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Harbin Travel Guide Johnping
Monday, 23 December 2013 10:47
Sera Monastery, Sera Monastery Guide, Sera Monastery Travel Tips, Sera Monastery Travel Information.
Introducing Sera Monastery, Sera Monastery, Sera Monastery Travel Guide
Article from Tibet Municipal Commission of Tourism
At the foot of the Wuze Hill in Sera to the north of Lhasa, the Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet. Sera Monastery was built by one of disciples of Zonggaba in 1419. On 27th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, Sera Monastery holds the grand Sera Bungchen Festival, which attracts flocks of Buddhists and others.
Sera is famous for its "Buddhism Scriptures Debating": monks can be seen preparing for monastic exam by staging mock debates in the ritual way. Some sit cross-legged under the trees, while others run from group to group giving vigorous hand-claps to end a statement or make a point. Master and dignitaries sit on the raised tiers when a real exam takes place.
Sera in Tibetan means Wild Rose Garden since opulent wild rose woods once grew around it. A legend said Tsong Khapa and his two disciples once proceeded religious cultivation around. One day, they heard horse whinnying underground when they were taking a walk in the rose woods. A statue of Hynagriva (a horse-headed demon-god) was dug out then. Tsong Khapa started to build the monastery to enshrine Hynagriva. However, the truth is that in 1414, Jamchen Chojey (or Sakya Yeshe), one of Tsong Khapa's disciples, on behalf of Tsong Khapa, visited Emperor Chengzu, who granted him a title of Dharma King of Great Mercy as well as sutras and a set of sandalwood Arhats. In order to preserve them, Tsong Khapa suggested Jamchen Chojey to build a monastery to house these treasures. Then Sera monastery was set up in 1419.
Quick Facts on Sera Monastery
Name: Sera Monastery
Location: 3Km North of Lhasa
Dates: AD 1434
Best Time to Visit: March to October
Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:00
Admission Fee: CNY 50
Published in
Lhasa Attractions Guide
Monday, 23 December 2013 10:46
Jokhang Monastery, Jokhang Monastery Guide, Jokhang Monastery Travel Tips, Jokhang Monastery Travel Information.
Introducing Jokhang Monastery (Temple), Jokhang Monastery, Jokhang Monastery Travel Guide
Article from Tibet Municipal Commission of Tourism
　Located in the center of the ancient city of Lhasa, the Jokhang Monastery was built in the seventh century by Songtsan Gambo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. Jokhang Monastery’s four story main building demonstrates a combination of the Han, Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese architectural styles, as well as a man - made world outlook of Buddhism. With the Hall of Amitayus Sutra as its center, the monastery symbolizes the nuclear to the universe. The Hall of Sakyamuni is the essence of Jokhang Monastery.
Jokhang is the spiritual center of Tibet, the Holy of Holies, the destination of millions of Tibetan pilgrims. Unlike the lofty Potala, the Jokhang has intimate, human proportions, bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery. The outer courtyard and porch of the temple are usually filled with pilgrims making full-length prostration towards the holy sanctum. Its innermost shrine contains the oldest, most precious object in Tibet - the original gold stature of Sakyamuni - the historical Buddha, which Princess Wen Cheng brought from Chang'an 1,300 years ago.
It was said that Nepal Princess Tritsun decided to build a temple to house the Jowo Sakyamuni aged 12 brought by Chinese Princess Wencheng. Princess Wencheng reckoned according to Chinese astrology that the temple should be built on the pool where the Jokhang now locates. She contended that the pool was a witch's heart, so the temple should be built on the pool to get rid of evils. The pool still exists under the temple. Then goats were used as the main pack animals, as is the reason the city is called Lhasa. The construction took 12 months. However Jokhang Monastery was originally small and had been expanded to today's scale in later dynasties. When the Fifth Dalai Lama took reign, large-scale reconstruction and renovation had been done. The temple is a combination of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Visitors will see sphinx and other sacred sculptures.
Every year, the Great Prayer Festival will be held in the Temple. The rites of Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas' initiation into lamahood are also held in Jokhang Monastery.
Quick Facts on Jokhang Monastery (Temple)
Name: Jokhang Monastery (Temple)
Location: 240Km East of Lhasa
Best Time to Visit: March to October
Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 Hour
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00
Admission Fee: CNY 85
Published in
Lhasa Attractions Guide
Monday, 23 December 2013 10:45
Potala Palace, Potala Palace Guide, Potala Palace Travel Tips, Potala Palace Travel Information.
Introducing Potala Palace, Potala Palace Guide, Potala Palace Travel Guide
Article from Tibet Municipal Commission of Tourism
This architectural wonder Potala Palace is Lhasa' cardinal landmark. Potala Palace can be seen from all directions for miles around. Potala Palace was set up in the seventh century AD during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill, covers an area of 41 hectares.
Potala Palace consists of the White and Red palaces with more than 1000 rooms. The white places was for secular use.Potala Palace contained living quarters, offices, the seminary and the printing house. The red Palace's function was religious. Potala Palace contained gold stupas, which were the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the monks' assembly hall, numerous chapels and shrines, and libraries for Buddhist Scriptures.
With its world-wide reputation, the Potala Palace stands on the Red Hill overlooking the Tibetan city of Lhasa as a major national cultural monument under special protection by the government of the People's Republic of China.
The name of the large sacred Buddhist building complex is a derivation from Samskrit Potalaka which is the mythical mountain abode of Avalokitesvara, one of the Bodhisattvas (Buddhist saints). In this connection Lhasa is popularly referred to as Second Mount Potalaka.
