How & Wow!

Tibet is a plateau region in Central Asia and the home to the indigenous Tibetan people. With an average elevation of 4,900 metres (16,000 ft), it is the highest region on Earth and is commonly referred to as the “Roof of the World”. Geographically, UNESCO and Encyclopædia Britannica consider Tibet to be part of Central Asia, while several academic organizations consider it part of South Asia.

While China claims that Tibet has always been a part of China, Tibet has a history of at least 1300 years of independence from China. In 821 China and Tibet ended almost 200 years of fighting with a treaty engraved on three stone pillars, one of which still stands in front of the Jokhang cathedral in Lhasa. Tibet is now one of the Autonomies in China.

The great assembly hall at Drepung Monastery

Tibetans believe you dance to eliminate negativity, to cut through the ego and to bring in auspicious circumstances.

Tatse Bridge, a long bridge supported by wires that were hooked to a high cliff at one end and hooked to a tower at the other.

Kangni Chorten with a wall of mani stones.

The Kumbum-stupa in Gyantse

The Kumbum was commissioned in 1440. It rises over four symmetrical floors plus two upper floors and is capped with a gold dome. Approximately 70 chapels are housed in the Kumbum. These are many murals — the word “kumbum” means 10,000 image!

Prayer wheels in a Tibetan monastery by Simple Dolphin.
Prayer wheels(???) - Bucket-sized Tibetan prayer wheels with engraved mantra, lined up along walking paths around the monastery. The lection books are kepted in the buckets, and turning the wheels symbolizes one’ve read through the lections…

Pilgrims circumambulate Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse - My Tibet (Galen Rowell)

Yamdrok Tso Lake is 100 kilometers southwest of Lhasa; the lake is a beautiful turquoise blue palette occupying an area of 678 square kilometers. The lake is elevated 4,441 meters above mean sea level; it is the third largest lake in Tibet. “Yamdrok” in Tibetan means upper pasture and Tso means lake. Tibetan Buddhists consider the lake sacred; it has no outlets nor perennial source of incoming water however occasionally melted snow from mountains deposit into the lake.