Sakya County - Attraction, Travel Tips, Transportation, Accommodation
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Office Hour: 09:00am - 06:00pm, (GMT+8)
Call our professional Tibet tour advisors
+86-23-86915020
Sakya, it literally means "gray and white soil" in Tibetan language. In the AD 11 century, Kun Gonguejiebu constructed the Sakya Monastery on the hillside in the north of Zhongqu River to teach and spread Buddhism scripture. In the AD 13 century, it was acted as the capital of Sakya Kingdom, the center of Tibetan politic, economy, culture and military.
Sakya is also the birthplace of Sakya Kingdom and Sakya Sect in Tibetan history, which Sakya Monastery is renowned in the world as the ancestral temple of Sakya Sect - one of the top 4 Tibetan Buddhism religion sect. Both of the amazing natural scenery and the age-old cultural landscape feature this land more mysterious, quiet, pure and attractive.
Sakya County is situated in southern Tibet, middle part of Shigatse Prefecture, southern river bank of Yarlung Zangbo River. It is close to Shigatse prefecture and Bailang County in east, Tinggye County and Gangpa County in west, Tingri and Latse in west, and face to Xetongmen County in north. Sakya Town is the center of Sakya County, approximately 150 kilometers away from Shigatse prefecture. It covers a total area of 6495 square kilometers with 41000 population here. Most of the people here are Tibetans.
It is actually located the place between Mount Kailash and Himalaya Mountain Range. It is surrounded by high mountains in south and Yarlung Zangbo River Valley Plain in north. The terrain features higher in south and north parts than the middle part and the west part. The highest mountain in Sakya County is Dolong Peak which is 6092 meters high.
Sakya County is characteristic of the feature of plateau temperature semi-arid monsoon climate. The frostless duration of a year is approximately 110 days. The annual amount of precipitation is 350 mm. The mean annual temperature is 5-6 ?, which the highest temperature is 27 ?, and the lowest temperature is approximately -20 ?. In winter, this area features the southwesterly wind and dry and cold climate.
The most well known attraction in Sakya County is Sakya Monastery, which preserves numerous historical treasures well such as scriptures, porcelains, murals, and Buddha statues, etc. Therefore Sakya monastery is also called "the second Dunhuang of China". Besides, there are other attractive attractions in this area such as Gyupa Monastery and Kangyan Monastery. What's more, Sakya Knife is very well known for its exquisite look and durable quality.
Public bus is not available between Lhasa to Sakya County. Tourists usually transit to Shigatse and then leave for Sakya County by bus.
China-Nepal (Friendship Highway) has been constructed throughout the whole county, it is approximately 50 kilometers long. The highway towards to Latse County and Tinggye County are also available.
The hostels and hotels are mainly available in Southern Sakya Monastery. Sakya hotel is the best one based on local accommodation condition, which the general facilities are provided in this hotel such as bed, shower, dinning room, TV, etc. There are some hostels around Sakya hotel, which usually cost 150 RMB per bed.
Sakya Monastery is the most famous attraction in Sakya County, which is divided into Southern Sakya Monastery and Northern Sakya Monastery. We usually visit Southern one, as there is only a decadent courtyard in northern Sakya Monastery.
Karo Hot Spring is situated in a narrow ravine, about 18 kilometers away from the Sakya town.
Tsongla Mountain Peak is standing 4500 meters high about 15 kilometers away from Sakya town. People could have a view of Mount Everest flag clouds from here.
