Known as the spiritual heart of Tibet, Lhasa has captivated global travelers for exploration for centuries. With Tibet’s most landmark attractions, devoted Tibetan pilgrims, fascinating old quarters, rich Tibetan Buddhism traditions, and welcoming locals, Lhasa is where you truly connect with the soul of Tibet.

So, whether you are a first-timer to Lhasa or a returning traveler, in this travel guide, we will cover 10 things Lhasa is famous for, helping you plan your Lhasa sightseeing with ease.

Lhasa Is Known as “a Holy City of Sunshine” for its High Altitude

Nestled in serene Lhasa Valley Plain, Lhasa sits at 3,650 meters above sea level. As one of the world’s highest cities, Lhasa boasts crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and more than 3,000 hours of sunlight per year, earning it a beloved nickname of “the City of Sunshine”.

Apart from its stunning alpine landscape, the holy Lhasa City is more known as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Home to Tibet’s most revered Buddhist sites, for centuries, Lhasa has remained the ultimate destination for pilgrimage to Tibetan pilgrims, spiritual seekers, and travelers globally.

With every mural, every sacred monastery, and every ancient street holding a story to tell, Lhasa is well worth your visits time after time for new spiritual discoveries. Learn more about central Chengguan Lhasa district.

The iconic Potala Palace in Lhasa Valley.

Lhasa's History Is Closely Related to Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo

The history of Lhasa was largely shaped by the 33rd Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Before his reign, Lhasa was once a barren marshland in Lhasa Valley. After Songtsen Gampo unified Tibet in the early 7th century AD and relocated his capital to Lhasa from Shannan, the development of Lhasa was in full swing.

In addition, to strengthen the alliance with neighboring Nepal and the Tang Dynasty, Songtsen Gampo married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty of China. These two crucial events led to the construction of the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lhasa, and facilitated the spread of Buddhism into Tibet, which truly transformed Lhasa into the spiritual and political heart of Tibet.

4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: Explore the Heart of Tibet and Mingle with the Locals

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD509 p.p

Get a glimpse of local Tibetan culture and life in a classic 4-day Lhasa tour.

The Holiest Buddhist Site in Tibet Is Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple

While Lhasa is the heart of Tibet, the spiritual heart of Lhasa is the Jokhang Temple.

As the holiest Buddhist site in Tibet, Jokhang Temple was the first major building in Lhasa. It was originally built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo for his Nepali wife, Princess Bhrikuti.

Later, It was when the 12-year-old life-size statue of Sakyamuni, brought by Princess Wencheng, was enshrined in Jokhang Temple that made it most the revered Buddhist site in Tibet.

Since then, Jokhang Temple in Lhasa has become the center of pilgrimage in Tibet, with countless pilgrims across Tibet having made full-body prostrations to worship the Buddha enshrined. Learn how to plan your visits to the Jokhang Temple.

Accompanied by our local experts, you can delve deeply into Tibetan Buddhism and learn the story behind it in Jokhang Temple. Besides, we can help you book tickets for the Princess Wencheng musical performance and arrange convenient local transfers, allowing you to experience the legendary romance between Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng through a captivating live show.

Our guests see prostrating pilgrims when visiting Jokhang Temple.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Combine classic Lhasa tours with a thrilling overland adventure to Tibet Everest Base Camp.

Lhasa Is Home to Ten Dalai Lamas in the Iconic Potala Palace

Perched on Red Hill, with a commanding view of the holy Lhasa City, the fortress-like Potala Palace is the most iconic building in Tibet.

Beyond taking selfies with Potala Palace, you get a rare chance to explore the life of former Dalai Lamas, the supreme spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, as Potala Palace served as the Winter Palace of ten Dalai Lamas.

Hike up long stone staircases to explore the White Palace of Potala where Dalai Lamas lived and handled political affairs whereas the Red Palace above was used for praying and meditation and housed towering funeral stupas of eight Dalai Lamas. You will be amazed by gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, ancient murals, sacred scrolls, and stunning Buddhist art that reflect Tibet’s rich history.

