Lhasa is a city and administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. The main urban area of Lhasa is roughly equivalent to the administrative borders of Chengguan District, which is part of the wider Lhasa prefecture-level city, an area formerly administered as a prefecture.
Lhasa is the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining and, at an altitude of 3,490 metres (11,450 ft), Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. The city has been the religious and administrative capital of Tibet since the mid-17th century. It contains many culturally significant Tibetan Buddhist sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka Palaces.
Understand : Lhasa, which means “Land of the Gods” and is over 1,300 years old, sits in a valley right next to the Lhasa River. In the eastern part of the city, near the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor neighborhood, Tibetan influence is still strong and evident and it is common to see traditionally dressed Tibetans engaged on a kora (a clockwise circumambulation or walk around the Jokhang Temple), often spinning prayer wheels. The western part of Lhasa is more ethnically Han Chinese in character. It is busy and modern and looks similar to many other Chinese cities. Much of the infrastructure, such as banks and government offices is to be found there.
Access : Coordinates: 29.65, 91.116667 /
Attractions :
- Potala Palace (Podrang Potala). A stronghold probably existed on Red Hill as early as the 7th century AD ,
- Barkhor Street Market – a circular street around the Jokhang Temple in the center of the old section of Lhasa .
- Jokhang Temple (Tsuglagkhang). Constructed in the 7th century AD ,
- Norbulingka Summer Palace. Located about 1 km south of the Potala Palace ,
- Drepung Monastery. Founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa, was the biggest and richest monastery in Tibet and its lamas helped to train each new young Dalai Lama , Tibet Museum, 19 Luobu Linka Rd. Elaborate museum with artifacts reflecting the entire history of Tibet , Ganden Monastery. Located on Wangbur Mountain, 47 kilometers (29 miles) from Lhasa City.
Go next : Norbulingka Summer Palace / Ramoche Temple / Sera Monastery.
