Lhasa

拉萨

The capital and largest city of Tibet, home to the iconic Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lamas. This is the spiritual and political heart of Tibet and the essential starting point for any visit to the region.

Things to do

• Jokhang Temple — The most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism, housing a statue of Buddha brought to Tibet in the 7th century and the spiritual center of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists.
• Potala Palace — The iconic 13-story former residence of the Dalai Lamas perched on Marpo Ri hill, featuring over 1,000 rooms and offering sweeping views of Lhasa from its upper levels.
• Barkhor Street Pilgrimage Circuit — The sacred pilgrimage route circling Jokhang Temple where thousands of devotees walk clockwise daily, lined with prayer wheels, incense, and small shops selling religious items.
• Sera Monastery — A major monastery famous for its afternoon debates among monks in the courtyard, where philosophical arguments are conducted with hand-clapping and animated discussion.
• Drepung Monastery — Once the world's largest monastery with over 10,000 monks, now housing hundreds of monks and containing impressive thangka paintings and religious artifacts.
• Norbulingka — The former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas surrounded by gardens and parks, featuring traditional Tibetan architecture and serving as a peaceful retreat from the city center.

Food to try

• Momos — Steamed dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, a ubiquitous Tibetan staple sold by street vendors and in restaurants throughout Lhasa.
• Thukpa — A hearty noodle soup with vegetables and meat, perfect for Lhasa's high altitude and cold weather, served hot in traditional Tibetan restaurants.
• Yak Butter Tea — A salty, buttery tea made with yak butter and barley flour that is essential to Tibetan culture and helps with acclimatization to the high altitude.
• Tsampa — Roasted barley flour mixed with yak butter tea and eaten as a staple breakfast food, representing the foundation of traditional Tibetan cuisine.
• Lhasa Meat Noodles — Hand-pulled or egg noodles topped with spiced yak or mutton meat in a rich broth, a local specialty found in small eateries across the city.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the Prayer Wheels and Pilgrims — Always spin prayer wheels clockwise and never step over religious items or block pilgrims during their circumambulation routes, as this shows disrespect to Tibetan Buddhist practice.
• Permit and Altitude Acclimatization — Most foreign visitors technically need a permit to visit Lhasa (though enforcement varies), and the city sits at 3,656 meters elevation, so allow 2-3 days to acclimatize before strenuous activities.
• Photography Restrictions — Photography is prohibited inside most temples and monasteries, and never photograph monks or pilgrims without explicit permission, as this violates Buddhist principles.
• Dress Modestly and Remove Shoes — When entering temples or private homes, remove your shoes and dress conservatively with covered shoulders and knees to show respect for sacred spaces.