Potala Palace - Potala Palace Tibet Potala Palace Yungang Grotto Share Potala Palace is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions located in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet . Sitting atop Potala Hill, it rises miles above sea level, showcasing golden-roofed buildings and an array of towering hallways and ancient artifacts. For over a thousand years the palace has symbolized the city of Lhasa and remained its most enduring landmark. The long climb uphill to the palace's entrance is a bit rugged at first, especially if you are joined by pilgrims clutching their parcels of yak butter, which seems to be a popular thing to leave at one of the numerous shrines and chapels inside. But it is well worth it to see one of the great architectural masterpieces in all of China. The history of the Potala Palace Tibet begins in the seventh century when King Songtsan Gambo of the Tubo dynasty ordered the construction of the 999 room palace to commemorate his wedding to the princesses of Nepal and Tang. The palace is widely recognized as the pinnacle of Tibetan architecture, and the epicenter of the entire Lhasa Valley.

The interior is just as renowned, as the intricate murals that line the corridors lead you through a maze of treasured materials focused on Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. There are two halves to the Potala Palace: the red palace and the white palace. They are separated, as you would guess, by the colors found on the walls. Throughout the history of the Potala Palace Tibet, the red section has been used for religious purposes, while the white served as the living quarters for the Dalai Lamas, and where they would handle their political affairs. China Map The Red Palace consists of the Hall of the Buddha, the Memorial hall and the Scripture Hall. This is the half that most tourists spend their time in; it contains imposing chapels, and numerous jeweled tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. The White Palace is more utilitarian, mostly offices and a printing house, but the apartments of the thirteenth Dalai Lama offer a rare glimpse into the history of the Potala Palace. Here you can find what it was really like to experience court life for the Dalai Lamas, and the roof allows elegant views of Lhasa and its surroundings.

Another reason to visit the Potala Palace Tibet is to see the chanting pilgrims who descend on the landmark each day, offering up ceremonial scarves and the aforementioned yak butter at the chapels and shrines. Potala Palace is also the resting place of many iron, bronze, gold and silver pieces, as well as sacrificial instruments from the same period. You will also find all kinds of leather goods, porcelain artifacts, carved stone goods and a wide array of gems, seals and the golden documents issued by emperors to the Dalai Lamas. Related Articles Lhasa Lhasa Lhasa is the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It has been the political capital of Tibet since the 17th century, when the fifth Dalai Lama made Lhasa the center of his administration and started building the Potala Palace there. It was used as a winter palace for the Dalai Lama from that time until 1959. It is a site of great historical importance to Tibetan Buddhism, and it is now a national museum. The palace has been a World Heritage Site since 1994.

The Potala Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in the city, which has a thriving tourism industry. Visitors also come here to see the beautiful surrounding landscape of the Himalayan mountains. For More Information Potala Palace–Tibet | Travel Articles, Tips & Reviews flickr image by GeethalFernando Potala Palace–Tibet Hidden in the world’s tallest mountain range, Tibet remained largely untouched from the rest of the world until the 20th century. As a result, the few who did make it into its capital city, Lhasa , were a privileged few. Once in Lhasa, an early visitor would see Tibet’s prized architectural jewel sitting high above the rest of the city. Potala palace is the traditional housing and governmental complex for the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s political and spiritual leader. Since his exile from his homeland in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama has not seen his beautiful Potala palace. However, today it is possible for tourists to go to Tibet and spend time in Lhasa with the Potala’s powerful presence looming in the background.

The Potala palace in Lhasa, Tibet is one of the most spiritual places on earth because of its history, both religious, and political. On visiting the “The Forbidden City,” one will find each of the major monasteries open to visitors. Still hoping to generate political sympathy through religious interest, it is possible to learn Dzogchen meditation at several of the monasteries where one can find a willing teacher. flickr image by bomb_bao Overlooking Lhasa on a tall mountain is the Potala palace. It’s shining golden roofs once were symbolic of the palace’s sacrality. Now a state-controlled museum, Lhasa’s golden gem may be seen from miles within and outside the city proper. The palace once served as the largest and most majestic monastery within all the secluded Tibetan landscape. The interconnected buildings and 150 feet tower were built on an ancient volcano. At the center of the Potala is the Red Palace that traditionally was the Dalai Lama’s private quarters. These quarters are located on the very top of the tower so that none could be higher.

The so-called White Palace, which flanks the Red Palace on both sides, was the administrative offices of officials and high ministers to the Dalai Lama’s state office. A journey to Lhasa and to the Potala would not be complete without experiencing the traditional teaching room of the Dalai Lama, one of the highest of all reincarnated beings. Adding to the mystique of the world’s highest spiritual spot, within the mountainous region behind the Potala are secret, inaccessible caves and tunnels. A subterranean system may have once housed the most secretive of Tibetan Buddhist practices, such as the use of mystical psionic abilities considered the byproducts of high meditative states. Stranger yet are the mythological corpses that are supposedly hidden here, leftover from a perished race of giant human-like beings. Although no such archaeological findings have ever been found, the myth adds to the general excitement of the location as a visitor will never know exactly what lurks behind the next corner. One may tour the Potala after receiving a special tourist visa from the Chinese occupant government.

However, it should be noted that traveling to and experiencing this region may be harsh on the body at first as it is at a very high mountainous altitude of over 4,000 meters. The best way to visit Lhasa is to travel during the summer from the Sichuan province of China . For the most adventurous, though, land routes from Nepal and India may be used. Trekking to Lhasa over land over the course of many days can be quite the physical feat but likely more spiritually rewarding because of the physical human conquest literally walking over mountains would yield. Date posted: 13th February, 2014 Home > Articles > Potala Palace–Tibet More Travel Articles Share | Looming over the capital city of Lhasa, the Potala Palace represents the essence of ancient Tibetan architectural art. More than 1,300 years ago, the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampu built the palace for his wife, princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. Thanks to this matrimony, the Potala Palace has become a symbol of ethnic unity.

"Behind me is Potala Palace, the tallest building on the planet before the first skyscrapers were built. Now it has become a museum, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. " Overcoming altitude stress, pilgrims and tourists climb uphill on winding flights of steps. The trek is strenuous, but they soon discover that the reward is well worth the effort. Looming over the capital city of Lhasa, the Potala Palace represents the essence of ancient Tibetan architectural art. More than 1,300 years ago, the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampu built the palace for his wife, princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. Thanks to this matrimony, the Potala Palace has become a symbol of ethnic unity. Tourism in East Asia Information Syllabus/Schedule Requirements Presentation Guidelines Lhasa is the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It has been the political capital of Tibet since the 17th century, when the fifth Dalai Lama made Lhasa the center of his administration and started building the Potala Palace there. It was used as a winter palace for the Dalai Lama from that time until 1959.

