Pala Manor in Shigatse

Pala Manor, also known as Paiku Manor, is a well-preserved serf manor located in the Banjorlhunbo Village, just a 10-minute drive from Gyantse County in the Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet. Let’s explore this historical gem:

Introduction

• Pala Manor was once owned by a Bhutanese chief named Pala. Due to civil strife in Bhutan, he moved to Tibet with his family and eventually became a local official.
• During the Tibet Democratic Reform in 1959, Pala left Tibet along with the Dalai Lama to live in exile.
• The manor originally included twenty-two smallholdings, six lots of grassland, and farmland covering approximately 8,600 Mu (1414.45 acres).
• More than 14,250 cattle grazed on the estate, and around 2,440 serfs worked there, performing tasks such as general farm labor, animal husbandry, and wine production.

Lifestyle and Contrasts

• The serfs had little freedom, endured harsh treatment, and lived in overcrowded conditions with minimal amenities.
• Meanwhile, the master enjoyed a grand lifestyle within the manor.
• The current Pala Manor covers an area of approximately 5,000 square meters (1.24 acres) and still contains fifty-seven houses.
• The main building is a three-story structure with a scripture hall, reception hall, and bedrooms.
• Exquisitely carved beams, painted rafters, and rich decorations adorn the maze of rooms.