Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you on the back with a stone footprint of Guru Rinpoche. Before they exit, pilgrims buy
sacred seeds and a kathak (ceremonial scarf) printed with the image of Tamdrin.
Chodung Monastery RUINS
A rewarding 90-minute hike, gaining 400m, leads from Chode Ön village just north of
Keru Lhakhang to the impressive, sprawling ruins of 12th-century Chodung Monastery. En
route you pass the ruins of Samtenling Nunnery. Return to the village by following the
main valley, stopping en route at the ruins of a dzong just above the village. To get to
Chode Ön, drive north from Keru to Gyelzang and cross the river.
Tashi Doka Monastery MONASTERY
Tashi Dhoka is famed as a meditation retreat of Tsongkhapa. You can visit the meditation
caves of Tsongkhapa and his student Genden Drup (who later became the first Dalai
Lama) before checking out the largest Drölma statue in Tibet. The monastery of 60 monks
has a reputation for scholarship, as evident during the afternoon debating between 3pm
and 6pm. Tashi Doka is 2km off the main road to Keru.
Tsetang
0893 / Pop 52,000 / Elev 3515m
An important Chinese administrative centre and army base, Tsetang (Zédāng) is the fourth-
largest city in Tibet and the capital of huge Shānnán (Lhoka) prefecture. The centre of
town is a modern, thoroughly Chinese city where you'll find decent restaurants, midrange
accommodation and a couple of internet cafes. The more interesting area is the small tradi-
tional Tibetan town, clustered to the east around Gangpo Ri, one of Ü's four sacred moun-
tains.
Most travellers use Tsetang as a base to visit outlying sites of the Yarlung Valley. The
PSB has a strong presence here so your guide will probably disappear for a few minutes to
register your passport and pick up an alien's travel permit for outlying sights (including
Samye Monastery).
Sights
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