Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kongtsun Demo (in the far right on horseback, next to the Wheel of Life). The main hall
has a rare statue of the standing form of Guru Rinpoche and also a large Jampa (Maitreya).
The inner sanctum houses statues of Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), with Songtsen
Gampo in the left corner. Behind them is the trinity of Guru Rinpoche, the Indian translat-
or Shantarakshita and King Trisong Detsen. Here also is the stone footprint of Guru Rin-
poche, one of only three in all of the Kongpo region.
It's said that the monastery's outer walls survived destruction during the Cultural Re-
volution (as so many did not) so save time for a walk round the short kora that follows the
perimeter. The monastery is about 1km before the turn for Lamaling Temple.
Neche Goshog Monastery
BUDDHIST, MONASTERY
( )
This small, golden-roofed Bön monastery was rebuilt in 2008 after being gutted in a fire.
It's home to around 25 monks and is famous for a 2000-year-old juniper tree that is sacred
to Bönpos. The manicured courtyard includes a small side shrine dedicated to the Bön
founder Tonpa Shenrab. The monastery is about 17km east of Bāyī, on your right just be-
fore you reach the town of Nyingtri.
Cypress Park
FOREST
(, Shìjiè Bóshù Wáng Yuánlín admission ¥30; 9am-5pm)
A few kilometres south of Bāyī a stand of ancient cypress trees dot a steep but inviting
hillside. The most venerable cypress is a reported 2500 years old, making it the oldest tree
in China, and as old as the Buddha himself. This, in addition to the tree being sacred to
Bön founder Tonpa Shenrab, makes the site exceptionally holy for Tibetans, and a prime
pilgrim spot.
Owing to the short growing season at altitude, the trees in this park are not as thick or
tall as those you find in Redwood Park in California, for example, but they are still magni-
ficent. As with many sights in Tibet, the Chinese have built pavilions and paths around the
trees (and given them new legends), though mercifully they are largely unobtrusive. Walk
a few minutes up the paths from the oldest tree and you will likely be alone with the
'younger' trees and the big views across the valley.
