Rongphu:
Between Lhasa and the Nepal border stands the Rongphu Monastery - the highest monastery in the world. You won't question that claim, as its elevation (16,500 ft.- 4,980 m) is breathtaking - literally. The monastery was erected in 1902 and although it holds some interest within, the stunning views of ice-covered peaks and glaciers - and that rare glimpse of the tip of Mt. Everest - are the real attractions.
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Standing here in Tibet, you're only about 5 miles from the Everest Base Camp. The world's tallest mountain is called Qomolangma ("Mother of the Universe") by the Tibetans, Sagarmatha ("Forehead of the Sky") by the Nepalese and Mt. Everest (named after the British surveyor-general of India) to most Westerners.
The 29,035-foot (8850 m) peak continues to grow. The entire subcontinent of India sits on a tectonic plate which is edging northeastward, slowly crumpling into the stationary Eurasian plate, thereby thrusting up the Himalayan Mountains. As a result, on average, Mt. Everest grows almost an inch (2.4 centimeters) a year!
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The Everest Base Camp is remote; facility-wise, there's not much here save for support tents variously employed as "the world's highest teahouse," or "the world's highest post office." Visitors often gather up rocks (no small feat, given the rarified air at this elevation) and mount colorful prayer flags atop them. The views are glorious and unforgettable!
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Rongphu
is featured
on the following tour: |
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