It is a site of great historical importance to Tibetan Buddhism, and it is now a national museum. The palace has been a World Heritage Site since 1994. The Potala Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in the city, which has a thriving tourism industry. Visitors also come here to see the beautiful surrounding landscape of the Himalayan mountains. For More Information City Mayors: Historic cities - Asia | Introduction | Western Europe (A to K) | Western Europe (L to Z) | Eastern Europe | The Americas | Asia & Australia | Africa | On this page: Australia Melbourne League of Historical Cities says: Melbourne was laid out in 1837 with a complete network of lanes and arcades which gave this city so much of its charm. The city's cable car system, introduced in 1855, has developed into one of the largest and most modern tram networks in the world. Melbourne is famous for its Victorian architecture and its parks and gardens, with over one quarter of the inner city set aside as park land.

(Current population: 340,000) Azerbaijan Baku Unesco World Heritage says: Built on a site inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, the Walled City of Baku reveals evidence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian presence in cultural continuity. The Inner City (Icheri Sheher) has preserved much of its 12th century defensive walls. The 12th century Maiden Tower (Giz Galasy) is built over earlier structures dating from the 7th to 6th centuries BC, and the 15th-century Shirvanshahs' Palace is one of the pearls of Azerbaijan's architecture. The site sustained significant damage during the earthquake of November 2000 and is increasingly affected by the pressure of urban development, the absence of conservation policies and by dubious restoration efforts. Bangladesh Bagerhat Unesco World Heritage says: Ancient City of Bagerhat (formerly Khalifatabad). The city, founded in the 15th Century by the Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan, houses a great number of mosques and early Islamic monuments.

China The Forbidden City (Beijing) Unesco World Heritage says: China’s centre of power during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City with its nearly 10,000 rooms is the greatest testimony to Chinese civilisation. Lhasa (Tibet) Unesco World Heritage says: The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolises Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700 metres. Also founded in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three sites, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, add to their historic and religious interest.

Lijiang Unesco World Heritage says: The architecture of the old town is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures assembled over many centuries. Nanjing League of Historical Cities says: Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province. The city boasts a long history and a rich culture. The history of Nanjing began in 472 BC, when the king of Yue Kingdom conquered the Wu Kingdom and built up the city southwest of Zhonghua Gate. Since the third century, ten dynasties established their regimes in this city and left behind brilliant cultural relics. (Current population: 2,09,000) Ping Yao Unesco World Heritage says: The ancient city of Ping Yao was founded in the 14th century. In the 19th and early 20th Century, the city was China’s principal banking centre. Xian League of Historical Cities says: Xian became the capital of Zhou around 1100 B.C and continued for the next 2,000 years to be the capital for 11 Chinese dynasties. As the greatest achievement of the Tang Dynasty, Xian was systematically planned on the basis of a regular street grid inside the walls of a castle.

Today Xian is drawing worldwide attention as a business and scientific centre. (Current population: 2,185,000) India Goa Unesco World Heritage says: Goa, the former capital of the Portuguese Indies, is home to numerous churches and convents. An outstanding example is the Church of Bom Jesus which contains the tomb of St Fracis Xavier. Delhi Unesco World Heritage says: The red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar, built in the 13th Century and 73 metres high, stands a few kilometres south of Delhi. The area surrounding the tower includes funerary buildings and two mosques. Jaisalmer Vasco Travel says: Deep in the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions in the region. Founded on what was the cross-roads of lucrative trade routes, this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis.

The rich merchants employed stone-craftsmen, who created works of great delicacy on the sandstone mansions they built, decorating facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Today, these buildings are still inhabited. Madurai Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after being ransacked by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. More Varanasi League of Historical Cities says: Varanasi is acknowledged as one of the most ancient cities in the world and the foremost sacred city of pilgrimage in India.

The origin of the city is lost in antiquity and only mythological stories exist prior to the 6th century BC, when the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon just outside the city to his first five disciples. (Current population: 1,026,000) Indonesia Yogyakarta League of Historical Cities says: Yogyakarta became the Kingdom of Yogyakarta in 1755, with the construction of the Pangeran Mangkubumi (The Sultan's Palace) for the founder and the first king of the kingdom. As the city's oldest structure, with its origins in the philosophical principles of Javanese culture, the palace has remained the centre of the city's government and the centre of Javanese culture. (Current population:400,000) Iran Isfahan League of Historical Cities says: Historically, Isfahan dates back to ancient times. However, most of its preserved monuments date from the Islamic era when the city was the capital of Iran from the 7th to the17th centuries.

Isfahan's numerous cultural treasures and historical splendours comprising of palaces, mosques, churches, bazaars and beautiful bridges, make it one of the most beautiful cities in Asia Minor. (Current population: 1,300,000) Unesco World Heritage adds: Meidan Emam, a complex of buildings commissioned by Shah Abbas I the Great in the early part of the 17th Century, includes the Royal Mosque, the Mosque of Sheykh Lotfollah and the Portico of Qaysariyyeh and, from an earlier period, the 15th Centruy Timurid Palace. Iraq Baghdad League of Historical Cities says: Founded in 762 AD by Abu Jafar al Mansur, the city of Baghdad was originally built on the west bank of the Tigris River. Circular walls enclosed the city and although its original name was Madinat as Salam (City of Peace), it was more popularly known as the Round City. At the city's centre were the caliph's palace and the grand mosque. November 15 is designated as Day of Baghdad.

Festival is held on this day to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the city.(Latest recorded population: 3,840,000) Israel Acre Unesco World Heritage says: Acre is a historic walled port-city with continual settlement from the Phoenician period. The present city is characteristic of a fortified town dating from the Ottoman 18th and 19th centuries, with typical urban components such as the citadel, mosques, khans and baths. The remains of the Crusader town, dating from 1104 to 1291, lie almost intact, both above and below today's street level, providing an exceptional picture of the layout and structures of the capital of the medieval Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem. Jerusalem League of Historical Cities says: Today, Jerusalem is the largest and most populated city in Israel - a fascinating mosaic of different religions and people. This mixture and the city's extraordinary range of historical relics make Jerusalem a major tourist center. Its unique history, historical monuments and archaeological sites make the city one of the world's most important repositories for western and eastern civilisation.

(Population: 578,000) Japan Fukuoka Fukuoka, with a population of some 1.3 million people Japan’s eighth largest city, traces its history back to the 8th century. In medieval times, Fukuoka became one of the few active international trade cities, hosting many foreign merchants, and in the 16th century, wealthy merchants went overseas to seek more profitable business. In May 2006, the city announced that it would bid to become the official Japanese candidate for the 2016 Summer Olympics. More Kyoto League of Historical Cities says: Kyoto was the capital of Japan for 1,000 years until the transfer of government to Tokyo after the Imperial Restoration in 1868. Kyoto is rich with architectural masterpieces and artistic works. About 20 per cent of Japan's national treasures are in Kyoto. (Current population: 1,460,000) Unesco World Heritage adds: Kyoto, built in 794 AD, was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century.

