Gyantse, also known as Gyangtse, is the fourth largest city in Tibet and is located 254 km southwest of Lhasa at an altitude of 3977 meters. The city is located along the ancient trade route of Chumbi Valley, Yatung, and Sikkim, which meet here in the Nyang Chu Valley.
Gyantse is known for its fort, the Palkhor Monastery, and the Kumbum Stupa. The latter is considered to be one of the most stunning temples in the world, whose construction dates from 1418 to 1427.
The Stupa is located on the site of the Palkhor Monastery, which is considered an important center of the Skaya school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The city was almost destroyed by flooding in 1954. Today, however, as well as the monastery is largely reconstructed, only the fort is a ruin and closed to visitors.