Photo: Windmemories / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Potala Palace
The Cardinal Landmark of Lhasa and of Tibet
Aptly named after Mount Potalakha, the sacred mountain abode of Compassion Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara or Chenrizing. It is the cardinal landmark of Lhasa on the Marpo Ri (or Red Hill) with comand of view of Lhasa and beyond. It was the site of King Songtsen Gampo’s palace during the mid 7th century, before the construction of present day Potala by 5th Dalai Lama in 1645.
Trips that visit Potala Palace
- Three Himalayan KingdomsDay 3: In Lhasa 15 days
- Nagchu Festival & Everest Base Tour to NepalDay 1: Arrival in Lhasa 16 days
Near Potala Palace
Other places within 15 km.
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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.
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Sight
Tsome Ling
Tsome Ling: or Tsomonling, south of Ramoche is one of the four former royal temples.
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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.
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Temples & Monasteries
Ramoche Temple
Ramoche is the sister temple to Jokhang temple, founded around the same time.
