Lhasa

Potala

Potala Palace, fort of 13-stories that dominates the whole city, was set up in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo and covers an area of 41 hectares. The 13-storeys main building, 115,703 meters in height, consists of White and Red palaces with 1,000 rooms, such as bedrooms, scripture rooms, stupas, and rooms for the monks. It is the headquarters of the Dalai Lamas and has been the home of each of the successive Dalai Lamas. It is a treasure house of traditional Tibetan culture.

Jokhang temple

Jokhang Temple is situated in the heart of the old part of the town. It was built in the mid-seventh century. It was founded by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wencheng to be the principal geomatic power-place in Tibet.

It is at Barkhor Street that most people fall in love with Lhasa. The Barkhor circuits run through the heart of the old city where life has changed little over the centuries. The whole circuit is lined with stalls selling everything a Tibetan or visiting tourist could possibly need.

Drepung & Sera monasteries

Drepung Monastery is about 8 km west of Lhasa. Drepung Monastery was once the world’s largest monastery with a population of about 10,000 monks. Drepung was founded in 1416 and in 1530 and the 2nd Dalai Lama established the palace that was home to the Dalai Lamas until the 5th built the Potala. Today, there are around 500 monks in residence and 40% of the Monastery has been destroyed.