Potala Palace & Tibetan Buddhism
Lhasa
Lāsà · Roof of the world
The sacred heart of Tibet, perched 3,650m above the sea. Lhasa is a place of spinning prayer wheels, incense-wreathed temples and the soaring Potala Palace — a pilgrimage as much as a destination.
Top sightsSights
Potala Palace
The towering winter palace of the Dalai Lamas — a UNESCO icon of white and ochre rising over the city.
Jokhang Temple
Tibet's holiest temple, ringed by pilgrims prostrating along the Barkhor circuit.
Barkhor Street
A sacred kora and bustling market of prayer flags, thangkas and Tibetan crafts.
Sera Monastery
Famous for its afternoon "debating monks" clapping and sparring over scripture.
Namtso Lake
A dazzling turquoise holy lake amid snow peaks, a day trip north of the city.
What to eatFood
Tsampa
Roasted barley flour, the Tibetan staple, mixed with butter tea.
Yak butter tea
Salty, warming tea churned with yak butter — fuel for altitude.
Momo dumplings
Steamed or fried dumplings filled with yak meat or vegetables.
Good to know
- Acclimatize slowly — spend your first day resting to avoid altitude sickness.
- Foreign travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit arranged through a tour agency.
- May–October brings the mildest weather and clearest mountain views.
Getting there
Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) and the spectacular Qinghai–Tibet Railway, the highest rail line on earth.
Next city
Kashgar