Essential Lhasa Tour

This morning we will visit the Potala Palace. Situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa, this ancient building complex vividly epitomizes the Tibetan architecture and profound Buddhist culture, attracting many pilgrims to pray in this holy place. Covering an area of over 360,000 square meters and standing over 3,700 meters above sea level, the Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world. Legend has it that dating back to the 7th century, it was the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo who ordered to build this magnificent palace for his bride Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). The palace also serves as a home to an abundance of historical relics, exquisite murals, and various buildings. It is also reputed as “a museum of Tibetan history”, so it is a must-visit place for you to explore the charm of Tibetan culture. In addition, the place is also a good spot for photography lovers to take pictures.

Then your guide will take you to a local restaurant to have lunch. Afterward, you will go to the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple epitomizes the typical Tibetan-style temple and was built in the Tubo period (633-842). It is home to many historical relics and typical Tibetan architectures, from which you can learn more detailed information about Tibet. The temple consists of three floors and an open roof. After several renovations and extensions, it now covers an area of more than 25,100 square meters. In addition, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet and also serves as the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. Tibetan people honor the Jokhang Temple that “there is the Jokhang Temple first, then the city of Lhasa”. This vividly shows that it is the most celebrated temple in Tibet, thus being the must-visit place for tourists who come to Lhasa. It is also worth mentioning that you will find a life-size statue of 12-year-old Shakyamuni in this temple that Princess Wencheng brought from Chang’an (the ancient name of Xi’an) in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Then you can also stroll around the Barkhor Street. The Barkhor Street, an ancient street surrounding the Jokhang Temple, is a famous transit road and commercial center in Lhasa. It is also the most intact ancient street in Lhasa. The Barkhor Street retains the original features of the ancient city of Lhasa. The street is paved with hand-polished stones, and there are old-fashioned Tibetan buildings nearby. You will also be amazed by the giant incense burner in the middle of this street for its size and the non-stopping incense smoke day and night.

There are many shops on both sides of the Barkhor Street and you can find more than 8,000 kinds of products, including religious goods, daily necessities, and local specialties with ethnic characteristics. If you want to buy some souvenirs for your friends, this would be a great place to do so. Afterwards, we will take you back to your hotel.

Barkhor Street

Potala Palace

Author: Hao Ami

Proofreader: Li Yiwen