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Brian McMorrow | profile | all galleries >> Asia >> China - 中国 >> Tibet - 西藏 (བོད་) >> 拉萨 Lhasa ལྷ་ས >> Lhasa - Pabonka to Sera Monastery tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Lhasa - Pabonka to Sera Monastery

Pabonka Monastery on a hillside not far past Sera Monastery
Pabonka Monastery on a hillside not far past Sera Monastery
Lonely Planet recommended the one hour walk between Pabonka and Sera
Lonely Planet recommended the one hour walk between Pabonka and Sera
After much arguing with the inflexable guide (not reasonable with a group of 1) and many phone calls she agreed
After much arguing with the inflexable guide (not reasonable with a group of 1) and many phone calls she agreed
Given that there's a nice view of north side of Potola Palace from Pabonka, I did not consider it far out of the way
Given that there's a nice view of north side of Potola Palace from Pabonka, I did not consider it far out of the way
Paintings and gold inscriptions, Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
Paintings and gold inscriptions, Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
11-headed Chenresig, Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
11-headed Chenresig, Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
Yab-yum father-mother associated with Tantric Buddhism
Yab-yum "father-mother" associated with Tantric Buddhism
Famous carved mantra Om Mani Padme Hum of Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
Famous carved mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" of Rigsum Gonpo Temple, Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Potrang built on top of Pabonka Rock
Pabonka Potrang built on top of Pabonka Rock
Pabonka Potrang built on top of Pabonka Rock
Pabonka Potrang built on top of Pabonka Rock
Palden Lhamo Cave in the side of Pabonka Rock
Palden Lhamo Cave in the side of Pabonka Rock
Palden Lhamo Cave, Pabonka Monastery
Palden Lhamo Cave, Pabonka Monastery
Green Tara, Palden Lhamo Cave
Green Tara, Palden Lhamo Cave
Palden Lhamo Cave, Pabonka Monastery
Palden Lhamo Cave, Pabonka Monastery
Entrance to the Pabonka Potrang on top of Pabonka Rock
Entrance to the Pabonka Potrang on top of Pabonka Rock
Wall mural Mongol leading the tiger representing supremacy of the Gelugpa sect over their rival red hat sect
Wall mural "Mongol leading the tiger" representing supremacy of the Gelugpa sect over their rival red hat sect
Four Friends elephant, monkey, hare and partridge from Tittira Jataka legend
"Four Friends" elephant, monkey, hare and partridge from Tittira Jataka legend
Jasa Podrang (Temple of Princess Wencheng) with the remains of 108 chortens
Jasa Podrang (Temple of Princess Wencheng) with the remains of 108 chortens
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Monk of Pabonka Monastery
Monk of Pabonka Monastery
Kitchen, Pabonka Monastery
Kitchen, Pabonka Monastery
Dining hall, Pabonka Monastery
Dining hall, Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Fresh October snow on the mountains above Lhasa
Fresh October snow on the mountains above Lhasa
Stupa at Pabonka Monastery
Stupa at Pabonka Monastery
The Potola Palace in the center of Lhasa 7 km to the south of Pabonka
The Potola Palace in the center of Lhasa 7 km to the south of Pabonka
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Hermitage of Tashi Chöling, a 20 min climb from Pabonka
Hermitage of Tashi Chöling, a 20 min climb from Pabonka
Trail leading around the mountain to Chupsang Nunnery
Trail leading around the mountain to Chupsang Nunnery
I told the guide she could go with the driver and meet me in one hour at Sera Monastery
I told the guide she could go with the driver and meet me in one hour at Sera Monastery
Looking back to Pabonka from the Chupsang trail
Looking back to Pabonka from the Chupsang trail
Pabonka Monastery
Pabonka Monastery
Looking down at the newly paved road leading up to Pabonka Monastery
Looking down at the newly paved road leading up to Pabonka Monastery
I didn't find the trail particularly difficult
I didn't find the trail particularly difficult
...but shockingly the Tibetan guide was unable to handle it and eventually turned back leaving me on my own
...but shockingly the Tibetan guide was unable to handle it and eventually turned back leaving me on my own
Trail from Pabonka Monastery to Chupsang Nunnery
Trail from Pabonka Monastery to Chupsang Nunnery
Well-worn carved steps between the monastery and the nunnery
Well-worn carved steps between the monastery and the nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery, home to around 80 nuns
Chupsang Nunnery, home to around 80 nuns
Trailside shrine near Chupsang Nunnery
Trailside shrine near Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Chupsang Nunnery
Not wanting to be late to meet the guide at Sera, I didn't linger at Chupsang
Not wanting to be late to meet the guide at Sera, I didn't linger at Chupsang
