Best Places to Visit in Lhasa
Lhasa Tibet is a mysterious and holy place with the magical landforms. It is the closest place to heaven and the farthest place from the bustle of the city, so it attracts thousands of people every year. People always say that Tibet is like a book that you would never finish reading it, and you can never understand the deepest story until the last page. Tibet is the adventurers' paradise where numerous people infinite yearns for. When it comes to Lhasa, the first thing that comes to your mind must be the blue sky and the white clouds. There are fascinating beautiful sceneries and human landscapes, such as the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the Barkhor Street, and so on. Here, we make some introduction of some the best places worthy of visiting in Lhasa.
1. Potala Palace
Potala Palace is not only the symbol of Tibet, but also a place where e faith is worshipped as life. "Potala" is Sanskrit, also translated as "Putuo" in Chinese, originally referring to the residence of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Located in Lhasa, Potala Palace is the highest and most majestic palace in the world. Potala Palace consists of the Red Palace and the White Palace. They are named after the color of the outer wall. The highest Red Palace in the middle is an important place for religious ceremonies, while the White Palace around it is the main activity place for the Dalai Lama. With a distinctive Tibetan style, Potala Palace is the existing complete palace-style architectural complex in Tibet, which is known as one of the top ten civil architectures in the world. You can not only appreciate a large number of historical relics in the Potala Palace and the wonderful architectural art of the Tibet, but also make a soul baptism in this pure and holy atmosphere. Besides, the most remarkable culture relic is eight spiritual pagodas since the fifth Dalai Lama. These pagodas are extremely magnificent and resplendent, which can be so-called a palace of arts.
2. Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple, also called "Jue Kang" or "Tang Zu La" in Tibetan, is the true center of Lhasa. With a history of more than 1,300 years, Jokhang Temple has the supreme status in Tibetan Buddhism. In the eyes of pilgrims, Jokhang Temple is a holy place for them, but also the destination of the pilgrimage. There is a saying goes that the Jokhang Temple was founded before Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple blends the architectural styles of Tibet, Tang Dynasty, Nepal and India, which becomes a classical model throughout the ages of Tibetan religious architecture. Jokhang Temple was built by Songtsan Gambo for enshrining the eight-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha statue which brought from Kathmandu by the Nepalese princess Chizun, and it is famous for the 12-year-old Shakyamuni statue brought from Chang'an by the Princess Wen Cheng. The 12-year-old Shakyamuni statue became the treasure of Jokhang Temple and also an unmissable highlight for visitors and pilgrims. Besides, Jokhang Temple possesses many rare art treasures, such as two pieces of Thangka of the Dharma Protectors of the Ming Dynasty, two nearly one-thousand-kilometer long Tibetan murals Picture of Princess Wen Cheng Entering Tibet" and "Picture of the Construction of the Jokhang Temple". There are three circumanbulations in Lhasa, all centering around the Jokhang Temple. Pilgrims usually walk around the periphery of the Jokhang Temple with turning their prayer wheels, which is called the middle circumambulation. Finish one circle means the completeness of life.
3. Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street is not only one of the most famous circumambulations in Lhasa, but also a thousand-year-old ancient street of local folk customs. Because of its profound culture and long history, Barkhor Street was listed as one of the top ten historical and cultural streets in China. As the earliest and most prosperous street in Lhasa, the traditional look of the Barkhor Street and living style of this ancient city are preserved completely. Tibetan ancestors left numerous valuable historical and cultural heritage here, including ancient architectures, aristocratic mansions, living Buddha's private houses, Dalai Lama's palace, residential houses, and so on. Only step on the slab stone path that has been baptized by thousands of years of history and has been worshipped by millions of devout souls, you can truly experience the charms of the Barkhor Street. According to the Tibetans' customs, no matter you have the religious belief or not, you should walk in a clockwise direction from left to right. And you will feel the strong impact of exotic culture and the shock of the power of Tibetan Buddhism. What's more, as the business center in the old town of Lhasa, there is a wide variety of handicrafts and souvenirs on the Barkhor Street.
4. Drepung Monastery
Located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery is not only one of the three major Buddhist monasteries of the Gelug Sect, but also the largest monastery in Tibet. Covering an area of more than 200,000 square meters, Drepung Monastery possesses 141 manors, more than 540 pastures and seven dratsangs. "Drepung Monastery" refers to "the piles of rice" or "the storage of rice" in Tibetan, which named after its appearance. The rows of the white architectural complexes were built down the hillside, which looks like huge rice piles in the distance. If you are lucky enough, you may watch the scriptures debates among masters.
