"Gyangze, what will it look like when finished?" Top 5 Page for this destination Gyangze by tompt

Gyangze Travel Guide: 64 reviews and 274 photos

building a new and better Gyangze? - Gyangze

We reached Gyangze after a long day in the bus from Lhasa. The normal road was blocked, because of a landslide. This is normal in the rainy season, but it meant a long detour for us.
When the bus turned into the main street it looked like a mudpool. The town was installing a sewer system and they decided to start everywhere at the same time. There was no normal road left. But everybody was working very hard and we are really wondering what this town will look like when it is finished....

the Kumbum seen from the Dzong

Gyangze has two main sites a visitor should go to:

- the Dzong, an old fort on the top of the mountain.
Besides the fort there is a small anti-british museum.

- the Pelkor Chöde Monastery, with the Kumbum (stupa)
inside its walls. The walls winding along the mountain
reminded us of the Great Wall.

a street in Gyangze

But besides these two highlights it is also nice to walk through the streets of old Gyangze and just enjoy the rural feeling. Cows in front of the houses makes you feel like walking through a stable.

This must have been the way the entire country looked hundred years ago.

Talking about 100 years ago..... On the 5th of April 1904 the British invaded Gyangze. The Tibetan army and the civilians resisted with ancient guns and stones, while the Dzong became a fortified point of defense.
The British army cut off the water supply, but the Tibetans persisted despite all difficulties.
They fought with swords, spears, and whatever they could lay their hands on, but they had to give up after three months. For their side of the story visit the Dzong and anti-british museum.

Last visit to Gyangze: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Mar 4, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (15)

cows in front of the monastery - Gyangze

some facts Favorites (2)

Gyangze is located in the southern part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region along the Nyang Qu river. The county covers an... more travel advice

Ai Fang pancakes Restaurants (2)

The restaurant of the Jian Zang hotel is OK, but the food is not outstanding. Just the normal dishes they serve in... more travel advice

good and clean rooms Hotels (1)

The Jian Zang hotel has some very nice relative new rooms. They are clean and spacious. A thermos with hot water to make... more travel advice

where to leave the menure? Local Customs (2)

Many houses have a cow in front of their door. That can become a messy business. But in Tibet the people use all the... more travel advice

Things to Do (5)
See All Gyangze Kumbum
Been to Gyangze?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (8)

Reply
- Report abuse
angiebabe Mar 6, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Hi, Im watching a documentary on TV right now on Gyantse - with Jian zang and his hotel - 2 dutch arrived on a minibus - looked like you 2!Congrats that you made it all the way there and thanks for the tips and pics to show us!
Reply
- Report abuse
Jim_Eliason Mar 8, 2007 at 4:44 AM

cool page, sounds like a real adventure!
Reply
- Report abuse
toni28 Jan 21, 2007 at 9:05 PM

what a great page!
Reply
- Report abuse
Confucius Oct 7, 2006 at 3:52 PM

Gyangze's streets look much better 2 years later. I'm glad I waited for the railway to Lhasa's completion before going to Tibet. Also, the Anti-British Museum has expanded into a new building of its own. Welcome to the Kumbum Club!
Reply
- Report abuse
Bonobo2005 Aug 30, 2004 at 12:17 PM

well, I can tell you how it is here in dry season: the dustiest place on earth...Gyangze might not be Tibet's Highlight, I guess it was unforgettable though :). I enjoyed your page so much!
Reply
- Report abuse
filipdebont Aug 25, 2004 at 8:49 AM

Hi, Great pages. It looks familair, where have I seen this before. The advatage of visiting Gyangze via VT, is that you do not end up with a mouse completely covered with mud . . .
Reply
- Report abuse
catnl Aug 22, 2004 at 10:23 PM

awesome pics and not smelly:-) Very interesting to read ur story! never been to Tibet but it always fascinated me, thanx for sharing
Reply
- Report abuse
Sharrie Aug 21, 2004 at 3:00 AM

A very unique experience, this part of the world... one simply has no idea what to expect next. I think I've been to so many monasteries sometimes I wonder why I'm not a buddhist ;-)