Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pleasant two-, four- and five-bed dorms with clean foam beds, above a shop by the east
gate. If things are busy you may have to pay for all beds in a room.
Samye Monastery Guesthouse
HOTEL
This huge modern hotel is located outside the monastery walls in its own compound. Al-
though devoid of monastic charm, the carpeted double rooms are comfortable (check for
barking dogs when choosing your room). Standard rooms come with a hot water shower
while the cheaper doubles share a bathroom down the hall (no showers).
Don't confuse this with the Monastery Guesthouse annexe, outside the monastery's east-
ern gate, which is worth avoiding.
Eating
Friendship Snowland Restaurant
CHINESE
(, Xuěyù Tóngbāo Lǚguǎn, Gangjong Pönda Sarkhang
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
; meals ¥14-40;
8am-
midnight; )
The backpacker-inspired menu at this pleasant Tibetan-style restaurant includes banana
pancakes, hash browns and omelettes, making this your best breakfast bet. Decent Chinese
and Tibetan dishes are also available (yak steak, fried mushrooms).
Monastery Restaurant
TIBETAN
Loads of atmosphere, sunny outdoor seating and pilgrims galore at this recently improved
place within the monastery compound.
Getting There & Away
Samye is a three-hour drive from Lhasa, either along the southern bank of the river via
Tsetang, or along the northern bank via Dorje Drak Monastery. From the south bank most
groups take the bridge from Tsetang, though a new bridge across the Yarlung Tsangpo
17km west of Samye will soon offer a short cut.
