Gyantse and Dzongs
With a legendary look and feel that will captivate you, the Gyantse Dzong (which is also referred to as the Gyantse Fortress) is one of the best-preserved dzong fortresses in Tibet. The Gyantse Dzong fortress has been standing high above the town of Gyantse on a large outcropping of rock for about 700 or more years. Dzong architecture can best be described as a unique fortress found exclusively throughout different parts of the Himalayas in which Tibetan Buddhist kingdoms have thrived during centuries past as well as in places that it continues to exist today. Substantially more Dzong can be found in the country of Bhutan as well as in the southern regions of Tibet. The architecture features tall outlying walls that surround courtyards, temples, administrative offices and monks' accommodation, yet particular features in both the exterior and interior can be found.
One of the initial exposures of the Dzong to the outside world can be attributed to a great 19th and 20th-century surrealist painter. Nicholas Roerich, a Russian mysticism, philosopher and artist was sent through this region during his quest for truth and wisdom which carried him and his crew on an adventure across many parts of the Himalayas and into other regions of current day China, Mongolia and other parts of central Asia. In addition to his visit to the Gyantse Dzong, he was sent through Tibet with his comrades to other Dzongs such as the Namru Dzong, Shentsu Dzong and over high mountain passes that were at the time unmarked on maps to places such as the Saga-Dzong, the Tingri-Dzong, the Shekar-Dzong and onward to the Kampa-Dzong amongst many other places. During his stay in the region, he painted a mural of the Gyantse Dzong that remains a point of interest for many to the day.
Photo: Nicholas Roerich’s Mural of the Gyantse Dzong
Visiting the fortress from the town of Gyantse is easy. It is accessible from the town via a twenty-minute walk (or alternatively vehicles can only drive about halfway up the road to it and then the journey can be finished on foot). It is possible to enter the interior of the fortress and even see inside of many of the rooms. Amongst other attractions inside are the dungeon, a chapel as well as torture room with dioramas. It’s worth making the trip to see the fortress because from this vantage point can also be seen other parts of the ‘beautiful whitewashed old town’ below not to mention the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Tickets are 30 yuan and the fortress is open daily.
Gyantse, also referred to as the ‘hero city’ is a small town to the southwest of Shigatse near the intersections of provincial roads S307 and S204. Other than visiting the Dzong, you will find the Rabse Nunnery, the Ganden Retreat, Palha Manor, the Tsechen Monastery as well as theAssembly Hall amongst other attractions intriguing. Gyantse is also a good place to participate in organized camping, trekking, hiking, cycling, rock climbing and horseback riding activities. The festival is celebrated between April 10th and April 28th according to the Tibetan calendar. Tourists can see different Tibetan handicrafts on the exchange market of Dama Festival amongst other activities.