Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Located 33 kilometres south of Darchen, Chiu (Sparrow) Monastery enjoys a fabulous loc-
ation atop a craggy hill overlooking Lake Manasarovar. The main chapel contains the
meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have passed away here, but most people
focus on the lake views, the winding stone staircases and old wooden doorframes of this
fairy-tale-like structure. A short kora path leads to a second chapel. On a clear day Mt
Kailash looms dramatically to the north.
For a hike, walk along the ridge to the southeast of the monastery or make a half-day
trek along part of the lake kora to the ruined chörten and prayer wall at Cherkip, returning
via the shoreline cave retreats. There are fine views and lots of nesting birds along this
route, but bring repellent against the annoying shoreline flies.
If you fancy a long post-hike soak, the small hot springs (
10am-8pm) beside the vil-
lage pipe water into private wooden tubs.
Gossul Monastery BUDDHIST, MONASTERY
Further south along the shore of Manasarovar, this charming monastery is part of the
Manasarovar kora but can now be reached by road. The three resident monks can show
you the meditation cave of Götsangpa (the ascetic who opened up the Mt Kailash kora in
the 13th century) and a sacred stone conch shell, and you can buy amulets or packets of
holy Manasarovar sand, incense and salt. The views of the lake are breathtaking.
The best way to reach the monastery is if you are driving from Purang; an unsigned dirt
road branches off the main road 10km north of the Gurla-la (around kilometre marker 36),
crosses a pass and then swings left to follow the lakeshore for 10km. From Gossul it's 7km
north to the paved main road and then a further 6km to Chiu Monastery.
Tirthapuri Hot Springs & Kora
On the banks of the Sutlej, only a few hours' drive northwest of Darchen, the hot springs
at Tirthapuri ( GOOGLE MAP ; admission ¥15) are the place where pilgrims traditionally
bathe after completing their circuit of Mt Kailash. The one-hour kora route around the site
is interesting, and 13 circumambulations are considered to bring equal merit as one
Kailash kora.
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