in 1600, monks there let the four Panchen Lama to hold the post of 16th abbot for 62 years (fourth Panchen died at the age of 94).Since then Tashilhunpo Monastery become traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, while in the most exuberant time there were more than 3800 monks in the monastery.
Tour route: Jambu Chyenmu hall (also known as the Maitreya Temple)—The Tenth Panchen Lama’s Palace--Gudong (The 4
th Panchen Lama’s Palace)--The Panchen Lama’s Palace from fifth Panchen to ninth Panchen—Chuajing Duogang: The Great Courtyard. The most magnificent building of Tashilhunpo Monastery is Maitreya Temple and the Panchen Lama’s Palace. In addition, there is, Main Chanting Hall, Sutra Hall, Gyeni Chanting Hall, Ngang College, and Roof Chapels.
From the gate go straight and turn left and go upward to reach the Maitreya Temple (It was erected in 1914 by the Ninth Panchen Lama to house a gigantic statue of the Maitreya Buddha and is 26.2 meters (86 feet) in height. The statue contains 279 kg (614 lbs) of gold and 150,000 kg (330,000 lb) of copper and brass moulded on a solid wooden frame)
Heading east is the Tenth Panchen Lama’s Palace, where remained the tenth Panchen Lama died in 1989. The silver gold plating statue of Panchen Lama erected before the stupa tomb. In the top of stupa, there was mandala pattern, and gold Buddha painted on the wall. Farther to the east of the tall building is the old living quarters of the Panchen Lama (1567-1662), the Panchen Lama’s Palace known as Gudong. Inside, a narrow courtyard gives access to the temple containing the Fourth Panchen Lama's tomb.
The great flag-stoned courtyard of Tashilhunpo, known as (Chuajing Duogang), has walls which are covered by over 1000 repeated images of Sakyamuni, with their hands gesturing the five symbolic poses (mudras).
Note: The ticket is 80 Yuan, open time is from 9:00 to 17:00 (at noon from 12:00 to 14:00 the temple is not opened)
► 2. Mount Everest
(1) Shooting point
The small hill near the Rongbuk Monastery is recognized as the best shooting angle of Mount Everest. And taking pictures of sunset is more easily to show the sense of beauty of sunlight on the golden hill than taking pictures of sunrise.
(2) The most famous of Mount Everest is the largest compound valley glacier - Rongbuk glacier with a length of 22.4 kilometers and an area of 85.4 square kilometers. It is consist of west Rongbuk glacier and middle Rongbuk Glacier. The area of Mount Everest is the action center of continental glacier. It is one of the magnificent scenery in Tibet.
(3) The Everest base camp
Entered the Everest need to go through the mountains formalities in the left of a big crossroad of Dingri, 400 RMB/vehicle and tickets for 180 yuan/person. Taking vehicle to Everest base camp, and then taking eco-car to see Mount Everest. In Everest base camp you can find Everest post office, 5 Yuan to stamp a Everest commemorative postmark, and then you can deliver the postcard (you can buy postcards in advance because the postcard in the Everest will cost 35 yuan) in post office.
Accommodation: Everest base camp tents (8-10 people to stay in a tent) and 80 yuan/person for a bunk. Accommodated in this place is convenient to watch the Everest view in the morning and evening. Bring enough cotton-padded jacket, day and night temperature difference of Mt. Everest is big, and there is severe wind so if you walk outside you must add cotton-padded clothes.
Dinner: dining at tent and there supplied with foods such as beef noodles. (Note: the tent at night is not heating, but the quilt is enough.)
In Tibet under the blue sky and white clouds, listening to music, being absence of mind, going crazy to walk like jellyfish that follow its inclinations, looses its freedom to roam. I think that is what I want. But the next step, which way should I go then?
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