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Shigatse to Gyantse
Depending on how my Day 4 plan went, I will either head for Gyantse first thing in the morning, or I will spend the morning at the local police station jumping through hoops to get my temporary driving license. If the latter proves to be the case, I will make the short 90km/56 mile ride to Gyantse after lunch. If that red tape shakedown was not enough, the short ride will probably seem like eternity because of the 40km/h (25mph) speed
limit imposed by the traffic police. I'm told there are regular speed traps and patrol cars to strictly enforce the speed limit and that simply paying the fine is not an option. I have no plan to find out that the acceptable option might be. I've waited years to make this trip. A couple of slow roll hours will not kill me. the interactive map can be found here.
In contrast to Shigatse, Gyantse is said to be a
pastoral town that remains untouched by modern expansion. This could be a quaint good thing, or it could really suck. Either way, I'll spend the night at a comfortable 3,900 meters/12,800 feet.
