Highlights of Eastern Tibet

With extensive transport links, Lhasa is the main gateway to the Roof of the World, and a destination in itself with a wealth of iconic sights. There are also many natural and cultural wonders to find in Eastern Tibet which can be combined with the capital as part of a longer tour.

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Located around 46km east of Lhasa, Ganden Monastery has a magnificent setting on top of Wangbur Mountain at a dizzying altitude of 4300m, with panoramic views overlooking the Kyi Chu Valley. One of the first and largest monasteries in Tibet, Ganden was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa the revered master of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Lake Namtso is Tibet's largest body of water spanning 70km in length, and is the highest salt lake in the world at an altitude of 4730m. With its striking turquoise blue waters, and the 7000m high Tangula Mountains flanking the southern perimeter of the lake, Namtso is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Western Tibet.

The capital of Tibet and one of the most mystical cities in the world, Lhasa has long been the Tibetans' spiritual home. Watch the devout follow the pilgrim circuit around the Jokhang Temple prostrating in front of its entrance, or try and count the multitude of temples inside the Potala Palace, once home to the Dalai Lama.

Set in a steep sided valley of exceptional beauty 120km northeast of Lhasa, Tidrum is home to a small nunnery with a long history dating back to Yeshe Tsogyal, one time associate of Guru Rinpoche. The area has a number of monasteries and rural villages where traditional Tibetan lifestyles have changed little in centuries.

Located around 160km southeast of Lhasa at an altitude of 3,515m, Tsetang is Tibet's fourth largest city and a strategic administrative centre for the Chinese. Although the old Tibetan town has been engulfed by modern development, Tsetang makes a great base for exploring some fascinating sights in the surrounding area.