Last updated on April 13th, 2024
Jokhang Temple, © Can Stock / boonsom
Visit Lhasa – Potala Palace
Potala Palace is the most easily recognized attraction when you visit Lhasa. This was once the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The Potala Palace is one of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Lhasa. At the base of the palace, pilgrims walk the Potala Palace Kora. The Potala Palace Kora is a circular religious walk around the base of the palace. Worshippers take about 40 minutes to make one clockwise circle of the Potala Palace.
Potala Palace, Visit Lhasa, © Can Stock / Sabobros
The Tibetan Peaceful Liberation Monument is in a square facing the Potala Palace. The monument represents the Tibetan values of freedom and peace. The summer palace was later built for the Dalai Lama at Norbulingka Palace on the western edge of the city. Visit the Tibet Museum beside Norbulingka Palace too.
Potala Palace, © Can Stock / bbbar
Visit Lhasa – Pilgrimages
When you visit Lhasa you are going to see Tibetan Buddhists making pilgrimages to Lhasa. Pilgrims will make their way to Lhasa at any time of year. Many walk hundreds of miles instead of using vehicles or trains. You can see them along the roadsides. They will commonly throw themselves flat on the ground many times during the walk in order to worship along the way. Their clothing becomes torn from this. Hands and knees end up bleeding.
Jokhang Temple, © Can Stock / kamchatka
Visit Lhasa Kora Pilgrimage Circuits
Once the pilgrims arrive in Lhasa, they walk Kora Pilgrimage Circuits. A Kora Pilgrimage Circuit involves walking clockwise around religious sites in Lhasa. There are four famous pilgrimage circuits in Lhasa: Nangkhor Kora, Barkhor Kora, Tsekhor Kora and Lingkhor Kora. Pilgrims also walk around the Potala Palace and the Ganden Monastery. Tourists often walk Kora Pilgrimage Circuits and Tibetans are not offended by this.
Hand-held Prayer Wheels, © Can Stock / bbbar
Visit Lhasa – Barkhor Kora
The most famous Kora when you visit Lhasa is the Barkhor Kora. Barkkhor Street is in the central downtown of Lhasa. The street is lined with shops selling goods to pilgrims and tourists. Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims walk clockwise on Barkhor Street around the Jokhang Temple to demonstrate their respect. The Jokhang Temple was the first Buddhist temple in Lhasa and is its most important temple.
Nam Co Lake, © Can Stock / QiangBa
Visit Lhasa – Temples & Monasteries
The Jokhang Temple pilgrimage site is the main religious attraction in Lhasa, but there are a number of other temples and monasteries you can visit. The Ramoche Temple is not far from the Jokhang Temple. The Sera Monastery with its Enclosure of Roses and the Drepung Monastery are on the hillsides overlooking Lhasa. The Ganden Monastery and the Drak Yerpa Monastery are within an hour drive from Lhasa.
Yaks at Nam Co Lake, © Can Stock / PinkBadger
Nam Co Lake
Nam Co Lake (Namtso or Namucuo) is called the heavenly lake. The glacial blue waters set against the snows of the Tibetan plateau create its striking beauty. Although Nam Co Lake is only about 70 miles from Lhasa, a tour bus takes 4 – 5 hours to reach the lake. The lack of a freshwater outlet makes Nam Co Lake very salty. Expect to see locals showing off brightly decorated yaks in the hopes of selling tourists the right to click their picture.
Tibetan Prayer Flags, © Can Stock / bbbar
Get to Lhasa by Air
Many people get to Lhasa by air by arriving at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). You can take flights from Kathmandu in Nepal and from several cities in China. Make sure you arrange a visa if you are arriving from Kathmandu.
Drepung Monastery, © Can Stock / THP
Get to Lhasa by Rail
In 2006, the Chinese government connected Lhasa to the rest of China by a modern railway. The railway crosses the Tibetan plateau from Golmud. Many Chinese people get to Lhasa by rail. Rail prices are cheaper than flights, but the main reason tourists take the train is for the scenery crossing the Tibetan plateau. Although the trains are modern, don’t expect the trip to be quick. Shanghai is over 2,500 miles from Lhasa, so your train trip will take 2 days from there.
Tibetan Prayer Wheels
Visit Lhasa – Hotels
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Holiday Inn Express – Lhasa Potala Square
- InterContinental Lhasa Paradise
Lhasa Weather
Lhasa weather is comfortable from May to September. Summer is also the rainy season, but rainfall frequently occurs at night. Winter temperatures drop well below freezing at night, but warm significantly during the day. May and September are likely the best months to visit Lhasa.
Visit Lhasa – Background
Lhasa is in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The elevation of Lhasa is more than 11,000 feet (3,500 m). About a half a million people live there. Lhasa became the political center of Tibet under the fifth Dalai Lama in the 1600s when they began building the Potala Palacel. Lhasa was occupied by the Chinese in 1950 and the 14th Dalia Lama fled in his country in 1959. Since then the phrase “free Tibet” has become widely recognized. The Chinese government prohibits any support for the exiled Dalia Lama in China and also actively discourages support by any other nation too. The creation of high speed rail service from the rest of China to Lhasa helps ensure the Chinese goal of integrating Tibet.
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