Proud and mighty, Dzong, the fortress of the former monarch of the region, rises above Gyang Tse, the third largest city in Tibet. The fortress once accommodated the governor of the district and was the region’s administrative centre. Despite certain obligations the Dzong monarch was relatively independent and was permitted to rule this region and its inhabitants.

Of Tibet’s original sixteen monasteries only two survived China’s Cultural Revolution and particularly well known is the Sakyapa Academy Monastery that managed to survive the Revolution.

One of the biggest monuments in Tibetan architecture is the unique Kumbum Chörten, a three-dimensional Mandala that can be entered. Eyes decorate the upper part of the stupa. When following the traditional ritual walk through the Kumbum-Chorten, one passes symbolically through the entire Buddhist journey of salvation and into Nirvana. The journey begins on the lowest level with simple deities and then follows the entire Pantheon of Tibet immortalised by both sculptures and wall paintings.

Today, in the old Tibetan trading town of Gyang Tse ‘all-seeing eyes of Buddha’ continue to watch over the Kumbum as well as the welfare of the faithful.