Photo: Hiroki Ogawa / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Shigatse Dzong
Samdrubtse Dzong
The imposing castle also known once as Samdrubtse Dzong, was built in the seventeenth century by Karma Phuntso Namgyel when he was king of the Tsang region and held sway over much of the country. It is thought that its design was used as the basis for the later construction of the Potala. It was the residence of kings of Tsang and later Govenor of Tsang. The structure was initially ruined by the Dzungars in 1717, was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The picture taken before the destruction bear remarkable resemblance to Potala, albeit a smaller version. Recently, betweeen 2005 to 2007, the building was reconstructed based on the old one.
Near Shigatse Dzong
More to see around Tsang.
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Sight
Everest North Area (Rongphu Face)
The north face of Everest and the Rongphu Glacier, reached by road from Tingri to Rongphu and Base Camp.
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Sight
Gyantse
Gyantse (3,950m) in the Nyang Chu valley, 254km south-west of Lhasa, is one of the least Chinese influenced towns in Tibet and is worth a visit for this reason alone.
