Must-Visit Historical Sites in Lhasa

Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region. It also acted as the political, economical and cultural center. Lhasa is also an ancient city with long history and numerous places of interest, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery.

Must-Visit Historical Sites in Lhasa – Potala Palace

Potala Palace is located at the Red Hill, which is located in northwestern Lhasa City. The Red Hill is highly respected as the Bhuta Hill (the place where Avalokotesvara lives) by local Tibetans and Potala means Bhuta in Tibetan. The world famous Potala Palace was constructed along the Red Hill from the foot to the top. Potala Palace acted as the winter residence of Dalai Lamas. A series of important religious and political ceremonies were held in Potala Palace since the 5th Dalai Lama. It is even praised as the Pearl on Tibet Plateau for its important historical, religious and political role in history.

With an altitude of more than 3700 meters, Potala Palace covers an area of 0.36 million square meters, among which the total construction area takes 0.13 million square meters. The 13-storey main building of Potala Palace enjoys a height of 117 meters. Various palaces, Buddha halls, scripture chanting halls, residence of the lamas and the courtyard composed the magnificent construction complex of Potala Palace. It is reported that Potala Palace is the highest and large-scale palace style architectural complex above the sea level.

Must-Visit Historical Sites in Lhasa – Jokhang Temple

With a history of more than 1350 years, Jokhang Temple is located on Barkhor Street in the Old Lhasa City. The learned Princess Wencheng of Chinese Tang Dynasty speculated that the terrain of Tibet shapes like a supine witch and the location of Jokhang Temple is the heart of that witch. Jokhang Temple was constructed to quell the witch. And now it has been one of the most ancient monasteries in Tibet.

Jokhang Temple attracts a lot of pilgrims in the past hundreds of years. The devout Buddhists even kowtow to here for pilgrimage from different faraway corners. Jokhang Temple has also been one of the must-visit historical sites in Lhasa. Tourists visiting Jokhang Temple are highly advised to respect the traditions and rules in the monastery. For example, tourists are required to visit Jokhang Temple clockwise. In addition, tourists should not touch the Buddha statues enshrined in the monastery.

Must-Visit Historical Sites in Lhasa – Norbu Lingka

Norbu Lingka is located in the western suburb of Lhasa City. It is the largest artificial garden in Tibet which could be dated back to 1840s. After more than 200 years expansion, Norbu Lingka sovers an area of 0.36 million square meters. It acted as the summer residence of Dalai Lamas. The pavilion where the Dalai Lama appreciated the Tibetan opera is the most attractive building in Norbu Lingka. There are also special palaces and halls for religious ceremonies. It is recorded that a series of government departments would handle official business in Norbu Lingka when the Dalai Lama moves here to spend the summer.

Currently, Norbu Lingka acts as the largest park open to the citizens and tourists. It would be opened from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. Tourists making a Tibet tour during the celebration of some solemn Tibetan festivals will have the chance to appreciate the Tibetan opera performance in Norbu Lingka.