At an elevation of more than 3,700m, the Potala Palace occupies an area of more than 360,000m. Its 13-story main portion rises 117m. The whole complex, consisting of halls, stupa-tomb halls (where the relics of the supreme lamas are preserved), shrines, prayer rooms, monks' dormitories and courtyards, is recognized as the world's highest and largest castle palace.
Built against the terraced slope of the hill, the structures combine to from a huge sky-scraping mass, reminiscent of the divine realm above the mortal world. The granite walls elaborately decorated with soft white thatch, the golden roofs decorated with big gilded bottles, the splendid curtains and banners, join to form a unique structural wonder bearing the striking colors red, white and yellow characteristic of Tibetan architectural art, making the Potala an eminent example of a constructive technology traditionally Tibetan and Chinese.
As the winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas, the Potala Palace formerly served as the center of local Tebetan theocratic rule, hosting the major religious and political ceremonies since the reign of Dalai Lama V (1917-1682), at the same time housing the relics of those spiritual leaders.
The main portion of the Potala Palace contains the White Palace and the Red Palace.The 7-storey White Palace, Dalai Lamas' winter residence, also housed the former local Tibetan government. There the most spacious hall, the eastern Audience Hall (Sishe Phuntsok) occupies a central area of 717m on the 4th floor. It was there that the Dalai Lamas were enthroned as supreme Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader and the region's temporal ruler.The 5th and 6th floors bore government offices and rooms for the officials.Two particular apartments on the top floor, reserved for the Living Buddhas, were known as Eastern and Western Sunshine Apartments for their long access to sunlight.
In contrast with the White Palace, the Red Palace consists mainly of the supreme primates' stupa-tombs and the shrines.
Of the 8 stupa-tomb halls, the most magnificent is that for the cult of Dalai Lama V. To the west his memorial hall, the Western Audience Hall, covers 725m to be the largest hall in the Potala Palace. Of the extensive murals there the most notable one shows the patriarch's audience with Chinese Emperor Shunzhi (reigned 1644-1661) in Beijing.
A tablet overhanging the patriarch's throne bears a Chinese phrase meaning literally "The Source of Lotus Flowers" written by Chinese Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) himself. The phrase is a metaphoric reference to the Buddhist paradies.
The Dharma-raja's Cave (Chogyal Dupup) and several other apartments dating back from the reign of the Tu-bo Dynasty (629-846)are the earliest Potala structures extant. They house a valuable collection of statues, including the sculptural representation of King Srang-brtsan-sgam-po, his consorts Princess Wencheng and Princess Khri-btsun and his prime minister Blon-stong-btsan-po.
As the most elevated hall in the Red Palace, "The Best of the Three Realms" (Sasum Namgyal) accomodates the image of Chinese Emperor Qianlong and the statue of 11-face avalokitesvare cast in more than 10,000 ounces of silver as commissioned by Dalai Lama XIII. The remains of that spiritual leader are preserved in a stupa in the neighboring hall. Construction of that hall, begun in 1933, was not completed until three years later. Thus it is the newest hall in the whole complex.
Through more than 300 years the Potala Palace has accumulated an enormous collection of monuments and relics. There are murals covering totally more than 2,500m, nearly 1,000 stupas, about 10,000 statues and as many thang-ka paintings, the religious library there includes puttra-leaf scriptures and the Bka'-'gyur (Buddhas's Teachings) volumes.
There are also a unique collection of golden diplomas and jade seals granted to successive Dalai lamas by Chinese Ming (1356-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) emperors to re-affirm the official ties between the local Tibetan administration and the central Chinese government. And the gold and silver artifacts, porcelain vessels, enamel-work, jade-ware, brocade and other handicraft articles preserved in the Potala Palace are enormous and richly diversified.
The beauty and originality of its architecture, its ornate decoration and its harmonious integration in a striking landscape add to its historic and religious interest.
Quick Facts on Potala Palace
Name: Potala Palace
Location: 10Km from Lhasa
Dates: Qing Dynasty ( 1644 - 1912 )
Best Time to Visit: March to October
Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 12:30; 15:30 - 16:30
Admission Fee: CNY 200
Published in
Lhasa Attractions Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:36
Lhasa Travel Tips, Lhasa Travel Advice, Lhasa Tour Tips, Lhasa Tour Advice.
The climate of the city is mild, without severely cold winters or extremely hot summer. The average temperature is about 8 degree Celsius. Summer and autumn are the most comfortable time in Lhasa
1. The climate of the city is mild, without severely cold winters or extremely hot summer. The average temperature is about 8 degree Celsius. Summer and autumn are the most comfortable time in Lhasa.
2. People get to Lhasa and get away from Lhasa is by air or by bus. They will be able to take train to Lhasa very soon. It is convenient for tourists to get to Tibet by air. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is 97 kilometers away from Lhasa City. It takes about 2 hours to get to downtown Lhasa by bus and the fare is 20 Yuan.
Getting around Lhasa is better to take mini-bus. That is the cheapest wayand the fare is 2 Yuan no matter how far you go.
3. Regarding food, besides Tibetan diet, all styles of cooking including Chinese, Indian, Nepalese and western food can all be enjoyed here. Tibetan diet, Sichuan cuisine, northwest wheaten food, northeast cuisine is most typical. Featured restaurants are Yak Cafe in Lhasa Hotel, Xueshegong Restaurant (Snow Deity Palace) (Tel: 0891-9003803), etc.
4. Lhasa has many special local products. They are Tibetan Thangka, Tibetan silver ornaments, yak wool, Dzi bead, aweto, milk products, Tibetan liquor and Lhasa sweet tea as well as various handicrafts and Tibetan medicines. The famous shopping places are Barkhor Street Bazar, Big shops beside the Jokhang Temple Square. etc.
