ROAD TO GYANTSE

Leaving Lhasa behind we were headed for the town of Gyantse, some 260kms away. The ride has got to be the most dramatic of all, as we would cross 3 Big Passes, take in a Holy Lake, a Crystal Glacier and an artificial lake all in one day, stretching over 9 hours. We started off on a gravelled road driving through harsh, denuded mountains. The dusty road wound through deep valleys and squeezed up cliff hugging paths as the unending vista of granite mountains, cyan skies and turquoise waters swept us along.

I had read about rock-throwing urchins posing a menance on these roads and I was on a lookout. Now and then we did see children running down the rocky slopes but none aimed any unfriendly shots at us. Instead they looked overjoyed just to wave at our passing bus while we waved just as delightedly back. Although we would dearly liked to have stopped many times along the way to capture the wild scenery our guide would not allow us many stops onroute except for the designated spots. At one of the rare unscheduled stops for a member to answer his call, two little girls appeared as if from nowhere to gaze at us. These two were so shy it was hard work to persuade them even to come near and these 2 tendermites were certainly not out to harm us.

The dust which crept in through the slits and crevices of the tightly shut windows was unbearable. On the bad stretches the bus rattled and shuddered until we were all broken up. At every super Bump I was tossed up and down and our overhead luggage was in constant danger of crashing down. And yet the beauty of the place is inexpressable ! Far below us the valleys appeared tranquil as in a dream -- golden with rapeseed and crisscrossed by ribbons of blue water. On the distant brown slopes, like a picture out of Biblical times, nomads in homespun clothes lead their flock. When the road descended to river level we were plunged straight into the valley we dream-watched, high up in the precipices. The driver absolutely refused to stop for us to capture all these brilliant moments, perhaps the road was really very dangerous.....and so willy nilly, through Paradise or through Hell we finally arrived at our destination, Gyantse, altitude 3,800m.

ENROUTE PICTURES

Just out of Lhasa we are greeted by this 1000 Year Old Cliffside Buddha meditating beside the Lhasa river and wishing us "Safe Journey"

The wild and dusty road to Gyantse

The first pass of the day is Gangbala Pass altitude 4852m

Lake Yumdrok Tso viewed from the top of Gangbala. Also known as Turquoise Lake it is one of Tibet's holiest lakes. The altitude and brilliant sunlight makes the waters shimmer in changing shades.

Another view of Gangbala with prayer flags and woolly yak.

Olive mountains, turquoise waters -- Lake Yumdrok Tso

Holy flock by the holy lake

Karola Glacier altitude 5045m. We also call it Crystal Mountain because of the many crystals available for sale and many strewn on the grounds

Karola Glacier. Although it was sunny on Gangbala and Lake Yumdrok, by the time we arrived at Karola, it was dark and chilly giving us another picture of the mountains.

Karola Glacier. Nice place for a picnic with the benches provided. But our guide thought otherwise. He already had our lunch booked at the designated eating house

Simila Pass altitude 4330m, our last Pass for the day. Thousands of white scarves decorate the Pass to thank the gods for safe journey

 
Another Holy Lake? No this is a beautiful body of water created by damming a nearby river.

Gyantse Town with Gyantse Fort and Little Wall of China in background. The fortifications withstood British aggressors in 1904.

Another view of the wall that defeated the British invaders.

The Kumbum Stupa, Gyantse’s landmark is the finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the world. Sometimes known as the Wedding Cake because of its multi tiers it is actually symbolic of the various levels of Enlightenment in Buddhist Teachings.