Top ten tourist sites make Tibet a must-visit place

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Tibet becomes more and more popular among both domestic and overseas tourists. Each year, millions of travelers travel to Tibet by different ways, taking train to Tibet, flying to Tibet, driving to Tibet, cycling to Tibet, trekking to Tibet, hitch-hiking to Tibet, etc. It is the following top ten tourist sites that make Tibet a must-visit place.

1. Mt. Everest

As the supreme point of the world, the mountain top is covered with snow all the year round, and when the glaring sun comes out, the peak becomes very pure and beautiful. Tibet is known world widely mostly due to this highest peak on earth.

Potala at night

2. Potala Palace

The Potala Palace is considered to be a model of Tibetan architecture. In 641, Songtsan Gambo, ruler of the Tubo Kingdom, had the Potala Palace built for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, his future bride.

3. Namtso Lake

Namtso, or Lake Nam, is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet Autonomous Region and should not be missed by any traveler to Tibet. In Tibetan, Namtso means "Heavenly Lake." It is famous for its high altitude and imposing scenery.

4. Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple, located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa, is Tibet’s first Buddhist temple and is part of the Potala Palace. It is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan pilgrims.

5. Barkhor Street

The streets are full of religious atmosphere and show the original Lhasa. Shops offer prayer wheels, chubas (traditional Tibetan clothing), Tibetan knives and religious articles for sale.

Barkhor

6. Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when it was built.

7. Yumbulhakang

It is said that Yumbulhakang is the earliest building, and originally, it was not a temple, but the palace of the leader of the early Yalong tribe, which was said to be the first palace of Tibet in the history. People say that it was built in the second century B.C by the Ben Hindus for the first Tibetan king, Nyetri Tsanpo, and then it became the summer palace of Songtsen Gampo and princess Wencheng at Shannan. At the 5th Dalai, it was changed to shamanism temple.

8. Samye Monastery

Built in the 8th century, Samye Monastery was the first Buddhist monastery to be founded in Tibet. It is also notable as the site of the "Great Debate" (792-794) between the Indian Mahayanists and Chinese Chán (Zen) Buddhists. Samye is famous for its sacred mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe. It is a popular pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists, some of whom travel on foot for weeks to reach it.

9. Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama, is one of the Big Six Monasteries of the Gelug sect of Buddhism in Tibet, the Tibetan Buddhist center of Rear Tibet and the most popular attraction in Shigatse. And it is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery.

Ruins of Guge Kingdom

10. Ruins of Guge Kingdom

Guge was an ancient kingdom founded by a branch of descendents of the last king of a unified Tibet in the 10th century. It flourished for more than 700 years before encountering civil strife and foreign attacks and falling into disrepair. Now, visitors can see its ruins of temples and palaces, whose inscriptions, statues and muralsstill remain intact.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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