Day 13
Early in the m
orning, we started our adventurous journey across the ‘roof of the world’. We drove down Friendship Highway, however, it certainly didn’t look like a “highway” to me, some part
of the road is a sandy road that now and then turns out to be jammed because of erosion. After a few hours’ drive on the winding, bumpy and dusty mountain road, suddenly there lined the colourful dressed yaks and souvenir stalls. We were up at the Kamba-la Pass at 4950m where there was the dazzling views of Yamdrok Tso which lies several hundred metres below. The scenery of the deep turquoise blue water in the lake, the transparency and the reflection of the surrounding snow capped mountains was awesome. We spent some quality time with the Mother Nature.
orning, we started our adventurous journey across the ‘roof of the world’. We drove down Friendship Highway, however, it certainly didn’t look like a “highway” to me, some part
of the road is a sandy road that now and then turns out to be jammed because of erosion. After a few hours’ drive on the winding, bumpy and dusty mountain road, suddenly there lined the colourful dressed yaks and souvenir stalls. We were up at the Kamba-la Pass at 4950m where there was the dazzling views of Yamdrok Tso which lies several hundred metres below. The scenery of the deep turquoise blue water in the lake, the transparency and the reflection of the surrounding snow capped mountains was awesome. We spent some quality time with the Mother Nature.Yamdrok Tso, which is a coiling scorpion-shaped body of water, is one of the three holy 
lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the popular pilgrimages in Tibet. Tibetan people believe that the lake is sacred and the water has special powers: it can make old young again, and it can improve intelligence in children. Then we climbed the 2nd high pass, Kharo La(5560m). We had a brief stop to admire the jaw-dropping views of the Nojin Kangstang glacier.
lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the popular pilgrimages in Tibet. Tibetan people believe that the lake is sacred and the water has special powers: it can make old young again, and it can improve intelligence in children. Then we climbed the 2nd high pass, Kharo La(5560m). We had a brief stop to admire the jaw-dropping views of the Nojin Kangstang glacier.
As we approached Gyantse, it began to rain. We had a quick lunch and rest a little. 
Gyantse is a small village with beautiful architecture. Gyantse is known because of its Fortress, the Dzong, a very special building, the Kimbum, and a monastery, the Pelkor Chode.
We gazed at a fasc
inating fortress-monastery perched on a hill at the edge of the city; the Gyantse Dzong is an old military fort which was built in the 14th century. We got off the 4WD and trekked up the snaking path and some very steep steps to reach the top in the rain. The inside of the fortress is mostly ruins, I fell a few times, but the top offers great views over the town and the surrounding Nyang-chu valley. It was definitely worth the effort.
inating fortress-monastery perched on a hill at the edge of the city; the Gyantse Dzong is an old military fort which was built in the 14th century. We got off the 4WD and trekked up the snaking path and some very steep steps to reach the top in the rain. The inside of the fortress is mostly ruins, I fell a few times, but the top offers great views over the town and the surrounding Nyang-chu valley. It was definitely worth the effort.At the foo
t of Gyantse Dzong is Pelkor Chode (monastery) and a strange building called the Kumbum (kumbum means 100,000 images) which is the biggest and most famous chorten (stupa) in Tibet. Many big stray dogs, lay around in front of the monastery, their coats were wet and covered with dirt. There is a Tibetan saying that stray dogs hang out around monasteries because they were bad monks in previous lives.
t of Gyantse Dzong is Pelkor Chode (monastery) and a strange building called the Kumbum (kumbum means 100,000 images) which is the biggest and most famous chorten (stupa) in Tibet. Many big stray dogs, lay around in front of the monastery, their coats were wet and covered with dirt. There is a Tibetan saying that stray dogs hang out around monasteries because they were bad monks in previous lives.We stayed at a little guesthouse for the night. We had “Chewy” Yak steak for dinner which left our jaws aching for the rest of the night.
What a demanding but fascinating day!
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