"Apart from my hotel, all the rest of the buildings in Gyantse were built in the traditional Tibetan style so gave little indication to the date of their construction, though most of them seemed to look quite old. Because of this it came as a surprise to me to read later that this town, which had once been the centre of the Tibetan woollen industry, had been largely washed away by severe floods in 1954.
 
On my last day in Gyantse I was able to witness part of a festival, for which many pilgrims had been arriving. Dancing took place in a square close to the monastery entrance. The dancers, who were all male, moved slowly around in a ring to the beat of their drums. Though I did not find the dancing in itself very exciting, the colourful costumes of the dancers and the watching crowds, (which must have included most of the population), I found all in all a fascinating experience. Apart from a small film crew that I think were German, I seemed to be the only other westerner." - MH