Northern U

Central Tibet (Ü)

The region once known as U has been the center piece of Tibetan culture and in present day it consists mainly of Lhasa and Shannan areas. In northern U we have included Tsurphu and Namstso Lake area in the north west, Lhudrup, Talung and Reting to the north, Medro Gungkar, Tidrum and Drigung Til to the east of Lhasa.

Best time to visit: April to October
Getting there: By road from Lhasa; Tsurphu is about 70km and Namtso about 230km.
Suggested stay: 2 to 3 nights

Places in and around Northern U

Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.

Sights and attractions in Northern U

Temples & Monasteries

Tidrum Nunnery and Hot Springs

The hermitage of Tirdom (4,350m) is located 13km from the road junction of Drijung Til monastery, and around 50kms from Drijung Qu.
Temples & Monasteries

Drigung Til Monastery

Drigung Til Monastery (4,300m) is located on the slopes of a steep cliff overlooking the valley with over 50 buildings scattered around.
Sight

Drigung Qu Town

Continuing up the valley from Meldro Gungkhar, you will arrive at Driging Qu township, set at the auspicious confluence of three rivers.
Sight

Katsel

Katsel, situated 3km north of Meldro Gungkhar town is said to one of the original four geomatic temples, especially constructed by King Songtsen Gampo on the right shoulder of demon...
Sight

Meldro Gungkar

Meldro county capital town of Meldro Gungkar is about 70km north east of Lhasa along the road to Drigung at the confluence Kyi-chu and Meldro Pho Chu Rivers.
Sight

Tsurphu

The traditional seat of the Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu school, west of Lhasa, founded in 1189.
Temples & Monasteries

Reting Monastery

A historic Kadampa monastery in juniper forest north-east of Lhasa, founded by Dromtonpa in the 11th century.
Temples & Monasteries

Tashi Dor Monastery

Tashi Dor situated at the southeast corner of Namtso lake, at the foot of wedge-shaped hills is rather a chapel then monastery.
Nature & Viewpoints

Namtso Lake

A vast sacred salt lake at about 4,700m, north of Lhasa below the Nyenchen Tanglha range.