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Is Lhasa Worth Visiting? What to Expect for Lhasa Tour?

Last Update: June 30, 2020

Lhasa, the principal city of Tibet, is an excellent destination for a visit. It features rich art and culture, spectacular landmarks, and incredible surroundings. Whether you are a fan of nature, history, shopping, or dining, you can expect a lot of your Lhasa tour. In the following, find out why you should make the largest city of Tibetan Plateau your next destination.

Lhasa Is Home to Potala, the Highest Palace in the World

Grand and imposing Potala Palace, dominating the cityscape from the Red Hill, is a 17th-century complex. Consisting of White and Red palaces, it was the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the principal Tibetan religious authority. The fortress-like complex stands 3.700 meters (12.140 feet) above sea level, which makes it the world's highest palace. Out of respect to the holy complex, no structure in Lhasa can be higher from Potala Palace.

Potala Palace in TibetPotala Palace is a landmark building in Lhasa city

A long flight of stairs leads to the White Palace, where Dalai Lama's residence and Tibetan government used to be. Red Palace used to be a religious hotspot of the Land of Snows, devoted to prayers and Buddhist studies.

Within Potala Palace, you can admire various works of art, elaborate ornamentation, and views of Lhasa. Especially notable are frescoes illustrating the life of the fifth Dalai Lama, who commissioned the palace as we know it today. Pay respects to the remains of the illustrious spiritual leader at a stupa overlaid with precious stones and metals, flanked by mausoleums of subsequent Dalai Lamas.

Lhasa Boasts the Holiest Places of Worship in Tibet

Lhasa is the religion center of Tibet, boasting the holiest Buddhist architectures in Tibet. Jokhang Temple (House of Buddha) is the most sacred site in Tibet, the Roof of the World. Incorporating elements of Tibetan, Nepali, and Indian architectural styles, it is a focal point of traditional pilgrimages.

Jokhang Temple in TibetJokhang Temple is the most sacred site in Tibet

During your tour of Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, pay attention to roof decoration, carvings, and other works of art. Of particular importance is the statue of Sakyamuni (Gautama - or Present - Buddha), located in the heart of Jokhang Temple. Take time to admire a series of murals whose cumulative length is about 1km/0.62mi.

Drepung, located near the capital city, is the largest Tibetan monastery. You can think of it as a great university of Gelug, which is the widely-practiced school of Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama, for example, is the representative of Gelug. The main points of interest of the Drepung Monastery are colorful central assembly hall and white pagodas. Sera, another great Gelug monastery located nearby, is famous for monk debates. Make sure to have a tour of Sera Monastery from 3 pm to 5 pm to attend fervent debates.

Tour a Few Wonders of Nature in Lhasa Suburb

In addition to the cultural and religious highlights in city center, one can also find amazingly beautiful nature scenery in the suburban area of Lhasa. Flowing through the city, the Lhasa River played a big part in the development of the world's highest capital. From certain spots, you can take extraordinary photos of Potala Palace on a clear day. Organize a tour with your guide to appreciate the river flow, edged with dominating hills and dotted with occasional marshes.

Namtso Lake in TibetNamtso Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet

Located several hours by car north of Lhasa, holy Namtso is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Edged by hills and snow-capped mountains, Lake Namtso is a scenic destination excellent for taking postcard-quality photos. When visit Namtso, try to capture idyllic images of peaceful waters reflecting clouds, and an occasional yak led by a herder.

Lhasa Features Lower Altitude for a Comfortable Visit

Although everyone knows that Tibet lies on the highest plateau of the planet, Lhasa has a lower altitude compared to the rest part of the snowy land. The average altitude of Tibet is about 4.500m/14.750ft, while Lhasa sits about 3.650m/12.000ft above sea level.

Tibet cuisineOur group clients are enjoying Tibet cuisine

Therefore, Lhasa is at a much lower altitude than most of the Roof of the World, which makes acclimatization comparatively easier. Plus, many hotels in the city have an oxygen supply to their guests' rooms. For the easiest adaptation to the thinner air, visit the capital of the Land of Snows in late spring or summer. At that time, vegetation is abundant there.

Even for tourists who are going to visit other higher places of Tibet, like Everest Base Camp, a couple of days’ stay in Lhasa will be helpful for altitude acclimatization.

