Lhasa is the most important city in modern and historical Tibet, both religiously and politically; located in the geographical center of central Tibet, it is home to the sacred center of Tibet in the Jokhang Temple and the famed Potala Palace, from which the Dalai Lamas ruled over Tibet.
Repgong (རེབ་གོང་།) is the center of Tibetan arts in Amdo. The hundreds of artists who live in Repgong paint thangka, sculpt religious statues, embroider religious motifs on wall hangings, and design stupas. At the edge of town is Rongwu Monastery, which has been beautifully decorated by monk artisans.
Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag (district) is the easternmost district in the country of Bhutan. Well known for its sacred sites such as Chorten Kora and highly skilled weavers of traditional textiles, Trashiyangtse has recently become more accessible through the opening of a regional airport at Yongphula.
Paro Dzongkhag (district) traces its Buddhist roots to the activities of Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo in the 7th century, who is credited with building the Kyichu Temple located slightly north of town. In the 8th century, the Indian master Guru Rinpoche is believed to have undertaken ritual practice at the famous cliff-side Taktsang (Tiger's Den) Monastery, which remains a major pilgrimage site. In addition to the country's only international airport, Paro is also home to a regional hospital, the Paro College of Education, the National Museum of Bhutan, and the Wangsel Institute, which educates deaf children.