Atop the golden roof of Potala, you will enjoy a sweeping view of holy Lhasa City. After touring inside Potala Palace, you can follow our local experts to walk the kora around Potala or admire Potala Palace from a different perspective at Chakpori Hill or Potala Square. Check the top 10 things to do when visiting Potala Palace.

Our guests take photos with Potala Palace.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour: Traverse from the North Side to the South Side of Mt.Everest for the Best of the Himalayas

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

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Experience an epic trans-Himalayan overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu in 7 days.

Lhasa’s Barkhor Steet Offers Authentic Local Tibetan Life

As the oldest and busiest marketplace in Lhasa, the bustling Barkhor Street offers you the best place to soak up local Tibetan life.

This 1km ancient pilgrim circuit encircling the holy Jokhang Temple originally came into existence to provide food, lodging, and shopping for pilgrims who travel a great distance across Tibet to worship the Jokhang Temple.

Nowadays, Barkhor Street has evolved into the most vibrant cultural, commercial, and religious hub surrounding the sacred Jokhang Temple in the old quarter of Lhasa.

Step onto the teeming Barkhor Street, and you can see devoted pilgrims, young and old, prostrating around Jokhang Temple or walking the kora in a clockwise manner while spinning prayer wheels and chanting Buddhist mantras.

While a variety of handicraft shops, bustling souvenir and antique stalls, fashion boutiques, and lively local teahouses and eateries lining Barkhor Street offer you a great chance to shop around, explore local Tibetan life, and treat yourself to authentic Tibetan delicacies.

As a local Tibetan agency, we can provide you with a local photography guide, together with styling and make-up services. So, you can dress in traditional Tibetan dress and capture your happy moments while roaming over Barkhor Street and other landmark Lhasa attractions. Learn more about Barkhor Street Market.

Our guests take photos at Barkhor Street in traditional Tibetan dress.

6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes.

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse- Lhasa

Price from USD799 p.p

Visiting Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet.

Lhasa Has Tibet’s Largest Man-made Garden: Norbulingka

Apart from Potala Palace, Lhasa boasts Tibet’s largest man-made garden-- Norbulingka, which was first built by the 7th Dalai Lama as the Summer Palace and later renovated and expanded by successive Dalai Lamas.

Today, Norbulingka is the most popular park for locals to hang out with friends and families and enjoy picnics. When strolling through Norbulingka in summer, the tree-lined paths, ponds, pavilions, verdant grasslands, and flower-filled courtyards offer you a peaceful retreat from the bustling Barkhor Street.

Norbulingka comes alive, particularly during the Shoton Festival in August. After watching Gigant Thangka unfolding at Drepung Monastery, locals will flock to Norbulingka to enjoy the Yogurt banquet and annual Tibetan opera performances. Highly recommended for family tours in Tibet.

Our guests have great fun exploring Norbulingka.

5 Days Shoton/Yogurt Banquet Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Explore serene Norbulingka garden and joyous Shoton festival festivities in Lhasa.

No Lhasa Tour Is Complete without Watching Tibetan Monk Debate

Lhasa is a massive monastic city where Tibetan monks study and live in different Buddhist monasteries and temples.

Tibetan monks don’t simply memorize Buddhist doctrines. Instead, they actively engage in debates, challenging and questioning each other’s understanding of Buddhist teachings. This unique Buddhist practice is widely known as the Tibetan monk debate, which is an essential part of their Buddhist study.

Of all Tibetan monasteries, the monk debate at Sera Monastery in Lhasa is the most famous one and a must-have for all Lhasa tours. It is held in the debate courtyard from 15:00 to 17:00 (except Sunday).

You can see one monk yelling, jumping, rolling malas, or clapping hands to question and challenge the other sitting monk. What a dramatic display of Tibetan Buddhist traditions to behold!

Tibetan monks debate fiercely at Sera Monastery.

5 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour with Three Major Monasteries

Tour Route: Lhasa - Drak Yerpa - Ganden - Lhasa

Price from USD599 p.p

Visit top three Gelugpa Monasteries in Lhasa.

Drepung, One of Tibet’s Largest Geluga Monasteries, Lies in Lhasa

Of four Tibetan Buddhist schools, the most influential one with the most followers is the Gelug school, founded by Tibetan master Tsongkhapa.

