Lhasa Altitude: Main Attractions with Various Elevations

Lhasa is located on the Tibetan Plateau, at the north side of the Himalaya Mountains, with an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 ft), which is one of the highest cities in the world. Due to the high elevation, thin air, and sufficient sunshine (more than 3000 hours of annual sunshine), Lhasa city is also called the city of sunlight. It's the capital city of Tibet and also a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Altitude Of The Main Districts Of Lhasa

Jokhang Temple

Chengguan District is located in the river valley alluvial plain with an altitude of 3,650 meters (1,1975 ft), which is the only municipal district of Lhasa city. Chengguan District covers an area of 523 square kilometers. It is not only the center of Tibet's politics, economy, culture, transportation, communication, and education, but also the most developed region of Tibet's religious culture. After a long historical process, it has developed into a destination for tourists from home and abroad to come to Tibet and an important window to understand Tibet. As the most developed religious and cultural areas in Tibet, there are many places of interest such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery.

Doilungdêqên District is close to the west of the Chengguan District, with an average altitude of 4,500 meters (14,764 ft). The terrain is high in the northwest and low in the southeast. The Lhasa River and the Duilong River pass through the territory. The main tourist attraction is Tsurphu Monastery, at 4,300 meters (14,108 ft) above sea level. It is the traditional seat of the Karma Kagyu sect in Tibetan Buddhism and has a history of 800 years.

Ganden Monastery

Dagzê District is to the east of the Chengguan District, with an average elevation of 4,100 meters (13,451 ft) and the lowest elevation of 3,730 meters (12,238 ft). The region covers an area of 1,373 square kilometers and has a population of 30,000. There are 14 temples in Dagzê District, including Ganden Monastery, the head temple of the Gelug sect (Yellow Religion) with a history of over 600 years, and Drak Yerpa. Ganden Monastery was built at the top of Wangbur Mountain, 3,800 meters(12,467 ft) above sea level. It takes about three hours to go around the mountain. The Drak Yerpa is located on a hillside, with an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters(16,404 ft).

Maizhokunggai County is to the east of Dagzê District, surrounded by river valleys and widely spread grasslands. The terrain is high in the east and low in the west, with an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters(13,123 ft). In Maizhokunggai County, there are Songtsan Gambo’s birthplace, Gyama valley, Drigung Til Monastery, and Tidrum hot spring.

The Altitude Of Places Near Lhasa

Samye Monastery

Tsedang Town is situated in Shannan, 150 kilometers from Lhasa, at 3,560 meters (11,680 ft) above sea level. Along the way, you can visit Samye Monastery, Tradruk Temple, andYungbulakang Palace.

Yamdrok Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, only a 1.5-hour drive from Lhasa, 90 kilometers distance. The lake is 4,441 meters (14,570 ft) above sea level.

Gongga Airport, 60 kilometers away from Lhasa City, is 3569.5 meters (11,711 ft) above sea level.

How To Deal With Altitude Sickness?

Altitude and oxygen level

Altitude sickness is a common disease that occurs when people living in plain areas suddenly enter the plateau above 3,000 meters (9,842.5 ft) above sea level and are exposed to the low-pressure and low-oxygen environment. Usually, about 50% of people may have altitude sickness, and the symptoms will gradually disappear after 1-3 days' adaptation. Common symptoms include headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, difficulty breathing, etc. Patients with severe anemia, hypertension, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases are not suitable to travel to the plateau area. Lhasa is 3,650 meters above sea level. Since it's likely to have some symptoms of altitude sickness for many people for the first few days, learning something about how to prevent altitude sickness will be very helpful. Especially for those who plan a trip to Lhasa for the first time. Here are some tips,

1. Take targeted physical exercises before entering the plateau. Do aerobic exercise a month or two in advance, such as jogging or weight-bearing walking.

2. Prepare the necessary personal items: sunglasses, sunscreen, sports clothes, down jacket, travel shoes, flashlight, rain gear, daily cleaning supplies, as well as anti-altitude sickness drugs, medicine for headache, diarrhea, etc.

3. Keep a positive attitude. Don't get too nervous or excited, and avoid running fast or doing strenuous exercise in high-altitude areas.

4. Drinking plenty of water can make your blood circulate smoothly, increase your oxygen supply, reduce the burden on your heart and lungs, and expel toxins quickly so that you can adapt to the high altitude environment in a very short time. Generally speaking, you should drink at least 1-2 liters of water per day at high altitudes. In addition to plain water, it can still be added to the water glucose, American ginseng slices, juice powder, and so on to supplement energy and enhance the ability to resist disease.

5. Protect yourself from the cold and keep warm. Plateau weather features low temperatures, a big temperature difference between day and night, and the weather changes quickly. Therefore, you must take enough warm clothing, then add or take off clothing in a timely manner. Also, take a shower as little as possible to avoid catching a cold.

6. Eat right. In the anoxic environment on the plateau, the function of the digestive system is weakened compared with that in the plain area. Accordingly, in the diet, choose more digestible food, less greasy food. It's also not suitable to eat too full. Increase the proportion of carbohydrates (should occupy 60% above) and high plant protein, and increase the intake of all sorts of vitamins, in order to provide a quantity of heat quickly, therefore improving the body's adaptability.

7. Organize the tour schedule reasonably. It's better to take a train to Lhasa for the first-time comer, as you can acclimatize to the altitude gradually to avoid altitude sickness.

>>Read more about how to avoid altitude sickness

Conclusion

Lhasa offers breathtaking landscapes, rich Tibetan culture, and historic sites at one of the world’s highest cities. With careful planning and altitude precautions, travelers can safely enjoy its temples, monasteries, and natural beauty, making a visit to Lhasa an unforgettable experience.