Lhasa Things to Do

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Also called Tsug Lakhang (Central Cathedral), it is Tibet’s most sacred temple. The temple was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo upon moving his capital to Lhasa. The building was enlarged and embellished by ensuing rulers and Dalai Lamas. Some of the chapels in the Jokhang have been destroyed and reconstructed; statuary has been defaced, replaced, restored and moved to a different location – this is an ongoing process which leaves any description out of date immediately.

The Jokhang is Tibet’s most sacred shrine, and pilgrims come here from all over Tibet. Unlike most temples, the Jokhang is not identified with a particular sect. Leaders from the different sects are shown in statuary and murals.

Around 100 monks live in the Jokhang, residing in the upper levels. It was used as a military kitchen during the Cultural Revolution.

The Jokhang Temple is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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This pilgrimage circuit is ca 800m long, a quadrangle of streets that surround the Jokhang and some other old buildings around the area. This is both the spiritual heart of the old city and the commercial district for Tibetans, with colourful markets and narrow lanes, where time appears to have stood still for centuries.

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The square was opened in 1985 allegedly to mark the 20th year of the creation of the TAR. Of course, in reality the square was built to provide easier access for the Chinese military to the area which at that time was full of ‘troublesome’ Tibetans. Even now, if a small gathering appears to be forming in the square, the military will break it up, fearful of a repeat riot. For the pilgrims coming to the Jokhang, the walk around the Barkor is part of their pilgrimage.

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When King Songtsan Gambo married the Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng in 614, he had the palace built for his wife. In the ensuing years, the Potala Palace suffered from wars, thunderbolt and fire. Only two buildings from the original structure remain – the Cave for the Prince of Darma and the Pagbalhakang (Main Hall) and nobody knows what the palace looked like in those days. The present Potala was rebuilt in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. After the ascension of the 7th Dalai Lama, who established a summer palace at Norbulingka, the Potala was used predominately during winter. Until the mid-18th century, the palace also served as a military fortress, due to the security afforded by its elevated position. For more than 300 years, the Potala Palace was the centre from which Tibet’s political and religious administration was run. The 13th Dalai Lama undertook a renovation of the palace in the early 20th century. During the shelling of the palace by the Chinese in 1959, not much structural damage was done. The palace was also spared major destruction during the Cultural Revolution.

The Potala Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994.

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Completed in 1694, at which time the wheel had not be introduced to Tibet, so equipment and construction materials were carried in by humans or donkeys. 100 artisans from varying nationalities (Han, Manchu and Mongolian) were sent by Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi to assist in the construction. This is where you could find the tombs and remains of the eight Dalai Lamas as well as various shrines and chapels.

Eight gold-plated stupas contain the bodies of eight of the previous Dalai Lamas, from the 5th to the 13th – apart from the 6th, which is missing.

The hall is so named because it enjoys plenty of sunshine trough its large windows. The hall contains gold basins, jade bowls and other treasures. From the balcony you can enjoy a great view over Lhasa.

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Completed in 1653 after 8 years of construction, it was used for offices, printing house, dormitories, a Buddhist seminary etc. Most are inaccessible to travellers at the present time. The White Palace has seven storeys. The 5th Dalai Lam moved into the White Palace (from the Zhaibung Monastery where he had been living) as soon as it was completed and stayed there until his death. Consequent Dalai Lamas also lived here at the Potala Palace, from where they exercised political power, which is why Potala Palace is considered holy and worshipped by the Tibetan Buddhists.

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The walls, which are between two and five metres thick, 100 metres high, 400 metres east to west and 350 metres north to south, were built to withstand earthquakes by pouring in molten copper. During the construction of the walls (from rammed earth, wood and stone), no steel frames were used, not were nails used in the woodwork. So much earth was used in its construction that the pit that resulted from its creation was filled with water and became a lake. Although built to withstand earthquakes, the construction was not lightning-proof and was damaged during a storm during Lanadama’s reign.