Scenic Spots in Lhasa City

Lhasa is located on the northern bank of Lhasa River, a tributary of Yarlung Zangbo River. It is about 3650 meters above the sea level. Lhasa means holy land in Tibetan. It is the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is also a political, economic and cultural center of Tibet. There are many historical sites both in its urban areas and outskirts.

Scenic Spots in Lhasa City - Potala Palace

Potala Palace was first built in the seventh century and was damaged in the eighth century. It was rebuilt by the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The 13-storey main building of Potala Palace is 117 meters high. It is composed of the Red and White Palaces, with the red one in the middle.

The main building of Potala Palace consists of the Hall of Stupas of Dalai Lamas from various historical stages and halls of Buddhas. The White Palace is the residence of the Dalai Lamas and place for handling political affairs.

The Potala Palace collects great amounts of rare cultural relics, including the Pattra-leaf scripture from India, Bak'gyur and the imperial edicts, golden seals and titles of nobility from the emperors of Qing Dynasty to Dalai Lamas.

Scenic Spots in Lhasa City - Norbu Lingka

Known as Jewel Garden, Norbu Lingka is a shining pearl of Lhasa. It is located in the west of the city and is the cultural relic under the national protection.

In 1755, which was the 20th year during Emperor Qianlong's resign of Qing Dynasty, Kalsang Gyatso (the seventh Dalai), built this complex and named Gesang Pozhang and used it as a summer resort. From April to September according to the Tibetan calendar, Dalai conducted political affairs and held various celebrations here. It gradually became the summer palace for the successive of Dalai Lamas. Norbu Lingka, like a museum, demonstrates the history, culture and art form different periods of Tibetan to people.

Scenic Spots in Lhasa City – Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum is located at the southeast corner of Norbu Lingka, Lhasa. It is the first modern museum in Tibet. It covers an area of 53959 square meters and has a floor space of 23508 square meters including an exhibition area of 10451 square meters. Tibet Museum demonstrates a strict and magnificent traditional Tibetan architectural style. Also it reflects a salient feature of modern architectural art.

The museum collects a rich collection of cultural relics including various kinds of cultural relics of pre-history, handwritten Tibetan classics, colorful Thangka pictures, music and ritual instruments, unique handicrafts and pottery. From the exhibition, the visitors could see the long-standing history and profound culture and art of Tibet.

Scenic Spots in Lhasa City - Yangbajain

Yangbajain is located in Damung County, Lhasa. There are rich geothermal resources and is famous as a geothermal museum. The well-known Yanbajain Geothermal Power Station is also located here. There is hot springs everywhere and when the valve is switched on, hot water spurts several meters or even dozens of meters high, constituting a magnificent scene.

Yangbajain is 87 kilometers away from Lhasa. Tourists could reach there by long-distance bus in Lhasa. There are guesthouses where you could stay around the Yangbajain Transport Station.

Scenic Spots in Lhasa City - Dragon King Park

Dragon King Park is also named Zhongjiao Lukang Park. It is also one of the famous gardens in Lhasa. Behind the Potala Palace, it was the Fifth Dalai Lama dug a man-made lake formed from the soil left by the reconstruction of the Potala Palace in the 17th century. The Sixth Dalai Lama – Tsangyang Gyatso built a three-storey pavilion on the islet in the middle of the lake and called it Dragon Palace.