Lhasa

Lhasa features a combination of traditional and modern things, including prayer wheels and computers.  It is famous for  many sites of historic interest, known as the holly land of Tibetan Buddhism..

 

Overview
As the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years. It is the political, economic, cultural and transport center of the region.  

 

The ancient city of Lhasa features blue skies, crystal clear river water, refreshing air, and a beautiful environment. It is one of the least polluted and maybe the most beautiful and unique cities in China.

 

Know More
Lhasa covers an area of close to 30,000 square kilometers. It has a downtown of 544 square kilometers and a population of 400,000, including 140,000 of its people living in the downtown area. Lhasa is home to the Tibetan, Han, and Hui peoples, as well as many other ethnic groups, but the Tibetan ethnic group makes up 87 percent of the total population.

 

Located at the bottom of a small basin surrounded by mountains, Lhasa has an elevation of 3650 meters and sits at the center of the Tibet Plateau. Blessed with flat land and mild weather, Lhasa is free of frigid winters and unbearably hot summers, having an annual average daily temperature of 8 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). It enjoys 3,000 hours of sunlight annually, much more than all other cities in this regard, giving the city the title of "sunlit city."

 

Lhasa has beautiful landscapes. The Lhasa River, known as the "merry blue waves," runs through the snow-covered peaks and gullies of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains, extending 315 kilometers. The river empties into the Yarlung Zangbo River at Quxu, forming a scenic wonder that features blue and whitewater waves.

 

Must See in Lhasa
The Potala Palace is its main scenic spot. It is the seat of Dalai Lamas and also a site of major political and religious significance for Tibetans. The Potala is also famous for its grand buildings, complex constructions, devout atmosphere and splendid artworks.

The Jokhang Monastery is another place of historic interest in Lhasa. A life-size gold statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old stands in its main hall. It is considered the most precious treasure in Lhasa, as it is the sole life size statue extant of Sakyamuni, the statue of him at 8 years old height having been destroyed, and that of him at 16 years old having been lost in the Indian Ocean.

Every August the Shoton Festival, one of Tibet's biggest traditional festivals, is held in Lhasa; it was first held in the 7th century.

 

• Bakhor Street
• Sera Monastery
• Curpu Monstery
• Drepung Monastery
• Gandain Monastery
• Tibet Museum

 

Lhasa contains three concentric paths used by pilgrims to circumambulate (walk around) the sacred Johkhang Temple, many of whom make full or partial prostrations along these routes in order to gain spiritual merit.

 

The innermost, the Nangkor (Nang-skor), is contained within the Jokhang Temple, and surrounds the sanctuary of the Jowo Shakyamuni, the most sacred statue in Tibetan Buddhism.

 

The middle circumambulatory, the Barkor (Bar-skor), passes through the Old Town and surrounds the Jokhang Temple and various other buildings in its vicinity.

 

The outer Lingkor (Gling-skor) encircles the entire traditional city of Lhasa. Due to the construction of a large new street, Beijing Lam, the Lingkor is not usually used by pilgrims.