Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous
Region is located between 29 o 36'N and 19
o 06' E on the north bank of the Kyichu river,
a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River,
at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level.
Lhasa has a history dating back over 1300
years. It remains the center of politics,
economics, culture and religion in Tibet.
There is so much to see in Lhasa it is difficult to know where to start and where
to end. Potala Palace, Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung
Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine of Tibet, and the
famous Ramoche Temple. The circular Barkhor Street with its innumerable shops,
and wayside peddlers are only some of the experiences of Lhasa..
Potala Palace:
The Potala, one of the most famous architectural
works in the world, sits on top of the Red
Hill in Lhasa. Constructed In the 7th century,
after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo’s
married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court,
the Palace was built to provide the Tibetan
court with a place for worship and meditation.
In the mid-17th century, it was extended
by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present size,
and became the Winter Palace of the Dalai
Lamas. The construction took fifty years
from commencing to completion.
The Potala is divided into two sections,
namely, the Red Palace and White Palace.
The total height of the Potala is 117 meters
spanning thirteen story's. The length from
east to west is 400 meters and the breadth
from south to north is 350 meters. The
building is constructed of stone and timber
with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural
masterpiece.
Norbulingkha (The summer Palace
of the Dalai Lama):
The name Norbulinka means "Jeweled Garden," a fitting title for this
200 year old park, stretching over 360,000 sq. m. The 370 room summer palace
of the Dalai Lama is located inside the park at Lhasa.
Sera Monastery:
Sera means "hailstone" in Tibetan. Set at the foot of the Wudu Hill
and situated to the north of Lhasa, Sera is comprised of a great sutra chanting
hall and a college. The Monastery was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple
of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect. Sera Monastery together with Ganden
Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are known as the "Three Great Monasteries" of
Tibet.
Drepung Monastery:
Situated five kilometers west of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze. The Drepung
Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the
founder of Gelugpa Sect. The Monastery occupying an area of 250,000 square
meters maintains a fixed number of 7,700 monks. It is the largest monastery
in Tibet. The Monastery keeps many historical relics, Buddhist scriptures,
arts, and crafts.
Jokhang Temple:
The Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of old Lhasa, was built in the mid-7th
century A. D. It was later extended by successive rulers, and has now become
a gigantic architectural complex. Located in the east of the city, Jokhang
is a four storied Temple with splendid golden roofs. Its architectural features
art from the Tang Dynasty but it has also assimilated many features from both
Nepalese and Indian Buddhist Temples. The murals in the temple depict the life
stories of historic and religious characters. The temple houses many historical
relics, including statues of King Songtsen Gompo, Princess Wencheng, Princess
Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). "Princess Willow" (a tree), and "The
Uncle-Nephew Alliance Tablet." Jokhang is Tibet' s spiritual center, and
the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses a sitting
statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.
Barkhor Square:
This is Lhasa’s inner pilgrim circuit, shaped roughly like an octagon,
which runs around the Jokhang temple. The circuit is lined with markets, shops
stalls and street vendors providing every, conceivable item a Tibetan could need
a very good place to sample Tibetan barley beer. This is a very holy pilgrimage
site for Tibetans who come from all over to experience the unique atmosphere.
Drepung Monastery:
Situated five kilometers west of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze. The Drepung
Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the
founder of Gelugpa Sect. The Monastery occupying an area of 250,000 square
meters maintains a fixed number of 7,700 monks. It is the largest monastery
in Tibet. The Monastery keeps many historical relics, Buddhist scriptures,
arts, and crafts.
Rigorous overland driving, trekking and camping
in Tibet at altitudes between 4390m/14400ft and 5150m/ 16,900ft.
Overland travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu, with nine days trekking
in the Mt. Everest and Shisapangma areas.
The Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of old Lhasa, was built in the mid-7th
century A. D. It was later extended by successive rulers, and has now become
a gigantic architectural complex. Located in the east of the city, Jokhang
is a four storied Temple with splendid golden roofs. Its architectural features
art from the Tang Dynasty but it has also assimilated many features from both
Nepalese and Indian Buddhist Temples. The murals in the temple depict the life
stories of historic and religious characters. The temple houses many historical
relics, including statues of King Songtsen Gompo, Princess Wencheng, Princess
Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). "Princess Willow" (a tree), and "The
Uncle-Nephew Alliance Tablet." Jokhang is Tibet' s spiritual center, and
the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses a sitting
statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.
