Getting Back to Shigatse
After we left Everest Base Camp (ECB) we took the Eco Tourist Bus to Zhaxizhong village where we picked up our luggage and did a “reverse journey” back to Shitagse. The “return” journey took as many hours as the “first” journey, 8 hours!. There was no attactions along the way. We stopped at “Mount Everest Viewing” deck which was just before the “zig zag road” which we had already visited on the way to to EBC. On the return journey the sky was covered by clouds so none of the peaks could be seen at the viewing deck. The next stop was coffee break at the same place as the earlier journey, at the “Archway to Qomolangma National Park”. Then it was a torturous boring trip back to Shigatse Hilton for us.
After a tiring day we were very happy to return to Shigatse Hilton. It was the same hotel we stayed two nights ago. This time we reached the place at about 5pm and had plentiful of time to enjoy dinner in the hotel and relax in the comfort of our room.
We had a buffet dinner in Hilton western restaurant and paid ¥188/person. It was a very inexpensive dinner which we would have to pay three times the amount in Singapore.
Tashihunpo Monastery
On the morning before we left Shigatse we visited Tahsihunpo Monastery 扎什伦布寺. It was a rainy day and we were also getting pretty tired of visiting monastery. But we still had to go as it was in our itinerary.
Tashihunpo Monastery was one of the most important monasteries in Tibet (it seemed that every monastery we visited so far was considered one of the most important monasteries!) This monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama and was the seat of Panchen Lama. Pachen Lama was Tibet second in rank Lama after Dalai Lama.
We understood from our guide that both Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama reincarated. As for 2024 the Dalai Lama was in its 14th reincarnation and Pachen Lama in its 11th reincarnation. By now we were better at understanding of lamas. So the 1st Dalai Lama refered to the first incarnation of Dalai Lama and the 4th Panchen Lama meant the 4th reincarnation of Panchen Lama. Before this trip we only knew of Dalai Lama and that after one died there would be a new reincarnation. We had not heard or Panchen Lama and its reincarnation.
On route to Namtso Lake
After we left Shigatse our next destination was Namtso Lake. This lake was a holy lake north of Lhasa. The distance of the lake from Shigatse was about 360km and needed a driving time of 6 hours. By the time we reached the town nearest to the lake, Damxung Town, it would be about 5 to 6 pm so the plan was to visit the lake the next day.
It was a long drive, the roads were mainly highway and there was not many “bumps”. We speeded past green plains, scenic mountain and snow alps and stopped only once at an practically abandon shop for a “toilet break”. It was a smelly toilet break.
Finally we reach Damxung town (当雄县) at about 6pm and after check in we immediately went out in search of dinner. The restaurant was just next to the hotel, within the same building as the hotel. We ordered dishes and they were served with rice. Dinner cost only ¥64 per person.
Our stay in Damxung
Our stay was in Damxung town, a town nearest to Namtso Lake. The name of the hotel was Namtso Holy Sheep Boutique Hotel, 纳木措神羊精品酒店. The hotel was known as ShenYang Manor Hotel on Trip.com and the cost of a double room for one night inclusive of dinner was ¥412.
Our room was on the 2nd level. It room was nice and clean and the toilet was compartmentalised and modern.
Other Hotels in Damxung