5.Bank of China, Construction Bank and Agriculture Bank set their branches in Lhasa. Agriculture Bank has the most banking outlets and branches of Construction Bank has been connected with a network. There’s a branch of Construction Bank at the west junction of the square of the Potala Palace. The ATM has been hooked up to the network and you can draw cashes with credit cards there.
The office hours of the bank is from 9:00 to 12:00 am and 15:00 to 18:00 pm. If you withdraw money with credit cards, you’d better avoid Saturdays and Sundays.
Place for converting foreign currencies: 33 East Jinzhu Road Post code: 850000
Published in
Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:35
Lhasa Buddhist Temples, Lhasa Catholic & Christian Church, Lhasa Taoist Temples, Lhasa Mosques.
Long long ago, Tibet was a boundless sea. A large piece of continental plate on orogenic-movement drifting from the south met together with the European plate. At that time, a large stretch of highland was uplifted on the earth. This region of today with a high altitude and cold weather had once been an area with a warm, humid climate of subtropical zone of grassland with low altitude which provided a profitable condition for ancient human beings who lived and multiplied in this land. The scientists' survey tells: the activity of the ancient human being in Tibet shows clear difference between areas. The earlier cultural remains were mainly discovered in the west and north of Tibet, which belonged to the earlier uplifted areas. But the later cultural remains were mainly distributed in the east and middle part of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. That is to say, the ancient human being in the Qinghai –Tibet plateau firstly originated and activated in today's high altitude areas.
Religions practiced in Tibet encompass Tibetan Buddhism, Bon and folk religion, plus Islam and Christianity. At present, there are some 1,700 monasteries and nunneries of Tibetan Buddhism in the region, with 46,000 resident monks and nuns; 88 monasteries of the Bon religion, with some 3,000 resident monks, 93 Living Buddha's and over 130,000 religious followers; four mosques, with some 3,000 followers; and one Christian church, with over 700 worshippers.
The social influence of these religions varies with the regions. The influence of folk religion can be found only in the remote areas. As a result, it is very often ignored in Tibet as, unlike Tibetan Buddhism, the Bon religion, Islam and Christianity, it lacks theory, special venues for rituals and religious organizations. Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion are opposing faiths, although they have long exerted influence on each other, Thus parts of the Tibetan Buddhism can be found in the tenets of the Bon, and vice versa. Both have absorbed the cream of the folk religion, such as worship of certain folk spirits. Islam and Christianity are small in the number of followers and influence in Tibet. They are practiced only in a limited area. However, they do exist and live harmoniously with Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion. Folk religion is still influential among thee Tibetan folks.
Tibetan Buddhism
In the early 7th century, Buddhism made its way into Tubo (the old name of Tibet) from Nepal and China's Central Plains (the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River). For subsistence and development, Buddhism in Tibet absorbed a lot from the Bon religion and other folk religions. Strongly influenced by cultures of the surrounding areas, Buddhism in Tibet grew to possess voluminous classics, rich scriptural tenets, a sound monastic system, a strict sutra study system and meditation system; later, the Living Buddha reincarnation system emerged, Finally, it became a special branch different from the Han Buddhism and Pali-language Buddhism-Tibetan-language Buddhism also known as Lamaism.
Through long-time evolution, Tibetan Buddhism was split into many sects, and some of these sects exerted profound influence on the traditional culture of Tibet and even the history of china as a whole. Major sects of Tibetan Buddhism include the Nyingma (known as the Red Sect), Sagya (known as Colorful Sect), Gagyu (known as the White Sect) and Gelung (known as the Yellow Sect). Of all the sects, Gelug, founded by Zongkapa after his religious reform in the early 15th century, was the most powerful The two major Living Buddha systems, Dalai and Panchen, came from the Gelug Sect. There are people who think the Bon religion should be counted as a part of Tibetan Buddhism as the Bon religion has taken a lot from Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism is practiced mainly in China's Tibet as well as the Tibetan-inhabited areas of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces. There are also some who believe in Tibetan Buddhism, such as those of the Han, Naxi, Lhoba and Pumi ethnic groups. It has worshippers also in Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia and Russia as well as Kashmir. It spread to Europe and the United States in the second half of the 20th century.
During the heyday of Tibetan Buddhism, each Tibetan family with more than one child was required to provide at least one member to become a monk or nun. This is why Tibetan monks and nuns made up 25 percent of the Tibetan population in the 16th century and thereafter. In 1951 when Tibet was peacefully liberated, there were 100,000 monks and nuns, or over 10 percent of the Tibetan population in Tibet. After the Democratic Reform in 1959, Tibetan people have since enjoyed freedom to be lamas or resume secular life.
Bon Religion
In the 5th century BC, Prince Sinrao Miwoche of the ancient state of Zhangzhong founded the Bon religion on the basis of an existing primitive religion unique to Zhangzhong. It conducted rituals mainly in the Montog area of Gar County, Ngari, primarily to pray for luck and for dispelling evil. It gradually spread to the area drained by the Yarlung Zangbo River, becoming a dominant religious force in the plateau.
When Buddhism spread to Tibet, priests of the Bon religion and Buddhist monks fought each other. For the sake of its own survival and development, Bon was forced to absorb, directly or indirectly, contents of Buddhism. Given this, some say the Bon religion has become merely another sect of Tibetan Buddhism, but the religious figures reject this.
Tibet boasts 88 monasteries of the Bon religion. They include 55 in Qamdo, 23 in Nagqu, six in the Xigaze area, two in Nyingchi, one in Lhasa and one in Ngari.
Islam
Islam has been practiced in Tibet for some 1,100 years. Nowadays, there are more than 2,000 Hui residents in Lhasa, most of them Muslims. A small number of Muslims come from other ethnic groups or from foreign countries. All of them enjoy Islamic life to the full in Tibet.
