Chakpori Hill

Location: No.2 Robulingka Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Altitude: 3,725 meters
Opening Hours: Summer Season (7:00-22:00); Winter Season (8:00-19:00)
Admission Fee: None
How to Get There: (1) You can take Buses No. 13, No. 14 and get off at the Yaowangshan Caishichang Station; (2) You can take a short walk from the Potala Palace.
Best Time to Visit: March to October would be the perfect time to travel here.

About Chakpori Hill

Rising up beside the Potala Palace, the Chakpori Hill, or literally speaking, the Hill of Medicine King is 3,725 meters above sea level. Ascending the winding path to the top, one can get a panoramic view of the ancient city and its surrounding landscapes. The Chakpori Hill is also the ideal location for taking photographs of the Potala Palace. In the early morning, dense crowds of photographers and photography aficionados come here to shoot a rare view of the Potala Palace irradiated by the first rays of the sun.

Lengend said that Princess Wencheng of theTang Dynasty often prayed on the hill facing the southeast, where her imperial home was. Near the hill are many families who engrave or decorate mani stones, that Tibetans decorate to show their religion. Every year, at Saga Dawa Festival, crowds of pilgrims will come here to put mani stones by the hill.

It is said that once atemplewas erected on the top of the mountain. Within this temple was placed a sapphire figure of a certain Tibetan Medicine King. Legend said that the King was the avatar incarnation of Sakyamuni, who was able to treat patients of any kind of diseases. During the period of the 5th Dalai Lama, lamas from all over the country were brought here to study the knowledge of traditional Tibetan medicine. In late 17th century, Desi Sangye Gyatso established the Tibetan Medical School on this hill.

Recommended Tour Itineraries including Chakpori Hill

With its favorable geographical location, Chakpori Hill is a good place where people can get a panoramic view of Lhasa and capture breathtaking photographs of the Potala Palace. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours that include Chakpori Hill.