Eastern Tibet
Amdo & Grasslands of the Northeast

A journey of incredible contrasts - geographical and cultural. Rugged mountain ranges are separated by deep forested river gorges and high alpine pastures give way to the vast grasslands of Amdo.

Nakchu stands amid a vast wilderness of grasslands frequented by nomadic herders - producers of absolutely delicious yoghurt. Nakchu has long been an important trading center for the region and becoming more with the arrival of the Qinghai-Lhasa railway.

Prior to the civil war between Lhasa and Shigatse the Sokshan region was a Bon stronghold, today however the Gomp, founded by a Mongol chieftain in the 17th century, is largely dedicated to Tsongkhapa. It is an impressive citadel-like structure styled on the Potala Palace, with both Red and White Temples. There is also a 12th century Nyingmapa monastery maintaining traditional practices.

Enter a world of juniper and conifer forests and alpine meadows carpeted with blue gentian and white edelweiss. Here are some of the richest pasturelands in Tibet as well as numerous monasteries, old and newly restored. This region too was once strongly Bon, although there are many important early Buddhist temples here, including the imposing Riwoche Tsuklakhang founded in 1276.

Yushu (Jyekundo) has been an important trading center for centuries as imported goods (tea, textiles, metalware, sugar...) are traded by mostly Muslim middlemen for nomad produce (hides, furs, wool, medicinal herbs..). Princess Wencheng stopped here on her way to Lhasa. Its main, hilltop, monastery was originally established in 1398 (on the site of a Bon temple) in the striking red-grey Sakya style.

Just south of Xining stands one of the 6 major Gelukpa Monasteries, Kumbum (Ta'er Si) was the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelukpa School. A beautiful monastery, quite Chinese in architectural style, kumbum is particularly famous for its elaborate butter sculptures.