This morning we drove out of Lhasa to Tsedgang, a large city southeast of Lhasa. The road travelled along the Brahmaputra River and the drive was beautiful. We passed Tibetan villages, traffic jams of sheep crossing and tree-lined streets. We stopped along the beautiful Brahmaputra River for a break (and smelly squat toilets). You cannot come to Tibet expecting Western-styled bathrooms except in 5 star hotels).
Sheep Brahmaputra River/Prayer Flags
Speaking of the hotels, our hotel is very fancy and the restaurant is even fancier.
Lunch Menu: Smoking wine with burning flesh??
After lunch, we went to see the Palace on the mountain. This was the first palace built in Tibet, dating back to before the 1st century AD. The king came from India. People have been living here for over 20,000 years and were practicing an ancient religion: Bon. The monks brought in Buddhism around the 1st century BC. The new king adopted a mix of Bon and Buddhism, which has been practiced for the last 2000 years.
We decided to try the camel ride and then went up to the palace on horseback. It was fun and saved me from walking up in the sun. The palace has many original paintings and statues, and is very scenic. The views of the barely and canola farms from the palace were spectacular.
Double humped camel Horse ride up to the palace
Tibet's First Palace Kids at the palace
Jagdish with a Monk Prayers Wheels/Prayer Flags
Incense Burner
On the way back from the palace, we stopped at the monastery. It is much smaller by comparison and was totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It is being rebuilt and has few original paintings and statues.
Tsedang is a beautiful, modern city with very large and impressive military building and outposts. We are not allowed to walk around without the guide, so I am just resting in the hotel and getting ready for another adventure tomorrow. Good night! :-)
Sheep Brahmaputra River/Prayer Flags
Speaking of the hotels, our hotel is very fancy and the restaurant is even fancier.
Lunch Menu: Smoking wine with burning flesh??
After lunch, we went to see the Palace on the mountain. This was the first palace built in Tibet, dating back to before the 1st century AD. The king came from India. People have been living here for over 20,000 years and were practicing an ancient religion: Bon. The monks brought in Buddhism around the 1st century BC. The new king adopted a mix of Bon and Buddhism, which has been practiced for the last 2000 years.
We decided to try the camel ride and then went up to the palace on horseback. It was fun and saved me from walking up in the sun. The palace has many original paintings and statues, and is very scenic. The views of the barely and canola farms from the palace were spectacular.
Double humped camel Horse ride up to the palace
Tibet's First Palace Kids at the palace
Jagdish with a Monk Prayers Wheels/Prayer Flags
Incense Burner
On the way back from the palace, we stopped at the monastery. It is much smaller by comparison and was totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It is being rebuilt and has few original paintings and statues.
Tsedang is a beautiful, modern city with very large and impressive military building and outposts. We are not allowed to walk around without the guide, so I am just resting in the hotel and getting ready for another adventure tomorrow. Good night! :-)
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