Ask a QuestionLhasa is the political and cultural center of Tibet, the mysterious land. Best Places to visit in Lhasa would like to introduce some of the most Famous Places in this “city of sunlight”, to help you find your way to explore this unspoiled remote but religious city. Where to visit in Lhasa? Come with us, you will not have chance to visit the well-known world heritage sites, to tour the dignified monasteries, you will also be impressed by the well-kept local custom and great natural wonders, etc.
Altitude: more than 3,700 meters
Opening Hours: 9:00-15:30
Highlights: Landmark of Lhasa and Tibet, one of the representatives of ancient architectures of China
Location: 35 Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet, China
Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, the awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city.
Built against the Red Hill, Potala Palace is a spectacular castle-like building complex of Lhasa, which is used to be the unification centre of political and religious of Tibet. Covered an area of over 360, 000 square meters, it is a great palace of art with creative designing and gorgeous decoration. Its conservative religious atmosphere, precious scriptures, murals, jewels and antiques housed inside, earning it a place on UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site list.
Recommended Tour: 4 Days Best Lhasa Tour
Altitude: About 3,650 meters
Opening Hours: 8:30-18:30
Highlights: Important temple to the Tibetan Buddhism
Location: Over 2 kilometers from the Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple, is the irreplaceable representative of Tibetan religion. One can even say that this temple occupies an unchallengeable position of Tibetan Buddhism. The Jokhang Temple, which located in the center of old Lhasa city, with the Barkhor Street surrounded, formed the “heart” of ancient Lhasa.
Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo, Jokhang Temple is the oldest civil-structure building in Tibet that has a history of more than 1,300 years. It well mixed Tibetan, Tang-Dynasty, Nepalese and Indian style of architecture together, initiated a new space layout model for Tibetan monastery.
As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lhasa, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace.
Altitude: About 3,650 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: Famous street near the Jokhang Temple, commercial center of Lhasa
Location: Over 1 kilometer from the Potala Palace
Barkhor Street, a circular street at the center of Lhasa, is the oldest street in a very traditional city of Tibet. Barkhor is the road that pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. When walking along Barkhor Street, you should move in the clockwise direction.
Now, Barkhor Street is a famous commercial and commodity-distributing center in Lhasa, consisting of more than 120 handicrafts shops and more than 200 stalls. It is a good choice that should never be missed by tourists coming to Lhasa, for you can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits.
It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid when touring Lhasa.
Altitude: About 3,700 meters
Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00
Highlights: One of the most famous monasteries in Lhasa, significant temple of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug sect
Location: No.1 Sela Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet, China(About 6 kilometers from Potala Palace)
Sera Monastery, as one of the three grand monasteries in Lhasa, along with Gandan Monastery and Drepung Monastery, is famous for its copper Buddhist Statue, Religious Painting and Buddhism Debating, etc. It lies on the piedmont of Mt. Selawuzi, on the foot of it you can find lots of wild rose overgrew, thus "Wild Rose Monastery” is a romantic nickname of this monastery.
The whole construction mainly consists of the Coqen Hall, the Dratsang (place for studying) and the Kangcun (residence), etc. The Hayagriva Statue in Coqen Hall is the most popular attraction for tourists, but it has a special religious meaning for local followers.
Besides, the intense Buddhist Debating is another spotlight of this monastery. Everyday in the afternoon, monks with a center learning of Buddhism will come to the courtyard of debating to practice their skill, two men as a team or one to many.
In Tibet, Buddhism Debating is a required practice course for monks, a way of logical inference bases on Sunyavada System. Its history can be dated back to Tang Dynasty, some 1,200 years ago.
Altitude: Over 3,600 meters
Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00
Highlights: The largest, most beautiful garden in Tibet, one of the centers of Shoton Festival(雪顿节) of Lhasa
Location: About 1 kilometer from Potala Palace
Norbulingkha(罗布林卡), Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple composes of the Historical Architectural Complex of Potala Palace of Lhasa. Norbulingkha is the World Cultural Heritage, which is a typical Tibetan-style garden. Norbulingkha is the office building of Dalai Lama of past dynasties and the place of avoiding the heat. It is located in the western suburb of Lhasa.