Kyoto pioneered the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and Japanese garden design which influenced landscape gardening all over the world. Hiroshima Unesco World Heritage says: The Hiroshima Peace Memorial was the only structure left standing in the city after the dropping of the first atomic bomb on 6 August 1945. It expresses the hope for world peace and the ultimate elimination of all nuclear weapons. Nara League of Historical Cities says: The city of Nara was established as the capital, named Heijokyo, in the year 710 and has since been the cradle of the Japanese arts and the essence of its culture. Nara, as an international cultural tourism city, engages the rich and elegant ambience of the Tempyo culture which flourished as the eastern terminal point of the Silk Road. (Current population: 350,000) Korea Kaesong League of Historical Cities says: Kaesong, with a history of more than 1,000 years, was founded as the capital of Koryo, the first unified state in Korea which lasted for over five centuries. Since ancient times, Kaesong has enjoyed a world-wide reputation as a centre of Koryo Insam cultivation.

The city boasts an abundance of historical remains, museums, palaces and important tombs. (Current population: 140,000) Kyongju League of Historical Cities says: For nearly 1,000 years, from 57 BC to 935 A.D., Kyongju was the capital of the Shilla kingdom and flourished as a center of sophisticated culture and government. It is said that the city is like an open-air museum. In the centre of the city, the Tumulus Park houses some 20 large and small tombs from the Shilla Dynasty. (Current population: 140,000) Laos Luang Prabang The town presents a fine example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture and European design brought to the country by colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mongolia Ulan Bator League of Historical Cities says: Ulan Bator was called Ikh Khuree (1706-1911), Niisei Khuree (1911-1923) and finally Ulan Bator since 1924.

Ulan Bator means "Red Hero." Ulan Bator is situated on the bank of the river Tuul and is surrounded by the beautiful foothills of the Khangai mountain range with the Bogd Khan mountain facing the city. (Current population: Myanmar (Burma) Yangon League of Historical Cities says: The origin of Yangon, capital city of the Union of Myanmar, can be traced back to the time of King Okklapa who built the city of Okklapa on the present site and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in the 6th century BC From the 11th century, the King became known as Dagon and existed as an obscure fishing village, in 1755, King Alaungpaya conquered lower Myanmar and renamed the city as Yangon meaning 'end of strife'. (Current population: 2,510,000) Nepal Katmandu League of Historical Cities says: Situated at an altitude of 1,350 metres, the valley in which Katmandu is located is surrounded by green mountains. The abundance of shrines, temples, palaces, squares, ageless sculptures and legends associated with the city make Katmandu in every way a living museum.

Within the city, there are as many temples as there are houses and as many statues as inhabitants. (Current population: 240,000) New Zealand Dunedin James Dignan says: Dunedin has a population of 120,000. The city was founded in 1848, and saw rapid growth during the Otago gold rush of the 1860s, becoming New Zealand's largest city,a title it held during much of the latter 19th century. During much of the 20th century, it saw decline with the 'drift to the north' and rapid growth of centres like Auckland. This trend was reversed in the last ten years of the 20th century, and at the dawn of the 21st century Dunedin is regarded both in New Zealand and overseas as a centre of innovation drawing much of its economy from new industries such as Information Technology, and a growing reputation for ecotourism. With the country's oldest (and second largest) university, the city has a thriving multicultural community with a vibrant cultural life, and foresight from city leaders saw Dunedin retain many of its older and grander buildings.

Pakistan Lahore League of Historical Cities says: Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the State of Punjab, lies on a plain made fertile by the Ravi River. A circular road, that marks the position of Mugal era castle walls, encloses the old city, where mosques and shops along the city's narrow street continue to retain their ancient appearance. There are many legacies of the Mughal era in the city. The Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore were built during the Mughal civilisation. The Fort contains marble palaces and mosques. The Gardens near Lahore are built on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and ornamental ponds. (Population: 2,953,000) Philippines Manila and other cities In the 16th century, during the Spanish reign, four baroque churches were built which represent the interpretation of European Baroque by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen. Sri Lanka Kandy (World Heritage Site) Known as Sri Lanka's hill capital and cultural centre, once the capital of the Kandyan Kingdom, and the historical home of Buddhist power.

The town, built around a peaceful lake is also home to the famous Temple of the Tooth (Dullada Maligawa), a temple which houses Sri Lanka's most important religious relic - the sacred tooth of Buddha. The tooth was, according to legend, rescued from his funeral pyre and brought to Sri Lanka hidden in an Indian princess's hair. During the 10-day August Perahera festival there are glittering processions of almost 100 decorated elephants, the most noble carrying the tooth relic casket. Anuradhapura (World Heritage Site) Sri Lanka's first capital, was founded in the 4th century BC and is home to the sacred Bo Tree. This, the world's oldest living tree, was grown from a sapling taken from the Bo tree beneath which Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment. The Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest of many temples in Anuradhapura, is believed to contain the right collar-bone of Buddha. The Jetavanarama Dagoba is the largest remaining structure and may once have been over 100m (328ft) in height and housed an estimated 3000 monks.

Other ancient dagobas include Abhayagiri and the Miriswatte. About 32 miles south-east of Anuradhapura is the Aukana Budha. This 42 1/2 feet (13 meters) high statue carved out of solid granite, goes back to the 5th century, to the reign of King Dathusena. On a rainy day, it is said, that one can see droplets of water falling off the tip of the statue's nose hitting the ground exactly between the toes - a testament to the architectural accuracy of the sculptor. Mihintale, eight miles east of Anuradhapura, is an important as a place of pilgrimage. This is a monastic city of caves, temples and ruins where Buddhism first took a hold on the Island. It was in Mhintale in 247BC that King Devanampiyatissa became converted to Buddhism, and from this day Buddhism was established in Sri Lanka. Popularly regarded as the greatest, and certainly the most popular among the Buddhists, of the stupas at Anuradhapura, Ruwanveli Seya, is the pride of the Great Emperor Dutugamunu.

