Namseling Manor

Perhaps the only building of its type still standing in Tibet Tibet tour, this ruined multistory family mansion is a minor site. You might find it worth a visit if you have your own transport.

Located in the Dranang village of the Dranang County, the Namseling Manor was built during the reign of the Phakdru regime. The main building of the complex has seven storeys with a particular luxury. Apart from the main building, the manor has some other side buildings such as flat houses, stables and mills, dye houses, handicrafts and weaving workshops, pillbox and a prison. It is also a precious remain for studies on slave system in old Tibet. It is an old aristocratic manor relatively preserved today as an important spectacle in the Yarlung scenic area.

There are a few murals left, but the ruins are unstable in places so you should take care when exploring. The building affordable China travel packages is 3km south of the main highway near kilometer marker 161.

Admission fee: Y50 per person

Buchu Monastery

Some 28km south of Bayi is the small but ancient Gelugpa monastery of Buchu (Bujiu Si). The original dates from the 7th century, when it was built at the command of King Songtsen Gampo as one of the demoness-subduing temples; it pins the demoness’ right elbow. The monastery is recognisable by its striking golden roof.

The entrance to the main chapel is flanked by unusual murals of several protector gods, including the Kongpo deity Kongtsun Demo (in the far right on horseback, next to the wheel of life China travel service). The main hall has statues of the standing form of Guru Rinpoche (right) and a large Jampa (Maitreya), and there are two small statues of the protectors Dorje Lekpa and Kongtsun Demo in the left corner.

The inner sanctum houses Holidays in China statues of Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), with Songtsen Gampo in the left corner. Behind these is the trinity of Guru Rinpoche, the Indian translator Shantarakshita and King Trisong Detsen. Upstairs is a cheesy, modern 3-D mandala, which depicts the sacred mountains of Namche Barwa, Kailash, Tsari and Kawa Karpo on each corner. A lovely kora path surrounds the timeless monastery.