Landmarks of Lhasa
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, has a history of more than 1,300 years and is the political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological and tourism center of Tibet. It is located on the Tibetan plateau, surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. It is the second highest city in Asia and one of the highest in the world. Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street are the must-see attractions among domestic and international tourists. In this article we are going to present these emblematic places in detail, so that tourists can choose the destinations they want to take a trip to.
The Potala Palace
Located on the Red Mountain in the center of Lhasa, the Potala Palace was the main residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959 and is today one of the most beautiful and iconic attractions in Tibet. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, the imposing Potala Palace is the symbol of the city. The structure is magnificent, especially when viewed from below. The square and park across the road are the perfect place to enjoy the palace from a distance, which is equally charming at night when it is illuminated. The palace is made up of the white and red palaces, plus additional structures inside. The palace as a whole has a thousand rooms with some relics, allowing you to appreciate Tibetan culture and heritage. The tomb of the 5th Dalai Lama is particularly impressive. The monks work and live in the palace, and because many areas are not open to the public, visitors must follow certain routes. No photography of any kind is allowed inside the palace.
Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple is the most famous of the Lhasa Buddhist temples in Tibet. It is the spiritual center of the city. It is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with the Potala Palace and the Norbulingka Palace. Built in the year 647 by Songtsen Gampo, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. It consists of a four-story construction, with roofs covered with gilded bronze tiles. The architectural style is based on the vihara design of India which later became a mix between the Nepalese style and that of the Tang dynasty. On the roof there are statues of two golden deer flanking a dharma wheel. Being an important pilgrimage site for all Tibetans, many worshipers make repeated prostrations and pray on the road in front of the temple. Its interior has many statues and is full of monks praying and singing, and also tourists.
Barkhor Street
With the Jokhang Temple at its center, Barkhor Street is located in the heart of the ancient city of Lhasa. A busy market and sacred pilgrimage route, Barkhor is a good area to take a walk, discover local culture and traditions, and buy souvenirs. Buddhist pilgrims progress on foot, kneeling, touching the ground with their foreheads, and face down along the street to the right each day in the deepest night. Most of Lhasa's floating population is made up of these pilgrims. There are 120 craft shops and more than 200 street stalls. It is a good option not to be missed by tourists coming to Lhasa, so you can buy anything related to Tibet, from bags of incense, pieces of yak butter to monk suits.
