Visit the Potala Palace, the residence of the Dalai
Lama, and the Jokhang Temple, considered the
spiritual center of Tibet…see the Norbulingkha,
the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas…visit Drepung
monastery, one of the largest in Tibet, and Sera
monastery, founded in 1419…enjoy a day excursions to Ganden
and Tsurphu monasteries…visit Tsedong,
where the first known building still in existence in Tibet lies…travel
over the passes of Kampa La (15,840 feet) and Karo
La (16,500 feet) along the turquoise blue Yamdrok Lake…visit the
small town of Gyantse on the Nyang River and continue
to Shigatse, stopping en route at the Shalu
Monastery…in Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo
Monastery to watch pilgrims offering hunks of oil into tub-like butter
lamps…travel over the Himalayas to Kathmandu…visit
Sakya Monastery…pass through Xegar,
whose "Shining Crystal Monastery" once housed 400 monks…drive
across the Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu…take a
side trip to Everest Base Camp.