Raised in the 2nd century B.C. this dagoba is supposed to have the perfect water bubble shape. Polonnaruwa (World Heritage Site) The country's second seat of rule and a medieval capital. By far the most stunning carvings are the four gigantic stone buddhas, one reclining serenely, one sitting and two standing. On the Southern side of the Parakrama Samudra (Polonnaruwa) is a striking stone statue of a bearded man holding in his hands what seems to be book (written on palm leaves). The care-worn expression hints at royalty and popular belief identifies it as a statue of Parakramabahu the Great. Sirigiya (World Heritage Site) A spectacular rock fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. It is built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa. There are water gardens, 5th century rock paintings of well endowed damsels, a 1000-year-old graffiti wall recording visitors impressions of the pin-ups, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and tremendous views. Today, Sigiriya is being considered for the place of 8th wonder of the ancient world.

Dambulla Rock Temple (World Heritage Site) Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive of all the cave temples in Sri Lanka. The ceiling of the cavern is illustrated with paintings that follow the natural folds of the rock. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19kms away. Galle (World Heritage Site) This walled town surrounded with a magnificent stretch of tropical beach has been home to Portuguese, Dutch and British colonists and is the finest colonial city on the island. The port of Galle, thought by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully atmospheric bar.

Syria Damascus Founded in the 3rd millennium BC, the ancient city of Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. In the Middle Ages, it was the centre of a flourishing craft industry, specialising in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history. Thailand Chiang Mai League of Historical Cities says: Located in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the second largest city in the country. The deep-rooted culture of Chiang Mai stems from the fact that the city was the capital of Lanna Thai, which dates back to the 13th century, the same period as Thailand's first capital, Sukhothai. (Current population: 170,000) Turkey Istanbul Unesco World Heritage says: With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2,000 years.

Its masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque, all now under threat from population pressure, industrial pollution and uncontrolled urbanisation. (Current population: 6,620,000) Konya League of Historical Cities says: The City of Konya became the centre of culture, art and politics in 12th and 13th centuries. Many Islamic scientists, artists and architects were invited to Konya and they contributed to the spread of that knowledge. Thus Konya prospered as a center of Islamic world. Many theological schools and mosques were built in this period. (Current population: 570,000) Safranbolu Unesco World Heritage says: From the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main EastWest trade route. The Old Mosque, Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322.

During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire. Uzbekistan Tashkent League of Historical Cities says: Tashkent means "the city of stone" in Turkish. Owing to the special characteristics of the people, made up of numerous ethnic groups and religions, it is often called "the city of friendship and brotherly love." As an important Central Asian transportation and trade centre, Tashkent has been an oasis of the Silk Road for the past 2,000 years. (Current population: 2,094,000) Vietnam Hanoi League of Historical Cities says: Hanoi means "within the rivers" and is derived from its position at the central point of the delta between the Red River and its tributary, the Day River. During the early part of the 11th century, Vietnam was united for the first time by the Ly people, who set up their capital at Tanron, a castle town located on the site of present day Hanoi.

(Current population: 1,090,000) Hoi An The ancient town of Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of an Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Yemen Sana’a Sana’a, located at an altitude of 2,200 metres, has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. After the birth of Islam, the city became a major religious centre. Today Sana’a still has more than 6,000 buildings built before the 11th Century. 'Historic Cities  Living Cities' in Africa already includes historic towns and cities from eight countries. The series will be developed further and we are inviting readers to submit additional examples of today’s thriving cities with a historically significant past. Please email the editor with your suggestions, mentioning Historic Cities- Living Cities in the subject line.

Sections Lhasa Travel Information - Free N Easy Travel Lhasa Travel Information Tourism || Entertainment || Get in || Transportation || Map of Lhasa Introduction Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, covers an area of 544 square kilometers and is "The Land of Gods" in Tibetan, sits on the north bank of River Lhasa, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangbo River, at an altitude of 3,700 meters. It has a history of over 13 centuries. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, Lhasa is famed as " the City of Sunshine". It is the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region and the center of Tibet's political, economic, cultural and religious activities. 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. Lhasa is rightly one of the most featured and dreamt-about cities in the world.

This is not only because of its remoteness, its high altitude at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) means limited accessibility, but also because of its impressive heritage of over a thousand years of cultural and spiritual history that has helped to create the romantic and mysterious Tibetan religion. Differing from the inland cities and other places in Tibet, Lhasa is unique with an allure all of its own. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. It is the center of Tibet's politics, economy and culture. The city has also been appointed as one of the 24 historical and cultural cities of China. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remains a world-famous symbol of the enigmatic power of politics and religion in this region. As the beautiful capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Lhasa is situated in the South Central part of the region, on the North bank of the Kyichu River (Lhasa River) in a mountain-fringed valley.

This ancient sprawling city, settled 1,300 years ago, covers 30,000 square kilometers (11,583 square miles), with a population of 400,000, of which 87 percent are Tibetans. The urban population is 180,000. Tourist resources are plenty, good hotels, tasty restaurants, travel agencies, Chinese department stores and supermarkets, in some parts of the city, you may find no difference to other Chinese cities, but the Tibetan influence is still strong and evident, especially around the old quarters near Barkhor. The Eastern end of Lhasa is more prominently traditional Tibetan, focusing on the area around the Jokhang and the Barkhor. Traditionally dressed Tibetans engaged on a kora (a clockwise journey around the Jokhang, the major Buddhist shrine), often spinning prayer wheels are a common sight in that area. The Western end of Lhasa is more Chinese in character (i.e. Han Chinese from the east of the country). It is busy and modern, and many ways a surprise to many tourists. It is there one finds most of the infrastructure, such as banks and contact with officialdom.

Generally the period from March to October is the best time to visit Tibet. Since Lhasa is located at such a high altitude it is wise to be prepared before starting your journey. Generally speaking, due to the large temperature differences during any given day in Tibet, warm clothes should be taken to keep away the cold. However, because it also receives a great deal of sunshine, sunglasses, suntan oil, and a sun hat are indispensable items if you're traveling anywhere in Tibet. Back to Top History According to ancient mythology the Yarlung valley - not Lhasa - is the homeland of the Tibetan people. The first Tibetan king stepped off a heavenly ladder onto earth not in Lhasa, but here. The Yarlung valley was also the kingly seat of the first Tibetan kings as well as their burial site. This being the case, why is Tibet's capital at Lhasa rather than in the Yarlung valley? As with many aspects of Tibet's culture, the answer lies in her religious life. For Tibet's original Buddhist temple, dating from the seventh century, was Lhasa's Jokhang Temple , still found today pulsating at the heart of the Old Quarter.

