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Mt
Everest
The
Tibetan approach to Mt Everest or Qoomolangma
(8848m) provides far better vistas of the
world's highest peak than those on the Nepal
side. Some 27,000 sq km around Everest's Tibetan
face have been designated as the Qoomolangma
Nature Preserve, aiming to protect the
environment and the cultural traditions of
the local people. For foreign travellers,
the Everest Base Camp has become the
most popular trekking destination in Tibet,
but this does not mean that the region is
exactly swarming with hikers. The two access
points are Shegar and Tingri,
along the Friendship Highway to Nepal, but
be warned that neither trek is an easy three
or four-day stroll. Take your time getting
acclimatized and be prepared for a strenuous
climb. If it all sounds too much, 4WD vehicles
can lurch all the way to base camp along the
Shegar track.
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Gyantse
Gyantse,
some 200km south-west of Lhasa, is one of
the least Chinese-influenced towns in Tibet
and is worth a visit for this reason alone.
The Palkhor Monastery here was built
in 1427 and is notable for its superb Kumbum
(10,000 images) stupa. The Dzong (old
fort) which towers above the village offers
a fine view over the valley. Gyantse is a
four hour bus ride from Shigatse.
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Sakya
Sakya
is 152km west of Shigatse and about 25km south
of the main road. The huge brooding monastery
here was Tibet's most powerful 700 years ago.
The monastery probably contains the finest
collection of Tibetan religious relics remaining
in Tibet, although the monks may restrict
you to viewing only a couple of halls. There's
an unreliable bus from Shigatse, but most
people arrange to see Sakya on their way to
the Nepali border or the Everest Base Camp.
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