Tsetang    Gyantse      Xigatse in Tibet

Gyantse, (Jiangzhi)which lies on south-west of Lhasa, is the third largest of the old Tibetan towns. The most important structure here is Palkhor Tschode. The circle-shaped monastery site, whch is enclosed by a wall, used to have several monasteries belonging to different sect. The 32 metres tall Kumbum pagoda is in the shape of a three dimensional Mandala and symbolises Mount Meru. The central structure at the tip of the dagoda is a chapel for the original Buddha.
     The fertile Gyangtse (Gyangze) Valley along the Nyangchu River after passing a chain of snow-capped mountain peaks with the highest being Mt. Nojin Gangsang. The region is known as a granary of Tibet.
     The ancient town of Gyangtse has a history of over six centuries. It sits by the road from Lhasa to Sakya, Shigatse and Yatong and has from ancient times been a center where pilgrims, merchants and travelers converge.

Xigaze, (Shigatze, or Xigatse)360 km west of Lhasa, is traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second head of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient Tibet the town, which today has less than 50,000 inhabitants, was the capital of Tsang province. The residence of the Panchen Lama, Tashi-Lhunpo Monestery, was founded in 1447 by a pupil of Tsongkhapa. The monestery site was substantially enlarges during 17^th and 18^th centuries. Nearly 4,000 monks used to lived here but today there are only 600. The most important builiding is Maitreya Chapel, built by the 9^th Panchen Lama in 1914. The memorial of the 4^th Panchen Lama is also worth seeing. It is 11 metres tall and was erected in 1662. It is decorated with 3,000 ounces of gold, 15 tons of silver and innumerable preecious stones.