Overland trip in Tibet from Lhasa to Gyangtse
April 22nd, 2006
Trip from Lhasa to Gyangtse in a 4x4 with guide and driver, crossing three himalayan high passes and driving among the Yamdrok Yumtso lake. The spectacular scenery of the himalayan plateau in southern Tibet is the backdrop of Palkhor monastery in Gyangtse, where I arrive in the afternoon for a sightseeing tour.
The trip from Lhasa to Gyangtse in Tibet is about 300 kilometres and lasts about 6 hours. The road is partly asphalted and partly gravel. It is also necessary to cross three scenic high mountain passes.
Driving in Tibet from Lhasa to Gyangtse before climbing to the first pass.
The beautiful scenery of southern Tibet that can be osserved from the car while climbing on an himalayan pass.
On the top of the first pass, at an elevation of 4600 meters, there is a beautiful view over Yamdrok Yumtso lake.
Photos of Tibet scenery along the road from Lhasa to Gyangtse.
Other pictures of Yamdrok Yumtso lake, at 4300 meters of elevation on Tibet plateau.
Various tibetan villages along the road from Lhasa to Gyangtse.
Climbing to the second and highest pass along Lhasa to Gyangtse road, in the heart of Himalaya. Now there is just a gravel road, but still easy enough to drive on (in any case it's best to hire a driver, avoiding to drive here alone).
Pictures on the top of the second pass, at 5000 meters of elevation.
A nice glacier on one of the mountain nearby.
Other pictures around the highest pass along Lhasa to Gyantse road in southern Tibet.
Yaks grazing at 5000 meters. Yaks are animals adapted to survive in the thin air of Himalaya.
Again down at 4000 meters, with several tibetan villages along the way.
An artificial lake used to produce electricity.
The view from the third pass along Lhasa to Gyantse road, at 4300 meters of elevation.
After several hours among the spectacular scenery of Himalaya in southern Tibet, I finally get to Gyangtse, the today destination.
Picture of Gyangtse fort.
The tour in Gyangtse starts with a visit to Palkhor monastery, where there are prayers wheels are around the main entrance.
Pictures of the entrance to Palkor monastery in Gyangtse.
I visit Baiju temple, part of the Palkor monastery complex, where it's allowed to take pictures by paying a small fee.
A nice golden Buddha statue in Baiju Temple (Palkor monastery). The handicrafts in front, are made by painted yak's butter.
More pictures of Palkor monastery (and precisely the Baiju temple) with the beautiful golden Buddha statue.
Huge statues are all around the room.
Palkor monastery in Gyangtse houses a stupa and a library with many ancient books stored and well preserved.
The Palkor monastery complex houses also a very large stupa, made in Nepalese style. On the right picture, the eyes of Buddha. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to access this stupa inside
if you just *carry* any type of camera (it's simply not enough to put the camera away, promising that you will not use your camera inside). Tibet is certainly the least friendly country for photographers that I have ever visited.
Prayers wheels around the stupa in Palkor monastery.
Other pictures of the stupa and the terraces.