Lhasa-learn more

Utsang’s prestige derives from the great cultural sites associated with the ancient Tibetan monarchy: Yumbu Lagang– the oldest castle, Tradruk– the oldest Buddhist temple, Samye-the oldest Buddhist monastery, Chongye – the burial ground of the kings, and Jokhang & Ramoche-the original royal temples of Lhasa.

All the main traditions of Tibetan Buddhism established their mother monasteries here during medieval times: the Nyingmapa at Mindroling and Dorje Drak, the Kagyupa at Tsurphu, Drigung, Taklung and Ralung, the Sakyapa at Sakya and Ngor, and the Gelukpa at Ganden, Sera, Drepung, and Tashilhunpo. Even the Bon tradition established its principal centers at Yungdrungling and Menri in Tsang and at Bonri in Kongpo.

Lhasa’s skyline is dominated by the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is the winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas.

Sacred and secular festivals are held throughout the year, according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. One of the most popular events is the Zhodun “yogurt” festival, held at Lhasa during the summer when performances of Tibetan opera are staged in the gardens of Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas.

For trekkers, there are excellent trails in Utsang-from Dingri to Everest Base Camp, from Ganden to Samye, Tsurphu to Yangpachen, in the vicinity of Mt Namchak Barwa, and through the low-lying subtropical forested zone of Pemako.