Travel Guide

The Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill in the center of Lhasa, Tibet. It is a world-renowned palatial complex, a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism, and the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. It integrates palaces, castles, and monasteries, stands at an altitude of about 3700 meters, and consists of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The Potala Palace was first built in the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo of the Tubo Kingdom, and was later rebuilt in the 17th century, becoming the highest and most magnificent palace in the world. The palace houses countless treasures, murals, and Buddha statues, serving as a treasure trove for understanding Tibetan history, culture, and religious art. In 1994, the Potala Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and a central pilgrimage destination for its followers. It was built by Songtsen Gampo, the King of the Tubo Kingdom, in 640 AD, initially to enshrine the Akshobhya Buddha statue brought by Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Later, the 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha statue brought by Princess Wencheng when she entered Tibet was also enshrined here, making it one of the most sacred temples in Tibet. The Jokhang Temple blends Tibetan, Tang, and Nepalese architectural styles, enjoys constant incense burning throughout the year, and is an extension project of the Potala Palace historical complex, a World Cultural Heritage site.

Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, located in the northern part of Lhasa. It was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The monastic complex includes the Coqen Hall (Great Assembly Hall) and the three Dratsangs (colleges): Sera Je Dratsang, Sera Me Dratsang, and Ngakpa Dratsang, which were important Buddhist academies. Sera Monastery is famous for its unique monk debate activities, attracting many tourists. During the 1959 Lhasa uprising, the monastery suffered severe damage, and a parallel Sera Monastery was later established in India.

Norbulingka, meaning "Jewel Park" in Tibetan, was built in 1755. It is a palace and its surrounding park located in Lhasa, Tibet, China. It served as the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas from the 1780s until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. Norbulingka is part of the "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace," recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and was inscribed on the list in 2001 as an extension of that historic ensemble. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama, it served as both an administrative and religious center and is a unique representative of Tibetan palace architecture. Norbulingka Palace is located in the western part of Lhasa, not far southwest of the Potala Palace, covering an area of approximately 36 hectares (89 acres), and is considered the largest man-made garden in Tibet.

The Tibet Museum is the only modern comprehensive museum in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, officially opened on October 5, 1999. Its architecture blends traditional Tibetan and modern styles, housing over 520,000 cultural relics, including pottery, jade, and Buddhist statues. Approximately 1,000 artifacts are on permanent display, covering Tibet's cultural history, art, and architectural design.

Potala Palace Square is located in the heart of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and is an important public space in front of the Potala Palace. As an excellent place for Lhasa citizens to relax and tourists to admire the Potala Palace, the square offers an open view and magnificent grandeur. The Potala Palace, once the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, was built in 1645 and is the highest palace in the world, integrating a palace, castle, and monastery into one magnificent structure. The square is one of the best locations for panoramic views of the Potala Palace and also hosts many important festive events.

Ganden Monastery, full name Ganden Namgyal Ling, is located on Wangbur Mountain in Dagze County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, about 40 kilometers northeast of Lhasa City. It is the ancestral monastery of the Gelug school (Yellow Hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409, and is known as one of the 'Three Great Monasteries of Lhasa' along with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Ganden Monastery was once a center for Gelug school teaching and research, cultivating numerous eminent monks. Although severely damaged in 1959 and during the Cultural Revolution, the monastery has been undergoing reconstruction since the 1980s. The monastery is situated on a mountain peak at an altitude of approximately 4300 meters, offering magnificent views. Its architectural complex includes the stupa hall of Je Tsongkhapa, as well as numerous halls and monks' quarters, making it an important site for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims and tourists.

