![Driving out of Lhasa for Tsetang, 183 km southeast of the city](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705086.bkeCko8u.TibetOct081037.jpg) Driving out of Lhasa for Tsetang, 183 km southeast of the city |
![Vehicle substitution required when the tour operator provided a vehicle with no seat belts](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705088.W5KNVrwe.TibetOct081038.jpg) Vehicle substitution required when the tour operator provided a vehicle with no seat belts |
![The guide said we don't use seatbelts - I said I just have one life](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705090.kRRgjfpv.TibetOct081039.jpg) The guide said "we don't use seatbelts" - I said "I just have one life" |
![Caohejing Road - the Beijing Olympics had ended just prior to my 2008 visit](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705092.fyl9ZLg2.TibetOct081040.jpg) Caohejing Road - the Beijing Olympics had ended just prior to my 2008 visit |
![Rugged rocky pinnacles rising over Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705095.GPKdBz7l.TibetOct081041.jpg) Rugged rocky pinnacles rising over Lhasa |
![Impressive new building on the west side of Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705097.qParqro3.TibetOct081042.jpg) Impressive new building on the west side of Lhasa |
![Leaving Lhasa to the west on Caohejing Road](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705099.2gY7gWP0.TibetOct081043.jpg) Leaving Lhasa to the west on Caohejing Road |
![Impressive new building on the west side of Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705103.lNgb2Ryw.TibetOct081044.jpg) Impressive new building on the west side of Lhasa |
![We turn left here towards Lhasa's Gongkar Airport, 94 km from the city](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705105.qvwJdl1w.TibetOct081045.jpg) We turn left here towards Lhasa's Gongkar Airport, 94 km from the city |
![The road along the west bank of the Lhasa River showing autumn colors](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705108.H27hINFp.TibetOct081046.jpg) The road along the west bank of the Lhasa River showing autumn colors |
![Prayer flags spread across the road](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705110.qAuMhugg.TibetOct081048.jpg) Prayer flags spread across the road |
![Brief stop at a roadside shrine](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705113.g7j1t5li.TibetOct081050.jpg) Brief stop at a roadside shrine |
![Large rock-cut painted Great Buddha at km 11](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705117.U2csqofV.TibetOct081052.jpg) Large rock-cut painted Great Buddha at km 11 |
![TibetOct08 1051.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705115.au9D4aAG.TibetOct081051.jpg) TibetOct08 1051.jpg |
![Rock carving of White Tara, km 11 on Lhasa Airport road](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705119.MnqImxnb.TibetOct081053.jpg) Rock carving of White Tara, km 11 on Lhasa Airport road |
![New official looking building around km 12 of highway between Lhasa and the Airport](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705121.yE6iwKE7.TibetOct081054.jpg) New official looking building around km 12 of highway between Lhasa and the Airport |
![No seatbelt? Yeah, right!](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705124.6mqFohdz.TibetOct081055.jpg) No seatbelt? Yeah, right! |
![Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705126.CfNrv58z.TibetOct081056.jpg) Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River |
![Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705128.QoUyvMp5.TibetOct081058.jpg) Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River |
![Slow moving vehicle](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705131.E9EAE41U.TibetOct081059.jpg) Slow moving vehicle |
![Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705133.Na3PPXvU.TibetOct081061.jpg) Road south from Lhasa along the Lhasa River |
![Leaves starting to change color, early October](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705135.ssjAbHST.TibetOct081062.jpg) Leaves starting to change color, early October |
![Turnoff for the new bridge-tunnel-bridge for Lhasa Airport - Rikaze straight on](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705137.laRD5fAV.TibetOct081064.jpg) Turnoff for the new bridge-tunnel-bridge for Lhasa Airport - Rikaze straight on |
![There is a new bridge across the Lhasa River opened in 2005](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705139.H91ApIny.TibetOct081065.jpg) There is a new bridge across the Lhasa River opened in 2005 |
![The new bridges and tunnels reduced the distance from Lhasa to the airport from 95 to 55 km](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705141.RuWJGToT.TibetOct081066.jpg) The new bridges and tunnels reduced the distance from Lhasa to the airport from 95 to 55 km |
![Crossing the Lhasa River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705152.YTSDBMsf.TibetOct081072.jpg) Crossing the Lhasa River |
![The entrance to the new tunnel between Lhasa and the airport at Gonkar](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705154.bmdGZHLq.TibetOct081075.jpg) The entrance to the new tunnel between Lhasa and the airport at Gonkar |
![The tunnel is 2.5 km long](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705156.SwvuLMhY.TibetOct081076.jpg) The tunnel is 2.5 km long |
![Emerging on the south side of the tunnel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705159.sGoAl2P6.TibetOct081078.jpg) Emerging on the south side of the tunnel |
![The airport shortcut is completed by the new bridge over the Yaluzangbu River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705161.Bb3Oz1K0.TibetOct081079.jpg) The airport shortcut is completed by the new bridge over the Yaluzangbu River |
![Yarlung Tsangpo River (Yaluzangbu) the highest major river in the world](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705164.r4jijccO.TibetOct081081.jpg) Yarlung Tsangpo River (Yaluzangbu) the highest major river in the world |
![In India, the Yarlung Tsangpo River becomes the Brahmaputra](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705168.lUDAAo9C.TibetOct081083.jpg) In India, the Yarlung Tsangpo River becomes the Brahmaputra |
![Main channel of the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705171.Z2QObQQG.TibetOct081085.jpg) Main channel of the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![Forest chowing autumn colors on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705174.NKJQvxct.TibetOct081086.jpg) Forest chowing autumn colors on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![Gongkar, the small town where Lhasa's airport is located](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705176.gAcKX3qb.TibetOct081090.jpg) Gongkar, the small town where Lhasa's airport is located |
![Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) elevation 11,811 ft](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105732792.JWOBzlhK.TibetOct081576.jpg) Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) elevation 11,811 ft |
![China Petroleum, Gongkar](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105705179.mzQRqQnY.TibetOct081091.jpg) China Petroleum, Gongkar |
![Tibetan woman collecting firewood along the road, Gangshung](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706585.mZ6wPMeB.TibetOct081092.jpg) Tibetan woman collecting firewood along the road, Gangshung |
![Gangshung School - the Chinese consider bringing schools to Tibet to be one of their achievements](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706586.tOD1dO9Y.TibetOct081093.jpg) Gangshung School - the Chinese consider bringing schools to Tibet to be one of their achievements |
![Rugged stone house common in the small villages outside Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706587.L96hmKmf.TibetOct081095.jpg) Rugged stone house common in the small villages outside Lhasa |
![Heading east for Tsetang along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just past Drashung](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706588.cliFbF8c.TibetOct081097.jpg) Heading east for Tsetang along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just past Drashung |
![Sturdy stone out along the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706589.ey8UVdfq.TibetOct081099.jpg) Sturdy stone out along the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![Building in Chedzhol Dzong flying the Chinese flag over a fancy gate (N28.2814/E91.1136)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706590.iEc1S6OI.TibetOct081102.jpg) Building in Chedzhol Dzong flying the Chinese flag over a fancy gate (N28.2814/E91.1136) |
![Tibetans waiting for the bus perhaps](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706591.p7Vrcxg7.TibetOct081103.jpg) Tibetans waiting for the bus perhaps |
![Heading east for Tsetang along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706592.15qdg5UU.TibetOct081106.jpg) Heading east for Tsetang along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![Tibetan home with a large haystack](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706593.084Xy1o7.TibetOct081109.jpg) Tibetan home with a large haystack |
![Passing through the driver's village (Drachi?) we stopped for a short visit](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706596.iMxbRERC.TibetOct081114.jpg) Passing through the driver's village (Drachi?) we stopped for a short visit |
![Kids in the driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706597.03PsRksh.TibetOct081116.jpg) Kids in the driver's village |
![The driver's house](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706598.Z1dhcAjd.TibetOct081118.jpg) The driver's house |
![The driver's house](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706599.vQyUGKRE.TibetOct081119.jpg) The driver's house |
![The driver's house](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706600.3M9FDCNy.TibetOct081120.jpg) The driver's house |
![The driver and his son with yak butter tea](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706601.bqjlxqwA.TibetOct081121.jpg) The driver and his son with yak butter tea |
![The colorfully decorated living room of the driver's house](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706602.uMr7gsDp.TibetOct081122.jpg) The colorfully decorated living room of the driver's house |
![The driver's kitchen, complete with Mao and Hu Jintao photos](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706603.s5DJfERn.TibetOct081123.jpg) The driver's kitchen, complete with Mao and Hu Jintao photos |
![Professional painters come and decorate the house interiors](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706604.kuRGFEJX.TibetOct081124.jpg) Professional painters come and decorate the house interiors |
![The driver's daughter taking me on a walk through the village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706605.3lXNU8CA.TibetOct081126.jpg) The driver's daughter taking me on a walk through the village |
![The driver's village, about halfway between Gonggar and Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706606.vwlOjSKB.TibetOct081127.jpg) The driver's village, about halfway between Gonggar and Tsetang |
![Ornate gateway to a Tibetan home](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706608.jRK2mR4x.TibetOct081128.jpg) Ornate gateway to a Tibetan home |
![The driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706610.9x0hidL0.TibetOct081129.jpg) The driver's village |
![The driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706612.lR5u54Lf.TibetOct081131.jpg) The driver's village |
![The driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706614.qUdSB4Xe.TibetOct081134.jpg) The driver's village |
![The driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706616.tPz6POB7.TibetOct081135.jpg) The driver's village |
![The driver's village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706618.Ya5vRgeT.TibetOct081136.jpg) The driver's village |
![The main road along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706620.5rFJNkj1.TibetOct081137.jpg) The main road along the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![Back on the road headed for Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706622.DcspV5VH.TibetOct081138.jpg) Back on the road headed for Tsetang |
![The road rejoins the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706624.5KedgdsH.TibetOct081142.jpg) The road rejoins the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River |
![I was surprised to find sand dunes along the road](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706628.dbFOb9Lz.TibetOct081147.jpg) I was surprised to find sand dunes along the road |
![Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706629.w6DrXpn7.TibetOct081148.jpg) Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang |
![Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706632.4WFhLq9m.TibetOct081150.jpg) Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang |
![Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706634.Fby2A6d7.TibetOct081151.jpg) Sand dunes on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River just west of Tsetang |
![The road to Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105706636.FAY6i0Q1.TibetOct081153.jpg) The road to Tsetang |