Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Once inside the temple, look out for the remains of a stuffed snow leopard. To the right
is a side protector chapel with the Dzogchen trinity of Dorje Lekpa, Rahulla and Ekajati,
and a mask depicting the mountain deity Tseringma. This chapel contains the hoofprints of
the goat that allegedly carried both Dorje Lekpa and the inscribed pillars to the monastery.
Continue through an unusual courtyard encircling a huge chörten to an upstairs chapel
above the entrance.
Sleeping & Eating
Níjiāng Zhāodàisuǒ
GUESTHOUSE
( 158 8909 6198; dm ¥30)
If you need a place to crash in Nyima Jiangre this is probably your best bet. It was closed
during our visit but it should have re-opened by now. It has simple four-bed dorms in clean
rooms with concrete floors. It also boasts the town's only real toilet.
Chulong Nunnery Teahouse
TIBETAN
(, Qūlóngsì Zāng Cānguǎn dishes ¥15)
Super-friendly place on the main street run by nuns from nearby Chulong Nunnery. Grab a
flask of sweet milk tea and choose from
momos
(dumplings), noodles and fried vegetable
dishes.
Getting There & Away
From Nyima Jiangre it's 30km to Drigung Til, 36km to Medro Gongkar and 100km to new
Phongdo.
If you are headed to Reting Monastery you can take the direct route along the Kyi-chu
valley via new Phongdo (the old town and
dzong
of Phongdo now lie at the bottom of the
Phongdo reservoir). En route you'll pass the hillside Trakto Monastery (with fine views),
partially rebuilt Yu Monastery (in Zashu village), ruined Nyong Dzong and the impressive
Karma Monastery (across the Kyi-chu and accessed by a bridge). Several other monastery
ruins line the scenic route.
