Buddhist Art of Western Tibet: Land Cruiser Tours of West Tibet's Kingdom of Guge

Duration: 21 days
Months offered: Spring, Summer, Fall
Costs: From $ 3,400

The 10th century CE. saw the rebirth of Buddhism in western Tibet. To assist the 2nd diffusion of Buddhism in this area known as the Kingdom of Guge, artisans from Kashmir were brought in to decorate newly built monasteries with their unique style of painting and bronze casting. This style of painting, now known to scholars as 'early Guge' or 'early Western Tibetan style', was used on walls of countless chapels as well as on the walls of cave monasteries throughout the region. Our tour of western Tibet's Kingdom of Guge focuses on the art work of these monasteries and lesser known cave monastery complexes. Sites visited include the center of the Kingdom of Guge-Tsaparang and Tholing, as well as recently discovered sites known as Piyang and Dungkar. Since we will be in the area there is the option of circumambulating sacred Mt. Kailash and visiting lake Manasarovar before returning to Lhasa. All trips are led by western experts in Buddhist art.