Tibet 06

Day 6

Shigatse -> Damxung (4,300 meter)
Tashilunpo Monastery

Ta Shi Lhun Po is one of the four "Yellowhat Sect" monasteries of Tibetan Bud dist. Founded by the first Dalai Lama -Gedun Drupa- in 1447, this place shares a long history with the Tibetan people. Although by this point, we have seen already a few temples. But this was one of the largest one. Not just by number of buildings, but by the size. Apparently, its size is about 70,000 square meter. If you have trouble calculating, just imagine as you enter this place, you walk and walk for about an hour and there is no end. The tour guide explained that its big as if a small town. I think I can believe her words.

Although most of the monks have been forced out since the cultural revolution in 1961 by the Chinese, this was one of the few places that I have seen more monks and people practicing their daily rituals. I kind of wished that we were able to see the busy natural sight of these people. Too bad, 1961 was a bit too long ago for me to have withness the true colour of Tibet.

In Tibet, most of the men become monks. But now they are mostly gone altogether. Dead. What is left are the old and the very young holding hands with their mothers and grandmothers. Women, but not enough men....
:) Here is another reason why Yak is important! Not only can you get meat, fur, and make use of the animal to work, but you can also make cheese! This white stone looking blocks are actually blocks of Yak cheese. They look hard but they actually crumbly quite easily. Its an important part of the Tibetans daily diet.

Part of one of the street stores.

Guess what these red houses are. Hint, they are all one kind of restaurant. Any good answer? No surprise, but these are all Chinese food! In fact, throughout my few days in Tibet, I had more Chinese food then I had in the next 3 weeks in Beijing. Not only were the food good, but the cooker and the waitress were all Chinese. I actually got to practice my Chinese more than I expected here in Tibet!

Why so much Chinese food in Tibet? The big reason is because of the political relation with China. Since the cultural revolution, China has tried every mean to break Tibet's culture and history. In the past 50 years, China has forced more and more of their people in Tibet that now there is an increasing number of Chinese not just working in Tibet but also visiting. So in order to keep their guest happy, they begin to built more and more Chinese restaurants. And that is what you are seeing. Very powerful.

And yum. The food was really good. I've been picking up a bad habit of eating too well throughout this trip. Maybe a bit too well fed :P.