As you visit Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery (3,800km), one of the biggest Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet, is well worth your exploration. This immense monastery is known as “a rice heap” in Tibetan and is designed to accommodate up to 7,700 monks.

Strolling through this gigantic Buddhist university, you can see tremendous rocks, depicting the image of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa School, and Tibetan mantras like “om mani padme hum”. You may also explore the monks’ living quarters or enjoy the scenic kora with the locals in Drepung Monastery.

BTW, don’t miss out on the Shoton Festival in August to visit Drepung Monastery. In the early morning, monks will carry the massive Buddha Thangka scroll to the Thangka Wall to unfold it to celebrate the Festival and you can enjoy the Yogurt banquet as well.

Our guests explore the gigantic Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.

5 Days Shoton/Yogurt Banquet Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Don't miss out on the gigantic Thangka unfolding at Drepung Monastery in Summer in Lhasa.

Besides Monastic Tours, Don’t Miss Out on Holy Lakes around Lhasa

Beyond its holy monasteries, Lhasa has more to offer. For outdoorsy travelers, two amazing holy lakes around Lhasa provide you with perfect spots to stretch your legs and feast your eyes with jaw-dropping alpine views.

With 2 hrs drive from downtown Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) is one of your best bets for a scenic day tour from Lhasa.

As a local Tibetan travel agency, we offer you an in-depth tour to explore Yamdrok Lake. Our local driver and local experts will take you to the best viewing platforms to enjoy a 360° panorama of Yamdrok Lake.

You may also explore the off-the-beaten Buddhist retreat at the heart of Yamdrok Lake and visit local Tibetan restaurants and villages at the lakeshore and savor home-made Tibetan cuisines. Or enjoy meditation, yoga, or simply stroll and sit back for a cup of coffee by the tranquil lakeside to unwind.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Lhasa

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Admire a 360° panorama of Yamdrok Lake in our in-depth Yamdrok Lake tour from Lhasa.

The other option is the heavenly Namtso Lake (4,718m) which lies around 250 km north of Lhasa (5–6 hours drive), you need to budget 2 days for the visit from Lhasa.

However, the long drive will pay off. As you will pass nomadic regions in Damxung and in summer you can see Tibetan nomads set up their yak-hair tents and graze their sheep and yaks around the lake.

At Namtso Lake, you can enjoy a Yak ride at the lakeshore and admire the amazing sunset over crystal-clear blue waters. Or explore the sacred meditation caves caves of Tashidor Island. On the way back, you can visit off-the-beaten nunnery and monastery as well.

10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, Namtso Lake and Holy Elephant Gate Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Holy Elephant Gate - Lhasa

Price from USD1299 p.p

Explore holy Yamdrok Lake and heavenly Namtso Lake, together with an exhilarating Tibet EBC tour.

Lhasa Is Well-connected to the World’s Highest Railway from Xining

Last but not least, Lhasa is the terminal station of the epic Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world’s highest railway that stretches 1,956 km from Xining to Lhasa on the soaring Tibetan Plateau.

Whether you are about to travel to or from Lhasa, riding on the world’s highest train in around 20 hours will promise you the journey of a lifetime. Check the latest Tibet train schedules and fares.

As a local Tibetan travel agency, we can help you secure Tibet train tickets for the epic ride, offer local transfer and pick-up services, and process a Tibet Travel Permit for free to enjoy a hassle-free Tibet train journey from across mainland China to Lhasa. Learn the top 20 FAQs about the Tibet train journey.

12 Days Travel from Beijing to Kathmandu across Tibet Plateau, traversing the Beijing-Lhasa Train

Tour Route: Beijing - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD1795 p.p

Ride the world's highest railway to explore holy Lhasa City and journey to Tibet EBC and Kathmandu.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, is a fascinating holy city to explore on the roof of the world. Even if you’ve visited it once, or twice, you will be surprised to find that you’ve only scratched the surface. And Lhasa still holds you in spellbound for new discoveries.

If you have more questions about visiting Lhasa and other parts of Tibet, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Looking forward to traveling with you in Lhasa, Tashi Delek!