Lhasa city introductions
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is located at the north bank of the Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlong Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3,650 meters. It has been the center of politics, culture, and religion in Tibet for more than 1,300 years. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, Lhasa is famed as " the City of Sunshine". There are many historic sites and famous relics in the city proper and its suburbs, among which the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Gandan Monastery are world famous.
It snows only once or twice a year in Lhasa, and due to the perpetual bright sunshine daytime temperatures are not harsh even in the coldest winters.
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Today, Lhasa is still the biggest urban settlement in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and has retained its importance as a holy city for the entire realm of Lamaist Buddhism. Lhasa has also been being, to some extent, an extraordinary cultural centre, where traditional medicine, astrology, philosophy and Buddhism could be studied in academic institutions.
Lhasa`s remaining historic buildings are rare examples of urban Tibetan architecture and offer the only chance for scientific research of the evolution of Tibetan architecture.
Lhasa mapกก
AttractionsPotala Palace
Located in downtown Lhasa,it was set up in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo covering an area of 41 hectares. The 13-story main building is 115.703 meters high.It was the headquarters of the Dalai Lamas, and is a treasure house of traditional Tibetan culture. It is a relic under the state protection, and had been listed as a World Heritage Site.
Jokhang Monastery
Located in the old district of Lhasa, the monastery was built in the mid-seventh century. Facing west, this four-storey building is built in the Tang style but incorporates features of Nepalese and Indian architecture. Jokhang Monastery enshrines the statue of Sakyamuni, which was said to be brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. There are murals depicting legendary figures and telling Buddhist stories in the corridors and the halls. The monastery also enshrines the statues of King Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, and Princess Bhrikuti Devi.
Sera Monastery
It lies at the foot of a mountain on the northern outskirts of Lhasa. It was built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa Sect. Covering an area of 114,964 square meters, the structure is imposing and splendid in green and gold. It is in typical Tibetan architecture.
Ganden Monastery
Built in the 15th century by the founder of the Gelug-pa Sect. Tsongkapa is located in Dazhi county, 60 kilometres east of Lhasa. The main boundaries are Raky hall and Chiduokang. The former can contains 3,000 sultras-chanting monks. The statues of Maitreya and Chongkhapa are made with elegance and refined workmanship.
Drepung Monastery
Built in 1416 and located at the northwest suburb 5 kiometres from Lhasa, it is the largest of the six big shamanist monasteries in China.It occupies a land of 250,000 square metres and had once boasted 10,000 monks, among whom, many became buddhist talents. The 5th Dalai Lama lived here before he moved to Potala Palace. There is an abundence of historic reliecs and buddhist Scriptures in Drepung Monastery.
Barkhor Street
It is a flourishing street around the Jokhang Temple. Along the street are stores and groceries selling light industry products and handicrafts made by locals or Nepal makers. It is also the main route for prayer wheels rotating.
Norbulingka
Located at the west suburb of Lhasa, it was constructed during 1740s, and is 36 hectares in area.After 200 years of expansion, it has become one of the many typical Tibetan Palaces and gardens. Now, people go to Norbulingka with tents and foods on holidays for dancing and singing throughout the day and night.
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