The most attractive place in Lhasa is the ancient Barkhor Street sitting in the heart of the traditional district of Lhasa. It is more interesting to go to explore traditional buildings hiding inside the Barkhor, for example, Larang Nyingba, an ancient courtyard at Barkhor Street. When you make a Lhasa tour, you can drop a visit to this courtyard to explore Tibetan people's daily life and the traditional buildings of Tibet.

“Larang” means the palace of Living Buddha, while “Nyingba” means ancient or old in Tibetan language. Thus, Larang Nyingpa means the ancient palace of Living Buddha. The Labrang Nyingba was the palace of the fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso in the 17th century before his palace at the top of Jokhang Temple was built.

Before the 17th century, it worked as the mansion of Tunmye Sangbutsa, the most important minister of the Tubo Kingdom in Songtsan Gampo’s reign. Then, it became the living place of Tsongkhapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher.

As one of the most ancient buildings in Lhasa, Larang Nyingba is very famous in Lhasa. But it is not easy to find this place for it hides in the shops at South Barkhor Street. You should walk along Barkhor Street clockwise to the famous restaurant Makye Ame, then go west for 50m and you will find a huge willow with a history of over one thousand years. The Larang Nyingba is just located west of this ancient tree.

This ancient courtyard with unique architecture and bright colors is isolated from the busy Barkhor Street by a wall. Walking into the tranquil courtyard from the noisy Barkhor, you will get an illusion of through the ancient-modern and space-time transformation. It is strange and interesting.