2013 Trek in Lhasa

2013 Trek in Lhasa

D16 Ganden Monastery – Tsayeba Monastery

We will go ahead to Ganden Monastery after breakfast in the morning. Ganden Monastery ranks first among the six monasteries of Gelug Sect. The other five major monasteries are Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, and Tar Monastery in Qinghai Province and Lapuleng Monastery in Gansu Province. It was constructed in 1409 by Tsongkhapa personally – the great master in Tibet Buddhism history and the founder of Gelug Sect (Yellow Sect). During the period of the prosperous there were about 4000 Buddhists in the monastery. It is highly respected by the followers of Tibetan Buddhism since it was built by the founder of Gelug Sect – Master Tsongkhapa. It is situated on a mountain over 3800 meters high in the south river bank of Lhasa River in Datse County, about 57 kilometers far from Lhasa City center.

In the afternoon, we will visit one of the four asharams during Tubo Kingdom Period in Tibet - Tsayeba Monastery. It is a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism composed of queer mountains, particular rocks, caverns and monastery. It is noted for its long history and amazing landscapes. There is an old proverb among Tibetan goes that the holy place of Tibet is Lhasa and holy place of Lhasa is Tsayeba Monastery. Actually, Tsayepa Monastery was built for the princess consort – Mengsa Chigyang by Songtsen Gampo during the middle period of the 7th Century, located in Datse County. Then we will back to Lhasa.

D17 Yaowang Hill – Grashi Monastery – The Dragon King Pool

Yaowang Hill is admittedly acceptable as the best location for sightseeing and photograph of Potala Palace. It is located opposite to Potala Palace. When the first sunlight rises from Potala Palace, it is really religious and respectful to people. In addition, there is a very small temple which is located in the hillside on a steep cliff in the east of Yaowang Hill, featuring a unique and particular construction. This small temple is named Chalalupu. After so thousands of years passed, it is still preserved well and respected devoutly by local people.

Though Grashi Monastery is a very small monastery in Lhasa City, it is highly respected by local people. No available written materials about Grashi Monastery could be found, but Grashi Monastery is said to enshrine and worship the God of Wealth inside the hall.

The Dragon King Pool is renowned as one of the garden architectures of Tibet, originally built during the period of the 6th Dalai Lama – Tsangyang Gyatso in Tibet history. The legend says that the 6th Dalai Lama once invited 8 dragons to the pool, and that is why later generations call this pool the Dragon King Pool.

D18 Leave Lhasa

If you can get up earlier, you can take your time to take a ramble in Lhasa City after breakfast. If you live nearby Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, you may have one more chance to walk clockwise around Jokhang Temple and pray to the Potala Palace in front of you. Afterwards, we will drive you to the railway station or airport station.