Lhasa Travel Guide — the city of gods at 3,700 m - the Potala Palace, the Jokhang, the Barkhor kora and the great monasteries of the Roof of the World
Lhasa - the Tibetan for 'place of the gods' - is the holy city of the Tibetan plateau at 3,700 m, the 'Sunlight City' of 3,000 hours of annual sunshine and the spiritual heart of Tibet. The Potala Palace rises over the old town on Marpo Ri hill; the Jokhang Temple holds the 1,300-year-old heart of the faith; the Barkhor kora circles it with pilgrims, prayer wheels and the most famous market of the plateau; and the great monasteries - Sera with its 3 pm debate, Drepung of the Shoton festival - ring the valley. Most travellers give the city three to four days before the lakes and passes, with Namtso Lake (4,718 m) the classic extension. This guide carries the ticket prices, opening hours, guesthouses, restaurants and phones from the field guide, so you can plan it yourself or have our team arrange it end to end.
