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10-day Tibet Tour
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Location

Lhasa City - A Reflection of Paradise

Lhasa City in Tibetan language means 'Holy City'. It is the capital of Tibet which dates back to 7th century AD when King Songtsen transferred his capital from Yarlung to Lhasa. The city is located at a height of 3,500 m above sea level in the south central part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). It is the center of cultural, political and religious activities inTibet. Lhasa Town is also famous for few of the most stunning creations of hand in the entire world like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Lhasa also serves as a home to 31 communities and is the most thrilling city that offers everything from calm corners to bustling markets that beckons tourist from around the world. Lhasa has the most challenging terrain to reach and move around when compared to other parts of China and Tibet, as it has extreme altitude location. Once you reach here, the first look of the city makes you believe that Lhasa has something different, something that makes it special.

 

Lhasa is a city which expects you to know a lot about it before you set out to explore its magical charms. The most important is your fimilarity with its climate and environment. You will be flabbergasted to notice the difference between the day time temperature and night time temperature. The city receives amazing amount of sunshine that keeps the temperature a bit high, but as the sun sets the temperature starts to fall drastically making nights extremely cold. So it is advisable to take woolen clothes as well with you. The best activity that you indulge in might be shopping from the famous Barkhor street. You will get everything that you wish from one single street itself full of shops. Your other shopping attractions could be silver ornaments, Thangka paintings, yak wool and different kinds of handicrafts.

 

Lhasa city is probably the most gifted city of Tibet in terms of natural beauty, magnificent historical monuments, monasteries, and shopping bonanza. You are bound to find few of the most visually enthralling architectural structures in Tibet, not only in form of famous temples and palaces but also in Tibetan residential homes, which are quite tastefully decorated, a museum in themselves. And for tourists like you, getting spellbound amidst these picturesque surroundings is quite natural.

 

Potala Palace

Located in the heart of Lhasa city, Potala Palace over the time, has become a landmark for the city. The palace was build by the famous king Songtsen Gampo for his wife Princess Wencheng. This extravagant palace was once used by Dalai Lamas as winter retreat and thus is also called the Winter Palace. But now it is used as a museum to showcase precious articles of history, culture and arts. You will also find the most sacred items of Buddhist religion like amazing statues of Lord Buddha and many religious paintings. In 1994, the palace was recognized as world heritage site by UNESCO and now is on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics.

 

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is one of the most visited pilgrim spots in Tibet. Located in the heart of Lhasa city, the temple is easily accessible as there are frequent bus plying to the temple from the city center. The temple houses the famous life size statue of Sakyamuni considered to be the most sacred for Tibetans, which was brought to Tibet by the two foreign wives of King Songtsen Gampo as wedding gifts. The temple is permeated with purity and if possible, stay back till night.

 

Lhasa Express

Jokhang Temple is one of the most visited pilgrim spots in Tibet. Located in the heart of Lhasa city, the temple is easily accessible as there are frequent bus plying to the temple from the city center. The temple houses the famous life size statue of Sakyamuni considered to be the most sacred for Tibetans, which was brought to Tibet by the two foreign wives of King Songtsen Gampo as wedding gifts. The temple is permeated with purity and if possible, stay back till night.

 

Norbulingka - A Garden Palace

Norbulingka, situated in the west side of Lhasa, is a garden full of palaces build by different Dalai Lamas as their summer abodes. The garden covers an area of around 46 acres and has 370 lavishly furnished rooms. It was here, Dalai Lamas after the 7th Dalai Lama used to hold important meets and functions. You will find this place to be an absolute treat to be with your family as this is the best picnic spot quite popular among locals. The garden is open from 9 in the morning till 12 noon and again reopens at 3 in the evening.

 

Bakhor Street

Bakhor Street is the oldest street of Lhasa which earlier was used as a walk around path for Jokhang temple by pilgrims. But now, this is the most bustling shopping place in entire Tibet. Bakhor street, with all its variety, quantity and quality, is a perfect mirror to the culture of Tibet. The street is dotted with ancient houses which also serve as shops. You will find all kinds of item like Buddha statues, Thangka paintings to Tibetan joss sticks, which can be an excellent gift back home. But the specialty of this street is definitely the eateries that offer all the famous and less famous, yet delicious dishes of Tibetan cuisine. Let your stomach decide how much to eat, because your heart will never let you stop. Do not forget to pay a visit to the apparel stores as they too have the uniqueness and special Tibetan look in their products.

 

Local Transport

Getting around in a mini bus is the best way to explore this beautiful city of Lhasa. You can even opt for a taxi or a manually powered tricycle that are there in large numbers.

 

Rivers and Lakes in Tibet

Tibet is full of rivers and lakes which provides abundance of hydroelectric power and aquatic products. Bushy banks of the rivers and lakes are the homes of swans and geese. If you do not watch your step, you might stride on their eggs. On the banks of the salt water lakes, there are great heaps of alkaline which also contain entire and borax.

The Yaluzangbu River

As long as 2,057 km, the yaluzangbu river turns and twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of south Tibet. It runs through muotuo county. After a 90-degree turn, it empties into the Indian Ocean. People could have a good time with their yak hide boats on of the river with going down to the lower level is quite exciting and challenging.

The Three Rivers in the East

The gold sand, lancang and nu rivers flow down from north to the south into yunnan. Accompanied by the grand sceneries of mt. Hengduan, the 3-river area is a famous scenic spot. 

The Mansarovar Lake - A Holy Lake

The lake is situated 30km southeast of mt. Holy. It has an area of 400 square km. The Buddhist believe that the lake is the bestow from the heaven . The holy eater can cure all kinds of diseases, wash people clean and get rid of people's worries. After walking around the lake and taking baths at the four bathing gates, the pilgrims can be free from sins and can be bestowed happiness. The great monk xuan zhuang praised it " the holy lake in the west heaven". Not far from the lake stands mt. Holy. It does not only attracts pilgrims but also many tourists from home and abroad.

Fish Store - The Yangzongyong Lake

The yangzongyong lake is within langkamu county, with an area of 638 square km and a coastal lime of 250 km. The deepest point is 60 metres. There is plenty of natural fodder for the fish in the lake. The lake has a fish reserve of about 300 million kg, that is why it is called " the fish store of Tibet. The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture.

The Namu Lake

With an area of 1940 square km, the namu lake is the 2nd largest salt water lake. In the lake there are 3 islands, which is an ideal habitat for all kinds of aquatic life. One of the islands is made of calcareous sandstone. It is characterized by the stone pillars, natural stone bridges and the stalactite caves. The beaches of the lake are a beautiful natural pasture.