Lhasa Off The Beaten Path

Not far from the Jokhang, but not on the regular route you can find the Ani Sangkhung Nunnery. Get into the gate and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There are plants everywhere and it feels like you are in a garden in the middle of the city.

In the nunnery there is a little shop where they print prayerbooks. If the nuns are working on it you are welcome inside to see how it is done.

Lhasa has next to the chinese and tibetan quarter also a small muslim quarter.
It is located east of the Jokhang and the Mosque is the centre of it.

The Mosque covered was first built in 1716. After 1793 it was restored and expanded to cover an area of 1,300 square meters.
And it looks like there is some restoration going on in 2004 (see the picture)

Lhasa River is an amazing expanse of water, peaceful, very wide and backed by giant mountains. The dramatic sky reflected in the water is incredible. Along the river there is a nice paved path and you see colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. To get there just walk south from the Potala Palace area.

Don't miss Drepung Monastery , 10km from center of Lhasa in the west. One of the buddhas there, 10 year old Qiang Ba, in charge of the future is heartquake.
(Sorry I use Chinese "pinyin" for the names, as I forgot their names in Tibetan pronunciation.)

Sanjia Gudong (aka The 'West Wall')

There are three pilgrimage circuits of Lhasa, the outermost of which is called the Lingkhor.

Only the 'West Wall' remains, but it's worth seeking out. Apart from a few pilgrims you're likely to have the place to yourself.

About the only way to find the West Wall is to get the name Sanjia Gudong written down in both Tibetan and Chinese and find a taxi driver who knows the way. Eventually I'll put the script here.

Getting back is a little easier. Follow the track behind the wall and it will take you almost back to the Potala.

For an unusual souvenir why not buy yourself a Mani stone?

Pay a visit to Tibetan Hospital, just oppisite to Jokham Temple, or see doctor there. It's totally different medical style from others, even from the Chinese one... you can always find something to see a doctor, such as a running nose, sleeplessness last night, a little bit of headche (mind you, it can be a true serious problem while in Lhasa).
After being checked by the doctor, you will be given some 'mud' round pills. No matter what disease it is, no matter how serious or unserious you are, you are always given by such mud as treatment. It's just amazing.

These members of the Chinese army just happened to come along as we were admiring the Potala Palace. At first, they didn't notice me, so I was able to take a picture of them. The Chinese government have cleared this place in front of the Palace, breaking it from the rest of the city.

I caught this glimpse of the children while walking along one of the busy roads of Lhasa. I so much enjoy being able to grab a few snapshots of life and not only the monuments. Looking back on my time in Tibet, I'm glad I had this time to see a bit more of the people and not only the places.