Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Maitreya), Tsongkhapa and the 16 arhats (worthy ones). The far right chapel has a speak-
ing statue of green Tara in an ornate case. Photos cost ¥10 to ¥20 per chapel.
A new and easily overlooked Ganden Lhakhang ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) chapel to the
left of the kumbum is worth a quick peek for the largest Tsongkhapa statue in Tibet. The
Sakya-school Kurba Tratsang next to the assembly hall is also worth a visit.
Gyantse Dzong FORT
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 817 2116; admission ¥30; 9.30am-6.30pm)
The main reason to make the 20-minute climb to the top of the Gyantse Dzong is for the
fabulous views of the Pelkor Chöde Monastery and Gyantse's whitewashed old town be-
low. Entry to the dzong is via a gate just north of the main roundabout. Vehicles can drive
about halfway to the top.
Many of the 14th-century fort's buildings and rooms are open for exploration, though
most are bare. There's a kitschy attempt to re-create the old tax office behind the ticket
booth, and a little further to the left you'll find a dungeon, chapel and torture room with di-
oramas. Bring a torch to explore the spooky lower chambers beneath the chapel.
Rabse Nunnery BUDDHIST, NUNNERY
(Rèsaì Nígū Miaò MAP GOOGLE MAP )
Hidden behind the hill that runs between the monastery and the dzong, this nunnery ( ani
gompa in Tibetan) is a delightful place decorated with prayer flags, chörtens and mani
lhakhang (prayer wheel chapels). The 'correct' way to visit is along the clockwise pilgrim
trail that goes around the back of the Pelkor Chöde Monastery.
Bring a compass for the walk back through the maze of streets in the old town; a new
path that follows the contours of the hillside offers superb views of the fort in the distance.
Palha Manor MUSEUM
(, Pàlā Zhuāngyuán GOOGLE MAP ; Penjor Lhunpo village; admission ¥30; 10am-6.30pm)
This impressive former merchant's house is now a government museum thick with politic-
al spin on the evils of feudal exploitation. Don't be put off, enough fascinating fragments
remain to give a picture of upper-class Tibetan life a century ago. Displays include bottles
of imported port and Lady Florence maraschino cherries from Australia, some fine silks
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