Lhasa Landmarks You Should Not Miss Out on

The landmarks of Lhasa are the most essential scenic spots in the city. You can spot them at a glance, and others who see your photos can also tell at a glance that this is Lhasa. Moreover, these scenic spots not only catch the eye at first glance in terms of architectural art, but also the humanistic connotations behind them endow them with additional splendor. The following several landmarks in Lhasa that I recommend are the ones you won't go wrong with in your blind selection for your Lhasa trip.

The Potala Palace Is the Most Supreme Treasure of Lhasa

The Potala Palace stands at an altitude of over 3,700 meters in Mapuri, Lhasa, Tibet. With a profound historical heritage of over 1,300 years and the status of the world's highest palace-fortress architectural complex, it has become an irreplaceable cultural and spiritual landmark of Lhasa. It showcases the highest craftsmanship of ancient architecture from the Tubo period and is also the largest and most complete ancient palace and fortress complex in Tibet that has been preserved to this day. As the Potala Palace stands on a mountain and there is no building taller than it nearby to block it. This also means that you can unlock multiple angles from distant places such as the Lalu Wetland, or from very close places like the Longwangtan Park behind the Potala Palace. The design on the back of the 50-yuan RMB note is taken from the perspective of the viewing platform near the current Yaowang Mountain, which is diagonally opposite the Potala Palace.

The most overwhelming advantage of the Potala Palace is that it remains grand throughout four seasons. It is open all year round, and you can enter the palace to admire the countless Buddha statues of various sizes, the vast number of scriptures, the thousand-year-old murals, the precious Thangkas and so on.

Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple Are the Religious Center in Daily life

Since Barkhor Street is precisely a pilgrimage route around the Jokhang Temple, it is mentioned together here. The prototype of Lhasa City gradually expanded with Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple as its core. As the oldest street in Lhasa, Barkhor Street has completely preserved the ancient city's appearance, traditional residences and cherished cultural relics. Here, business and culture coexist, tradition and modernity interweave. You can not only feel the cultural heritage but also enjoy the convenience and diversity of modern business. On Barkhor Street, shops on both sides stand neatly in rows, exuding a strong Tibetan traditional style. Locals dressed in traditional costumes come and go on the street. As a tourist, you can also consider renting local clothing from a legitimate rental store and taking photos on this street,which is very memorable.

Just like the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple was also built around the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo, the heyday of the Tubo Dynasty, and has also been included in the World Heritage List. The difference is that the Potala Palace more represents the political and religious integration of the royal power, while the Jokhang Temple symbolizes the highest status of Tibetan Buddhism. The golden roof of the Jokhang Temple, especially under the sunlight, is the most dazzling. What is even more astonishing is that it integrates multiple features and draws on the strengths of various styles. The golden roofs and dougong brackets are in the style of the Tang Dynasty of the Han people, while the watchtowers and carved beams are in the style of Tibet. The wooden carvings of crouched beasts and sphinxes with human faces feature the characteristics of Nepal and India. Inside the Jokhang Temple, the life-sized bronze statue of Sakyamuni at the age of 12 attracts countless believers to come and worship.

Norbulingka Is a Royal Garden Fulfilled with Rare Flora

The third building in Lhasa to be inscribed on the World Heritage List is Norbulingka. As an artificial garden, Norbulingka was developed into a summer resort with Han-style waterside pavilions and terraces. From the perspective of natural landscapes, this place is full of natural charm, with dozens of kinds of trees, flowers, grass and animals scattered everywhere. Ancient trees provide shade and flowers are in full bloom. Such a scene is very rare in the plateau area. In terms of architectural style, this place exudes the gentle and elegant charm of the ancient gardens in the water towns. The murals on the walls here vividly depict the rise and fall of the Tubo Dynasty and the emergence of various religious sects.

Sera Monastery Is Famous for Its Fierce Debates

Unlike several other attractions mentioned above, Sera Monastery can be regarded as a landmark because of its unique cultural symbol. Many temples have the daily practice of debating scriptures, but the debating at Sera Monastery is most prominent for its grand scale and intense atmosphere. Debating is a compulsory course in Buddhism, and the debating examination system is a significant way to advance one's academic degree. During the debate, you may not understand the language they speak, but you can read their expressions and gestures as well as their longing for knowledge and faith.

Conclusion

Let these landmarks present a corner of Tibet's grand history to you in the most direct way. When tourists observe these landmarks, they are no longer passersby and some beliefs and emotions have already been conveyed to their heart through various art forms.