The Potala Palace
The world famous Potala Palace is located on "Moburi (Red) Mountain", to the west of old Lhasa.In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.It was originally built in the 640's, during the reign of King Songtsan Gampo.
The 13-story palace stands 117 metres high and has over 1,000 rooms. It covers an area of 130,000 square metres. The entire building is made of stone and wood, with walls averaging 3 metres thick.
The Red Palace contains various chapels and mausoleums for previous Dalai Lamas. The 5th Dalai Lama's mausoleum is in the west part of the palace and is 5-storeys high. His enormous Chorten is gold-covered and inlaid with diamonds, pearls, turquoise, agate and coral. The whole structure stands 14 metres high.
The White Palace contains the living quarters of successive Dalai Lamas and their tutors. The offices of the old Tibetan government and their assembly halls are also located here. It became known as the "Winter Palace" by the 1750's, when the 7th Dalai Lama built the Norbulingka Park, as his summer residence.
The Potala contains many precious works of art, including ornately decorated statues, sculptures and Tibetan painting. The topmost hall in the Potala is called "Sasong Langjie". It was built in 1679, and it contains a portrait of the Qing Emperor "Qianlong" bearing the words "A Long, Long Life to the Present Emperor" written in Han, Manchu, Mongol and Tibetan. Dalai Lamas came to pay homage to this portrait on each Tibetan New Year's Day.
Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova
Located in the Ngari Region of Tibet, Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarova are famous as Sacred Mountain and Holy Lake respectively. Both have often been chosen as a sacrificial center for Hindu, Buddhist, and Bonist pilgrims.
Mt. Kailash
Kailash means 'Treasure or Saint of Snow Mountain' in Tibetan. The name originates from the year-round snow on its peak and its historical religious connections.Mt. Kailash is the highest peak in the massive Gangdise mountain range with an altitude over 6,600 meters (21654 ft.). The peak is very pointed and looks like a pyramid piercing the sky. Seen from the south the vertical ice trough and horizontal rock formation combine as the Buddhist symbol Swastika '卐', which represents the eternal power of Buddha.
Travel Tips: One circle around the mountain is 52 km (32.31 mi.) long and takes about three days. Because of the high altitude, weather changes frequently. Travelers should bring warm clothes, a tent and sleeping bag, a waterproof mattress or cushion, food items and common medicines. Camp stoves are permitted on the mountain.
Lake Manasarova
Lake Mansarova lies about 20 km (12.43 mi.) southeast of Mt. Kailash. It means 'Invincible Jade Lake' in Tibetan. The name originates from a story that Buddhism wins a victory against Bon in a religious match beside the lake. The lake is the same 'Jade Pool of Western Kingdom' described by the high monk Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in his Westward Diary.
The altitude of the lake is about 4,588 meters (15,052.49 ft.), making it one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world. The water is very limpid and bright. The Hindu legend has that it is the amrita designed by the great god Brahma that can wash away all one's sins as well as any anxiety or improper thoughts. Many pilgrims bathe in the lake and take some water back as a gift to their relatives and friends. The surrounding area is the point of origin for India's two most famous rivers, the Indus and the Ganges.
Travel Tips: Walking around the lake one circle takes about 4 days, 90 km. (55.92 mi.) long in all. Wading in the cold steams along the way is a bit challenging.
Bakhor Street
The Barkhor is found in the heart of Lhasa circling the Jokhang Temple. It means " a pilgrim' s inner circuit", and is the earliest street of old Lhasa city. .
In the past, it was only a circumambulation circuit, "a saint road" in the eyes of Tibetan. Now it's also a shopping center with nation characteristics. It's an old district with colorful Tibetan features. Tibetan houses line the street, and the ground is paved with man-made flagstones, preserving the ancient look. Houses and small inns were built all around the street. All the houses along the street are stores. All kinds of fantastic commodities show us all aspects of the Tibetan life. As time went on, shops and businesses also set up in the Barkhor, and it slowly became a prosperous area.
Many people call the Barkhor "the window of Tibet" as it is a typical reflection of Tibetan life. The old circumambulation circuit is always crowded with pilgrims from everywhere.
Tips:
1. You should walk in a clockwise direction along the street.
2. It is better not stay too late in the street. Because there are many lanes there, it's easy to lose your way in the evening.
3. Different vendors may sell the same thing at different price. So you'd better ask several vendors and get more information of the articles. Of course, you should also know how to bargain with them..
4. According to the tradition of Tibet, the vendor will give a favorable price to the first customer and the last one in a day.
Jokhang Temple
Located in the centre of old Lhasa city, the Johkang Monastery is a prime seat of the Gelugpa (Yellow) of the Tibetan Buddhism. It was original built in 647 AD. It is said the site was chosen personally by the wife of King Songtsan Gampo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features different architectural styles.
The Jokhang is the spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It is a four-storey timber complex with a golden top. It adopted the architectural styles of the Tang Dynasty, as well as those of Tibet and Nepal. In the central hall is the Jokhang' s oldest and most precious object-a sitting statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old. This was carried to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng from her home in Chang' an in 700 A.D. It is a gilded statue adorned with many jewels, in an elaborate setting. Pilgrims have prostrated themselves in front of this statue for centuries. .
In front of the Jokhang stands an old and withered willow tree said to be planted by Princess Wen Cheng. In front of the willow is a 3 meters high pillar, which is a treaty stone recording the alliance between the King of Tibet and the Emperor of China in 823 A.D.