Lhasa Attractions

Here are some famous tourist attractions that are worthy of being recommended to you, such as the landmark of Lhasa city - Potala Palace, Tibetan shopping center - Barkhor Street, a holy site for Buddhists - Jokhang Temple, etc. If you are interested in Tibetan culture, you have no reason to miss the hot Buddhism debate in Sera Monastery, witness the grand Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery, do kora around Jokhang Temple, and so on.

Besides those attractions mentioned before, Ganden Monastery - the 1st and primary monastery of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, Drak Yerpa - the holiest meditation caves, and Norbulingka - a royal palace park are also your priority destinations.

Potala Palace

Potala Palace

Potala Palace is Tibet's cardinal landmark and the highest ancient palace in the world. It's listed as a World Cultural Heritage site and a 5A tourism spot.

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Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is considered the spiritual heart of Lhasa city and the most sacred monastery in Tibet. Visiting Jokhang Temple is an unrivaled experience.

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Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect, as well as the highest-ranking one. Its name means "Rice Heap Monastery".

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Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelug University monasteries in Lhasa. It's on the northern outskirts of Lhasa. Sera means wild rose in Tibetan.

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Norbulingka

Norbulingka

Norbulingka is commonly known as the summer palace of Dalai Lama, which means "Treasure Park" in Tibetan. It's the largest royal garden in Tibet.

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Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street is famous for its pilgrim circuit around the Jokhang Temple. The historical site now is the most prosperous shopping street among travelers.

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Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple is located north of Barkhor Street in Lhasa, the sister temple of the Jokhang Temple. It was set up for an 8-year-old statue of Jowo Sakyamuni.

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Pabonka Monastery

Pabonka Monastery

Pabonka Monastery is s located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. Pabangka means the palace on the boulder in Tibetan.

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Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum, opposite Norbulingka, is worth a visit if you are interested in Tibetan culture and history as well as art.

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Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is at the top of Wangbur Mountain, Dagzê County at an altitude of 4,300m. It was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug sect.

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Drak Yerpa

Drak Yerpa

Drak Yerpa is located to the east of Lhasa, Tibet, and consists of a monastery and a number of ancient meditation caves that used to house about 300 monks.

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Tsurphu Monastery

Tsurphu Monastery

Tsurphu Monastery is a gompa which serves as the traditional seat of the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Canggu Nunnery

Canggu Nunnery

Canggu Nunnery is the only nun temple in Lhasa downtown. It's well-known for the practicing cave of Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

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Nyemo Tunba

Nyemo Tunba

Nyemo Tunba is located in Tunba Township, Nyemo County. It's the birthplace of Tibetan incense, also famous for its traditional handicraft.

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Gyama Valley

Gyama Valley

Gyama Valley, 60km east of Lhasa, is famed as the birthplace of Tibet’s greatest king, who lived here until he became king at the age of 15.

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Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery was founded in 1057, home to sacred statues, ancient trees, and the revered Reting Rinpoche lineage.

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Drigung Til Monastery

Drigung Til Monastery

Drigung Til Monastery is the most famous sky burial site in central Tibet. It's the head monastery of the Drigongpa school of the Kagyupa order.

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Tidrum Nunnery

Tidrum Nunnery

Tidrum Nunnery with its medicinal hot springs has a great location in a narrow gorge at the confluence of two streams.

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Drolma Lhakhang Monastery

Drolma Lhakhang Monastery

Drolma Lhakhang is associated with the eminent monk Atisha. It is only a 30-minute drive southwest of Lhasa and is worth a stop for Buddhist culture.

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Nalendra Monastery

Nalendra Monastery

Nalendra Monastery is the representative monastery for Cha Sec(a sect that belongs to Saga Sect). It's located in the northeast of Lhasa.

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Talung Monastery

Talung Monastery

Talung Monastery is lying in the green fields of the Pak-chu Valley, the sprawling monastic complex of Talung Monastery is around 120km north of Lhasa by road.

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Shugshep Nunnery

Shugshep Nunnery

Located 65km south of Lhasa, Shugshep Nunnery is Tibet's largest nunnery. It is 65km south of Lhasa and is also a favorite of bird-watchers.

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Lhasa Old Town

Lhasa Old Town

This walk takes in craft workshops, backstreet chapels and pilgrim paths, passing en route some of Lhasa’s traditional architecture.

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Here are maps of Lhasa attractions. Click to view a bigger image.

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