Traveling in Tibet

Impressions of the Marco Polo Group Tour, June 2000

Note: This site is a collection of photos and impressions of a group traveling in Yunnan, PRC, and in Tibet in May and June 2000. It will be under construction for some time to come.

The photos are the property of the author of this web site. They were acquired with a Nikon Coolpix 950 camera at medium-high resolution and then manipulated with Adobe Photoshop. Click on a small photo for a larger version, albeit only in a 72 dpi version.

Map of Tibet (from Hybrid Designs)

Have a WAHAHA Break!

GYANTSE--The Kumbum and Pelkor Chode Monastery

Gyantse (at an altitude of 3950 m or about 13000 ft) is 254 km southwest of Lhasa. It is the third largest town in Tibet and was the scene in 1904 of a major battle between Tibetans and British troops under Colonel Younghusband as the British advanced on Lhasa. The town still has the feel of a frontier town, with horses and yaks on the main streets.

The main site in Gyantse is the Kumbum and the Pelkor Chode monastery. 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!

Immediately adjoining the Kumbum is the Pelkor Chode monastery. While undistinguished from the outside, there was much of interest inside. The monks had just completed three large mandalas in honor of the 4th lunar month when Sakyamuni was born, achieved enlightenment, and nirvana. The mandalas represent "concentration" and the "unity of opposing forces." The sand mandalas were made from crushed stones, then dyed and arranged within four days. They are displayed for 15 days and then scattered into local rivers as blessings. (The photos below show on these these mandalas and a closeup of one portion. Click on each for a larger version.)

Inside we also saw butter sculptures as offerings and a large ceremonial drum among many other objects. The monk below is reading from scriptures. (Click on the photos for larger versions.)