Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery lies 4 km north of Lhasa, and was one of only eight [of some 3000] monasteries in all of Tibet to be spared the vicissitudes of the Cultural Revolution. It is here that the monks' famous daily debates take place, at 3.30pm. They are highly stylized with much clapping and stamping, and always attract many spectators. Photos are no problem, which is very rare in Tibet, so make the best of it. Sky burials are still occasionally practiced at Sera, although they are much less common than they used to be because of the unholy and unhealthy interest shown by tourists. It is considered the height of indecency to intrude upon a sky burial. [The deceased is chopped into pieces and left on the mountains for the vultures.] Keep well away, curiosity notwithstanding.