Muslims in Lhasa have adopted the habits of Lhasa in terms of language and garments although they still maintain their own beliefs. While praying, they speak in Arabic first and then in Tibetan.
There are four mosques in Lhasa, including the most famous one in Hebaling, located on Barkor Street South southeast of Jokhang Monastery. Built in 1716, it originally had a constructed area of some 200 square meters. It underwent reconstruction in 1793. In 1959, when the Dalai Lama and his men staged an armed rebellion, it was destroyed. However, it was rebuilt in the following year.
Christianity
The only Catholic church is found in Yanjin Village of Mangkam County on the Sichuan-Yunnan border. After Catholicism spread to Yanjin in 1865, there were 17 people who served as priests or missionaries. This area is home mainly to Tibetans. Only a small number of the locals are of Naxi ethnic group. About 80 percent of the population (740) follows the Catholic faith. They recite prayers in Tibetan, and the local believers, like other Tibetans, celebrate the Tibetan New Year while taking Christmas as the most important holiday. While celebrating Christmas, however, there is no Christmas tree and no Santa Claus. A priest presides over the mass and gives a sermon. All the Catholic faithful gather in the courtyard of the church to dine and the party ends with Gozhuang and Xuanzi dances. When the nearby Gangda Monastery celebrates its Sorcerer's Dance, the priest and laity are invited to watch..
Published in
Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:34
Night Life in Lhasa, Entertainment in Lhasa, Lhasa Night Activities, Lhasa Night Life Guide.
There is saying by Tibetan: As long as he can speak, he can sing; so long as he can walk, he can dance. This saying reflects Lhasa nightlife can not live without singings and dances. Besides, there are many Langma halls, KTV and other entertainments in Lhasa nightlife.
Lhasa Tang Gu La Feng Singing and Dancing Show
Langma Opera in the past was only the entertainments for high officials, but it is now in a popular style. Langma halls are regarded as the Tibetan style dance halls, which is full of Tibetan traditional flavor. When you are in Lhasa, your nightlife can not miss the Tibetan singing and dancing shows. It is definitely worthwhile to watch. The singing and dancing shows in Tibet are generally called Langma Hall. Tang Gu La Feng is one of the two most famous Langma hall in Lhasa. Tang Gu La Feng is inside the Grand Hotel Tibet opened in 1998. Its head office is in Chengdu of Sichuan Province. This company has developed many famous works including more than 170 audio-visual products. The Tang Gu La Feng Singing and Dancing Show is at present the most luxurious and most professional perform center in Lhasa. Shows in Tang Gu La Feng are varied ranging from traditional performances, the venerable, the folk-custom, Tibetan opera, and dances etc.
Show time: in the noon started from 13:30; at night, started from 19:00 and 21:30
Address: Grand Hotel Tibet, 67 Beijing Road Middle, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Lhasa Rong Zhong Er Jia Perform Center
Rong Zhong Er Jia is a famed Tibetan singer and he is the holder of this perform center. Rong Zhong Er Jia Perform Center is the other most popular Langma Hall in Lhasa. This Perform Center was established in year 2004, which had breathed into new emerge to Lhasa nightlife. Rong Zhong Er Jia Perform Center covers an area of 2000 square meters and can entertain over 1500 guests at one time. This center provides balconies, private rooms, appetizing Tibetan food and so on. Performances there featuring arty, interesting and participating are worthy of view. It is another window for people to get the knowledge of the mystery Tibetan culture and art. This perform center will enable your Tibetan trip become a worthy trip.
Address: 25 Niangre Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Lhasa Xin Shi Ji (New Century)Langma Hall
Langma Hall in Tibetan means the "royal music". Langma halls are special cultural-amusement places in Tibet. You will be surprised to find out that Langma Halls are not the paradises for youth, but also for persons from all ages. You will often find entire family members from the old to children watching the show in Langma halls. In recent years, dozens of Langma halls have come forth in Lhasa. Xin Shi Ji (New Century) Langma Hall reposed on Beijng Road East is the biggest Langma hall in Lhasa at present. Every night, it is full of guests. Visitors there can not only watch the shows, but also can drink beer and have some food. The ambience of Xin Shi Ji Langma Hall is very lively which reflects the truly cultural environment. There are not only traditional shows, but also many modern and exotic performances.
Address: Beijing Road East, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Lhasa Happiness is on the Road
(Happiness is on the Road) is a large scale Tibetan Primitive Poetic Singing and Dancing. It is the first panorama art work in Tibet and also in China, which annotates the theme of happiness and harmonious in the style of recreating primitive Tibetan art. This show featuring multi-visual angle and multi space to construct mystery, saintly and serene and unpretending stage style. The powerful performing line-up, artistic staging lighting, wonderful music and flowery performing costumes and as well the poetic intonation all together present the audiences a large charge of finding everything new and fresh.
Lhasa Guozhuang Dance of Tibetans
Tibetan Guazhuang Dance is a kind of happy needfire evening. This dance activity has a history of a thousand years. Guozhuang Dance is a kind of unaccompanied-collective dance, which can also be divided into lots of theme dances. When ever, in festivals, happy events, harvests, celebrations or at their leisure times the Tibetan people will dance around the needfire. Guozhuang Dance is very popular among Tibetans and often dances in the open air at night with a needfire in center. In Guozhuang Dance, people standing in a circle hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm and men for one side and women for another side. They sing and dance around the needfire from right to left. Guozhuang Dance featuring happy expression and elegant, tall and straight actions and graceful posture not only embodies the Tibetan ethnic nationalities of simple-hearted, hardworking, bravery, ebullient and unrestrained. Guoguang Dance as a folk art is now more and more popular. Many people dance it as the morning exercises.
