Enjoy the Road from Lhasa to Shigatse

On the road from Lhasa to Shigatse, tourists will enjoy every minute with the breathtaking scenery outside the window. Even if it is a 4-hour drive, it could be a lifetime memory. Let's get started to appreciate the beautiful landscapes here.

First, you will get close to Yamdrok Lake after leaving Lhasa. It is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet, as well as the largest inland and freshwater lake in the northern Himalayan range. This 72-kilometer lake winds itself through mountains at an elevation of 4,441 meters above sea level. No one can imagine how beautiful the lake can become when the sun shines on the lake. It is also called Green Jake Lake since the still lake surface looks like fine jade. The clear freshwaters are home to fish and migratory birds and the lakeside is home to flocks of sheep and cows.

Then, continue driving for about one hour from Yamdrok Lake, visitors will be able to see the magnificent Karola Glacier. Located at the junction of Nanggarze and Gyantse of Tibet, it enjoys an altitude of 5,039 meters above sea level. Because of its height, tourists can view it from a great distance. And tourists can get a close-up view of Karola Glacier and the neighboring sacred snow-capped mountains from the viewpoint.

Located in the ancient town of Gyantse, this red and white castle is one of the best-preserved dzongs in Tibet. The history will remember that it were those brave and patriotic Gyantse soldiers and civilians who defended their hometown when the British army invaded Gyantse in 1904. Even with undeveloped guns, cannons and bows and arrows, those soldiers fought heroically in the fortress but the survivors all jumped from the fortress in the end. It is meaningful to visit the monument at the cliff. If time permits, it is suggested to walk about 20 minutes to the top of Gyantse Dzong for the amazing views of Palcho Monastery and Gyantse's ancient town below.

Once you arrive at Shigatse, Tashilunpo Monastery will be arranged to be your first stop. Tashilunpo Monastery was built in 1447 by Gedun Drupa, the first Dalai Lama. Served as the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, it is also the largest monastery in Tsang Area. Surrounded by a 3000-meter-long wall, Tashilunpo Monastery enjoys an area of 150,000 square meters with 58 sutra chapels and about 3600 rooms. Most of those buildings are featured with golden glazed tiles, interlaced red walls and white walls. A visit to Tashilunpo Monastery can be taken as a spiritual tour to explore more about Tibet's history and culture.