Lhasa Favorites

Favorite thing: You must not catch a cold before you enter Tibeten Highland. You need not worry about your health if you have enough rest or donot act immediately when you arrive there.Drink water and sleep as much as you can.

Fondest memory: The sky so blue, so high, I have never seen before.Air is so fresh that it can wash my lung and clean my mind. Tibeten girls are so kind and thier singing and dance are so beautiful. Mountains, monks, temples,...all these made me exciting, also made cry. I'll never forget the wonderful trip.

Favorite thing: Walking on Barkhor, around Jokhang area, togheter tibetan people, see them, smile them, touch them and let they touch you.
Give a sweet to the children or a ball pen.
If you do this without efforts probably, in your previous life, you was one of them.

Favorite thing: The 'Dragon King Pool' is found in the centre of a large park behind the Potala Palace. It dates back to the rebuilding of the Potala by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1645. It is said to be man-made naturally produced from the huge amounts of earth removed for the construction of the Potala. The name 'Dragon King Pool' however stems from a popular legend in Tibetan mythology. Mamy, many years ago the area of Lhasa contained a large and turbullent lake. Prince Guoja ruled the area but was constantly hampered by an evil dragon who lived in the lake. This dragon caused many floods and brought misery to the people. The only way of placation the dragon was to offer a human sacrifice. Thus every year a young boy from the populace was chosen, and on the 1st day of the 1st month, according to the Tibetan Calender, he was tossed into the lake and never seen again. One year, while searching for a suitable sacrifice, the Prince's men discovered a small monk called Dwenjue, who lived on a montainside with his poor family. On the appropriate day, Dwenjue was thrown into the lake. Unlike his predecessors however, this boy had special magical powers, and after a bitter struggle lasting 7 days and nights, the dragon was slein. From that day on, the area became prosperous, and the people were happy. In more recent years, a 4 storey pavilion was built on an island in the lake. It contains a shrine dedicated to the Dragon King. The surrounding parks has become extremely popular vit local people. There are many trees and flowers and scenic picnic spots. Recently a children's playground and garden restarant have been added. In the summer, people go boating on the lake and in the winter it is perfect for ice-skating.

Favorite thing: The Norbulingka Park . Norbulingka, or 'Jewelled Garden', was the site of the Dalai Lamas' summer palace. From the mid 18th century, each successive Dalai Lama moved to the park during the summer season, and carried out all their religious and political affairs from there. The site of the Norbulingka was originally chosen for its banks were shaded by many willow trees, in the 1750's the 7th Dalai Lama spent much time in the peacefulness of this area, studying Buddhist texts. It was during his lifetime that the tradition of a 'Summer Retreat' began. The park was considerably extended during the reign of the 13th Dalai Lama (1876-1933) and many more buildings were erected. In 1954, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, built the 'New Palace', consisting of two major halls, richly decorated with murals. The murals depict many religious legends and historical stories, such as the marriage between the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng and the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century. The 14th Dalai Lama's living quarters are also found in the 'New Palace', and many of his personal possessions, as well as gifts presented to him by the Central People's Government in 1956, are on display in the reception room. In the past 38 years the Norbulingka has been opened as a public park, an is frequently used as a place for picnicing, relaxing an for entertainment.

Favorite thing: The Barkhor Street is found in the heart of Lhasa circling the Jokhang Temple. It means 'a pilgrim's inner circuit', and is the earliest street of old Lhasa city. It dates back to the foundation of the Jokhang and is an essential pilgrim route. Houses and small inns were built all around the street. As time went on, shops and businesses also set up in the Barkhor, and it slowly became a prosperous area. In the past 30 years many more services and facilities have opened, shops have increased and the street is scattered with stalls. It bustles with activity and is always jam-packed with trades people. It is a 'must' for souvenir-hunting tourists. Many people call the Barkhor 'the window of Tibet' as it is a typical reflection of Tibetan life. It is a magical place, full of the mystery and wonder that is associated with Tibet.

Favorite thing: The Jokhang Temple , situated in the centre of old Lhasa, was originally built in 647 A.D. It is said the site was chosen personally by the wife of King Songtsan Gampo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features different architectural styles. The Jokhang is the spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. In the central hall is the Jokhang's oldest and most precious object -- a sitting statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old. This was carried to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng from her home in Chang'an in 700 A.D. It is a gilded statue adorned with many jewels, in an elaborate setting. Pilgrims have prostrated themselves in front of this statue for centuries. In front of the Jokhang stands an old and withered willow tree said to be planted by Princess Wen Cheng. In front of the willow is a 3 metre high pillar, which is a treaty stone recording the alliance between the King of Tibet and the Emperor of China in 823 A.D. The three-leves roof of the Jokhang offers splendid views of the Barlchor Streets accross to the Potala Palace. The golden roofs are superbly crafted with many birds, beasts, bells ad other intricate figures. Every Tibetan New Year, which falls some time between January to March, according to the Tibetan Calender, the Jokhang hosts the 'Great Prayer Festival'. This festival was first celebrated in 1409 under the leadership of Tsong Khapa, and has been held annually since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama. During the festivals, thousands of monks come to perform colourful religious activities in and around the Jokhang, and there is much celebration throughout Lhasa.

Favorite thing: This small two-storey temple marks the site of Songtsan Gampo's living quarters before the construction of the Jokhang, as well as his favourite place for meditation. It can be found near Sera Monastery to the North of Lhasa city. The Pabang Kang has a long history although the original construction date is unknown. In the days of Songtsan Gampo, the palace was nine-storeys high, and as well as Practising Buddhism there, he also handled state affairs and met with foreign envoys. In a nearby cave, hidden by a huge stone slab, is the earthen throne where Songtsan Gampo sat and meditated. A stone carving of the famous Buddhist chant 'Om mani padme hum' was first presented at Pabang Kang, to Songtsan Gampo. The disciple Thonmi Sambhota had devised a Tibetan script after many years study in india. Throughout the era of the Tubo Kings this temple was an important place for all religious activities. It was destroyed however, during the reign of King Long Dama (836-842) who tried to extinguish Buddhism. For 100 years religion was hardly practised. By the early 15th century after the establishment of the Gelukpa Sect, Pabang Kang was once again a favourite place of meditation -- this time for Tsong Khapa. It has remained a sacred place for all devout Buddhists.

Favorite thing: Sera Monastery . Sera means 'Hailstone' in Tibetan, and legend tells that it hailed during the foundation of this famous monastery. Sear was the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa. Unlike Drepung and Gandan, it was not built in a mountainside, but at the foot of the 'Wudu Hill' to the North of Lhasa city. It was completed in 1419, under the supervision of Shaka Yeshe was an important teacher who travelled to Beijing and as far as Mongolia to preach Buddhism. He was given the title 'The Tutor of the Empire', by the Ming Emperor, Xuan De. Many precious gifts were set to sera by the Chinese Emperors of the time, many of which are well preserved and can be seen at Sera to this day. Sera comprises a great sutra chanting hall, a college and 32 sections. It once housed nearly 10000 monks and is proud of its glorious history during the Ming Dynasty.
Sera has been listed as one of the P.R.C.'s national cultural relic since 1982.