Pelkhor Chode & Kumbum Pagodas:

Founded first in 1418, Pelkhor Chode was once a multi-denominational complex of monasteries. Today much of the sprawling courtyard, enclosed by walls that clamber up the hills that back on the other monastery, is bare and Gelugpa monks attend the remaining structures. The best way to get an idea of the original extent of the monastery is to view it from the Gyangtse Dzong. It is situated in the west of Gyangtse Town with mountains enclosing from the east, west and north 3 sides, its uniqueness is that its three orders of Buddhism-Sakya, Phulug pa and Gelug are living harmoniously under one roof. Each order has 6-7 courtyards in the monastery. There are various kinds of Thangkas, a huge bronze statue of Jampa, the Chenresig of a Thousand Hands and a Thousand Eyes in the monastery. There is a hall of art made during the Ming Dynasty. The airhost is so vivid that they look very much alive. Besides the monastery is the world famous 9-story 10,000-Buddha Pagoda. It stands 32m, has 108 doors, 77 Buddhist chambers and countless shrines. Enshrine in the Pagoda are 10,000 statues of Buddha. The Pagoda opens 8 doors, which are decorated with relief sculptures of lively flying dragons, running lions and walking elephants. It is a masterpiece of the joint efforts of the Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese. Almost all the murals on a wall, statues and scriptures are dated back to 15^th century.

*The Gyantse Kumbum and Pelchoe was erected in 1418 by a local chieftain Rapten Kunsang and a monk Kadup Gelek Passang (the first Palchen Lama) together with the stupa in 1427 respectively. This stupa was one of the eight Buddhist stupas, known as Tashi Multiple door stupa and stood height of 32.4 meters, said to have 108 cells containing venerable murals, paintings and holy image of 100,000. It was listed as key cultural relic under the state protection by the state council in 1996.

Gyangtse Dzong:

The 14^th century Gyangtse Dzong is worth the 15 minutes climb to its upper limits, less for what is left of the fort itself-not much, though renovations proceed apace- than for the amazing views of Gyangtse, the monastery compound at the end of town and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Some of the fort’s buildings can be entered and explored, sometimes to upper floors by means of rickety wooden ladders. There is generally very little to see however. About midway up through the fort complex are a small temple and its murals that can be visited. Entry to the Dzong is via an alley that runs from the left of the northbound road from the roundabout.