![Chinese license plate from Xizang - the Tibet Automomous Region (Western Treasure House)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551060.MJxi661O.TibetOct08186.jpg) Chinese license plate from Xizang - the Tibet Automomous Region (Western Treasure House) |
![My pitiful first meal in Tibet at a bar on Beijing Zhonglu near the Lhasa Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551036.SkHPxXWC.QinghaiTibetRailroad415.jpg) My pitiful first meal in Tibet at a bar on Beijing Zhonglu near the Lhasa Hotel |
![Lhasa Hotel, the former Holiday Inn](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551039.Xtd9xBgC.TibetOct08003.jpg) Lhasa Hotel, the former Holiday Inn |
![Lhasa Hotel, the former Holiday Inn](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551038.wWtWB4kN.TibetOct08001.jpg) Lhasa Hotel, the former Holiday Inn |
![Lhasa Hotel (former Holiday Inn) Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551257.Q6LgnI0o.TibetOct08625.jpg) Lhasa Hotel (former Holiday Inn) Tibet |
![Gate to Norbulingka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551042.JNcbm8m6.TibetOct08006.jpg) Gate to Norbulingka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas |
![Gate to Norbulingka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551040.t51haQpA.TibetOct08004.jpg) Gate to Norbulingka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas |
![Visa Section of the Consulate of Nepal, Norbulingka Chang Lam, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551041.pZblgdqt.TibetOct08005.jpg) Visa Section of the Consulate of Nepal, Norbulingka Chang Lam, Lhasa |
![Walking around the area behind the hotel before the guide arrived](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551043.0xyz8Po7.TibetOct08008.jpg) Walking around the area behind the hotel before the guide arrived |
![Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551044.DJpBl4nC.TibetOct08011.jpg) Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu |
![Lhoka Hu Bei Hotel, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551045.TDnfHBAX.TibetOct08012.jpg) Lhoka Hu Bei Hotel, Lhasa |
![Looking west of Beijing Zhonglu, new town Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551046.QhaBamS1.TibetOct08013.jpg) Looking west of Beijing Zhonglu, new town Lhasa |
![Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551047.M1ZWJeT7.TibetOct08014.jpg) Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu |
![Vacuum packed Yak Meat good for 6 months](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551048.HMPcP3XK.TibetOct08015.jpg) Vacuum packed Yak Meat good for 6 months |
![Bookshop on Beijing Zhonglu west of the Lhasa Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551049.5PcX8dcb.TibetOct08016.jpg) Bookshop on Beijing Zhonglu west of the Lhasa Hotel |
![China Construction Bank, Beijing Zhonglu, Lhasa (new town)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551050.h6bRiiEe.TibetOct08017.jpg) China Construction Bank, Beijing Zhonglu, Lhasa (new town) |
![West Beijing Road, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551051.dVzOjd87.TibetOct08018.jpg) West Beijing Road, Lhasa |
![CWTS Tibet Holyland Adventure, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551052.cVIjbSDU.TibetOct08019.jpg) CWTS Tibet Holyland Adventure, Lhasa |
![Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551053.qG7nsaYE.TibetOct08020.jpg) Lhasa's new town, Beijing Zhonglu |
![Beijing Zhonglu nearest to Lhasa Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551054.bo39JMMX.TibetOct08180.jpg) Beijing Zhonglu nearest to Lhasa Hotel |
![Beijing Donglu between the Potola and Barkhor](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551057.Y9IYdT21.TibetOct08183.jpg) Beijing Donglu between the Potola and Barkhor |
![Shop with traditional clothing, Beijing Donglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551055.UMG7audj.TibetOct08181.jpg) Shop with traditional clothing, Beijing Donglu |
![Shop with traditional clothing, Beijing Donglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551056.GI9otUHp.TibetOct08182.jpg) Shop with traditional clothing, Beijing Donglu |
![TibetOct08 184.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551058.YSTRQP9j.TibetOct08184.jpg) TibetOct08 184.jpg |
![TibetOct08 185.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551059.G5JLdmAJ.TibetOct08185.jpg) TibetOct08 185.jpg |