This institution, contemporaneous with the first Potala Palace , heralds Buddhism's first insemination and dissemination in a flourishing Tibetan empire stretching from western China to Nepal, Bhutan and northern India. Though its political fortunes would wax and wane, Lhasa - "the place of the Gods" - would forever thus be associated with the birth of Tibetan Buddhism . It is this birthright that would maintain Lhasa's prominence through subsequent centuries of bitter regional and religious conflict. So it was that in the fifteenth century the ascendant Gelug monastic sect , leading a puritanical Buddhist revival in Tibet, established its three stronghold monasteries, Ganden , Drepung & Sera , in the vicinity of Lhasa. The scholarly achievements and political savvy of this sect eventually pushed Lhasa once more to center stage. Two centuries later, under the leadership of the new paramount leader of Tibet, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama , Lhasa was instituted the religious and political capital of Tibet. In 1645 the Potala Palace was re-constructed on Red Hill and the Jokhang Temple greatly expanded.

Although some wooden carvings and door lintels of the Jokhang Temple date to the seventh century, the oldest of Lhasa's extant buildings, such as amidst the Potala Palace, the Jokhang and some of the monasteries and properties in the Old Quarter date to this second flowering in Lhasa's history. The Potala Palace, uniting the political and religious roles of the Dalai Lama, neatly symbolizes the symbiotic relationship of Lhasa's religious and secular roles. This inter-dependent mapping is also seen in the routes of the city's kora or pilgrimage routes. The innermost pilgrimage route or Nangkhor is a circuit along the inside perimeter of the Jokhang Temple. The Barkhor , the best known, follows the circumference of the Jokhang Temple past other monasteries, temples and incense burners of the Old Quarter. And the last, the Lingkhor , circumambulates the city's former outer limits. Although the Yarlung valley is indeed the mythological and historical root of the Tibetan nation, the primacy of Buddhism within the fabric of Tibetan culture has ensured that Lhasa supersedes it as the spiritual and political capital of Tibet.

In 1271, Kublai, a grandson of Genghis Khan, conquered the Central Plain, founded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and made Dadu (today's Beijing) the capital. Kublai wrote finis to the centuries-long situation in which many independent regimes existed side by side, and formed a united country that brought Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan under its sway. During the Song-Yuan period, the "four great inventions" in science and technology of the Chinese people in ancient times-papermaking, printing, the compass and unpowder-were further developed, and introduced to foreign countries, making great contributions to world civilization. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Nanjing, reigning as Emperor Taizu. When his son and successor Zhu Di (r. 1360-1424) ascended the throne, in 1360, he built and expanded the palaces, temples, city walls and moat in Beijing on a large scale. In 1421, he officially moved the capital to Beijing.

During his reign, he dispatched a eunuch named Zheng He to lead a fleet of many ships to make seven far-ranging voyages. Passing the Southeast Asian countries, the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Maldives Islands, Zheng He explored as far as Somalia and Kenya on the eastern coast of Africa. These were the largest-scale and longest voyages in the world before the age of Columbus. The Manchus of northeast China established the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in 1644, under the leadership of Nurhachi. Kangxi (r. 1661-1722) was the most famous emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He brought Taiwan under Qing rule, and resisted invasions by tsarist Russia. To reinforce the administration of Tibet, he also formulated the rules and regulations on the confirmation of the Tibetan local leaders by the Central Government. He effectively administered over 11 million sq km of Chinese territory. Back to Top Geography and Climate Lhasa and the prefecture covers an area of close to 30,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi).

It has a central area of 544 km2 (210 sq mi)[18] and a total population of 500,000; 250,000 of its people live in the urban area. Lhasa is home to the Tibetan, Han, and Hui peoples, as well as several other ethnic groups, but overall the Tibetan ethnic group makes up a majority of the total population. Located at the bottom of a small basin surrounded by mountains, Lhasa has an elevation of about 3,600 metres (11,812 ft) and lies in the centre of the Tibetan Plateau with the surrounding mountains rising to 5,500 metres (18,000 ft). The Kyi River (or Kyi Chu), a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River), runs through the city.

This river, known to local Tibetans as the "merry blue waves,", flows through the snow-covered peaks and gullies of the Nyainqêntanglha mountains, extending 315 km (196 mi), and emptying into the Yarlung Zangbo River at Quxu, forms an area of great scenic beauty. View of the main road in LhasaDue to its very high altitude, Lhasa has a cool, dry climate with frosty winters. It enjoys 3,000 hours of sunlight annually and is sometimes called the "sunlit city" by Tibetans. Lhasa has an annual precipitation of 400 millimetres (16 in) with rain falling mainly in July, August and September. The rainy season is widely regarded the "best" of the year as rains come mostly at night and Lhasa is sunny during the daytime.

Temperature; Daily average (January) -1.2oC, 29.8oF; (July) 16.4oC, 61.5oF Precipitation; Daily average (January) 0.5 mm, 0.02 inches; (July) 129.7 mm, 5.11 inches. People In Tibet, you find modern dressing like jeans and short shirt as in any other Chinese cities. The religion is Buddhism and their monks are called the Lamas. The people hold the Lamas in high respect and most families will be happy to have children trained in Temples to be Lamas. Lamas take upon themselves to spread the teaching of Buddha and officiating religious ceremonies. People turn to the Lamas for spiritual as well advices on all matters whenever they have difficulyies. Back to Top Economy Competitive industry together with feature economy play key roles in the development of Lhasa. With the view to maintaining a balance between population growth and the environment, tourism and service industries are emphasised as growth engines for the future. Agriculture and animal husbandry in Lhasa are considered to be of a high standard.

People mainly plant highland barley and winter wheat. The resources of water conservancy, geothermal heating, solar energy and various mines are abundant. There is widespread electricity together with the use of both machinery and traditional methods in the production of such things as textiles, leathers, plastics, matches and embroidery. The production of national handicrafts has made great progress. The tourism industry now brings significant business to the region, building on the attractiveness of the Potala Palace, the spectacular Himalayan landscape together with the many wild plants and animals native to the high altitudes of Central Asia. Many of Lhasa's rural residents practice traditional agriculture and animal husbandry. Lhasa is also the traditional hub of the Tibetan trading network. For many years, chemical and car making plants operated in the area and this resulted in significant pullution, a factor which has changed in recent years. Copper, lead and zinc are mined nearby and there is ongoing experimentation regarding new methods of mineral mining and geothermal heat extraction. Back to Top Shopping Lhasa has many special local products.

They are Tibetan Thangka, Tibetan silver ornaments, yak wool, Dzi bead, aweto, milk products, Tibetan liquor and Lhasa sweet tea as well as various handicrafts and Tibetan medicines. Tibetan Thangka is a sort of scroll painting. It has distinctive ethnic features, strong religious flavor and unique artistic style, and has been highly prized by the Tibetan people. Some of the Thangka has many colorful and charming portraits of Buddhas, while some reflect the Tibetan history and folk customs. The organization of Tibetan Thangka is well knit, well rounded, balanced and changeable. Thangka has varieties of patterns. There are colored drawing Thangka and printing Thangka besides embroidery, brocade (barbola), silk tapestry and pearl ones. Tibetan silver ornaments Tibetan bracelets are usually made of Tibetan silver and copper. With Sanskrit inscribed on, they seem unsophisticated and mysterious. Tibetan people wear crescent silver plate, which is a symbol of purity. And the agate and gems mounted in the silver plate connote blessing from the god, good luck and good health in life.