Drepung Monastery, meaning 'Rice Heap' in Tibetan, is located at the foot of Mount Gephel Utse in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school and the largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chöje Tashi Palden, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa. It served as the center of the Gelug school and the residence of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built. Drepung Monastery is renowned for its rigorous academic studies and is known as 'the Nalanda of Tibet,' referring to the famous Buddhist monastic university in India. Historical records indicate that Drepung Monastery once housed two centers of power: the 'Lower Palace' (Zimkhang 'og ma), associated with future Dalai Lamas, and the 'Upper Palace' (Zimkhang gong ma), associated with the descendants of Sonam Drakpa (a renowned teacher who died in 1554). The Dalai Lamas' estate within Drepung Monastery was known as Ganden Phodrang, built by the 2nd Dalai Lama Gendun Gyatso in 1518. The Tibetan government established by the 5th Dalai Lama also took its name from this estate. In 1936-37, Drepung Monastery was reported to be the largest monastery in the world, housing 7,700 monks, sometimes even as many as 10,000. In the 1950s, Drepung Monastery, along with the other two great Gelug monasteries (Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery), was re-established in Karnataka, India. Drepung and Ganden are located in Mundgod, while Sera is in Bylakuppe.

Yaowang Mountain is located in Chengguan District, Lhasa City, and is one of Lhasa's famous attractions. Yaowang Mountain Park was expanded and renovated in 2008, reaching an area of 23,600 square meters. There is a large square in the center of the park, featuring a sculpture named 'Treasure of the Plateau'. Yaowang Mountain is an excellent location for photographing the Potala Palace.

Zaki Temple is a Gelug school Tibetan Buddhist monastery and the only God of Wealth temple in Lhasa. It is very popular and said to be highly efficacious. The temple is located on Zaki Road in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. It is not large in scale, but it is constantly filled with incense smoke and bustling with people. The God of Wealth at Zaki Temple is known as 'Zaki Lamu' in Tibetan. It is said that she can bless all beings and grant all wishes. The temple primarily enshrines Zaki Lamu, and also has a Four-faced Buddha Hall and a Protector Hall. On the 3rd, 5th, 15th, and 25th days of each Tibetan month, pilgrims come in an endless stream. Many tourists and local residents purchase offerings such as highland barley wine and hada here to present to the God of Wealth, praying for good fortune and prosperous business.

The Sera Monastery Debating Courtyard is one of the most distinctive and attractive attractions within Sera Monastery in Lhasa. Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, renowned for its unique monk debate activities. Every afternoon, monks here engage in lively Buddhist debates in the debating courtyard. They explore Buddhist philosophy through exaggerated gestures, loud questions, and witty answers, creating a vibrant scene full of wisdom and power. It is an important window into understanding Tibetan Buddhist culture and the monastic life of monks. The debates are a major highlight of Sera Monastery, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Tsurphu Monastery is located upstream of the Tsurphu River in Doilungdêqên District, Lhasa City. It is the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional seat of the Karmapas. It was founded by the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, in 1159, and officially completed in 1189. The monastery is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains at an altitude of approximately 4300 meters, covering an area of about 300 square meters, with walls up to 4 meters thick. The monastery once housed a thousand monks, but was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in 1966. Reconstruction began in 1980. The 17th Karmapa was recognized and resided here until he left Tibet for India in 2000.

The Lhasa Grand Mosque of Tibet, also known as Hebalin Mosque, is located in Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The mosque was originally built in 1716 and expanded in 1793, primarily by Kashmiri merchants settled in Lhasa. After being destroyed by Tibetan residents during the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the mosque was rebuilt and renovated. During the Cultural Revolution, the mosque was converted into a committee office and a site for agricultural cooperatives. In 1978, the mosque resumed its function as a religious site. During the 2008 Tibetan unrest, the mosque was again set on fire by Tibetan residents. The mosque features a three-courtyard layout, with a total area of 2600 square meters. The building area is 1300 square meters, including facilities such as the prayer hall, side rooms, bunkers, ablution hall, and bathrooms. The prayer hall is located in the west, covering an area of 285 square meters, and consists of an inner hall, an open hall, and a main platform. Its architectural style blends traditional Tibetan architecture with local religious characteristics.

Barkhor Street is the busiest commercial street in the heart of Lhasa's old town, and also a famous kora (pilgrimage circuit). It originated in the 7th century AD and still retains the original appearance of Lhasa's ancient city. As Lhasa's oldest street, Barkhor Street is a pilgrimage route formed around Jokhang Temple, a 'sacred path' for Tibetan Buddhist devotees to circumambulate clockwise, and an excellent place to experience local culture, shop, and taste local delicacies.

