Discover history, experience culture, understand faith and meet the people who call Tibet home.
At Snowland Travel, we value the perspectives of people living in Tibet. We introduce you to its rich history, enduring culture and faith, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Gyantse is a historic town that prospered on a trade route toward India. Discover Tsang’s history, faith and art through Gyantse Dzong overlooking the town, the magnificent Kumbum stupa at Pelkor Chode and Pala Manor, which preserves traditional ways of life.
Pelkor Chode is a historic Buddhist monastery and one of Gyantse’s principal landmarks.
Its greatest highlight is the magnificent white stupa, Gyantse Kumbum.
The Kumbum is a huge stupa housing numerous Buddhist statues and murals, known as one of the defining works of Tibetan Buddhist art and architecture.
The monastery’s history of different Buddhist traditions coexisting offers an insight into Tibetan Buddhism’s diversity.
The stupa contains many chapels, each preserving Buddhist statues and murals.
The monastery against Gyantse town and its surrounding mountains is also recommended for photography.
Gyantse Kumbum
白居寺十万佛塔
A magnificent stupa in the grounds of Pelkor Chode, also called the “Stupa of a Hundred Thousand Buddhas.” Numerous chapels inside reveal the richness of Tibetan Buddhist art through statues and murals.
Look beyond the exterior to the teachings and prayers embodied in each space. Follow local guidance on accessible levels and chapels and where photography is permitted.
Gyantse Dzong རྒྱལ་རྩེ་རྫོང་།
江孜宗山
Gyantse Dzong is a historic fortress on a hill overlooking Gyantse town.
It has long been an important place for regional politics and defense.
It is also known as the scene of fierce fighting during the British expedition to Tibet in 1904.
Today it is an important historic site conveying Gyantse’s history and culture.
Pala Manor
帕拉庄园
Pala Manor is a historic manor building preserved in the Gyantse region.
Traditional Tibetan residential layouts, furniture and household objects are preserved, offering insights into the lives of the former aristocracy and the history of local society.
Karola Glacier
卡若拉冰川
A beautiful glacier on the route from Lhasa through Yamdrok Lake to Gyantse.
From around the pass at over 5,000 meters, you can view the glacier spread across the mountainside.
The magnificent combination of snow mountains and glaciers makes this a popular photography stop on Tibetan journeys.
Simila Pass & Manla Reservoir
Simila Pass & Manla Reservoir
A beautiful plateau viewpoint on the way from Karola Glacier to Gyantse.
The sparkling blue reservoir contrasts beautifully with the surrounding mountains, making it suitable for photography and a short break.
Suggested Gyantse sightseeing route
Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Simila Pass → Gyantse → Shigatse
This route combines Tibet’s sacred lakes, snow mountains, glaciers, historic monasteries and traditional townscapes in one journey.
Snowland Travel
A journey into history and culture, guided by Tibetans.
We are a local travel company that cherishes Tibet’s land, culture, faith and history.
Alongside visiting Gyantse’s historic monasteries and ancient fortress, we carefully introduce local stories and daily life in Japanese.
We propose a special Tibetan journey tailored to your interests and wishes.
Respect worshippers and follow local guidance on photography and visits. We plan the sites and time spent according to your wishes and local conditions. Discuss a Gyantse cultural journey ↗
Journeys through this region
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Gyantse Dzong
Pala Manor
