Lhasa Attractions

At present, traveling to Lhasa is easier than the past because of the mutiple means of transportation. Because of the lower altitude, Lhasa is also the best stop station to adapt to the high altitude. As the first tourist destination for most domestic and international travelers, Lhasa is the holiest center for Tibetan Buddhist believers. Lhasa is surrounded by lost of famous scenic spots. With thousands of years’ history, Lhasa is the ideal city for you to explore both natural scenery and traditional Tibetan culture. Here are some famous tourist attractions which are worthy of being recommended to you, such as the landmark of Lhasa city - Potala Palace, Tibetan shopping center - Barkhor Street, a holy site for Buddhists - Jokhang Temple, etc.

If you are interested in Tibetan culture, you have no reason to miss the hot Buddhism debate in Sera Monastery, witness the grand Shoton Festival in Drepung Monastery, do kora in the front of Jokhang Temple, and so on.

Besides those attractions mentioned before, Ganden Monastery - the 1st and primary monastery of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism as well as one of the Great Three Holy Monasteries of Lhasa, Drak Yerpa - the holiest meditation caves, Ramoche Temple - the second most important temple in Lhasa, and Norbulingka - a palace and surrounding park are also your priority destinations.

The Potala Palace stands in the ancient Lhasa for centuries and plays an important role in Tibetan people’s beliefs.

Potala Palace

Potala Palace

Potala Palace is Tibet's cardinal landmark and the highest ancient palace in the world. It's one of the world's cultural heritage sites and 5A tourism spot on a national level. Potala Palace is an awe-inspiring place to visit.

Jokhang Temple has a beautiful golden roof.

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple, aka Jokhang Monastery, is considered the spiritual heart of Lhasa city and the most sacred monastery in Tibet. With the thick smell of yak butter, echoing with the murmur of mantras and bustling with awed pilgrims, visiting Jokhang Temple is an unrivaled travel experience.

Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. It is in Dagzê County, Lhasa. The other two are Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa Lozang-dragpa, founder of the Gelug order.

Sera Monassrey is located at the foot of Tatipu Hill in the northern suburb of Lhasa City

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries in Tibet. The origin of its name is attributed to a fact that where the monastery was built was surrounded by wild roses in bloom. In Tibetan language, wild rose can be read as "Salad".

Tibetan traditional handicrafts can be found in Barkhor Street, such are prayer wheels, Buddhist statues, carpets, and thangkas.

Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street

Located in the old city of Lhasa, Barkhor Street is famous for its pilgrim circuit and lively market. With a history of more than 1300 years, the historical site now is the most prosperous shopping street around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and the most popular bazaar among travelers.

Drepung Monastery was the largest monastery in Tibet, with over 10,000 monks. Now, this monastery houses about 700 monks.

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery

Drepung is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries and is located on the Gambo Utse mountain, five kilometers from the western suburb of Lhasa.

Tyokyil Potrang is a pavilion in the midst of a lake and known for the top scenic spot in Norbulingka

Norbulingka

Norbulingka

Norbulingka is commonly known as the Summer Palace in Lhasa, which means "Treasure Park" in Tibetan. It's the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Norbulingka Palace is situated in the west of Lhasa, and it was the summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas.

You will not only see an attraction by visiting Ramoche Temple, but also feel the sense of the history of precipitation.

Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple is located about 500 meters north of Barkhor street in the chengguan district of Lhasa, it is the sister temple of the Jokhang temple, constructed around the same time but in Chinese style. It is said that the Ramoche Temple was set up to house an 8-year-old life-sized statue of Jowo Sakyamuni.

Entrance gate of Drolma Lhakhang Monastery

Drolma Lhakhang Monastery

Drolma Lhakhang Monastery

Drolma Lhakhang is associated with the Bengali scholar Atisha (982~1054). Atisha came to Tibet at the age of 53 at the invitation of the Guge kingdom in western Tibet and his teachings were instrumental in the so-called second diffusion of Buddhism in the 11th century.

Reting Monastery has a history of more than 900 years.

Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery(热振寺) is located in Tanggu township, Linzhou county, 240 kilometers north of Lhasa. It's the seat of Reting Rinpoche. As the first monastery of the Kadam Sect in Tibetan Buddhism, Reting Monastery was founded in 1057 by Dromtön.

Learn to do Tibetan incense - artwork.

Nyemo Tunba

Nyemo Tunba

Nyemo Tunba Scenic Area is located in Tunba Township, Nyemo County, 120 kilometers away from Lhasa. It's the birthplace of the Tibetan incense, also famous for its traditional handicraft, commonly known as "the three treasures of Nyemo" – Tibetan Paper, Engraving & Incense.

There are many rare and historical relics in Tsurphu Monastery.

