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Lhasa Attractions
Tibet Museum (Xizang Bowuguan) -- The museum was being renovated at the time of writing but it is expected to re-open free of charge in 2010 with its old collection bolstered by new finds.
8 Results
- Natural Attraction
Chimpu Caves
The Chimpu retreat caves gave monks relief from constant study, but were also crucial in maintaining Buddhist traditions during periods of persecution, and in transmitting teachings before formal monasteries were established. A warren of caves set in a lush U-shaped valley, Chimpu… - Religious Site
Drepung Monastery
Founded in 1416 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamyang Choeje, Drepung was once Tibet's largest and most influential monastery, with over 10,000 monks, a number which now stands at a paltry 700. The seat of the Dalai Lamas before the "Great Fifth" Dalai Lama built the Potala Palace, many of… - Religious Site
Ganden Monastery
Shelled by the Chinese army during the peaceful liberation of Tibet and further damaged during the Cultural Revolution, the most significant monastery of the Geluk School is slowly undergoing a revival. Dramatically perched on a mountain east of Lhasa, to the south of the Kyi Chu, it… - Religious Site
Jokhang Temple
To fully explore Tibet's spiritual heart, visit this temple twice. From 8am, pilgrims line up to enter the Jokhang. You'll have no trouble singling the eager out-of-towners from the more detached city folk. In the morning, the rooms are unlocked, allowing pilgrims to rub their… - Religious Site
Norbulingka
Whatever traits the various manifestations of the Dalai Lama share, architectural taste is not one of them. The manicured gardens of the summer residence are pleasant -- especially on weekends when locals gather for picnics -- but the buildings, added by the VII (who chose the site… - Landmark
Potala Palace
Commissioned by Dalai Lama V (17th c.), the Potala was built around the fortress of King Songtsen Gampo, which had stood on Mount Mapori for a millennium. "Potala" refers to a mountain in south India, the abode of Tibet's patron deity, Avalokitesvara (Chenresik). Both the ancient… - Religious Site
Samye Monastery
About 39km (24 miles) west of Tsetang, on the northern banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River), stands Tibet's first monastery (late 8th c.), famous for its striking mandala design and as the site of the "Great Debate" (792-94) between the Indian Mahayanists and Chan… - Religious Site
Sera Monastery
This major Geluk monastery was founded in the early 15th century by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkapa. A pilgrimage circuit of the complex passes the colleges Sera Me Tratsang, Ngakpa Tratsang, and Sera Je Tratsang before reaching Tsokchen, the huge assembly hall (ca. 18th c.),…
Lhasa Shopping
There are plenty of supermarkets to be found along Beijing Dong Lu, including Baiyi Chaoshi opposite the post office and Hongyan Chaoshi, a few minutes walk farther east. If you're heading out into the wilds of the TAR and haven't got the necessary kit, Lhasa has lots of outdoor stores, but if you're going to be relying on your gear, don't believe the brand names you'll see in many of these places. For genuine outdoor gear, head for Toread at Beijing Zhong Lu 182.
Tibetan art is seeing something of a renaissance and thangka shops seem to be all over Lhasa now, although many sell items of questionable quality produced over the border in Katmandu. If quality and authenticity are important to you, it's worth heading into a shop where you can see the craftsmen at work, painting the tiny details onto the Tibetan scroll that is used for meditation. Prices can range from several dollars to several thousand. The Ancient Fine Art General Restoration Company (tel. 0891/632-2860) on the third floor of the building opposite Dropenling is recommended for thangkas.
Lhasa Nightlife
It's doubtful whether the tongue-in-cheek performance offered by the Shangrila Restaurant (Xianggelila Zangshi) inside the Kirey Hotel (tel. 0891/636-3880) qualifies as art, but it's certainly entertainment -- and kids love it. The campy pantomime is held nearly every night, and without giving away too much, watch out for the yak! The restaurant opens for its Tibetan buffet dinner (¥60) at 7pm, and the performance starts at 7:30pm. Reservations are recommended July to September.
The hottest nangma (Tibetan nightclub) around is Niuwei, Linkou Bei Lu 13 (tel. 0891/655-8383), where Tibetans down beers and groove to Tibetan singers on a stage with a picture backdrop of Potala Palace; get here by 10pm to ensure good seats. New bars are springing up all over Lhasa, but the best ones are to be found in the Tibetan quarter. The Dunya restaurant and bar (open until 2am) is a hub for expats, and the surrounding streets hold plenty of smaller, more intimate bars.
