Destination: China
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Tibetan Monasteries off the Beaten Track
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A visit to one of Tibet’s smaller monasteries could well be a highlight of your trip. The monasteries are more intimate, the monks tend to be friendlier and it’s often possible to spend the night and attend prayer meetings after all the tourists have melted away.
Between Lhasa and Samye, Mindroling Monastery is a friendly place that’s easily accessible. The surroundings offer some enjoyable walks and it’s possible to stay the night.
A short ferry ride across the Yarlung Tsangpo is Dorje Drak Monastery. Getting here on the ferry can be a bit of an adventure but once you're here you’ll feel a million miles away from modern Tibet. There’s a monastery guesthouse and a dramatic kora.
En route between Shigatse and Lhatse is the remote and little-visited Phuntsoling Monastery. The monastery has a superb location and there are lots of ruins to explore, both at the site and a couple of hours' walk away at the ruined Jonang chörten. Permits are required here.
Along the Friendship Hwy, Shegar is just 7km off the main road, not far from the turn-off to Mt Everest, and has a charming monastery at the base of the impressive ruined ‘Crystal Fort’.
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