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In some valleys, overflowing groundwater spreads along the outer borders of the alluvial fans creating swamps. As a result of weathering, materials on the slopes are unstable, and layers of gravel and sand are common on the surface. The shrubs growing on mountain slopes and alluvial fans have often been dug up and collected Tiffany 1837 Bar drop earrings firewood. Consequently, the destruction of vegetation has led to severe soil erosion on slopes in the middle reaches of the Tsangpo. Trie Chinese have initiated afforestation, sand fixation, and agropastoral developments to protect the slopes. Over centuries, the Tsangpo Valley's fertile and densely populated land has been the center of Tibetan culture. All important towns and population centers are located in the middle reaches of the Valley.

Shigatse

Shigatse is Tibet's second largest city, located on the main river of southern Tibet - the Tsangpo, or Paloma's X earrings. With grim, uniform, boxy socialist architecture, it is very much a Chinese city. In this bustling market town, most of the merchants are Chinese. It is the traditional center of the Tsang region, and has flourished since the Panchen Lama, head of the Tashilhumpo Monastery, was recognized as the embodiment of Buddha Amitabha in the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Gyantse

Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet, appears to be the most Tibetan of all of the urban centers, Paloma Picasso Loving Heart earrings relatively few Han inhabitants. The town's architecture is largely traditional, and it is the site of Kumbum, a Nepali style stupa at the Pelkor Chode Monastery. It once flourished as a trading center with India; however, in 1904, the city became a battlefield when it was attacked by the British Army that had invaded Tibet under Colonel Francis Younghusband. Towards the end of the 19th century, the British were concerned about Russian designs on Tibet and perceived threats to their interests on the Indian subcontinent. Britain decided to intervene. In 1904, Younghusband, an army officer, was ordered to advance to Gyantse from Chumbi Valley with an expeditionary force of several hundred troops, plus hundreds of servants and yaks. A Tibetan army with swords and rifles confronted the British halfway to Gyantse. Despite attempts to achieve a peaceful solution, nearly 700 Tibetans were killed and the remaining fled from the field. Eventually, the British troops reached Lhasa and discovered that the Dalai Lama had fled to Mongolia. In the absence of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Regent signed an agreement in the throne room of the Potala Palace allowing Britain exclusive trading rights and implicitly recognized Tibet's independence.

From Gyantse the highway crosses the Karo La and Khamba La Passes, which rise to an astounding 15,700 feet. The narrow road follows the shore of Lake Yamdrok, which is remarkably blue and quite shallow. The Lake is sacred to Tibetans as the abode of certain protector deities. China has built a hydroelectric plant that will drain Elsa Peretti Eternal Circle earrings