I hiked down the mountain behind Drepung Monastery and will never come back again!

✨When I work at the Lagali Snow Dragon Manor Resort, I am surrounded by beautiful scenery every day, but occasionally I also long for a different kind of exploration. This time, a group of us decided to go on a hiking trip to the back mountain of Drepung Monastery to pursue the tranquility and shock hidden in the mountains. Now we can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you. We gathered and set off early on Sunday morning at nine o'clock. The weather was particularly good today, as if nature had specially arranged a perfect travel day for us. We were filled with excitement and anticipation, laughing and chatting all the way. All our worries were left behind, and we only wanted to conquer the mountain. We shouted in the car, "It's just a small mountain at the back, let's try it!" When we arrived at the Drepung Monastery, the magnificent building instantly came into view. The golden roof shone with a sacred light in the sun, and the walls of the temple were covered with exquisite murals. Every detail told of the long history and profound cultural heritage. But our goal is the back mountain. We can scan our ID cards to enter the circumambulation path, drive the car up, park in the parking lot halfway up the mountain, and hike up the mountain from the temple. There is a煙桑炉 at the starting point of the mountain. Pine and cypress are scattered into the furnace, and pine and cypress branches are dipped in water and gently sprinkled. The ceremony is completed and the hiking begins. The road was relatively flat at the beginning, with stone slabs underfoot and prayer flags swaying in the wind on both sides. We climbed slowly upwards along the predetermined route, breathing in the slightly thin but extremely fresh air, every breath was refreshing. As the altitude increases, the mountain road gradually becomes rugged and turns into stone steps made of stones. At this time, the power of the team is highlighted. Everyone supports each other, you give me a hand and I give you a hand, and no one gives up easily. Along the way, we met many believers who came to circumambulate the mountain and lamas who went up the mountain to practice. They had firm eyes, steady steps, and were chanting something. Their pious appearance deeply moved us, and we couldn't help but slow down our pace and immerse ourselves in this sacred atmosphere. Although it is not summer now, the scenery along the way is still exceptionally beautiful. The vegetation all over the mountains seems to have covered the mountains with a golden cloak. When you get closer, you will see pink vegetation and a few clusters of unknown wild flowers blooming tenaciously in the wind, adding bright colors to the monotonous mountain scenery. The spring water flowing down from the top of the mountain gently turns the water prayer wheel. The clear and pleasant sound echoes throughout the valley, adding a sense of piety to the hike. Halfway up the mountain, it is covered with thorns, which creates some obstacles to climbing and discourages some weak-willed climbers. We continued to move towards the top of the mountain. The altitude gradually increased and our steps became heavier. Finally, we arrived at the place of practice. There was smoke curling around the place. We walked into the house. The Buddha statues enshrined inside were solemn and majestic. The sounds of monks chanting scriptures echoed in our ears. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and our mind and body received unprecedented comfort. After a short rest at the retreat site, we continued to climb. The altitude gradually increased to nearly 5,000 meters. We were tired and lacked oxygen. The wind on the top of the mountain was so strong that it made it difficult for us to stand. We held on to the thought that we had come this far, and continued to climb against the strong wind. The higher we got to the top, the steeper the slope became. After another hour of hiking, we finally reached the summit! At this moment, all the fatigue disappeared! Looking down at the city of Lhasa below, the charm of the old city, the winding Lhasa River and the prosperity of Liuwu New District are all in sight, and a heroic feeling of "standing on the top of the mountain and overlooking all the mountains below" surges in my heart. The undulating snow-capped mountains in the distance contrasted with the blue sky and white clouds, forming a beautiful picture. We all took out our mobile phones to freeze this shocking moment. The beauty of this moment belongs to everyone who reached the summit. It was very cold at the top of the mountain and the wind made us sway from side to side. After a short stay, we started to go down the mountain. The way down the mountain is equally challenging, with huge rocks scattered around, and one needs to find a foothold carefully. It is easier to walk on places with rocks, but one is particularly worried when there is no gravel, only loose sand, and the mountain is steep. The entire way down the mountain is sliding, like sitting on a slide. This is when the climbers' shoes and balance ability are put to the test. When going up the mountain, the clothes are still white, but when going down the mountain, there are traces of mud all over, so it is not in vain. Hahaha, but with the experience of climbing the mountain and each other's company, we are no longer afraid, but full of joy. Along the way, everyone shared their thoughts on the hike. Some said they felt the power of nature, some said they were shocked by the religious culture, and some said they cherished the friendship among the team even more. When I returned to the hotel, although my body was a little tired, my heart was filled with joy. This hiking trip to the back mountain of Drepung Monastery is not only a physical exercise, but also an awe of nature and a reflection on life. For us at the Lagari Snow Dragon Manor Resort, it makes us better understand how to integrate the love for nature and culture into our daily services and to create a unique and wonderful experience for every guest who comes to the hotel. If you also long for a trip away from the hustle and bustle and close to nature and culture, you might as well try this route. I believe you will definitely gain a lot of touching moments and memories. Maybe, next time at the Lagali Snow Dragon Manor Resort, you will be able to hear us tell more interesting stories about our trip in person. We look forward to meeting you!