Wednesday, June 1, 2011 | Alan Magnoni | Asia
Hello out there,
here a small group of people from US, Canada, Mexico and Germany take the challenge to explore the highest region on earth, with an average elevation of 4.900m (16,000feet). On the first day we got time to visit the Potala palace in Lhasa, which was the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama until he fled to Dharamsala(India) in1959. After a tasty tibetan Yak-Burger we saw the most sacred and important temple, the Jokhang. It was founded during the reign of king Songsten Gampo. According to tradition, the temple was built for the two brides of the king,Princess Wencheng Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Both wives are said to have brought important Buddhist statues and images from China and Nepal to Tibet as part of their dowries, and they were housed here. Many Nepalese artists worked to construct this temple.
the Potala palace
inside the Jokhang, "House of Buddha"
outside the Jokhang, the most important and sacred temple in Tibet.
The sacred Nam Tso lake after crossing the Lhachen- La pass (5.190m/17,300ft) on the first riding day. A beutiful loop around Lhasa (450km/280miles)
Local kids on the way to the lake
A nice ride on the second day to the Drak Yerpa monastery (4.885m)
...still magical and mystical ....