![Tibet Steak House, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551063.d1QnXybM.TibetOct08188.jpg) Tibet Steak House, Lhasa |
![Western-style meal at the Tibet Steak House, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551062.6V11Qs8J.TibetOct08187.jpg) Western-style meal at the Tibet Steak House, Lhasa |
![Travel agency displaying domestic plane ticket prices](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551064.61SNC6is.TibetOct08300.jpg) Travel agency displaying domestic plane ticket prices |
![Chinese soldiers in riot gear on a street corner in a new part of Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551211.KnhpDUyF.TibetOct081020.jpg) Chinese soldiers in riot gear on a street corner in a new part of Lhasa |
![Tibet Potola Carpet Co - with view of Drepung Monastery](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551263.pKrFato2.TibetOct08878.jpg) Tibet Potola Carpet Co - with view of Drepung Monastery |
![Tibet Potola Carpet Co, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551265.wMpYL58Y.TibetOct08879.jpg) Tibet Potola Carpet Co, Lhasa |
![Tibetan handmade carpet showroom about 5km west of town](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551212.PphxTGka.TibetOct081021.jpg) Tibetan handmade carpet showroom about 5km west of town |
![Boys at the carpet showroom near Nechung Monastery](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551213.GgUecmEY.TibetOct081022.jpg) Boys at the carpet showroom near Nechung Monastery |
![Tibetan women weaving carpets, near Nechung Monastery](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551214.jJGb1ATm.TibetOct081023.jpg) Tibetan women weaving carpets, near Nechung Monastery |
![Weaver showing me the design of the carpet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551215.G6Ai6yzb.TibetOct081024.jpg) Weaver showing me the design of the carpet |
![Carpet weavers are both men and women](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551216.mto6FkfU.TibetOct081025.jpg) Carpet weavers are both men and women |
![The seemed genuinely happy to see me](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551217.Nr7K49VZ.TibetOct081027.jpg) The seemed genuinely happy to see me |
![Carpet factory (N29.6643/E91.0579)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551218.cwwJtXMs.TibetOct081029.jpg) Carpet factory (N29.6643/E91.0579) |
![The guide didn't mention that you can go upstairs at the carpet place for a view of Drepung Monastery](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551219.jI4MLP0D.TibetOct081032.jpg) The guide didn't mention that you can go upstairs at the carpet place for a view of Drepung Monastery |
![Drepung Monastery was closed during my Oct 2008 visit so the monks could be re-educated](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551220.oa0ZUvzY.TibetOct081033.jpg) Drepung Monastery was closed during my Oct 2008 visit so the monks could be "re-educated" |
![Golden yak monument , Beijing Zhonglu just west of the Potola](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551221.4MjHhL7o.TibetOct081034.jpg) Golden yak monument , Beijing Zhonglu just west of the Potola |
![The guide was annoyed with me that I wanted to stop...](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551222.isRmG2WY.TibetOct081035.jpg) The guide was annoyed with me that I wanted to stop... |
![Yak Yoghurt Shop next to the tourist bus parking area west of Potola Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551223.ZpmRchlA.TibetOct08384.jpg) Yak Yoghurt Shop next to the tourist bus parking area west of Potola Palace |
![Tricycle transit, Beijing Donglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551224.u5LKYEa7.TibetOct08486.jpg) Tricycle transit, Beijing Donglu |
![Beijing Donglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551226.KYLokfex.TibetOct08488.jpg) Beijing Donglu |
![I must admit, I was a bit surprised to see American Budweiser all over Tibet!](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551225.yR1lcqxM.TibetOct08487.jpg) I must admit, I was a bit surprised to see American Budweiser all over Tibet! |
![Budweiser in Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551227.RNcmEhxj.TibetOct08489.jpg) Budweiser in Tibet |
![I stuck with the local Lhasa Beer](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551229.Y2SQXjNR.TibetOct08490.jpg) I stuck with the local Lhasa Beer |
