The kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery takes about one hour to complete. From the main gate, follow the monastery walls in a clockwise direction and look for an alley on the right. The alley curves around the western wall, past tsatsa (clay icon) makers, stone carvers and monks reciting scripture for donations, to climb into the hills above the monastery where streams of prayers flags spread over the dry slopes like giant colourful spider limbs. The views of the compound below are wonderful from here.
In about 20 minutes you pass the 13-storey white tower used to hang a giant thangka at festival time. The path then splits in two: down the hill to complete the circuit of the monastery, or along the ridge to the Shigatse Dzong, a walk of around 20 minutes.
From the dzong, head to the old town Tibetan market, stopping en route at a particularly charming and atmospheric roadside Mani Lhakhang.