Lhasa Cinema
Lhasa Cinema located at the crossway of Yutuo Road and Youth Road is the only three-star cinema in Tibet. Walking from the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, people only need five minutes. Lhasa Cinema possesses three small halls and each hall can contain over 50 persons. There is also a bigger hall. Ticket prices ususlluy are from 15-30 Yuan. Watch the film becomes a kind of more and more popular nightlife for Tibetans.
Address: 7 Yutuo Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Lhasa KTV Discos and Clubs
There are more and more KTV parties, clubs and many other amusement places in Lhasa. And these places are more and more poplar in Lhasa nightlife. As soon as the curtain of night comes down, the KTV parties, discos and clubs becomes resplendent. Tibetans are easy to accept the colorful modern elements and are found them. Tourists can find KTV parties for Karaoke in many restaurants or hotels.
Published in
Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:33
Lhasa Shopping, Shopping in Lhasa, Lhasa Shopping Guide, Things to Buy in Lhasa.
Thangka, seen in every monastery and family shrine in Tibet, is actually a kind of Tibetan scroll-banner painting and is a unique art form that belongs to the Tibetan culture.
Thangka, seen in every monastery and family shrine in Tibet, is actually a kind of Tibetan scroll-banner painting and is a unique art form that belongs to the Tibetan culture.
What is Thangka
Thangka has been in vogue in Tibet for centuries. In Tibetan, "Thang" means "unfolding" or "displaying", and Thangka means "silk, satin or cloth painting scroll". It is most often painted on scrolls or embroidered on wall hangings of silk or other cloth. Common at monasteries, lamas' residences, family halls for worshipping Buddha and homes of Tibetan Buddhists, Thangka is a mark of devotion to Buddhism and often serves as an object of worship.
Development
Nobody knows where and when Thangka originated, but comparing with Tibetan painting, the history of Thangka can be traced back to as early as the Tubo period (or Songtsen Gampo period, about the 7th century), as a combination of Chinese scroll painting, Nepal painting and Kashmir painting. From the relics of Karuo in Qamdo, we can find the trace of Thangka.
Until the 7th century, Songtsen Gampo united the whole Tibet and hence a new period in Tibetan history began. Later Songtsen Gampo married Nepal princess Chizun and Tang Dynasty princess called Wencheng, further strengthening the connection of politics, economy, and culture between Tibetan and the Han ethnic groups. The two princesses came to Tibet with a lot of Buddhist scriptures, architecture technology, soothsaying and lawmaking, medical scriptures and many skilled artisans, greatly stimulating the development of Tibetan society, especially the flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism culture. At that time fresco alone could not satisfy the need of those disciples. So another kind of art Thangka, easy to carry, hang and collect, appeared and popularized.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the central government adopted the system of approving Tibetan chieftain to strengthen the control over Tibet. These methods made contribution to the development of the Tibetan society. So the Ming and Qing dynasties saw a great progress in the development of Thangka. Thangka of this period had three characteristics:
1. Thangka in larger number;
2. Different schools developed;
3. Appearance of many painting organizations.
Of the existing Thangkas, most were made during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Content
The content of Thangka has various subjects such as historical events, personage biographies, religious doctrines, Tibetan natural conditions and social customs, folklores, mythical stories, images of great deities and Buddhas, and Jataka stories of the Buddha, etc., involving politics, economy, history, religion, literature and art, social life, Tibetan astrology, pharmacology, theology and many other respects. The structure of Tibet Thangka is precise, balanced, plumpy and changeful. The painting methods are mainly bright color and line drawing.
Thangka always has a theme of Buddhism, and the artists must follow the sacred laws for portraying gods and Buddhas. Passages from scriptures are written in vermilion on the back, and Thangka is always unsigned, so it is next to impossible to know the painter and the age of ancient Thangkas.
Process
Thangkas are usually placed upright in a rectangular shape while there are a few that deal with subjects of Mandala that are square. Cotton canvas and linen cloth are the common fabrics on which pictures are painted with mineral and organic pigments (important Thangkas use ground gold and gemstones as pigments). A typical Thangka has a printed or embroidered picture mounted on a piece of colorful silk. A wooden stick is attached on the side from the bottom to the top to make it easier to hang and roll up.
Painting a Thangka usually starts by stretching a piece of cotton cloth on a wooden frame along its sides. Then, a certain type of gesso is spread over both the front and back of the canvas to block the holes and then scraped off to produce smooth surfaces. Afterwards, some orienting lines are drawn to guide the sketching. By following a fixed proportion, images are then roughly drawn. The featured deity or saint occupies the center while other attendant deities or monks surround the central figure and along the border, and is comparatively smaller in size. Next is coloring. Painters apply pigments on the sketch. Black, green, red, yellow and white are the basic colors used in coloring. All the colors are mixed with animal glue and ox bile to keep them bright. Shading is then done to produce better pictorial effects. At the final stage, facial features and eyes are finished, which is sacredly done only after a ritual held on a fixed day. After detail finishes, the canvas is removed from the frame and mounted on a piece of brocaded silk. The wooden sticks are attached to the top and bottom of the silk. After a dust cover of gossamer silk is attached it is ready to be hung up.
Classification
Thangka can be made in a wide variety of techniques: silk tapestry with cut designs, color printing, embroidery, brocade, applique, and pearl inlay. The content ranges from Buddhas to the history and folk customs of Tibet. Hence the various types.
The common appearance of Thangka, with a scroll at the bottom, is usually 75 centimeters long and 50 centimeters wide. Besides, there is the banner style, and this kind of Thangka is 1.1 meters long and about 3.5 meters wide.
According to the material, Thangka can be divided into two types: one is made of silk and this kind is called gos-thang; the other, called bris-thang, is made of pigment. The gos-thang is printed on the canvas while the bris-thang is painted on the canvas.