Nechung Monastery is the seat of the Nechung Oracle of Tibet, also known as the 'Demon Fortress of the Oracle King'. It is located about a 10-minute walk below Drepung Monastery and was once the residence of Pehar, the three-headed, six-armed deity (the principal protector deity of the Gelug school), and the seat of the Nechung Oracle or Nechung Kuten. It is a medium-sized monastery that once housed about one hundred monks. During the Cultural Revolution and the Chinese annexation of Tibet, Nechung Monastery was almost completely destroyed, but has now been largely restored.

Shol, also known as Xuecun or Xia'er, is a historic village at the foot of the Potala Palace. It once served as the administrative center of the Tibetan local government, housing official residences, a prison, a printing house, stables, and warehouses. It is an important part of the Potala Palace complex, showcasing the social life and administrative management of old Tibet.

The Tibet Peaceful Liberation Monument is located on the south side of Potala Palace Square and was built to commemorate the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The monument's foundation was laid on July 18, 2001, and it was unveiled on May 22, 2002. It is a 37-meter-high obelisk-style concrete structure, designed by Professor Qi Kang from Southeast University in Nanjing, abstractly depicting Mount Everest. The monument body is inscribed with its name, written by former General Secretary of the Central Committee and President Jiang Zemin, as well as an inscription about Tibet's "expulsion of imperialist" forces and socio-economic development in 1951. The inscription is carved in both Tibetan and Chinese languages, recording the historical process of Tibet's peaceful liberation and the achievements made thereafter, including democratic reforms, the abolition of serfdom, and the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Lhasa River is a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, originating from the southern side of the central section of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, with a total length of approximately 450 kilometers. It flows through Lhasa city, serving as Lhasa's mother river. The scenery along its banks is beautiful, making it an excellent place to enjoy natural landscapes. The riverside scenery is renowned for its expansive views, clear blue sky, pristine river water, and distant continuous mountain ranges, making it an an ideal place to relax and experience Tibetan culture.

Ramoche Temple, known in Tibetan as 'Gyada Ramoche', meaning 'Han-Tiger Shrine', was first built in the 7th century AD. It is an important Buddhist monastery in Lhasa, second only to Jokhang Temple. It was originally built to house the Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha statue, a twelve-year-old likeness of Sakyamuni, brought to Tibet from Chang'an by Princess Wencheng. The temple's architectural style blends Han Chinese and Tibetan characteristics. Later, the twelve-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni statue was moved to Jokhang Temple, and Ramoche Temple then housed the eight-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni statue brought to Tibet by Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. The temple has suffered damage multiple times throughout its history, especially during the Cultural Revolution when it was severely damaged. However, after extensive renovations in 1986, the temple is now a three-story building, featuring scripture halls and Buddha halls inside, and retaining pillars with distinctive local patterns.

Canggu Temple is the only nunnery in the Lhasa area, with a history of nearly 700 years. The temple is located in the old town of Lhasa, with convenient transportation. In addition to its religious significance, Canggu Temple's teahouse is also famous for its unique atmosphere and specialty snacks such as butter tea, sweet tea, and Tibetan noodles, attracting numerous tourists and local residents.

The Qugong Site is located in Nyangri Township, Lhasa City, Tibet. It is an important prehistoric cultural site in Southwest China, showcasing the production and daily life of Tibetan ancestors from the Neolithic Age to the Bronze Age, and holds significant importance for the study of Tibetan prehistoric culture.

Chongsaikang Market is a famous comprehensive market in Lhasa, gathering various goods. It is an important place for local residents to shop and for tourists to experience Lhasa's local life. Here you can find a variety of goods such as clothing, daily necessities, snacks, and handicrafts, full of strong ethnic characteristics and a lively atmosphere.

Zongjuelukang Park, also known as Longwangtan Park, is located at No. 9 Niangre South Road, Jibenggang Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet, adjacent to the back of the Potala Palace. It is a park that integrates natural scenery and historical culture, and is an important place for recreation and entertainment for Lhasa citizens.

