I thought the Potala Palace was beautiful enough, until I went to Sertar...

Sertar on Earth | The ultimate guide for May–August: Read this before you go! If you're longing for a soul-cleansing trip, Sertar is a must-visit destination. From May to August, Sertar has a pleasant climate, with green mountains and plains contrasting with the red Buddhist country, creating a breathtaking view. But if you want to have fun and avoid pitfalls, you'll need this guide! Basic information you should know - Location: Sertar County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is about 600 km from Chengdu, and the journey takes about 10 hrs. The scenery along the way is picturesque, so don't miss the views outside the window. - Altitude: The altitude of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy is 4,127m, and the altitude of Sertar County is 3,781m. When traveling in high-altitude areas, it is important to take precautions against altitude sickness in advance. - Ticket information: Sertar is a county, not a scenic spot in the traditional sense, so there is no entrance ticket. However, the bus ticket to the Buddhist Academy is equivalent to an entrance ticket, and there are several price points: CNY 30/48/168. The CNY 168 ticket may include some special experiences or services. Please consult locally for details. Keep the ticket-purchasing guide in mind Tickets can only be purchased offline at the Jinma Distribution Center in Sertar County. There are two departure points to choose from: one is from the Jinma Distribution Center in Sertar County, which costs CNY 48/person; the other is from the Luoruo Town Distribution Center, where the Buddhist Academy is located, which costs CNY 30/person. The two places are more than 20 km apart, so be careful not to buy the wrong ticket. In addition, the departure times are fixed, so be sure to plan your time in advance before traveling to avoid delaying your trip. Endless unique attractions - Larung Gar Buddhist Academy: One of the largest Tibetan Buddhist academies in the world, with red monks' houses all over the mountains, surrounding several magnificent golden halls like stars surrounding the moon. The scene is extremely shocking. Here, you can listen to the chanting of the lamas and nuns and feel the power of faith. It is recommended to go to the viewing platform at sunset to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Buddhist Academy shrouded in the golden sunset. - Sky Burial Platform: This is a display site of the traditional Tibetan funeral method. Although the process is a bit shocking, it can give people a deeper understanding and awe of life. Sky burials are generally held in the afternoon. Please remain quiet and respectful when watching, and do not make loud noises or take pictures. - Dongga Temple: Known as one of the "Three Great Temples of Sertar", it is the first of the 13 Buddhist temples in Sertar in ancient and modern times. The temple enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni, and the three walls are painted with ancient religious murals. The red pillars are carved with dragons and flowers, which are of extremely high artistic value. - Jinma Grassland: Wildflowers bloom in summer, and cattle and sheep gather in groups, making it a good place for hiking and photography. Stroll through it, feel the vastness and freedom of the grassland, and experience special activities such as horseback riding. Taste all kinds of special delicacies - Tsampa: Fry highland barley, grind it into flour, mix it with tea, add a little ghee and milk residue, mix it by hand and knead it into a ball to eat. It has a unique fragrance and is the traditional staple food of Tibetans. - Butter tea: Made from ghee and strong tea. Put an appropriate amount of ghee into a special bucket, add salt, pour in strong tea juice, and stir with a wooden handle until milky. This is an essential drink for Tibetans every day, which can replenish energy and keep you warm. - Yak yogurt: The surface layer has a creamy yellow hard fat milk skin, and the yogurt underneath is soft, thick, white as snow, and has a sweet, sour, and cool taste. It is an ideal health drink. - Yak Meat Covered with Quilt: The yak meat is at the bottom and covered with a layer of cake, which has an interesting shape. The yak meat is firm and tastes unique when paired with the pancake. - Hand-grabbed Tuotuo Meat: Cut the meat into large pieces and cook it. After it is cooked, cut it with a knife and eat it. It is original and full of local characteristics. Helpful notes - Altitude sickness prevention: Sertar is about 4,000m above sea level, so altitude sickness is likely to occur. Take Rhodiola Rosea continuously for a week before departure. Avoid strenuous exercise and bathing on the day you arrive in Sertar. You can prepare glucose and oxygen cylinders to deal with altitude sickness. - Bring your documents: Be sure to bring your ID card. Those without an ID card, compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, and foreign friends cannot enter. Foreign friends also need to apply for a letter of introduction in advance. - Visiting time: You usually only have 1 hr to visit the Buddhist Academy. If you miss the bus, you can take the bus in the temple or walk down the mountain. - Night view: If you want to see the night view, you can take the bus out after sunset, no later than 9pm. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so remember to keep warm and bring a thick coat. - Cultural respect: Sertar is a place for monks and nuns to practice, so respect the local culture. Do not make loud noises in the Buddhist Academy, and turn the prayer wheel clockwise; do not take photos of monks and locals without permission; avoid eating meat, scallions, ginger, garlic and other foods that monks abstain from in public places.