Lhasa, the historical capital of Tibet, and one of the ancient cities of the world are shrouded with mystery and history. It has not only hosted a variety of different developments and wars and conflicts over the years, but it has also been an abode to some great spiritual leaders of the world.
A Tibet group tour is a must-have, therefore, when you are on a trip to Tibet. While any tour package will definitely include Lhasa visit as one of the prime attractions, an exclusive tour of the city is required to understand the very essence of the country and the people living in it. The Lhasa sightseeing tour will take you through the labyrinths and rugged streets to help you explore some of the finest sights in history.
What can you expect on such a tour to the ancient city of Lhasa? Here are some details.
Potala Palace
The Potala palace is one of the finest masterpieces in history. The Palace has stood tall and erect for many years, and have been the seat of Dalai Lamas for years. Here, in this Palace built in the 7th century holds the secret to the Tibetan culture and religious beliefs. The palace was originally built by the 33rd Tibetan King, Songtsan Gampo. The present size of nine stories was extended by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. With 1300 hundred years of history captured within its confines, the Palace has been deemed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Palace stands tall near the Lhasa River, on what is called the ‘Red Hill’. The view from the top of the Palace is simply breathtaking. However, what is more fascinating are those artifacts that are present within its confines.
Jokhang Temple
Another famous and most popular attraction in Lhasa is the Jokhang temple or the Jokhang monastery. This is again a spiritual center of Tibet, with several pilgrims traveling from across the plateau to visit the temple. Jokhang temple is situated in Lhasa, in Barkhor Street and is a four-story building, again built in the 7th century, by the same king who built the Palace. The temple, which was earlier known as the ‘House of religious science’ or Tsuklakang, is now called – Jokhang, or the House of Buddha. The temple has also stood tall and survived through the anti-Buddhist movements and the test of time.
Norbulingka Palace and Garden
The summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, Norbulingka is another attraction to the visitors to the city of Lhasa. This Palace houses the biggest manmade garden in the Tibet autonomous region or the TAR. This, like Jokhang and the Potala Palace, is a world heritage site.
Sera and Drepung Monasteries
The Sera monastery, the Drepung and the Ganden monasteries are the three monasteries within the Lhasa city. All the three are constructed in the 1400s and houses some very ancient artifacts and religious relics. The monasteries also are set in the backdrop of the mountains and therefore, hold serious attractions to the tourists coming on the Lhasa sightseeing tour.
There are several other beautiful locations, scenic roads, and bazaars like Bharkor Bazzar in Lhasa that are a must to explore on a sightseeing tour to the city. Take up the best Tibet group tours to ensure you visit all these places of interest in one of the ancient cities of the world, to have an experience of a lifetime.