![Old area north of Beijing Donglu](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551230.3xEHuwSJ.TibetOct08491.jpg) Old area north of Beijing Donglu |
![Gyüme Tantric University, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551245.nrBTXOLD.TibetOct08504.jpg) Gyüme Tantric University, Lhasa |
![Gyüme Tantric University, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551231.TbvFD0Ss.TibetOct08492.jpg) Gyüme Tantric University, Lhasa |
![One afternoon I took off on my own the the LP guide and found many places not on the itinerary](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551233.H5XW8lzv.TibetOct08493.jpg) One afternoon I took off on my own the the LP guide and found many places "not on the itinerary" |
![Large prayer wheel, Gyüme Tantric University](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551234.xbpas1zY.TibetOct08494.jpg) Large prayer wheel, Gyüme Tantric University |
![Gyüme Tantric University, founded in the mid-15th Century](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551241.i2454TBL.TibetOct08500.jpg) Gyüme Tantric University, founded in the mid-15th Century |
![Phakyepo, Heavenly King of the South (blue)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551240.2i112dFU.TibetOct08499.jpg) Phakyepo, Heavenly King of the South (blue) |
![Chenmizang, Heavenly King of the West (red)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551236.Fxd2yOE1.TibetOct08495.jpg) Chenmizang, Heavenly King of the West (red) |
![Other murals, Gyüme](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551238.43eJcefA.TibetOct08497.jpg) Other murals, Gyüme |
![Other murals, Gyüme](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551239.G34rzoy1.TibetOct08498.jpg) Other murals, Gyüme |
![500 monks once studies at Gyüme](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551242.iMlFMR9p.TibetOct08502.jpg) 500 monks once studies at Gyüme |
![...now Gyüme is carefully watched](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551243.kyERBt3I.TibetOct08503.jpg) ...now Gyüme is carefully watched |
![Love Tibet Fate Restaurants -1653 (year Great 5th Dalai Lama met Emperor Shunzhi near Beijing)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551246.HZ5aCdxi.TibetOct08505.jpg) Love Tibet Fate Restaurants -1653 (year Great 5th Dalai Lama met Emperor Shunzhi near Beijing) |
![Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551247.PU28ut1R.TibetOct08506.jpg) Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551248.iE4TroWl.TibetOct08507.jpg) Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551249.HHjRwLHy.TibetOct08508.jpg) Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551250.vw5VsvS5.TibetOct08509.jpg) Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Cat with prayer wheels, Meru Sarpa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551251.zKyYZZFk.TibetOct08510.jpg) Cat with prayer wheels, Meru Sarpa |
![Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551252.gtBUjOpJ.TibetOct08511.jpg) Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Unrestored wall mural, Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551253.rlDDHdTK.TibetOct08512.jpg) Unrestored wall mural, Meru Sarpa Monatery, Lhasa |
![Playboy shop, Yuthok Lam street, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551254.RYC09HFg.TibetOct08568.jpg) Playboy shop, Yuthok Lam street, Lhasa |
![Lhasa Beer, Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551255.xzz68mZs.TibetOct08572.jpg) Lhasa Beer, Tibet |
![Lhasa Beer, Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551256.SzayXiwJ.TibetOct08573.jpg) Lhasa Beer, Tibet |
![How many boxes can you carry on 1 scooter?](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551258.14WnG9qg.TibetOct08626.jpg) How many boxes can you carry on 1 scooter? |
![Boy in school uniform, Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551260.WTdTywf5.TibetOct08874.jpg) Boy in school uniform, Lhasa |
![New monument in eastern Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551261.FY3PMK2D.TibetOct08876.jpg) New monument in eastern Lhasa |
![Soviet-style communist monument, eastern Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551262.lPXzZ2mp.TibetOct08877.jpg) Soviet-style communist monument, eastern Lhasa |
![Prayer flags on a hill near Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105551266.VUIKWSDm.TibetOct08880.jpg) Prayer flags on a hill near Lhasa |