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Lhasa:
Lhasa, the
capital of
Tibet, is
situated on the
north bank of
the Kyichu river
in the province
of U (Central
Tibet). The
Chinese consider
it to be the
regional capital
of the Tibetan
Autonomous
Region (TAR).
The Lhasa region
may be reached
by air from
Chengdu
(Sichuan, West
China) and
Kathmandu, or
overland from
Golmud
(Northwest
China) and
Kathmandu. Lhasa
is the best
place to explore
the monasteries
and palaces once
occupied by
religious heads
of Tibet.
Sera Monastery:
Sera lies about
five kilometers
(three miles) to
the north of
Lhasa along the
base of the
mountains at the
edge of the
valley. It can
be reached by
bus from the bus
station near the
Mentsi Khang.
You can also
bicycle or walk.
The colleges and
chapels are open
daily, with the
usual long lunch
break.
Shigatse &
Tashilhunpo:
Shigatse, the
capital of Tsang
province, is 395km (247 mile) west
of Lhasa via
Gyantse and
307km (192 mile)
west of Lhasa
via the metalled
road along the
Tsangpo. The
daily bus
service from
Lhasa follows
the latter
route.
Samye Monastery:
Samye, Tibet's
first Buddhist
monastery, is of
unique
significance in
both the
political and
religious
history of the
land. Formerly
on the old
caravan route
from the Yarlung
Valley to Lhasa,
its location on
the north bank
of the Tsangpo,
surrounded by
sand dunes and
with no paved
road, makes
access difficult
today.
Tsetang:
Tsetang, the
third largest
town in Central
Tibet, is 196km
(122 mile) from Lhasa on the
south bank of
the Tsangpo
river. The town
is in the
heartland of
historical
Tibet at the
head of the Yarlung Valley
and adjacent to
the ancient
capital of
Nedong. Like
Lhasa, Tsetang
is a good base
for making day
trips to Samye,
Yarlung, and
Chonggye as well
as sites farther
east along the Tsangpo
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