Gyangze Things to Do Tips by tompt Top 5 Page for this destination

Gyangze Kumbum

The Gyangze Kumbum is a stupa which is 35 meters high. It has 4 floors with a gold on dome on top of that. The entire building is decorated with the most beautifull paintings, Kumbum means 100,000 images. The building has over 100 little chapels with Buddha statues in it. It is impossible to stop in every little chapel, but we did see a lot of them. Some chapels are larger and house important and large statues. Some pictures of the statues can be found in our travelogue. It cost us 10 Yuan extra to take the camera up the Kumbum. If you don't want to pay that you can leave your camera at the office, you will get a number with wich you get your camera back.
When you reach the top level you will see the eyes that are so characteristic for the Newari style. Newari is a building style from Nepal.

Directions: The Kumbum is on the premisses of the monastery.

Pelkor Chöde Monastery

The monastery compounds are surrounded by a wall, like it is a fort. Within these walls you will find the monastery and the Kumbum (stupa). Both can be visited for one entrance fee. The complex is open from 8:30-13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00.

The monastery was founded in 1418 and once housed 15 monasteries, which belonged to different sekts (Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Buton). Today there are only a few buildings standing and they are attended by Gelugpa monks. Gelugpa is also known as yellowcap, bacause of the yellow caps they are wearing for ceremonies.

Address: Pelkor Road

Phone: 817 2680

View from the Dzong

As said in a previous tip it is certainly climbing to the Dzong just for the view.
You can see the entire Gyangze area, not only the town. And don't forget the mountain tops with snow in the distance.

More pictures of the great views are in the travelogue.

the anti british museum

In the Dzong there is a (very) small museum against the british imperialism. It depicts a one sided version of the british invasion in 1904. Nice to see how the (chinese) tibetans think about it. There is a lot of explanation in english, but you have to see beyond the spelling errors and the sometimes strange places where words are cut in two.

Directions: the Dzong is on the top of a mountain in the middle of town.

Gyangze Dzong (fort)

The fort high on the mountain top above Gyangze dates back to the 14th century. It is a collection of ruins now. When Tom stepped (jumped) of a ladder he almost went down one floor as the ceiling was collapsing under his feet. But it is worth to climb up there to have the magnificant view over the Gyangze area. In the fort is also a small anti-british museum, nice to see.

Directions: The fort is located on the top of the mountain in the middle of town. You can enter through the big gate at the main intersection, or via the back of the mountain following 'Lane Castle' sign.