In addition, the Tibetan ornaments with ruby and sapphire have an obvious easiness and sincerity, for which you will be deeply shocked by its strong survival consciousness. Dzi bead is known as “Dzi” in Tibetan, according to the ancient legends, Dzi beads can not only drive evil, protect people from disaster, stars (and sun and moon) and the eight kinds of spiritual beings, but also protect bodies, produce power and benevolent rule, and gain good reputation. The occurrence of Dzi bead can date back to 3000 years ago. In ancient time, Dzi bead was called god bead. The design and shape of Dzi bead are deemed to be different symbols and the effectiveness to cultivate different supernatural powers. Dzi bead can be divided into weathered Dzi bead and authentic Dzi bead, including the varieties of “sun and moon”, ornamental sceptre, “heaven and earth”, Nectar and so on. All Dzi beads contain precious and rare mineral elements, that is, the effectiveness and magnetic field, etc. They have the power of making people find a way of treading through treacherous waters and gaining luck and blessings. What’s more, authentic pure Dzi bead is also well known as “genuine Dzi bead”.

It is often called Dzi bead for short. Dzi beads are divided into “pure Dzi bead” and “Chong Dzi bead”. Tibetans think it good luck to own a Dzi bead. And those who once have one Dzi bead means the endless good luck is coming. Therefore, Tibetan people regard pure Dzi bead as the mascot of god, and pressure it as their own lives. Aweto is not what people think to be an insect in winter and become grass in summer. However, it is the parasitism of fungus in insect called Chinese caterpillar fungus. The insects for aweto to live in are aweto hepialid moths, which usually grow in brush woods and meadows at the shady or semi-shady slopes with an altitude of 3,000-5,000m, as insect, aweto hepialid moths have a complete life cycle, including four statuses: ovum, larva, nymph and moth (namely the imago). The aweto fungi move into the larva body of aweto hepialid moths in the first twenty days of September each year, they spread all over the months. And cohere together with soil.

In the last ten days of September, the head of the parasitical larva body develops a stroma of one centimeter high, living through the winter in the frozen earth. At the beginning of May the next year, the stromatic awetos grow out of the earth. Finally, in the last ten days of June, the stroma becomes obese, and the insect body underground gradually rots and becomes empty. And then it becomes useless in medicine. So the best time to collect awetos is from the last ten days of May to the last ten days of June each year. Milk products The most popular kinds of milk in Tibet are sour milk and milk scrap. However there are two sorts of sour milk, one is cheese, which is made of milk that has been used to extract ghee, the other is made of milk which has not been used to extract ghee. Sour milk is the food after it has been saccharified. This kind of milk is more nutritious and easy to digest, especially for the old and the young. Milk scrap is the substance after the milk has been refined to make Su butter, and it is formed by cooking and evaporating.

During the course of cooking milk, the milk skin can be unpeeled. Like the bean curd skin, it is delicious and nutritious. The milk scrap can be made into milk cake and milk bulk as well. Milk products are the important food of Tibetan. The Tibetans always keep them at home or take them with themselves when going outside for food. In Tibet, where there are few between-meal nibbles, the adults always give children milk scrap as between-meal nibble. Tibetan liquor Tibetan distilled liquor is a sort of light alcohol made of wheat or highland barley through fermentation, which tastes weak and mellow, and the alcohol is about 20-30 degrees strong. The distilled liquor of Mangkang County in east Tibet and Yadong County at the border area is famous for its distinctive features. Others Special Products Lhasa sweet tea is made from black tea with juice extracted. With milk and sugar added, Lhasa sweet tea is sweet, delicious and nutritious. The method for making sweet tea in East Asia is particularly exquisite and has a more distinctive flavor.

Handicrafts: the folk handicraft industry of Tibet has a long history, multiple varieties and unique style; carpet, pulu, Tibetan waist knife, Tibetan clothes, Tibetan cap, wool-weaved carpet, wood bowl, pottery and ornaments are the souvenirs welcome by tourists at home and from abroad. Tibetan carpet is mainly archaized carpet, which is said to have a history of 600 years. Tibetan carpet is uniquely weaved with bright and harmonious colors, which are not easy to fade while being washed. Its surface feels soft and exquisite. The carpet is durable in addition to its strong national feature of design, which adds more value of appreciation and collection. Pulu is transliterated from Tibetan, which is actually woolen weaved artificially, with many colors of black, red and green. It is the main material for making clothes, shoes and caps, and the clothing made of it is everlasting and warm. Gold and silver wares are also traditional Tibetan handcraft. Gold and silver wares generally include ornaments such as bracelet, ring, necklace and headwear, and household articles such as flagon, cup, scoop, chopstick and bowl.

Skilled craftsmen can make silver wares mounted with various vivid designs such as phoenix, tiger and lion. There are many kinds of necklace in Tibet. They are made of gold, silver, turquoise, bone, wood and stone, etc. The necklaces are simple and unsophisticated and natural, but few of them are repeated because they all are made by hand. Tibetan knife is favored by tourists at home and abroad because of its fine workmanship, sharp edge and unique style. Tibetan incense is also a sort of very good tour souvenir, and Tibetan people use it to worship Buddha, drive evils away and conduct religious activities. There are many sorts of Tibetan incenses in market, and “Guolenieaxiang” is the most famous and precious. “Guolenieaxiang” has pure and strong aroma when stored in wardrobe, it can make not only clothes aromatic but also can protect the clothing from any insect. Some Tibetan incense composed of special elements can prevent and cure infections and epidemics, etc. Tibetan medicine is a unique Tibetan pharmacological science system that is formed during the course of their struggle against the nature and various diseases.

It has a history of 2000 years or more, and many Tibetan medicines have good curative effect on some diseases such as cardiovascular disease and tumor; “pearl seventy”, “momozhiqi”, “zhifanshiwu”, “alpine snow lotus herb”, “rhodiola root”, “musk” and so on are rare Tibetan medicines. Generally, these medicines can be procured in ordinary drugstores or tourism stores. Back to Top Eating Lhasa’s catering business is developing. Besides Tibetan diet, all styles of cooking including Chinese, Indian, Nepalese and western food can all be enjoyed here. Tibetan diet, Sichuan cuisine, northwest wheaten food, northeast cuisine is most typical. Tibetan diet, rich in variety, is mainly made up of beef and mutton. Don’t eat too much the first time in case of dyspepsia. If you are not used to the buttered tea, you can drink sweet milk tea. Highland Barley Wine is not strong but too much taken will result in deep sleep; so, be sure not to drink too much. When eating some dishes, such as raw meat pulp, you should eat some garlic.

