April 07, 2004

Is this Tibet?

Zhongdian, Yunnan Province, China

The western part of Yunnan and Sechuan provinces begin to show a bit of Tibetan influence. With this in mind I was looking forward to visiting the large Ganden Sumtseling Gumpta (monastery). What a shock I had.

Monks with mobile phones, labouring on the buildings, driving trucks. Very different to Thailand and Laos. Virtually no monastic or religious activity going on. Just a small boy down an alley chanting scriptures in a sing-song way. Very disappointing.

I was hoping for a small slice of Tibet. I'm afraid I might have found it.

Posted by David at April 7, 2004 10:42 PM