My trip to Woka Choelong

Traveling to Tibet is not just a destination, it's a dream. Traveling to Tibet is not just a vacation, it's a path.

Many Travelers are asking about a place where they are fewer tourists and more local Tibetans, less crowded and more natural so I have done some research and found that one of the best places is the Woka Choelong monastery trip of around 2-3 days from Lhasa.

The day starts with a drive from Lhasa to Rutok hot spring via visiting SijiLhatso Lake on the way. After a few hours' drive from SijiLhatso Lake, we will pass by Gundaling Grassland and the home of Red Deer. These places are important in the 14th Century during the great Tibetan master Je Tsongkhapa's time.

On my recent visit, I found that they are three beautiful hot springs near Woka Choelong. 

1. The hot spring of Je Tsongkhapa 
2. The hot spring of the 13th Dalai Lama
3. The Phakmo Dakini hot spring  

The Je Tsongkhapa hot spring and 13th Dalai Lama hot springs are only allowed for male Travelers. 

The Phakmo hot spring is available for all male and female Travelers. It is nice without a roof. The water is quite warm. The villagers charge 20 RMB as a management fee.  I have gone inside the Phakmo hot spring and it is very clean and nice. The hot spring for males and females are separated. 

They were no tourists, not even mainland Chinese Travelers. It is around 200 km from Lhasa to Woka Choelong monastery, the road is paved all the way. We will see vast grassland, mountains, villages, farmers, Yaks, and Nomads on the way to the Choelong monastery.

Choelong Monastery is an important retreat area of Je Tsongkhapa. Founder of the Gelukpa School in Tibetan Buddhism during the 14th Century. We can still witness the beauties of the meditation caves of Je Tsongkhapa and his disciples. We can also get the blessing of the stone Mandala and the Stone prostration spot of Je Tsongkhapa. It is said that Je Tsongkhapa was bleeding with drops of blood when he was offering 350 thousand Mandalas and 350 thousand Prostrations on the stone. This great determination and diligence during his thirties is the reason behind his great spiritual attainment.

Monastery offers a very basic room with a Tibetan-style bathroom for locals. Highly recommend Travelers bring a sleeping bag. The view of the Woka Valley from the middle of the mountain where Woka Choelong monastery is stunning.

They are a few local Tibetans from nearby prostrating in the small hall where there is the prostration stone of Je Tsongkhapa.

The next day, I traveled to Tsetang through Sangri town. Travelers can also spend a night in Tsetang by visiting Sangri Monastery, Yumbulakang Palace, Tradruk Monastery, and Samye Monastery. Travelers can also travel to Nyingchi, also known as Eastern Tibet.

Conclusion

Highly recommend Travelers keen to see the places where there are fewer tourists and more locals to travel Woka Choelong monastery or Kharta Kangshung Valley east face of the Mount Everest trek listed on our website.

Thank you for reading Tibet Travelers' article on my recent trip to Woka Choelong monastery. For Tibet Travel free information or booking a tour to Tibet. Email Tibet Travelers at info@tibettravelers.com