Shigatse

Tashilunpo Monastery is home of the Panchen Lama, often considered #2 below the Dalai Lama

Some of us explored the Tashilunpo Monastery, others saw monks dressed up and practicing for a Cham, a 'lama dance'.

5 Sept Shigatse 3870m

We left Lhasa late due to an Italian expedition not believing that the road to Gyantse was being rebuilt and was not possible; that wasted an hour.

Some of us took a look around the monastery, what a laughing, smiley time we had with some monks outside the assembly hall. Corinne and Iñaki showed Jamie how to interact to get the best portraits. The monks here were so friendly, very different from what the Lonely Planet guide book says.

The entrance to the massive 25 meter Buddha;
no photos inside, which is normal for many of the most popular gompas and monasteries in Tibet

Traditional boots outside one of the assembly halls

This monk loved having his photo taken; here with 'torma' made from tsampa (roasted barley flour) and butter disks.

The memorials for the previous Panchen Lamas are inside.

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