We drove a long time to get to Shigatse. Along the way we had to present our documents at a police checkpoint. You need a visa for Tibet and permits to move from one place to another. Plenty to see!
River view of Brahmaputra, the mother of all the rivers that flow from here.
After we settled in the hotel we had time to grab a quick bite. I ordered Thupke, Tibetan noodles.
Tashilunpo monastery.
It is one of the few monasteries in Tibet to weather the destruction of cultural landmarks of the Cultural Revolution. It is as if time did still, and walking on the cobbled paths that wound around old buildings. The monastery is now the largest religious institution in operation in Tibet.
The huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world. Pictures are not allowed to be taken there but many would pray outside the doors, touching their forehead on the top decoration on the floor.
We walked back to the hotel and stumbled upon a Muslim night market. People have been very friendly here in Tibet as foreigners have not been seen here in about 3 years.