Published in
Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:32
Dining in Lhasa, Lhasa Cuisine, Restaurants in Lhasa, Lhasa Dining Guide.
Tourists in Lhasa will firstly check the unique Tibetan food. Tibetan main foods are Tsampa (Zan Ba), pea, horsebean, milk sediments, meats and milk products. Tibetan like eat air-dry beef, mutton. The major drinks in Tibet (Lhasa) are ghee tea, pure tea, sweet tea, fresh milk and Chang. Especially the Tsampa, ghee, tea, cow and sheep meat are reputed as "four treasures in Tibetan dining".
Local Specialties:
Lhasa Hulless Barley (Highland Barley)
Highland barley is a kind of cereal crops. As the hull is separated from the seed, it is also named hulless barley or nakedness barley. Hulless barley has a long growing history in Tibetan Plateau-about 3500 years. Highland barley is the main material of making Tsampa with abundant nourishments and outstanding curative and health care function. It can also been brewed into highland barley wine. The hulless barley products are the staple food of Tibetan. The edibles made of hulless barley are not only the traditional Tibetan food, but also are the representation of Tibetan dining in main restaurants of Lhasa. The highland barley products become a kind of important food for serving foreign guests.
Lhasa Tsampa (Zan Ba)
Tsampa is one of the stable foodstuffs in Tibet. So in Lhasa, Tsampa is one of the mostly eyeable foodstuffs. Tsampa is so important to Tibetan, that Tibetan need it every day and every meals. The Tsampa is made of highland barley. It is similar to the stir-fried noodles in northern China. Stir-fried noodles in Northern China is firstly to pulverize the barley are wheat, and then after many processes to stir-fried into edible food; however Tibetan Tsampa is firstly to stir fry till well and then pulverize. The barley flour usually mixed with salty Tibetan butter tea. When you want to eat Tsampa, you need to put some butter tea at the bottom of the bowl and put some barley flour, then stir gently with the forefinger and knead with the hand. The whole cooking processes demand a highly manual dexterity. Tsampa is goluptious, crisp and sweet. Besides, it is rich in nutrition and has large heat which is suitable for allaying hunger and keeping out cold. Tibetan people also like to have Tsampa assistant with dishes, butter tea and capsicum. As the Tsampa is very simple to prepare, it is a convenient food for Tibetan, especially the herds such as sherpas, nomads and other nomadic people in Tibet. In Tibetan New Year Festival, the Tsampa plays a very important role too as it represents good luck and wishes.
Air Dried Meats
Air Dried Meats are the quite special Tibetan food. Dried meats prevail in Tibet and the air dried meats often refers to the beef and mutton. The air dried meat is one of the stable foodstuffs in Tibet. Air dried meats are made when at the end of a year and the temperature is below zero. Tibetan cut the yak or sheep meat into strips and hang them in shady and cool places (usually in special sheds). They let the meat strips dried by air and eat them till the next year. When eat, Tibetan will eat them dipping with pimiento juice. The taste of the dried meat is purity than the cooked meat, and is savory and crisp. Tibetan dried meat with unique taste makes people having endless aftertaste.
Tibetan Sausage
Sausage was early from more than 1000 years a ago. It is a food created by nomad. The main method is to prime different materials into the fresh animal guts such as sheep, pig or cow. According to different materials, the sausage can be divided into several categories. The sausage filling with sheep blood called Blood Sausage; and the one that stuffed with dogmeat named Meat Sausage; sausage which is filled with flour paste and edible oil is called Four Sausage; the one mainly filled with sheep fat together with some chopped meat named Oil Sausage; sausage stuffed with chopped animal liver called Liver Sausage. When out the stuffing in to the intestines, people will put some assistant ingredients such as salt, pepper powder, chopped ginger and so on. The Tibetan sausages can be either steamed or roasted and then cut into slices to eat. Tibetan usually make this food in batches during new-year time. The Tibetan sausage taste fresh and goluptious and not oily, which is a nice cold dish. Then it can be stored for about one year.
Tibetan Bakemeat
Tibetan bakemeat is very popular in Tibet. The fillings of the bakemeat major are yak meat. Chopped the yak meat and then mix round with chives to make the fillings. After the flours paste is ready, people can stuff the fillings into the paste and roll into cake shape, and then deep fry the cake in pan with edible oil until it is fully cooked. Tibetan-style bakemeat is savory with fresh but not oily meat and crisp skin. There is a small tip for having bakemeat: you would better finish them before they are cold down.
Tibetan-style Meat Baozi
Meat Baozi (dumpling) is a kind of familiar food among Tibetan of pasturing areas. The cooking processes can be generally divided into two steps. The first step is to prepare materials and make into raw Baozi. The fillings usually are chopped mutton or beef mixed with wine and flavorings and water. Then wrap the fillings with thin flour-paste. The second step is to steaming them until cooked. It will need about 10 to 20 minutes. The Tibetan Baozi having rich juice and small size is unique in taste. The Baozi made by shaman in Tibetan fanes are especially tasty.
Porridge
Tibetan porridge is boiled by the Tibetan style oatmeal. Tibetan people beat the highland barley into flat after marinating and then dry them under the sun. When the flats are dried, the Tibetan oatmeal is well done. About cooking methods: Tibetan persons like to put the subsidiary materials such as Ginseng Fruit, chopped meat (beef or mutton), milk segment into the porridge. Boil these assistant ingredients together with the Tibetan oatmeal to cook Tibetan porridge. The skilly is the traditional food in Tibetan New Year Festival. In the morning of the first day of every New Year, all Tibetan people will eat a bowl of hot porridge. They have the oat to impetrate smooth and good luck in the new year time.
