The valley road from the main highway to Tsurphu passes through the Tolung River valley, a narrow corridor of pasture and high ridges that is visually and atmospherically distinct from the Lhasa plain. Nomadic camps of black yak-hair tents appear in summer, and herds of yaks and sheep graze the hillsides. The contrast with the urbanised outskirts of Lhasa, left behind within twenty minutes' driving, is immediate and sharp.
For those with time, the walk from the monastery up the hillside behind the complex — following the pilgrim circuit that circumambulates Tsurphu — takes about an hour and offers wide views over the valley. The circuit passes a sky burial site (approach respectfully and do not photograph), several prayer flags strung between ridges, and reaches a ridge with views back toward Lhasa in the distance. The altitude here is around 4,500 metres, which is higher than most visitors have been comfortable at in Lhasa, so take it slowly.