Tibet, the Roof of the World, for centuries the mysterious Buddhist holy place, is locked away in its mountain fastness of Himalaya, and has exercised a unique hold on the imagination of the west. For adventurers and traders it was a land of treasure and riches.
Tibet is without doubt one of the most remarkable places to visit in Asia. It offers fabulous monastery sights, breathtaking high-altitude treks, and stunning views of the world’s highest mountains and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
As the capital city of Tibet, 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.
Local Culture
The Tibetans are among the easiest people to get along with in Asia. But still there are some cultural considerations you should better to pay attention to when you travel in Tibet.
1. Do not photo them without permission.
2. Always circumambulate gompas and other religious objects clockwise, thus keeping shrines and chortens to your right.
3. Don’t touch or remove anything on an altar.
4. Don’t take photos during a prayer meeting. At other times always ask permission to take a photo, especially one using flash. The larger monasteries charge photography fees.
5. Don’t wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery.
6. Take your hat off when you go into a chapel.
7. Don’t smoke in a monastery.
8. Do not eat dog, donkey and horse in Tibet.
9. Be aware that Tibetans often gesture with their lips to show a direction, so if a member of the opposite sex pouts at you they are just showing you where to go.
Shopping and Food
Popular things to buy here are carpets, daggers, jewelry, aprons and hats, all of which can be found in the famous Barkhor Street. The vendors on the street outside the Holiday Inn have basically the same range, but in smaller quantities and at higher prices. Besides this, plenty of department stores sell more routine articles.
Although Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, tourists will still find that the food available here is largely what can be found in other parts of China. Among this, Sichuan style cooking is very popular.
The standard of restaurants and cooking here has vastly improved in recent years here and Tibetan food is becoming increasingly popular with visitors. The local staples are tsampa (roasted barley bread), momo (dumplings filled with vegetables and meat) and thukpa (noodles with meat).
There are so many restaurants in Lhasa that it is possible to eat in a different place every night! The most popular area to search around is the Tibetan quarter near Barkhor Square. Tashi Restaurant, Kailah Restaurant, the Third Eye Restaurant, the Alougang Restaurant and the Snowland Restaurant are all good places to sample some of Tibet’s more unusual cuisine.
Entertainment
There are many bars and pubs around the Barkhor Street. Many international and Chinese tourist will come to bars for the night.
Transportation
Most foreign travelers arrive in Tibet by plane. From China, Chengdu is the easiest and most popular starting point. Gonggar Airport is 98 km south of Lhasa city. Airport buses take tourists to the city soon after they arrive.
The new Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the highest in the world. It climbs to 3,641m at Lhasa, but its highest point is 5072m (16,640 feet) above sea level, at Tanggula Pass. Due to the changing altitude during the trip, the train’s carriages are pressurized and oxygen is available to passengers that need it. As of the 1st July 2006, trains to Lhasa run from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. Trains from Shanghai and Guangzhou should also be available soon. Click here for the train timetable. There are also direct trains to/ from Lhasa from Lanzhou and Xining, and all the above routes also stop in both Lanzhou and Xining.
Land cruisers have the capacity for up to five travelers, along with the mandatory guide who will do nothing of the sort, and the driver, who will appear to be doing his best to run both you and all other vehicles off the road. The land cruisers cost Y1000 per day, so it is of course most economical to travel in a group of five. An itinerary must be decided upon and submitted to the PSB for approval before travelers are allowed to leave Lhasa. Usually the PSB will approve any route along established tourist sites. However, once the route is fixed and stamped, there is to be no deviating from it. If in doubt whether to include something in your tour, include it. The agony of leaving Tibet and feeling that one did not see or do enough is far worse than the subsequent hole in one’s pocket.
Getting around the city:
Taking mini-bus is the cheapest way to get around in the city. The fare is 2 Yuan no matter how far you go.
Taking a taxi may cost you 10 Yuan no matter where you go in the city. But if you want to go out of town, you’d better negotiate with the driver over the price.
Man-powered tricycles running on the streets are very interesting sights. If you want one, just wave your hands. Riding a tricycle is a good way to enjoy the appearance of the city. A tricycle usually takes two people and the price varies from 4 Yuan to 7 Yuan. Before getting on it, don’t forget to negotiate for the price.
Tourist Attractions
The Potala Palace
The Potala Palace, which is now on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics, is the most valuable storehouse in Tibet. It is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. The Palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scripture, Buddha figures, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry treasured up, they are of great cultural and artistic value. In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site. Perched upon the Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet.
The Jokhang Temple
Constructed in the 7th century AD to house the statues of Buddha that princesses Bhrikuti from Nepal and Wen Cheng from Tang Dynasty China brought as gifts for their future husband, King Songtsan Gampo. The temple has been enlarged many times over the centuries and now also houses statues of King Songtsan Gambo and his two famous foreign brides. However, the original statue of Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha that Princess Wen Cheng brought from Chang’ an over 1300 years ago is definitely it’s most sacred and famous possession, and is perhaps the most venerated religious artifact in all of Tibet. The temple, a splendid four-floor building facing west under a gilded rooftop, is located on Barkhor Square in the center of the old section of Lhasa.
Barkhor Street
The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled.
Sera Monastery
It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka meaning of "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.
Drepung Monastery
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).
Lake Namtso
Lake Namtso is the second largest saltwater lake in China. The lake is beautiful with its azure water and surrounding snow capped peaks. There is a gravel road from Damxung to the lake. In the rainy season, the route can be quite difficult.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery the home of the Panchen Lama, located on the hillside overlooking Shigatse northwest of the town. It was established in 1447 by Genden Trup, a disciple of the founder of the Gelugpa Order. Genden Trup was later named the first Dalai Lama. Later, the fifth Dalai Lama named the Abbot of Tashilhunpo as the first Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama. Ever since then, the title of Panchen Lama has been one and the same with the Abbot of this monastery.
Lake Yamdrok
Lake Yamdrok one of the four holy lakes of the Tibetan people, situated on the way from Lhasa to Gyangtze which is the old route from Lhasa to Shigatse. The bus travels up a 4794M high mountain through rugged muddy road before reaching the lake, the journey is really breathtaking since the bus drives right on the edge of the cliff. But all these will be rewarded when you suddenly find yourself on the top of the mountain and the stunningly beautiful blue lake under the other side of the peak.