Location: Lhasa
Top Things to do in Lhasa
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Things to do in Lhasa, Tibet: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Deep in the spectacular Himalayan Mountains, Lhasa is a jewel of a destination. Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, is a major attraction, but you’ll also find numerous important temples and even the world’s highest brewery.
Restaurants in Lhasa
1. Chimpu Caves (Qingpu Shandong)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By galinamf - New York City, United States
The caves are located near Samye (not near Lhasa as classified by TripAdvisor). You can visit only Chimpu nunnery which will be relatively fast, but I recommend going all the way up to the temples almost at the top of the mountain. There is no road there and you will have to walk there. Nowadays there are stairs almost all the way up and it is not very difficult (but takes time). It is best to go there early in the morning before it becomes too hot. The view from the temple on the top is amazing. Also, on the way you will see some small caves where monks and nuns meditate, and you can visit some of them.
2. Potala Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,496 reviews
The residence of the Dalai Lama is an immense religious structure and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture.
Reviewed By annerQ4387SP - Wiltshire, United Kingdom
This is something that can’t be missed. Even the locals take the climb slowly. For those that are not used to the altitude just take it easy and steady with lots of stops on the way up. The view from the top and the tour around the palace is well worth the effort and a must do.
3. Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 322 reviews
Built in 1416, this is considered one of the largest monasteries in the world with more than 10,000 monks living inside its walls during the height of its activities.
Reviewed By 189jeffreya - Houston, United States
All of the sacred Buddhist temples and monasteries are "must see" attractions in Lhasa and throughout Tibet. Drepung is no exception! Nestled aside the mountains toward the outskirts of Lhasa, Drepung is simply magnificent (as is the Potala Palace!) and a must see attraction in order to best understand the history and evolution of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Tibetan culture and her people...the beauty, sacrifices and current struggles, Drepung must/MUST be on the itinerary when you visit Lhasa! Enjoy!
4. Jokhang Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,227 reviews
Included on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple is in the heart of Lhasa downtown. With an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres), it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. As the most sacred temple in Tibet, Jokhang Temple is situated in Lhasa city and attracts many pilgrims to worship and circumambulating around. The temple was founded during King Songtsen Gampo’ reign (617-650 AD). At that time, the King built the temple to welcome his two brides, Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal and Princess Wencheng from China in Tang Dynasty. Both princesses brought statues of Jowo Sakyamuni as their dowries, therefore, Songtsen decided to build a temple to house these important statues. Together with Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple was built as well to place the statue brought by Princess Wencheng. Later, the statue was moved to Jokhang Temple as well for better protection.
Reviewed By catpeople25 - Malta, null
This is one of the most revered temples by Tibetan people and one can see this both inside the magnificent temple and also outside as many Tibetan people walk around clockwise around the temple praying with their prayer wheels and some even crawl around on hands and knees all round the parameter. the outside along the square is full of interesting shops too and one can easily spend days here just people watching.
5. Sera Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 713 reviews
The Sera Monastery (founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe, disciple of Tsongkhapa) is just located at the foot of Tatipu Hill,located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north of Lhasa and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the Jokhang and it is about 6 km to the northeast direction of Potala Palace. It is famous for the Buddhism activities of” Monks Debate” which happens in afternoon from Monday to Saturday. This is one highlight attraction for travel in Lhasa Tibet.
Reviewed By BhasinRohit - New Delhi, India
Sera Monastery is one of the most popular monasteries in Tibet that holds significant cultural and religious importance in the history of Tibet and spread and growth of Buddhism. Pro Tip: Try and visit the monastery during the period when you can witness Monks debate on religious matters
6. Ganden Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Ganden Monastery, also known as Ganden Namgyeling, is one of the three great Gelug university monasteries (the other two are Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery) of Tibet, China. It was constructed in 1409 near Lhasa by the founder of the Gelug order, Je Tsongkhapa Lozang-dragpa. Back in 1958, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, took his last degree examination here. However, Ganden was destroyed after 1959, right now it has been partially rebuilt. Right now, there are several major constructions in the monastery, namely, the Lagyi Hall, Chitokang, Yangbagyain Hall, Xaze, Jamze Zhacang Buddhist Colleges and kamcuns and Myicuns. The Lagyi Hall is a 3-storey building. And it takes up 2,000 square meters and can contain 3,000 people at the same time.
Reviewed By 929tashis - Kathmandu, Nepal
Previously more than 4500 monks practice buddhism and after the cultural revolution, the monastery was destroyed and have been rebuilt and currently around 450 monks reside and practices buddhism and the monastery is controlled by ganden tripa . You will love it as a half day program to visit Ganden monastery and a bit of hike you like hiking . There are two different trails and you can choose which one you would like as one takes about 45 minutes gradual hike and the other one takes you higher upto 4900 mts and a steep climb section to get the 360 degree views from the top.
7. Canggu Temple
8. Xiamiyuan Temple
9. Pabongka Hermitage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Pabongka Monastery (Pabongka means ‘giant stone palace’ in Tibetan language) is situated about 9 km away from west of Sera Monastery, in north of Lhasa city. The shape of the huge stone in Pabongka is like a turtle and forms a unique style of this ancient monastery. Pabongka Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries around Lhasa, built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo.
Reviewed By galinamf - New York City, United States
I took a half-day tour. First, I visited Pabongka. It is a very old hermitage and you can visit meditation cave used in the 7th century. There are almost no tourists there, only locals. Place is very beautiful with many great chapels. After Pabongka, we hiked to nearby Chupsang Nunnery. It is a part of Sera monastery hermitage site.
10. Nechung Monastery and Temple
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