Maps of How to Explore Lhasa City: Provided By Our Senior Local Tour Guide - Pasang
Lhasa, meaning "the place of Gods" in Tibetan, is the vibrant capital of Tibet. It is home to the region’s most iconic landmarks and offers a glimpse into the authentic way of Tibetan life, drawing thousands of international travelers eager to explore Tibet’s sacred heart.
With over 20 years of guiding experience at Tibet Vista, I've curated a series of detailed maps to help you make the most of your Lhasa day tour. These maps highlight the iconic attractions in Lhasa, the tastiest restaurants to try, and the most comfortable places to stay.
Keep reading to uncover every corner of this remarkable city and make your time in Lhasa truly unforgettable.
Firstly, Ensure Your Stay is in the Lhasa Downtown Area: Map of Lhasa Hotels
Map of Lhasa's Main Tourist Sites: All Within Walking Distance or a Short Drive
Map of Lhasa's Main Restaurants: Plenty of Options Near Potala Palace and in Barkhor Street
Map of Lhasa's Nightlife: Tibetan Beerhouses and Bars Mostly in Barkhor Street
Map of Experiencing Tibetan Local Life: Mainly Around Potala Palace or in Barkhor Street
Firstly, Ensure Your Stay is in the Lhasa Downtown Area: Map of Lhasa Hotels
The downtown area is the most convenient base for your Lhasa adventure, offering the best hotels in the whole Tibet region. Additionally, staying in downtown area means most of the attractions, tasty restaurants, and local favorite spots are within short distance of your hotel.
Lhasa downtown offers a variety of accommodations to suit every budget. For a luxurious stay, top choices include the Shangri-La, St. Regis, and InterContinental. If you're looking for a great four-star experience, consider The Four Points by Sheraton or Thangka Hotel. For those on a moderate budget, the three-star Gang-Gyan Lhasa Hotel and Xinding Hotel offer excellent value.
- Click here for more details about hotels in Lhasa.
Keep in mind that some hotels on Barkhor Street don't allow tourist buses to enter, so you'll need to walk a few minutes to meet your bus for pick-up. Additionally, many hotels offer rooms with stunning views, so it’s best to book in advance to secure a room with a view of the Potala Palace.
All these hotels are conveniently located near Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace.
Map of Lhasa's Main Tourist Sites: All Within Walking Distance or a Short Drive
Lhasa’s main attractions are conveniently clustered around the Jokhang Temple. While many associate Lhasa with the Potala Palace, we Tibetans consider Jokhang Temple the heart of this sacred city. Located at the center, Jokhang Temple is surrounded by the lively Barkhor Street.
West of Jokhang Temple is the iconic Potala Palace, Lhasa’s most famous landmark and a big symbol of Tibetan culture. Close by, you'll find the Norbulingka, and the Tibet Museum. A bit further northwest is Drepung Monastery, the largest in Lhasa and a key spiritual spot.
To the north of Jokhang Temple, you’ll find the renowned Sera Monastery, famous for its lively debates among monks, along with Ramoche Temple and Zashi Lhamo Temple, each rich in history and cultural significance.
In terms of distance, both Barkhor Street and the Potala Palace are within walking distance from Jokhang Temple. The other major attractions are all within a 20-minute drive, making it easy to visit multiple sites in a day.
- Click here for more details about all the attractions in Lhasa.
The attractions of Lhasa are easily accessible, as they are grouped around the Jokhang Temple.
Get a glimpse of local Tibetan culture and life in a classic 4-day Lhasa tour.
Map of Lhasa's Main Restaurants: Plenty of Options Near Potala Palace and in Barkhor Street
When it comes to food in Lhasa, you can find all sorts of options - whether you're craving traditional Tibetan dishes, Nepalese flavors, or Western-style meals. Most of the restaurants are conveniently clustered around the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
For traditional Tibetan cuisine, Potala Atmosphere Restaurant near Potala Palace is a great option, serving hot pot, snacks, and drinks in a casual restaurant-bar setting. Another excellent choice is Makye Ame at the southeast corner of Barkhor Street, famous for its roast mutton chops, fried beef with pickled turnip, roasted mushrooms, tsamba balls, barley wine, and butter tea.
For Nepali or Western food, Dunya Restaurant, located near Jokhang Temple, serves a variety of dishes in a relaxed atmosphere and the menu includes everything from pizza to pasta, made with high-quality ingredients. Another option is Ice Chili, an American restaurant and bar with a diverse menu featuring steaks, pastas, tacos, and more.
- Click here for more details about Nepali or Western food Options in Lhasa.
In addition to the restaurants mentioned above, five-star hotels like St. Regis, Shangri-La, and Inter-Continental provides exceptional dining options. These are perfect for those seeking a luxurious Tibet experience, offering the best of Lhasa in both comfort and cuisine.
