Lhassa

Lhassa (or Lhasa) is the capital of Tibet. Because of Tibet's inaccessability to foreigners since 1918, its mention is often synonymous with all things exotic and mysterious (Cook 54). Lhasa is at much higher elevations than its surrounding cities and is often called the "Tibetan Holy Land" or "Buddha Land," making it home to the Dalai Lamas. Because of its remoteness, high elevation, and spiritual history, Lhasa is considered a city of great mystery and intrigue. While there has been Chinese expansion into Tibet to try and incorporate it into mainland business and culture, Lhasa still tries to maintain its separation from the rest of the country.
lhasa.jpg|Lhasa, from WikiTravel
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==Significance to Stevens==
Stevens mentions Lhassa in "Anecdote of Men by the Thousand" (1923), saying "The dress of a woman of Lhassa, / In its place, / Is an invisible element of that place / Made visible" (lines 18-21). The rest of the poem describes a oneness man can have with his surroundings--which sounds very much like a concept in Eastern spirituality. No doubt Stevens is aware of the spiritual implications Lhasa has; the colors of the women's Lhasa dresses are a part of the culture and spirituality, signifiying the woman's position in the society and adorning her with symbols of life and good fortune--invisible qualities made visible through colorful costume.
==Sources and Further Reading==
A Reader's Guide to Wallace Stevens, by Eleanor Cook, on Google Books
Lhasa Travel Guide
Lonely Planet