Lhasa, also known as the "Sunshine City" because of its long sunshine hours, is located in
the center of the Tibetan Plateau in China, neighboring Himalayas to its south. One of
China’s renowned tourist cities with a profound history and culture, Lhasa is the holy land
of Tibetan Buddhism culture, oering picturesque pristine scenery and unique Tibetan
folk customs. Its distinctive Tibetan Buddhism culture has a long history of development.
Lhasa is dotted with temples varying in size, and devout believers can be found everywhere.
They often prostrate themselves with their heads touching the ground while
moving forward to express their lifelong beliefs. Here, you can feel a distinct kind of tranquility
and peace.
Potala Palace
The Potala Palace is the most important symbol of Lhasa and Tibet at large. Standing on the Red Hill at an altitude of 3,700 meters, the Palace is a combination of architectural styles of temples, palaces and castles, with overlapping buildings showcasing its majesty. The Palace is divided into the Red Palace and the White Palace. The central Red Palace represents the supreme location that hosts religious ceremonies, and is surrounded by the White Palace to further reflect its paramount position. The Potala Palace is synonymous to the ultimate destination of every pilgrim visiting Tibet. During every religious festival, the square outside the Palace is filled with a sea of pilgrims kneeling and kowtowing, creating a grand and solemn scene.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka in Tibetan means "Jewel(ed) Garden". If the Potala Palace is
considered the soul of Lhasa, then Norbulingka can be seen as its spirit. Offering the most beautiful scenery in summer throughout a year, Norbulingka is known locally as the Summer Palace, which not only captures the essence of Tibetan culture but also showcases the characteristics of gardens in inland China. The newly constructed Palace encompasses the quintessence of major temples, palaces, and buildings in Tibet, presenting a grand spectacle. Norbulingka is home to 100-odd plant species, ranging from the obscure greenery to precious Tibetan flowers, all of which can be found here.
Namtso
Namtso is a place of mythological hues. The legend has it that Namtso is the incarnation of the daughter of Di Shi Tian (goddess of the heavenly lake), and the five islands in the lake are also known as the homeland of the Five Tathagatas, making it a sacred pilgrimage site. Namtso is the largest lake in Tibet and the highest saltwater lake in the world.
Jokhang
The Jokhang, built in the Tang Dynasty more than 1,300 years ago, is referred to as "the Eye of Tibet". Built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, it holds a supreme status in Tibetan religious culture. The front of the Temple is perennially enveloped in joss-stick incense, and devout believers kneel on the bluestone slabs, bowing their heads to the ground to express their utmost reverence; inside the Temple, tens of thousands of butter lamps illuminate the path for pilgrims, who, with bodies fragile yet beliefs unyielding, come from afar by kneeling and kowtowing throughout their journey, only in the hope of making their wishes known to the gods.
Lhasa