| Zhongdian |
|
| Zhongdian |
|
|
|
|
Even though Zhongdian is a couple of 100 kms from Tibet, and more than 1700 km from Lhasa, Zhongdian is supposed to be a Tibetan city. There are Tibetan-style buildings, a gigantic prayer wheel, a couple of bars called "Lhasa café" and a stupa with prayers flags. And Tibetan people walking in the streets.
After a while, you notice that most of the Tibetan-style buildings are brand-new (or still being constructed). Is Zhongdian a true Tibetan city, or is it more like a "theme-park"?? Anyway, the Tibetan people, with their weathered faces, look real enough. |
|
 |
But the he monastery is real! It was founded about 700 years ago, by the second Dalai Lama. |
And YES, this is the first place where I can make pictures of
real monks
 . The monks in
Chengdu hated cameras,
those here in Zhongdian actually like being photographed. And I really like
the debating contest, in which the young student monks test each others'
knowledge of Buddhism.
|
|
| After the monastery, we visit a remote village with a small school. And we also have lunch with a local family. I'm not a big fan of Yak butter tea. | |
 |
|
|
|
Today we have a local guide, who doesn't speak very much English. The question "Are there any crocodiles in the Napa Lake" he answers with "Yes!". Well, I don't think there are crocodiles here.
And I think I've seen this guy on the left before, in Kyrgyzstan. |
|
|
