Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet

Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet - Lhasa

Lhasa was originally named Rasa, which literally means "the place of the goat". It is said that the materials of building the Jokhang Temple was carried by goats.

Lhasa is a cultural ancient city of more than 1400 years history. In AD 633, Lhasa city was approved as the capital by Songtsen Gampo in Tubo Dynasty. And then Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple were constructed at that time. More and more people moved their home to Lhasa gradually. When Tubo Dynasty collapsed in the late 9th century, Jokhang Temple was still the religious center of Tibet. After the 17th century, Jokhang Temple was successfully expanded.

However the dynasty changed, Lhasa city was regarded as the political, cultural and economic center of Tibet region. Both of the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are the religious center, which attract numerous Buddhist believers to worship every day.

Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet – Shigatse

Shigatse city is highly praised as the 2nd larger city of Tibet region. It is located over 3836 meters high and approximately 273 kilometers away from Lhasa city.

With 600 years history, it is the cultural and political center of southern Tibet. In the 14th century, Shigatse city center has been gradually formed.

The Shika Sangtsu Zizong Castle which situated over the mountain of Southern Shigatse is highly praised as the "small Potala Palace" in Tibet. It was firstly constructed in AD 1363, back against the mountains. It is 4-floor high. It is said that the construction of Potala Palace was once designed imitated the Shika Sangtsu Zizong Castle. It was the store of the government and the prison.

In 1447, Tashilhunpo Monastery was constructed and acted as the station of Panchen Erdeni (Panchen Lama).

Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet – Tsedang

Tsedang Town is approximately 191 kilometers away from Lhasa city and approximately 87 kilometers away from Gonggar Airport. It is located in the eastern river bank of the confluence of Yalong River and Yalung Zangbo River. It belongs to Naidong County.

Tsedang Town is 3560 meters high and covers an area of 3 square kilometers. Tsedang Hotel is the only one 3-star standard hotel in Shannan Prefecture. "Tse" literally means "play" in Tibetan language, and "dang" means the flat ground. Therefore Tsedang Town was regarded as the place for deities to play.

Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet – Bayi Town

Bayi Town is the town of Nyingchi Prefecture with very convenient transportation. It is situated in the river bank of Niyang River of Yalung Zangbo River and approximately 50 kilometers away from the confluence of Yalung Zangbo River and Niyang River. It is characteristic of flat terrain and moderate climate. The most glamorous attraction in Bayi town is the primitive virgin forest.

Top 5 Historical Cities in Tibet – Qamdo City

Qamdo city is where the government office located. It is 3240 meters high. Qamdo city was named as the geographic location which located between Tsaqu River and Angqu River.

According to the historical record, Qamdo city has been regarded as the important city of Eastern Tibet. It is the important traffic way with very convenient transportation, for example, Sichuan – Tibet highway, Yunnan – Tibet highway, Qinghai – Kang Highway (a part of 214 National Way), etc are available throughout Qamdo city. Tourists could travel to Lhasa to the west, Chengdu to the east, Yunnan to the south and Qinghai to the north.

The attractions of Qamdo City are Qyangpaling Monastery and Karo Ruins.