Tibetan Bean Noodles
Tibetan bean noodles affected by Sichuan styles lean to piquancy. It is firstly thaw the starch by heating up, and then let it cool down to finalize the design. After added some salt, pimiento and other seasonings, the bean noodles is very nice. The taste of the bean noodles major is decided by the confection of the seasonings. Tibetan bean boodles are very popular among women and children. You will find these stalls in streets and lanes in Lhasa with simple Tibetan-style tables, or boards together with some age-old wooden stools. The holders of the booths almost are Tibetan women.
Tibetan Tea
Tea is very popular in Tibet. The relationships between Tibetan tea and Tibetan people are like the relationships between fish and water. Tibetan can not live without tea. Tea can be processed into many different styles. The most popular tea in Tibet is butter tea, sweet tea and pure tea. There was no tea in Tibet Plateau originally. According to historical materials, Tibetan tea prevailed from the trade between Songtsan Gampo and Tang Dynasty. Butter tea is a beverage in Tibet with abundant nourishment. At the fastigium of the world, no matter you are sharp-set or foredone, as soon as you drink a cup of the Tibetan butter tea, you will get back power all over and become energetic in the turn of a hand. In winter, after you dinked the butter tea, you will feel warm from heat to foot. Some people even said, the Tibetan butter tea can cure the ill body. Though it is exaggerate, it embodies the wonderful function of the tea. The Tibetan butter tea can lighten highland feedback. No matter guests from faraway or familiar friends, the hosts will send you a cup of butter as soon as you enter the house. The guest needs to dip some tea with the ring finger of the right hand and lift the finger in the air to flip for three times before drinking.
Tibetan excepted drink butter tea, they all so drink pure tea and sweet tea. Sweet is to make the black tea out and put into the teapot and then add white sugar and milk into it. Pure tea is green tea served without refreshment.
Tibetan Fresh Milk
Tibetan milk is from the yak and goat there. Tibetan products are one of the four treasures in Tibet. As there are lots of sheep and milch cow in Tibet, there are many milk products there. As the important foods for Tibetan, its milk products are famous for fresh. The most popular milk products are yoghourts and milk sediments. Yoghurts can also be divided into two sorts; one is cheese named "Da Xue" in Tibetan and the other is "E Xue". Tibetan cheese is made of milk that has been extracted the ghee and the other one is milk without extracting. Yoghurt is rich in nutrition and easy to assimilation, so it is very suitable for old persons and children.
Tibetan Fresh Milk in Lhasa Tibetan Fresh Milk in Lhasa
Chang (Highland Barley Wine)
Chang is brewaged by zymolytic highland barley. Chang with low degree is popular among Tibetan including the young, the old, the female and the male. It is a kind of necessary drink at festivals, marriage feats and other important occasions. Before festivals, Tibetan people will brewage plentiful of barley wine. In the year, from April to August, Lhasa people will lift the nice wine gathers together in almost every traditional or non traditional festivals and religion or non religion festivals. All the people will bring the Chang to the green grass land, putting up colorful tents, drinking, singing and dancing. That scene fully shows out the charming of Tibetan culture. The Tibetan Chang is as well a nice product for entertaining guests. In banquets, the hosts will toast the guests until they are totally drunk.
Best Recommendation:
Tibetan traditional cuisine
One of the largest Tibetan restaurants, Crazy Yak Saloon, next door to Kirey Hotel on Beijing East Road, has unique Tibetan-style decoration and furnishings and provides Tibetan food with good reputation here. The yak meat is strongly recommended. Besides, it serves aweto chicken and aweto beef as well as some common dishes. Another feature of this restaurant lies in the Tibetan song and dance show from 19:30 to 20:30 every evening.
Another slap-up Tibetan Style Restaurant is Snow-Deity Palace Tibetan Style Restaurant located right west of the Potala Palace Plaza. It offers authentic Tibetan food, for example, freshly fried mutton chops and Tibetan steamed stuffed buns.
Tibetan Cafeteria located west of Middle Beijing Road is also a Tibetan style restaurant and offers Tibetan food such as fried mutton chops, radish stew, yak meat and potato buns.
Kagui Nongmo Sakhang, also a Tibetan-style restaurant, you could go there with your Tibetan friends and enjoy the local food. From curried potatoes to sweet-and-sour ribs, Tibetan and Chinese dishes could be found easily. Tibetan staff are very friendly and helpful.
Pentoc Tibetan Restaurant is a good place to try homemade Tibetan food, such as momos, thugpa, shemdre, plus butter tea and chang. It is located in an alley of Beijing East Road. English Menu is helpful.
Western Style
Snowland Restaurant belonging to Snowland Hotel on Mentsikhang Road offers all kinds of food at moderate price, including western food, Tibetan food and Nepalese food. Its Nepalese food and pizza are very tasty. Chicken tikka masala, a kind of Indian food there is also delicious and popular.
Tashi I next to Penthoc Guesthouse is still a favourite choice of many travelers though the competition is increasing day by day because of its friendly service and cheap price. It always offers a renewal of the menu, on which everything is decent. The bobis which is made up of flavored cream cheese and fried vegetables or meat is highly recommended. Besides, the staff there speak English very well and English menu is offered.
Tashi II in the Kirey Hotel is famous for its clean and quiet environment. It offers Tibetan food including Tibetan momos, tsampa, thukpa and fried yak meat as well as spaghetti, mashed potatoes and fries. Actually its menu is the same as that of the Tashi I.
Nam-tso Restaurant offers plentiful dishes including vegetarian lasagna, burritos and yak burgers at prices a little higher than those at Tashi I and II. A classic Lhasa meal called the chicken sizzler is recommended. It is very comfortable to sit outdoors to have your meals in the sunny sky. Menu is in English.