Our beloved guests enjoys dining in the Ice Chili in Lhasa
Map of Lhasa's Nightlife: Tibetan Beerhouses and Bars Mostly in Barkhor Street
We Tibetans certainly do know how to enjoy the night. There are cozy Tibetan beerhouses and bars, mostly centered around Barkhor Street. The intersection of Beijing East Road and Tibetan Hospital Road is a popular spot, known for its concentration of lively bars in Lhasa.
On average, a night out costs around 100 yuan per person. Recommended spots include "Lhasa Song," offering a variety of drinks like beer, whiskey, and wine, and Low House Music Bar, a Nepal-themed spot on East Beijing Road known for its local barley beer and popular honey pomelo tea.
In addition to bars, Tibet has a unique local club called Langma Hall, where you can enjoy beer and lively Tibetan performances. Langma refers to traditional music in Tibetan. Lhasa is home to several renowned Langma Halls including Lhasa Yinxiang and Zangdiyangguang Auditorium. These popular venues offer a vibrant cultural experience in the city.
Low House Music Bar near Barkhor Street is a well-noted bar among the youngsters.
Map of Experiencing Tibetan Local Life: Mainly Around Potala Palace or in Barkhor Street
As a local Tibetan, I can tell you that three things are deeply connected to Tibetan life: Kora, sipping sweet tea in a teahouse, and the Guozhuang Dance in the park. Here are the best spots to experience these authentic aspects of local culture in Lhasa.
To experience Kora in Lhasa, the Barkhor Street Kora and Potala Palace Kora - two of the Top 8 Kora Routes in Tibet - are a must-see. From around 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning, you’ll witness thousands of local pilgrims chanting mantras with prayer wheels and beads.
For sweet tea, Guangming Kamqung Sweet Tea House on Barkhor Street is the most famous in Lhasa. The simple, cozy decor with wooden tables and comfortable chairs makes it a perfect spot for tourists to enjoy a cup of sweet tea paired with Tibetan noodles or dumplings.
For Guozhuang dance, Longwangtan Park, located behind Potala Palace, is the best and most popular spot to relax and enjoy the performance. After touring the Potala Palace, don’t rush off - take some time to watch the dance. If you're unsure how to join in, don’t worry! It's simple, and we can teach you the steps.
Our Beloved Guests are enjoying the performance of Guozhuang Dance in Longwangtan Park, right behind the Potala Palace.
4 Days: The Perfect Duration to Explore the Real Lhasa City
I’m often asked how many days are enough to deeply explore Lhasa, and my answer is always the same: 4 days, or more. Based on my years of guiding experience, here’s my recommended itinerary for your Lhasa tour.
Upon arrival in Lhasa, whether by flight or the scenic Tibet train, it’s best to take the rest of the day to relax after your transfer from the airport or train station to the hotel. Visitors experience long journeys to reach Lhasa, and a good rest will help you avoid altitude sickness in Tibet.
On your second day, start with a visit to Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet and once home to over 10,000 monks. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s “great three” Gelug monasteries, where you can witness the famous Tibetan monks' debate.
For your third day, start with the iconic Potala Palace, then relax at Longwangtan Park at its base, enjoying local Tibetan folk activities. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street, joining locals in the kora and browsing the market. Finish your day at a lively Tibetan tea house, sipping sweet tea while your guide shares insights into local life.
On the fourth day, if time allows, you can continue to further Tibet trip and head to Shigatse or Nyingchi, or prepare for your return trip after experiencing Lhasa’s iconic sights and authentic Tibetan culture.
Join the most popular Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour for your next journey in Tibet.
Conclusion
Lhasa is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions coexist with modern Tibetan culture. With the help of my detailed maps and insights, navigating this captivating city becomes a rewarding experience.
Whether you're exploring the awe-inspiring Potala Palace, strolling through the lively Barkhor Street, or savoring Tibetan delicacies, Lhasa has something to offer every traveler and you’ll unlock the true essence of this extraordinary city.

Exceedingly approachable, attentive, and knowledgeable, Pasang exemplifies what a top-notch local Tibetan guide can be. Based on his 20+ years of guide experience, Pasang knows how to flexibly rearrange a traveler’s itinerary to make it comfortable for travelers during long rides. He always checked in with each traveler to make sure they were feeling well due to the altitude.
Besides, Pasang’s encyclopedic knowledge of Tibetan culture & history helps travelers easily navigate through the mysterious Tibetan monasteries and old streets, etc. When Pasang unwinds, he also enjoys sharing his expertise by writing travel articles.
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Firstly, Ensure Your Stay is in the Lhasa Downtown Area: Map of Lhasa Hotels
Map of Lhasa's Main Tourist Sites: All Within Walking Distance or a Short Drive
Map of Lhasa's Main Restaurants: Plenty of Options Near Potala Palace and in Barkhor Street
Map of Lhasa's Nightlife: Tibetan Beerhouses and Bars Mostly in Barkhor Street
Map of Experiencing Tibetan Local Life: Mainly Around Potala Palace or in Barkhor Street