How to find the Tanva Tibetan Carpet Weaving Workshop in Nam Village
Tanva is in Nam village, about 40 minutes drive from Lhasa, 20 minutes drive from Gongkar airport.
From Lhasa: Pass the famous carved Buddha on the cliff face. Then pass a large gas station on your right. About 5 minutes later you will enter Nam village, a rather strung-out settlement along the roadside. You will see the entrance to the Tanva workshop on your left, on a straight section of road.
From Gongkar Airport: After the tunnel, you will come around a bend in the road and pass a large gas station with a red pyramid-shaped roof on your left. A few minutes further on you will see the entrance to the Tanva workshop on your right. Other sights along the way You can combine your visit to Tanva with a visit to the Drolma Lakhang (Green Tara temple) on the way. This small and often overlooked temple was founded by Atisha in the 11th century and has superb sculptures dating from this period. The Tanva handmade rug workshop is situated near where a tributary meets the Kyichu river. The valley is well worth exploring on foot or via 4WD. There is a nunnery about 20 minutes drive up the track, on the southern side of the valley, and a monastery about an hour’s drive up the track. Both establishments belong to the Druk Kagyu order, the main sect in Bhutan. The nunnery in particular is a delightful picnic spot.
Lost? call (or have your driver call) our manager Norbu (see sidebar).