Tingri to Gyanste

 Tingri to Gyanste

We left Tingri and continued along the G318. We were still high in the mountains and it would take time to get back to Shigatse. 

                                       

There were still rolling grasslands and mountain passes to cross. We recrossed a series of hairpin bends and crossed the pass at 5,248 metres but we didn't stop this time.
                                                  
The road crossed more grassland and then dipped down to a valley. It was a steep descent off te highland plateau. The valley was narrow with towering steep sides.

But we weren't out of the mountains yet. We followed another valley and then up the valley side to cross another pass, the Tsolha Pass. This is a view back down the pass.

We were retracing our steps back along the G318. We stopped at the 5,000 kilometre marker. The driver needed a break and we needed a pee. It was also an opportunity to have another sausage on a stick. We had been here just a few days before. That had been at a weekend and it had been crowded. It was now midweek and it was a lot quieter.

                                      

It as another two hours before we reached Shigatse. Ther were construction delays on the road into the city so we took an alternative roue. We passed more recently planted forest. It the distance were several large blocks of flats being built. The city is expanding fast and overtaking former agricultural land. We were soon in the centr of the city and were in for a treat.

We were dropped off at a traditional restaurant that also had a cabaret.

The building from the outside wasn't much to look at except for a taditional entrance. But inside, the interior designers had gon to town and the setting was lavish and enormous.

We settled down and ordered a mixed set menu for eight.

Most seats and tables faced the stage. Performers came and went, singing songs, playing tunes on traditional instruments and all in tradional clothing. It was over all too quickly as we had to be back on the road.

After Shigatse, the road follows a wide valley. The valley bottom was flat and given over to growing mostly barley or rapeseed whose bright yellow flowers waved in the gentle breeze.

There were always hill nearby but the valley bottom was flat as was the road and except for an occasional bend, the road was straight. Th traffic was light and we made good time.

We were soon approaching the outskirts of Gyantse which was our stop for the night. We were still passing through farmland but on the outskirts of the town on a prominent spur was a castle and a monastery.

A view of the monastery and the castle from the roundabout in the centre of the town. We had lingered too long over lunch to arrive in time to see the insides. I was keen to see the insides but some of the group had seen so many that they weren't disappointed at missing this one.

The Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, the largest in Tibet were built in 1497. The structure is particurlarly interesting as it contains 76 chapels arranged on nine different levels.