Tourists Can Enjoy Delicious Local Cuisine in Lhasa

Lhasa is the leading culinary destination in Tibetan Plateau. Taking a food tour would be a worthy experience since its restaurants introduce various cuisines.

For example, you can have Nepalese food for breakfast, Indian for lunch, and Tibetan for dinner. If gastronomy tour makes you hungry, try to fit a visit to an eatery serving western or Chinese food during the process.

The local cuisine primarily rests on several local ingredients, such as yak and sheep meat, milk, and high-altitude barley. Some iconic specialties prepared from these are:

● Chang (a beer) and Tsampa (staple food), both made from barley
● Flavour-rich Hot Pot, whose main components are yak meat and bones, a few vegetables, and tofu
● Tibetan sausages, which come in various versions, some of which are meat, flour, blood, and lung
● And creamy yogurt, made of yak milk, which has its festival (Shoton) in the world's highest plateau

Lhasa Offers Wonderful Short Trips for Time-limited Travelers

For tourists who have a limited time yet want to discover more wonderful parts of Tibet, a Lhasa tour is quite suitable for a short trip in Tibet. Whether you schedule your journey in 3 or 4 days, or a week, the Tibetan capital and its surroundings can just meet your needs. There are various short tours holidaymakers take to discover the local culture and unmatched countryside nature.

Ganden Monastery in TibetDiscover the great Ganden Monastery

Spending a total of 4 days discovering Lhasa is the most classic trip one can have, which presents all the must-sees one can expect within the city. Or pay a visit to sacred Namtso Lake, which takes about 6 days including two-day Lhasa sightseeing, being a wonderful combined trip of nature and culture.

Other tours also introduce great monasteries – Ganden, Samye etc., to meet your curiosity on more different temples in Tibet. Besides, trekking in Lhasa is also good for nature lovers to enjoy short-term and pleasant hiking. One can take horse trekking to Dachen Valley, or trek from Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery in Lhasa suburb.

You Can Visit Lhasa City Year Round

Unlike some parts of Tibet that can only be visited in certain seasons, Lhasa is accessible year-round. What's more, the city is anything but snowy and very cold in winter. During the coldest season, morning temperatures usually drop below the freezing point, while the highs tend to resemble spring temperatures occasionally.

Lhasa City in TibetLhasa is a good place to visit all year round

Spring is ideal for outdoor activities in the countryside near Lhasa since the wet season doesn't properly begin until summer. Except for morning temperatures in March, daily averages are comfortably above 0°C/32°F. Sometimes, they will make you think of a refreshing bath with nostalgia.

Maybe you avoid tripping during the rainy season. But, rainfall isn't heavy in Tibet, and especially not in Lhasa. What's more, vegetation is abundant, and oxygen levels are higher than during other seasons, allowing quicker adaptation to elevation. Air temperatures are mostly pleasant, and it becomes hot only now and then.

Autumn features comfortable temperatures in September, cool in October, and cold in November in Lhasa. Except for some rainfall in the first month of autumn, precipitation is next to non-existent during other months.

Transport to and in Lhasa is very Convenient

You can choose how to travel to the chief Tibetan city - by airplane, train, or road. Almost all flights to Tibet land in Lhasa. Airplanes fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport from many Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Guangzhou and more) and Kathmandu, the Nepali capital.

Lhasa Railway Station in TibetArrive at Lhasa Railway Station by Qinghai-Tibet Train

Sichuan-Tibet Highway (2.040km/1.270mi) is the main road connecting Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan, and Lhasa. Starting from there, you can get to the Chinese-Nepali border via Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway (850km/530mi). Once you arrive at the Gyirong Port checkpoint, you are up to 12 hours away from Kathmandu.

Tibet train runs to Lhasa from various cities in China, including Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xining. Traveling by train to the Roof of the World is a worthy experience revealing diverse Tibetan countryside.

Once you arrive in the capital city, you have various convenient means of transport at disposal, such as buses and taxis. You may need some time to get used to public transport, but efficiency is its hallmark.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should schedule your visit to Lhasa. Weather conditions are favourable for the most part, and sightseeing, dining, and cultural opportunities are extensive.

To make your tour of the Land of Snows happen, check do you need a Chinese Visa and contact a local travel agency. To realize your Lhasa and Tibet vacation plans, you need to possess Tibet Travel Permit and possibly some other document, depending on your intended destinations. For further information and questions, please contact us or leave your comment below.

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