In some small restaurants, a dish and a soup just cost about RMB 10 yuan. And the northwest hand-pulled noodles are rather cheap. Nourishing Thenthuk (Tibetan noodles) with bone soup cost only RMB 4 yuan. Generally, the level of consumption on food is higher than that of inland. For tour group, the standard cost is RMB 50-100 yuan a day for each. Qingke Qingke (Highland Barley) is the main ingredient of tsampa. Tsampa is actually barley flour made from parched barley, un-husked and ground into fine flour and then eaten with butter. People also make tsampa by mixing qingke flour and peas. Tsampa made from qingke is a Tibetan traditional food, severed in the restaurants of Lhasa to accommodate the visitors from all over the world. At religious festivals, Tibetans will shed tsampa as a way of blessing. Beef and mutton Tibetan mainly live on beef, mutton and milk products. In the pastoral areas, people don’t eat vegetables. In this area even in the whole Tibetan area the diet is monotonous, rich in fat and protein.

As is known, beef and mutton is rich in calories, which is good for people living on the tableland to keep warm. It’s interesting that the Tibetan has a custom to eat raw meat. If you go to a herdsman’s or a farmer’s home, you will see the air-dried beef and mutton hung inside the house or tents. And the host will treat you to such meat, which can only be tasted on the tableland. Mashed yak meat Tibetan medicines are mysterious. Mashed yak meat is the mixture of some Tibetan medicines and mashed raw beef, blood red, pungent, and you will feel hot inside after eating it. It’s said that Tibet is a place where time can stop, and people today still like to enjoy the sunshine at the foot of the Potala Palace after such a good meal, feeling rather satisfied. Back to Top Tourism According to the region's authorities, 1.1 million people visited Tibet in 2004. Chinese authorities plan an ambitious growth of tourism in the region aiming at 10 million visitors by 2020; these visitors are expected to be mostly ethnic Chinese.

Proponents of greater Tibetan autonomy are concerned that the increase in tourism will lead to an erosion of the indigenous culture of Tibet; in particular, these proponents have stated that renovation around historic sites, such as the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are creating a jarring "Disney-like" degradation of the sacred site. Potala Palace The Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. It was named after Mount Potala, the abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara. The Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, after an invasion and failed uprising in 1959. Today the Potala Palace has been converted into a museum by the Chinese. The building measures 400 metres east-west and 350 metres north-south, with sloping stone walls averaging 3 m. thick, and 5 m. (more than 16 ft) thick at the base, and with copper poured into the foundations to help proof it against earthquakes.

Thirteen stories of buildings – containing over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues – soar 117 metres (384 ft) on top of Marpo Ri, the "Red Hill", rising more than 300 m (about 1,000 ft) in total above the valley floor. Tradition has it that the three main hills of Lhasa represent the "Three Protectors of Tibet." Chokpori, just to the south of the Potala, is the soul-mountain (bla-ri) of Vajrapani, Pongwari that of Manjushri, and Marpori, the hill on which the Potala stands, represents Chenresig or Avalokiteshvara. Jokhang Temple Located in the centre of old Lhasa city, the Johkang Monastery was first built in 647AD. It is the prime seat of the Gelugpa (Yellow) of the Tibetan Buddhism.

In 643AD, eighteen-year-old Princess Wencheng in Tang Dynasty brought with her a life-sized statue of twelve year old Sakyamuni which is considered as the most precious one among the three life-sized statues of Sakyamuni in the world. Ramoche Monastery was constructed to house the statue by Songtsen Gampo. He also built the Johkang Monastey for Nepalese Princess Khidzun. Subsequently, the statue of Sakyamuni from the Ramoche Monastery was transferred to the Jokhang Monastery and with it Jokhang Monastery became the centre of worship. Bakhor Street Bakhor, also named as Baghor, is the oldest street in Lhasa. In the past, it was only a circumambulation circuit, “a saint road ” in the eyes of Tibetan. Now it’s also a shopping center with nation characteristics. It’s an old district with colorful Tibetan features. Tibetan houses line the street, and the ground is paved with man-made flagstones, preserving the ancient look. In the street, you can find satisfactory souvenirs, and experience the mysterious “one step one kowtow” faith to religion.

All the houses along the street are stores. All kinds of fantastic commodities show us all aspects of the Tibetan life. Such as: Thangkas, copper Buddha, prayer wheels, butter lamps, prayer flags with sutras, beads, Tibetan joss sticks, cypress, etc. Household goods in shops are in abundant, such as: cushion, Pulu, aprons, leather bag, harness, snuff bottles, steels, Tibetan-style quilts, Tibetan-style shoes, clasp knives, Tibetan-style hats, butter, butter pots, wooden bowls, Highland Barley Wine, sweet milk tea, milk residue, air-dried beef and mutton, etc. All kinds of tourist products, cheap but good, can be found in the 1,000-meter-long street. Bakhor Street is a human landscape miniature of Lhasa, even in the whole Tibet. The old circumambulation circuit is always crowded with pilgrims from everywhere. Some come along the road by performing the body-long kowtows, some come by truck. Some are monks, and some are businessmen from Kham. In a word, here you will find people from all over Tibet. You can enjoy different dresses, and languages.

Even the similar-looking dresses of the monks vary depending on the different religions. Bakhor Street is the window to view the Tibetan area, which is silently telling the history of Lhasa. Sera Monastery The Sera Monastery is the representative monastery of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism. It lies on the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. The monastery was built by SagyaYexei, one of the disciples of Tsongkhapa who was the founder of Gelugpa of the Tibet Buddhism in 1419. It is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks “famous daily debates” take place. Location: It is located in the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain of the northern suburb of Lhasa. Some people believe it means “hailstone”, while others believe it means “raspberry”, the full name of the monastery is “Sera Thekchen-ling Monastery”. NorbuLingka NorbuLingka is named the Summer Palace, located west of Lhasa.

The beautiful garden was first built in the middle 18th century. That’s where they deal with affairs and hold religious activities. The garden covers an area of 46 acres, with 370 rooms of different sizes. In the garden people worship Buddha, spend their holiday, and study the Tibetan-style palaces. Located about 1km south of the Potala Palace - The Seventh Dalai Lama constructed the first summer palace in 1755 and each successive ruler added his own buildings. Norbulingka is now undergoing complete restoration. Presently, the complex contains a small zoo, botanical gardens, and a mansion. Ganden Monastery Ganden monastery is the greatest and the oldest of the six Gelug Sect’s monasteries, which is called one of “the three principal monasteries” (the other two are Dreprung Monastery and Sera Monastery). At its peak, it had a registration of more than 4,000 monks. Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelug Sect, established it as the first Gelug monastery in 15th century when he carried out the religious reform in Tibet.