Shrine with rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Shrine with rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Rock paintings, Chupsang Nunnery
Leaving Chupsang Nunnery for Sera Monastery
Leaving Chupsang Nunnery for Sera Monastery
Leaving Chupsang Nunnery for Sera...but this trail lead back to the valley, not over the mountain like I had hoped
Leaving Chupsang Nunnery for Sera...but this trail lead back to the valley, not over the mountain like I had hoped
Descending to the outskirts of Lhasa
Descending to the outskirts of Lhasa
...that's the way I had wanted to go...but too late now
...that's the way I had wanted to go...but too late now
I had to skirt a walled off military area
I had to skirt a walled off military area
The correct high road trail to Sera is somewhere up there
The correct "high road" trail to Sera is somewhere up there
Arriving at Sera Monatery by the low road after a nice 1 hour hike from Pabonka
Arriving at Sera Monatery by the "low road" after a nice 1 hour hike from Pabonka
The only shanties I had seen in Tibet, outside Sera Monastery
The only shanties I had seen in Tibet, outside Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Outlying building of Sera Monastery still a burned out ruin from the bad days
Outlying building of Sera Monastery still a burned out ruin from the bad days
Sera Monastery, one of the Six Great Gelugpa institutions
Sera Monastery, one of the Six Great Gelugpa institutions
The Chöding Hermitage above Sera Monastery that I had been planning to hike past
The Chöding Hermitage above Sera Monastery that I had been planning to hike past
Map of Sera Monastery
Map of Sera Monastery
The guide had been insisting that Sera was closed mid day so it was almost 4 when we got there
The guide had been insisting that Sera was closed mid day so it was almost 4 when we got there
...and just as the Lonely Planet said, the main chapels were already closing
...and just as the Lonely Planet said, the main chapels were already closing
Incense burners, Sera Monastery
Incense burners, Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
We managed to get into Sera Je College for about 5 minutes before it closed
We managed to get into Sera Je College for about 5 minutes before it closed
Wall mural, Sera Je College
Wall mural, Sera Je College
Tamdrin (Hayagriva) the horse-headed wrathful deity
Tamdrin (Hayagriva) the horse-headed wrathful deity
TibetOct08 973.jpg
TibetOct08 973.jpg
TibetOct08 974.jpg
TibetOct08 974.jpg
Rock painting, Sera Monastery
Rock painting, Sera Monastery
Staircase behind Sera Je College
Staircase behind Sera Je College
Rock paintings, Sera Monastery
Rock paintings, Sera Monastery
Jampelyang (Manjushri) Bodhisattva of Wisdom
Jampelyang (Manjushri) Bodhisattva of Wisdom
Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva of Compassion
Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva of Compassion
Chana Dorje (Vajrapani) wrathful Bodhisattva of Energy
Chana Dorje (Vajrapani) wrathful Bodhisattva of Energy
Gesture of teaching - Vitarka Mudra
Gesture of teaching - Vitarka Mudra
TibetOct08 987.jpg
TibetOct08 987.jpg
TibetOct08 990.jpg
TibetOct08 990.jpg
Thangka wall, Sera Monastery
Thangka wall, Sera Monastery
Wall used to hang giant Thangka paintings during festivals
Wall used to hang giant Thangka paintings during festivals
Main assembly hall, Sera Monastery
Main assembly hall, Sera Monastery
Vestibule of the main assembly hall at Sera
Vestibule of the main assembly hall at Sera
Guardian king in front of the Main Assemby Hall, Sera
Guardian king in front of the Main Assemby Hall, Sera
Ceiling of the vestibule in front of the Main Assembly Hall
Ceiling of the vestibule in front of the Main Assembly Hall
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Rock paintings in a small cave, Sera Monastery
Rock paintings in a small cave, Sera Monastery
Cave painting, Sera Monastery
Cave painting, Sera Monastery
Tibetan pilgrim with a prayer wheel
Tibetan pilgrim with a prayer wheel
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
The guide managed to get us into one small chapel after closing
The guide managed to get us into one small chapel after closing
TibetOct08 1006.jpg
TibetOct08 1006.jpg
TibetOct08 1007.jpg
TibetOct08 1007.jpg
The Wheel of Life, Sera Monastery
The Wheel of Life, Sera Monastery
The Wheel of Life - you want to stay in the top half
The Wheel of Life - you want to stay in the top half
Chenmizang, Heavenly King of the West (red)
Chenmizang, Heavenly King of the West (red)
Yülkhorsung, Heavenly King of the North (yellow)
Yülkhorsung, Heavenly King of the North (yellow)
Mongol leading the chained tiger - Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect symbology
Mongol leading the chained tiger - Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect symbology
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery
Ornate door, Sera
Ornate door, Sera