Gongdelin Temple is located in Chengguan District, Lhasa City, and is a temple with a long history.

Lupu Rock Temple is located on the eastern side of Chagpori Hill, Jebumgang Subdistrict, Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet. It is a historic grotto temple famous for its unique cliff carvings and Buddhist statues, making it one of Lhasa's important religious and cultural heritage sites. The temple is built into the mountain, echoing the Potala Palace from afar, and is an excellent spot to overlook the panoramic view of the Potala Palace.

Nietang Drolma Lhakang is located in Qushui County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a long history. The temple is renowned for its unique architectural style, exquisite murals, and rich religious and cultural connotations. Drolma Lhakang was built to commemorate Atisha Dipankara Srijnana and is one of the important places where Atisha propagated Tibetan Buddhism. The temple houses numerous precious Buddha statues and cultural relics. It is an important holy site for local devotees to worship and also attracts many tourists to visit and experience its profound historical heritage and strong religious atmosphere.

Muruningba Monastery is a famous temple located in Lhasa, with a long history and unique religious culture.

Butter tea is a drink of the people of the Himalayan region (including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, East Turkestan, Tibet, and Western China and Central Asia). Traditionally, it is made from tea leaves, yak milk butter, water, tsampa (roasted barley flour), and salt, though cow milk butter is increasingly used due to easier availability and lower cost. It provides a significant amount of calories, making it particularly suitable for high-altitude regions, and the butter also helps prevent chapped lips.

Tsampa is a staple food of the Tibetan and Himalayan regions, also common in northern Nepal. It is a sticky food made from roasted flour, typically barley flour, sometimes also wheat flour and peony seed flour. It is usually mixed and eaten with butter tea.

Tibetan potato buns are a characteristic pasta dish from the Tibetan region, typically made with mashed potatoes as the main filling, combined with minced meat, scallions, ginger, and other seasonings. They have a soft and glutinous texture, with the fresh aroma of potatoes and the savory taste of meat, making them a beloved traditional snack among local residents.

Sweet tea is a popular beverage in China, usually referring to tea drinks with a sweet taste. It does not refer to a specific type of tea, but rather broadly to tea flavored with added sugar, honey, or other sweeteners. In different regions and contexts, sweet tea can refer to various specific beverages, such as milk tea, fruit tea, or certain traditional sweet teas.

A traditional Tibetan delicacy, dumplings made with yak meat as the main filling, usually steamed or boiled with dough wrappers.

A traditional dairy product, usually made from cow, sheep, or yak milk. It is made by fermenting, solidifying, and drying the leftover milk after extracting butter or cheese. It is relatively common in pastoral areas of China, such as those inhabited by Tibetans and Mongolians.

Qingke cake is a traditional Tibetan staple food, made primarily from highland barley flour. It is one of the staple foods for residents of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, with a firm texture and the unique aroma of highland barley.

Ginseng Fruit Rice is a special dessert or main dish made primarily with ginseng fruit. It typically involves steaming ginseng fruit with glutinous rice or other grains, allowing the rice to absorb the ginseng fruit's refreshing sweetness and unique aroma. It has a soft, sticky texture and a natural fruity fragrance.

Cordyceps Stewed Chicken Soup is a nourishing traditional soup, made primarily with chicken and stewed with the precious Chinese medicinal herb Cordyceps sinensis. This soup has a delicious taste, is rich in nutrients, and has the effects of tonifying the lungs and kidneys, replenishing qi, and nourishing blood.

Tibetan Blood Sausage is a traditional delicacy in Tibetan areas, typically made from fresh animal blood (such as yak blood, sheep blood) as the main ingredient, mixed with highland barley flour, salt, spices, and then stuffed. It has a unique taste and rich flavor, forming an important part of the daily diet of the Tibetan people, and is also a special food often prepared during festivals.

A dish made primarily from fresh yak meat, pan-fried. It is usually seasoned simply to highlight the natural deliciousness and unique flavor of the yak meat.