The full name of Ganden monastery is Xizhuzhuenshengzhou in Chinese. Some scholars call it as “Jushan”or “Jile” monastery. In 1733, Emperor Yongzhen of Qing dynasty bestowed the name “Yongtai”. And Gandenpai (Gelug Sect’s original name) which means exhortation, also named after the Ganden monastery. Location: Set up by the Gelug sect’s founder Tsong Khapa in the 7th year of Yongle (in Ming dynasty), the Ganden monastery lies in Lhatse County, 57 kilometers east of Lhasa, the Wangbori Mountain with the altitude of 3,800 meters. Besides its typical Tibetan style, it is three times as large as Potala. Drepung Monastery Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China.

Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). Tibet Museum The Tibet Museum was officially inaugurated in October of 1999, with a permanent collection that celebrates the History of Tibetan Culture. The design of the exhibit uses traditional Tibetan architecture such as Tibetan doors, beam-decoration, patterns and so on, in order to create the atmosphere of authentic Tibetan art The History of Tibetan Culture Exhibition incorporates superb examples of several thousand years of Tibetan history, politics, 1 religion, cultural arts, and customs. It 'takes I Tibetan history as the main thread and Tibetan culture as the center' in exhibiting the long history of the Tibetan people and their vast and deep culture. At the same time most of the historical objects also express the fact that Tibet is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. This exhibit displays around 1,000 precious objects, in a space totaling around 3,000 square meters and with an exhibition line of around 600 meters. The contents are divided into pre-history culture, indivisable history, culture and arts, and people's customs.

Back to Top Entertainment There are night spots featuring singers and dancers in traditional costume singing English, Chinese, Tibetan, and Nepalese songs. Many bars have live music although limited in the range of drinks are quite limited. Lhasa is a slow moving city where you can spend hours enjoying the atmosphere in the bar. You can meet new friends there. Some of the bars are Ganglamdo, Frontier Perspective, Majiami, Backpacker, National Music Country Bar Street Back to Top Get in It is possible to visit Lhasa on 3-7 day tours from Kathmandu, Nepal, but there have been reports of tours that do not allow enough time for visitors to adjust to the dramatic altitude change resulting in some travelers sufferring altitude sickness being left off along the way (without any refund, of course). You can choose from the options fly-in and fly-out, drive-in and fly-out, etc. Fly-in fly-out comes at a small extra cost and offers the most comfort and safety. Chinese Standard Time (Beijing) is used in Tibet, which is 8 hours ahead (+) of GMT and 2 hours 15 minutes ahead of Nepal.

However, it is not uncommon for Western climbing groups to keep on Nepali time since this better coincides with the expected times of sunrise and sunset. Non-Chinese nationals are required to obtain a special permit to visit Tibet. Individual permits are hard to obtain, group permits (at least 5 person) are easier. Travel agents from Kathmandu are very good in obtaining one and also a Chinese visa for you in very short time (one day or two) when you book a trip. By plane The Lhasa Gonggar Airport (贡嘎机场) (IATA: LXA) is about 50 km from Lhasa. It takes 1 hours to the center of Lhasa. There are flights from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Qamdo, Shanghai, Xi'an, Xining, and Zhongdian (Shangri-La). International flights are available to Kathmandu, Nepal and Hong Kong. By bus Buses run from Golmud in neighbouring Qinghai province, but are almost as pricey as the flight from Chengdu due to the permit issue.

By train The Qinghai-Tibet (Qingzang) railway connects Lhasa and Golmud, with services continuing onto Xining, Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Transportation Railway The new Lhasa Railway which procedes north and then east to Xining, some 2000 km, is the highest plateau railway in the world. Journalists report that the opening of the railway in July 2006 has brought with it an increasing demand for property which has pushed prices up. Five trains arrive at and depart from Lhasa railway station each day. Train numbered T27 takes 47 hours, 28 minutes from Beijing West, arrives in Lhasa at 20:58 every day. The ticket costs 389 yuan for 'hard seat', or 813 yuan for a lower 'hard sleeper', 1262 yuan for a lower 'soft sleeper'. T28 from Lhasa to Beijing West departs at 08:00 and arrives in Beijing at 08:00 on the third day, taking 48 hours.

There are also trains from Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Xining, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Initially the large altitude difference has caused problems on this route, giving passengers altitude sickness. To counter this, extra oxygen is pumped in through the ventilation system, and personal oxygen masks are available. Air Transport Lhasa Gonggar Airport is located about one hour's taxi ride south from the city. There are flight connections to several Chinese cities including Beijing and Chengdu, and to Kathmandu in Nepal. Highway The Qinghai-Tibet Highway (part of G109) runs to northeast toward Xining and eventually to Beijing and is the mostly used road. The Sichuan-Tibet Highway (part of G318) runs east towards Chengdu and eventually to Shanghai. The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (G219) runs north to Yecheng, Xinjiang. This road is rarely used due to the lack of amenities and petrol stations.

Tibet Exploration - Tour itineraries - Grand Travel China Vacation Day 6: Lhasa Tsetang (9,600 ft) Visit the TIBET MUSEUM, which houses artifacts found in Tibet dating back to prehistoric times. Board your bus for the city of TSETANG, one of the largest cities in Tibet. You will see the Yarlung Tsangpo River along the way. At 1800 miles long, this is one of the major rivers in Asia and provides irrigation and transportation for local Tibetans. The river flows out of Tibet and joins the Ganges in India. Visit SAMYE MONASTERY, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Founded during the 8th century, this monastery was the site of a public debate that determined the Indian school of Buddhism would be followed in Tibet. (B/L/D) Day 7: Tsetang CHANGZHUG MONASTERY is the largest and most important of the surviving royal foundations in the Yarlung Valley. It is said to have been founded in the 7th century under King Songtsän Gampo.

The most important treasure of Tradruk is a thangka embroidered with thousands of pearls which is said to have been made by Princess Wencheng herself. It depicts Wencheng as the White Tara. Then, visit YUMBU LAKHANG, an ancient palace that is considered the first building in Tibet. According to legend, Yumbu Lakhang was built in the second century BC for the first king of Tibet. Climb (or ride one of the many horses stationed below the palace) to the palace for some impressive views of the Tibetan countryside. The palace became a shrine under the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama, and so houses many golden statues of the Buddha. (B/L/D)

Question: In which Asian Capital City is the Potala Palace, now converted to a museum?
Answer: LHASA