At Norbulingkha, you can see plants and flowers from Tibet and the Himalayas. Here you can see religious relics like statues of Buddhas, pagodas, Tangka and murals. You can also see some relics rewarded by emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties.
Norbulingkha is one of the centers of Shoton Festival(also known as Yogurt Festival) in Lhasa every year. During the seven days from the first day of July to the seventh day of the Tibetan calendar, Tibetan operas were be performed here every day. Tibetans will get together at the Norbulingkha and its surrounding areas before the Shoton Festival. They will stay in the colorful tents here and there. These tents also form some lively markets.
Altitude: About 3,700 meters
Opening Hours:
November to April: 10:00-17:30
May to October: 9:30-18:30
Highlights: One of the most important museums in Tibet and China
Location: No.2 on the Minzu South Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Located near the Norbulingkha, Tibet Museum is one of the most famous museums in Tibet. Tibet Museum is the best place to understand Tibetan civilization. At Tibet Museum, you can know about the history, culture and folk culture of Tibet. There are permanent exhibitions, themed exhibitions and temporary exhibitions at Tibet Museum.
At Tibet Museum, you can admire the Tibetan-style architectures and wooden decoration as well as enjoy the modern equipment. You will encounter Tibetan clothing, festivals and customs. Tibet Museum is also an ideal place to know about the Tibetan Buddhism.
Altitude: 4,718 meters
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30
Highlights: One of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet
Location: About 250 kilometers from Lhasa(about 5-6 hours’ drive)
Namtso Lake is one of the largest lakes in Tibet and highest saltwater lakes in the world. Namtso Lake means heavenly lake in Tibetan, and it is one of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet. Namtso Lake is known as its turquoise-blue water, surrounding snow mountains and serene atmosphere.
Regarded as the sacred lake in Tibetan Buddhism, Namtso Lake is the place where the pilgrims make kora. At the Namtso Lake, you will meet Buddhist caves, prayer flags and monasteries. And you can also trek around the lake for sections.
Namtso Lake provides peace, clear skies and photography opportunities. Far from city noise, you may meet yaks, nomadic herders, alpine meadows and Tibetan villages, where you can experience the life of the local people.
Altitude: 4,441 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: One of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet
Location: Langkazi County, Shannan, Tibet, China(About 120 kilometers from Lhasa, about 2 hours’ drive)
Yamdrok(羊卓雍措) means turquoise lake in Tibetan. It is one of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet, which is known as its turquoise color and winding shape like beautiful coral branches. As the largest enclosed inland lake in the south of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, you can see highland lake, snow-capped mountains, pastures, hot springs and monasteries at the Yamdrok Lake.
There are several viewing platforms at Yamdrok Lake, where you can have a panoramic view of the lake. On sunny days, the color of the Yamdrok is breathtakingly blue, which is more impressive with the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
At Yamdrok Lake, you may meet pilgrims trekking around the lake on kora(circumambulation), where you can know more about the Tibetan Buddhism. You can also make light trekking around the Yamdrok Lake with the stunning view of the clear sky, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lake.
Our clients at Yamdrok Lake
As highland area, the attractions of Lhasa are with high altitudes over 3,000 meters. Traveling to Lhasa and Tibet, please pay attention to the altitude sickness. It is recommended to carry portable oxygen cylinders in case of emergency. Entering Lhasa and Tibet, you need to apply for the Tibet Entry Permit in advance. For your convenience, it is recommended that you visit Tibet and Lhasa together with Top China Travel who will help you create your unique and smooth Tibet and China travel in China without worries.
More famous attractions in Lhasa please click: Lhasa Attractions
Highly Recommended Tours: Lhasa Tours
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