Located on Mount Marpo in the northwest of Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, the Potala Palace is a magnificent structure that combines palaces, castles, and temples. It is also a vast and well-preserved ancient palace complex in Tibet.
Located in the center of Lhasa's old town, it is a Tibetan Buddhist temple built by King Songtsen Gampo. Lhasa is known as a "holy land" because of this statue. The temple was originally called "Rasa" and later became the name of the city, evolving into the present "Lhasa". After the completion of the Jokhang Temple, it underwent several modifications and expansions during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties to form its current scale.
The Sera Monastery is located in the northeast of Lhasa, built on a mountainside. It is one of the most famous monasteries of the Gelug sect. The most well-known activity here is the debate on Buddhist scriptures, which takes place around 3 pm daily (from Monday to Friday). The monastery's back mountain is also popular for hiking. There is a giant stone halfway up the mountain, where one can meditate and practice mindfulness. Seagulls soar in the sky while the sound of the temple's bells fills the air, creating a sense of transcendence.
The location of Zhebang Temple is in the northwest of Lhasa, built against the mountains, entirely white, giving a feeling similar to Minas Tirith in "The Lord of the Rings". Zhebang Temple also holds debates and the Xuedun Festival is celebrated here. There are direct buses between Sera Monastery and Zhebang Temple, which is very convenient.
Have you been to Lhasa without visiting Zhaiba Temple is like wearing a new dress without sewing a collar. To go to Zhaiba Temple, there is no bus, only take a shuttle bus or charter a car early in the morning on Yutuo Road. Moreover, the shuttle bus returns early, so if you are not careful, you may miss the return bus. Zhaiba Temple is a practicing temple, and several caves are very famous. It is said to be the place where Lian Hua Sheng and the Tibetan king practiced in the past. There is no admission fee in the off-season. On the day we went, there were no tourists, only a few pilgrims. Standing on the high point of the temple, looking into the distance, the layers of mountains, the blue sky, and the red bushes, it is indeed a good place for practice.
Magpie Pavilion - Restaurant recommendation
Magpie Pavilion is located in a courtyard on the south street of Barkhor Street (there is a sign on the street). You can go upstairs in the courtyard to order food and drinks. On the second floor, you can also have tea and food. However, on the third floor, the rooftop terrace is sunny and decorated with prayer flags. You can make friends, chat with girls, daydream, read books, play with your phone, or play cards. Most of the people who come here are Tibetan drifters, and there are relatively fewer tourists. The prices here are reasonable, with milk tea, sweet tea, and butter tea all priced at five yuan per thermos bottle. Although the food here is Tibetan cuisine, it has a more mainland taste. It is more comfortable here compared to Guāngmíng Pavilion, and more affordable and down-to-earth compared to Majiamì.
