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Tibet Places to Visit

Potala Palace
This architectural wonder is Lhasa' cardinal landmark. It can be seen from all directions for miles around. Potala was set up in the seventh century AD during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. It's located on the Red Hill, covers an area of 41 hectares.

Norbulingka Palace
Norbulingka, meaning Jewel Park, was Dalai Lama's summer palace since the Seventh. Its light-hearted air makes it less demanding than most sights in Lhasa The Norbulinka is well worth a visit at festival times and public holidays. On Shoton Festival, the park is crowded with picnickers, and traditional Tibetan opera performances are also held there.

Jokhang Temple
Archaeological excavations have revealed Neolithic activity in the vicinity of Lhasa yet it is probable that the actual founding of the city occurred in the 7th century AD. Songtsen Gampo (traditionally the 33rd king of Tibet, though there are no records to substantiate the entire lineage) lived from 617 to 649 AD and is credited with both the founding of Lhasa and the effective introduction of Buddhism into Tibet. While it is possible that Lhasa had some pre-Buddhist sacred importance, legends and records give little evidence of this matter.

Sera Monastery
The Sera Monasteries are known as the 3 great monasteries of Tibet. All belonging to the lineage of Gelugpa started by Je Tsong Khapa in early 15th century and all are within Lhasa, capital of Tibet. Contrary to common understanding, these great monasteries are not places of worship and rituals but are in reality monastic universities providing religious education to the monks from age 8 to up to 70 in some cases.

Barkhor Street
The center of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. It was said that in the seventh century when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan King (617 or ?-650) who unified Tibet, married Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal princess Tritsun. Later Princess Tritsun built Jokhang Temple to accommodate the Jowo Sakyamuni aged 12 brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. Barkhor is the road which 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. They comprise most of Lhasa's floating population.

Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery was established near Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 by Chojey Tashi Palden. It had four departments, of which Loseling, or "The Hermitage of the Radiant Mind," was the largest, housing more than three quarters of Drepung's ten to fifteen thousand monks. Drepung Loseling was especially close to the Dalai Lama incarnations; the Second Dalai Lama made his residence here in 1494, and subsequent incarnations maintained this link

Gyantse
Gyantse, some 200km (124mi) southwest of Lhasa, is one of the least Chinese-influenced towns in Tibet and is worth a visit for this reason alone. The Palkhor Monastery here was built in 1427 and is notable for its superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa. The dzong (old fort) that towers above the village offers a fine view over the valley. Gyantse is a four-hour bus ride from Shigatse.

The Holy Mountain Kangrinboqe
Ngari is also famous for its holy mountain and lake. The holy mountain, Kangrinboqe, is the main peak of the Kangdese Mountains. About 6,714 meters above sea level, the mountain is powerful and imposing, holding a sacred position in many religions. For hundreds of years, Kangrinboqe has attracted numerous religious followers and travelers with its many mystical stories and legends. Thousands of Chinese, overseas religious devotees, and tourists make pilgrimages or sightsee here every year. These devout followers usually take a year or longer to reach the sacred mountain, kowtowing all the way from afar.

Lhasa River
It is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Because it is bathed in brilliant sunlight, it is often called the City of Sun. Lhasa has moderate temperatures in summer, and although winters can be very cold, they are also sunny and dry.

Museum
Located at the southeast corner of Norbu Lingka, Lhasa, it is the first modern museum in Tibet. It covers an area of 53,959 square meters and has a floor space of 23,508 square meters including an exhibition area of 10,45 I square meters. The museum demonstrates a strict and magnificent traditional Tibetan architectural style. Also it reflects a salient feature of modern architectural art.

The Pabang Kang
This small two-storey temple marks the site of Songtsan Gampo's living quarters before the construction of the Jokhang, as well as his favorite place for meditation. It can be found near Sera Monastery to the North of Lhasa city.

Yangpachen
In Damxung County, Lhasa, Yangpachen contains rich geothermal resources and is famous as a geothermal museum. The well known Yangpachen Geothermal Power Station stands here. It has hot sprigns everywhere and when the valve is switched on, hot water spurts several meters or even dozens of meters high, constituting a magnificent scene.

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