Lhasa

Central Tibet (Ü)

3,650 m11,975 ft above sea level

Located at the foot of Mount Gephel, Lhasa is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, and is a city that has captivated the fascination of the west for centuries. Lhasa is basically famous for it is the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama and is a place that is revered by every Tibetan. In the 7th century, a powerful and visionary king called Songtsen Gampo conquered many tribes, united Tibet and moved the capital from Yarlung to Lhasa. Apart from the amazing monasteries that surrounds the city as well as the bustling tourist friendly Barkhor Street, it is the Potala palace that captivates the mind, the eye and the soul. The Potala palace is perched on the top of the Red Hill and dominates the skyline. It was built by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. Later on, the palace became the residence of the Dalai Lamas. It still holds items like murals, holy scriptures and sutras that are invaluable to Buddhism. The city has about 2, 55,000 inhabitants and stands at an altitude of approximately 3,650 m. Some of the aesthetically as well as historically important sites in Lhasa are the Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Norbulingka Palaces.

Best time to visit: April to October
Getting there: By flight to Lhasa Gonggar Airport from Chengdu, Beijing and other mainland cities, or Kathmandu, or by train from China. A Tibet permit is required.
Suggested stay: 3 to 4 nights

Places in and around Lhasa

Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.

Sights and attractions in Lhasa

Dzongs & Fortresses

Dechen Dzong

About 22km from Lhasa on the way to Ganden is Dechen.
Temples & Monasteries

Drolma Lhakhang

Nyethang Drolma Lhakhang, a small monastery along the road to Tsetang or airport from Lhasa is associated with Palden Atisha (Jowo Je), Bengali scholar (982-1054), who traveled extensively in Tibet...
Temples & Monasteries

Pabonka Monastery

Pabonka (pronounced Fa-bong-kha) monastery is one of the most ancient Buddhist sites in Lhasa.
Sight

Old Town Walk

Tibetan Old town shelters the soul of Lhasa, far from Chinese influence.
Sight

Tengyeling

Tengyeling is another one four regency temples is located behind Mentsekhang.
Sight

Tsome Ling

Tsome Ling: or Tsomonling, south of Ramoche is one of the four former royal temples.
Sight

Gyume

Gyume Dratsang, the Lower Tantric College of Lhasa, located across the Kerey hotel was founded in md-15th century by Tshongkhapa's disciple, Je Sherab Singe and in its time was one...
Temples & Monasteries

Ramoche Temple

Ramoche is the sister temple to Jokhang temple, founded around the same time.
Temples & Monasteries

Lukhang Temple

Entered through Lukhang Park, is a little visited Lukhang temple on the small island in a lake behind the Potala.
Temples & Monasteries

Gesar Ling Lhakhang

On the summit of Parma Ri is the Gesar Ling lhakhang, a Chinese-style temple built in 1792-3 on behalf of Qianlong emperor to commemorate the defeat of Gokhas.
Temples & Monasteries

Kundeling Temple

At the foot of Parma Ri is Kundeling, one of Lhasa's four former royal temples appointed by fifth Dalai Lama.
Sight

Parma Ri

South west of Chagpo Ri, Parma Ri, is a smaller hill, held sacred to bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri or Jampelyang.
Sight

Drak Lhalupuk

Next door to Drubthub Nunnery is Drak Lhalupuk cave temple, said to be the meditation retreat of King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century, which has relief rock carvings.
Temples & Monasteries

Drubthub Nunnery

On the south eastern side of Chagpori, the nunnery of Drubthop Lhakhang is dedicated to Thangtong Gyelpo (1385-1464), the iron bridge builder, medic and inventor of Tibetan Opera.
Sight

Chagpo Ri

Opposite of Potala to the south east is the 3,725m Chakpori, believed sacred to Vajrapani, the bodhisattva of Energy and Power.
Sight

Lhasa to Gyantse Drive

Embark on the ride of a lifetime along the Lhasa-Kathmandu Southern Highway that runs parallel to the Himalayas.
Temples & Monasteries

Nechung Monastery

Nechung Monastery just below Drepung has an important place in the history of Tibet.
Temples & Monasteries

Ganden Monastery

Ganden monastery is the first and the greatest of the six Gelug Sect’s monasteries, which is called one of “the three principal monasteries” (the other two are Dreprung Monastery and...
Sight

Norbulingkha Palaces

Norbulingka Palaces, served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas starting from the seventh, who founded it in 1755.
Sight

Sera Kora

Sera Kora takes about an hour, starting west from the entrance to the monastery.
Temples & Monasteries

Sera Monastery

Sera is one of the three great Gelug monasteries of Lhasa, known for its debating courtyard where monks argue points of Buddhist philosophy.
Sight

Drepung Lingkor (Kora)

This one and half hour pilgrim's circumambulation of Drepung monastery leads west of the perimeter wall and uphill to around 3900m before descending in the direction of Nechung.
Temples & Monasteries

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery located 8km from west of central Lhasa is one of the 'Great Three” Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet, (the other two being Ganden and Sera).
Sight

Barkhor

Barkhor is an area of narrow streets and a public square located around Jokhang Temple in the old part of Lhasa.
Dzongs & Fortresses

Potala Palace

Aptly named after Mount Potalakha, the sacred mountain abode of Compassion Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara or Chenrizing.
Museums & Institutions

Mentsikhang (Tibetan Medicine Institute)

Institute of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology was first established in 1916 by Dr.
Temples & Monasteries

Jokhang Temple

Jorkhang Temple is holiest and most sacred site in Tibet where devout Buddhists make their pilgrimage, sometimes performing prostration (3 steps, 1 prostration) throughout their journey.

Restaurants in Lhasa

Restaurants

Guangming Gangqiong Sweet Tea House

Long-running Tibetan sweet tea house, mostly local. Sit at shared tables over cheap glasses of sweet tea, yak-meat noodles and dumplings, and watch everyday Lhasa life.
Restaurants

Makye Ame

Tibetan restaurant in a historic yellow building on the Barkhor, with window seats over the kora. Try roasted wild mushrooms, stone-grilled beef, mutton chops and tsampa.
Restaurants

Tibetan Family Kitchen

Family-run home-style Tibetan cooking just off the Barkhor, with views toward Jokhang Square. Known for fried yak momos, yogurt rice and potato pancakes; it also runs cooking classes.
Restaurants

Xue Yu Tian Cun Yak Hot Pot

Busy local hotpot restaurant near the Jokhang. Fresh-cut yak meat is cooked at the table in a tangy sour-soup broth, a good change from momos and thukpa.

Where to stay in Lhasa

1In the order Windhorse recommends

Hotel

Thangkha Hotel

Thangka Hotel in Lhasa is a well-situated, four-star hotel offering a blend of modern comfort and local charm.

3-star hotel

Where to stay in Lhasa, with levels, guest reviews and a map

Trips that visit Lhasa

Three Himalayan KingdomsDay 2: Fly to Lhasa 15 days
Nagchu Festival & Everest Base Tour to NepalDay 1: Arrival in Lhasa 16 days