Muslim food
Islam Restaurant offers authentic Muslim food. It is very enjoyable to order a cup of Muslim tea and a bowl of Xinjiang noodles and watch the chefs working in the open kitchen.
Lanqing Qingzhen Restaurant is very special with the cosy Tibetan-style seating amony many Muslim restaurants in the old town. The Xiao/Da Panji Chicken in a sauce with potatoes and carrots is very tasty as one of Xinjiang Specialties, and some noodles could be put in it after the chicken is eaten up. That photos are attched in the menu is very helpful, though they are a litte different from the real things. Noodle dishes, such as chaomianpian or ganbanmian are the best choices for lunch.
Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant offers English and picture menus. Vegetarians could try the "soy fish" or "soy chicken feet", which is not the real meat. The wooden tables and Buddhist images on the wall give the palace a simple Zen-like atmosphere.
Nepalese food
New Mandala Restaurant, from the second floor or the rooftop of which, you could get the full view of Barkhor Street, offers packaged Nepali foods such as muesli and soup mixes. Inside it, some lovely and ornate Tibetan murals come in view. Tashi restaurants in Shigatse and Tsetang also belong to the owner. English menu is provided.
Mandala Restaurant, located on Barkhor Circuit offers a wide range of dishes from Indian curries to pizza, plus a few special-occasion Tibetan dishes and decent breakfasts. Menu in English. Besides, in summer, seat on the rooftop and have awesome views of Jokhang Temple.
Kailash Restaurant, inside the BanakShol Hotel, is run by Nepalese and has a large menu with pizza, spaghetti and Western dishes. You can lounge in the sun on its rooftop deck after a meal.
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Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:31
Getting around in Lhasa, Lhasa Traffic, Lhasa Transportation, Lhasa Tranport Information.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway
Sichuan-Tibet Highway which was originally called Kangding-Tibet Highway (a section of No. 318 National Trunk Highway) starts from Chengdu of Sichuan on the east and ends at Lhasa of Tibet on the west.
It is 2,415 kilometers long including 1,304 kilometers in Tibet. On December 25, 1954, it was open to Lhasa (Sichuan-Tibet Highway north line). Since the opening of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway north line, Dongerluo-Zhubalong-Bamda south section has been under construction, and it was completed section by section from 1954 to1969. Key reconstruction has resulted in the current Sichuan-Tibet Highway south line, which has 1,285 kilometers in Tibet.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway traverses high mountains, lakes and valleys, crosses primeval forest and numerous dangerous sections. It has fine views along the line, with unique customs and practices. The opening of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway has played an important role in Tibet economic development, social stability and consolidation of southwest defense, and energetic promotion of East Tibet social and economic development. It is a link connection Tibet and southwestern provinces and regions and also the economic pulse of East Tibet. However, due to the social and historical conditions and complicated natural factor restriction, Sichuan-Tibet Highway is weak in disaster resistance, involving various disasters. To further improve throughput ability of Sichuan-Tibet Highway and improve East Tibet communications conditions, during the period of "the Seventh Five-year Plan", the state started to invest massive capital in opening maintenance, rectification and reconstruction.
So far, 612 kilometers highway section of the Nyingchi-Lhasa section and county transit sections has been laid with bitumen pavement, traffic congestion time has been shortened year by year, and car ride conditions have remarkably improved. There is also a north Line, which lies in northwest of Ganzi, it is the connection of Qinghai Province, Tibet and Sichuan province.
Tibet Airports
Lhasa airport (Gongar Airport) directly links with 5 cities: Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, and Kathmandu. Chengdu & KTM are chosen by most of the tourists as their entrance port to Tibet by flight.
Lhasa airport (Gongar Airport) directly links with 5 cities: Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, and Kathmandu. Chengdu & KTM are chosen by most of the tourists as their entrance port to Tibet by flight.
The air distance between Lhasa and Chengdu is 1,100 kilometers with a general transportation of more than 100 thousand persons and 1,600 tons of freights. After the rebuilt of Lhasa Gonggar airport, large scale passenger flight 767 can take off and land there.
All the airlines to Tibet are holding by China South West Airlines with the plane of Boen. It is said there was no big air accident happened since the opening in 1956.
Lhasa Gongar Airport is located in Gongar County in South East of Lhasa with 100km to Lhasa city. There is public bus for the passenger at the price of 35 Yuan (Rmb) Gongar Airport.
More air routes are scheduled to open between Lhasa and Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, Shanghai over the next few years.
Published in
Lhasa Travel Information & Guide
Saturday, 21 December 2013 14:30
Weather & Climate in Lhasa, Lhasa Climate & Weather, Lhasa Climate & Weather Guide, Lhasa Climate & Weather Information.
Basically, the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. The best time of year to be in Tibet is from April to the beginning of November, after which temperatures start to plummet.
The central Tibet, including Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsedang, generally has very mild weather from April to November, though July and August can be rainy - these two months usually see around half of Tibet's annual rainfall.
October and November often bring some dazzling clear weather and daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable at Tibet's lower altitude.
The coldest months are from December to February. It is not impossible to visit Tibet in winter. The low altitude valleys of Tibet (around Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang) see very little snow.
Spring does not really get under way until April, though March can have warm sunny days and is not necessarily a bad month to be in Tibet. More specific information in different areas:
Lhasa - the border of Nepal/China: The Friendship highway is basically in good conditions year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble Besides, try to avoid August - landslide could happen in the rainy season.
Mt. Everest Region: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest's true face. From December to February, it's too cold to go to this region. But the magnetism of Mt. Everest always attracts people anytime of the year.
Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.
Eastern Tibet: Don't touch this area in July or August, the rain could ruin the road, and make terrible landslides. While in winter, the road could be frozen.
Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.
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