Chokorgye Monastery
When you read anything about the Chokorgye Monastery, you can't but notice all the talk about the Lhamo La-tso, the most legendary Tibetan lake. The spirit of the lake, Palden Lhamo, is said to have made a promise to the first Dalai Lama to protect all future reincarnations of the being. And it is quite the wonder to see. The waters are clear and crisp in the summer and the reflection from the lake mirrors the sky and surrounding mountains. But before you trek the 4-hour hike out to the lake, have a look around what is left of the Chokorgye Monastery. Wedged between three mountains and even though mostly in ruins, it still serves as the gateway to the lake to this day. There is an old Kora that snakes down to the lake from the monastery. Its a relic of the past, and said to have been there as a way for the older monks in the groups to make it to Lhamo La-tso. The monastery was founded in the early 16th century by the second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso. His sacred footprints can still be found at the ruins. The site used to be huge, holding up to half a thousand Buddhist monks at a time. But it is now an eerily quite stop on a long pilgrimage to Lhamo La-tso.
Getting There: 115 km northeast of Tsetang, which is another 160km southwest of Lhasa. Not easily accesable, but worth the time and effort.
Routeļ¼Lhasa--Tsedang--Gyacha--Chokorgye Monastery
Take a Lhasa to Tsedang bus in front of Bakhor square for 40 yuan p/p, the earliest one departing at 8:30am, arriving in 2.5hrs. A daily bus runs from Tsetang to Gyacha for 70 yuan per person, departing at 8:30am, the 128km journey takes 6~7hrs on a harsh road. A chartered minibus may leave when full for 80~90 yuan per person. After arriving at Gyacha, you have to walk across the bridge and pick up another ride up to Chokorgye Monastery of Cuijiu village in the north.