Tsurphu Monastery

Tsurphu Monastery

Tsurphu Monastery is a gompa which serves as the traditional seat of the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Nalendra Monastery

Nalendra Monastery

Nalendra Monastery

with hundreds of years of history, Nalendra Monastery is the representative monastery for Cha Sect, which is a sect belongs to Saga Sect. There are numerous branch monasteries of Cha Sect in Tibet. And it is the lifetime practice center for the yogis.

The appearance of Tibet museum.

Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum, in the west of town just opposite Norbulingka, is worth a visit if you are interested in Tibetan culture and history as well as art. Tibet Museum covers an area of 23,508 square meters including an exhibition area of 10,451 square meters.

Dorje Drak Monastery specialized in the Northern Treasures.

Dorje Drak Monastery

Dorje Drak Monastery

Along with Mindroling Monastery, Dorje Drak Monastery is one of the six most important Nyingmapa monasteries. With a remote and romantic location, it is less accessible than Mindroling Monastery and consequently gets few western visitors.

The memorial archway of "Birthplace of Songtsen Gampo"

Gyama Valley

Gyama Valley

Gyama Valley(甲玛乡), 60km east of Lhasa, is famed as the birthplace of Tibet’s greatest king, Songtsen Gampo, who lived here until he became king at the age of 15.

The life of nuns in Tidrum Nunnery is simple and unadorned.

Tidrum Nunnery

Tidrum Nunnery

Around 3hr-walk or 1hr-drive from the main valley, northwest of Drigung Til Monastery and a 13km up a side valley, is Tidrum Nunnery(德仲寺). Tidrum Nunnery with its medicinal hot springs, has a great location in a narrow gorge at the confluence of two streams.

Have close contact with the locals and then you will find they are very kind and hospitable.

Lhasa Old Town

Lhasa Old Town

Lhasa Old Town shelters the soul of Lhasa. This walk takes in craft workshops, backstreet chapels and pilgrim paths, passing en route some of Lhasa’s traditional architecture.

Drigung Til Monastery once had a very brilliant position in the history of Tibet.

Drigung Til Monastery

Drigung Til Monastery

First established in 1167, Drigung Til Monastery(直贡梯寺) is the head monastery of the Drigongpa school of the Kagyupa order and the most famous sky burial site in central Tibet.

Shugshep Nunnery

Shugshep Nunnery

Shugshep Nunnery

Trekkers and anyone who likes to get well off the beaten track will enjoy this excursion to Tibet's largest nunnery, Shugsheb Nunnery. Set in a large natural bowl, about 65km south of Lhasa and home to over 280 nuns, Shugsheb Nunnery is a favorite of bird-watchers.

Known as the shrine of Lhasa, Drak Yerpa has monasteries and famous ancient meditation caves.

Drak Yerpa

Drak Yerpa

Drak Yerpa is only a short drive to the east of Lhasa, Tibet, and consists of a monastery and a number of ancient meditation caves that used to house about 300 monks.

Talung Monastery

Talung Monastery

Talung Monastery

Talung Monastery(达隆寺) is lying in the green fields of the Pak-chu Valley, the sprawling monastic complex of Talung Monastery is around 120km north of Lhasa by road.

Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse-Lhasa

7

days

Gyantse Horse Racing Festival Tour

With a history of more than 600 years, the Gyantse Horse Racing Festival is a reflection of the distinctive cultures and religious tradition of Tibet. Not only that, you’ll also visit most of the famous scenic spots in Lhasa and Shigatse in the trip.

TIBET PRIVIATE TOUR

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During this tour, you can take a flight from Chengdu to Xining first then catch the train from Xining to Lhasa.

Chengdu-Xining-Lhasa-Chengdu

10

days

Chengdu Xining Lhasa Chengdu Train Tour

Fly to Xining after arriving in Chengdu, then take a train to Lhasa, at last flight back to Chengdu again. This circle tour shows travelers the most important scenic spots in three cities, which means travelers can experience three different charms within 10 days.

TIBET PRIVIATE TOUR

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Take a train tour from Xian to Tibet.

Xián - Lhasa

12

days

Xian Tibet Train Tour

In 2-day memorable tour in Xi’an, you can feel the profound Chinese history at the scenic spots. In the train to Lhasa, you will see lots of stunning views. When you arrive in Lhasa, you will visit Buddhism monasteries, holy lakes and Everest Base Camp, where's the closest place to touch the sky.

TIBET PRIVIATE TOUR

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Great Tibet Tour is a local tour company based in Lhasa, Tibet. It was founded in 2005 and recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best reputed local Tibet travel agencies.

With the great responsibility, professional know-how and passion for innovation, Great Tibet Tour endeavors to provide you with enjoyable, thoughtful service, and authentic culture discovery.

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