Lhasa travel guide: Explore the heart of Tibet

Did you know that Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, is counted among the highest cities in the world? The city is situated at an elevation of 3,500 meters above sea level, within the Himalayan ranges, alongside the Lhasa River. The name of the city translates to ‘Place of Gods’, as it’s abundant with temples, Buddhist monasteries, centres of learning, and other places of Buddhist worship.

Lhasa holds a special place in the heart of every Tibetan and Buddhist, as it showcases a beautiful blend of devotion, spirituality, higher philosophy, and rich culture. The city’s skyline is wonderfully dotted with prayer flags and prayer wheels with mantra syllables. Whether it’s visiting monasteries or celebrating traditional festivals, Lhasa is the gateway to awakening, liberation, and positivity for every globetrotter. Lhasa is blessed with 3,000 hours of sunlight every year, which is why it was titled ‘Sunlight city’. The city is also the gateway to the famous ‘Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’ of Tibet.

During the 7th century, Lhasa was announced as the capital of Tibet under King Songtsen Gampo’s reign, who annexed the entire Tibet, beginning from the kingdom of ZhangZhung. He led the construction of the famous Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, which later became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Amongst these two, the Potala Palace served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas, which made Lhasa the political capital of Tibet. Not just this, but also the establishment of life-sized Buddha statues, which transformed this city into the hub of divinity. Since then, Buddhism has been the most widely practised religion in Tibet. In 1951, Tibet was officially declared an autonomous region of China, and Lhasa was its capital city.

Climate: High-altitude, cool
Population: Tibetan Buddhists
Famous festivals: Tibetan New Year (Losar), Saga Dawa, Shoton festival, Butter lamp festival
Cuisine: Momos, Tsampa, Thukpa, Shabhaley, Yak Meat

Lhasa Tourism: Top 9 tourist attractions near Lhasa

Lhasa is a beautiful Himalayan valley offering panoramic views of majestic hills that can take your heart away. If you want to experience a glimpse of Lhasa’s authentic life, simply visit these must-visit places of Lhasa rooted in vibrancy and rich tradition: 

1. Jokhang Temple

2. Barkhor Quarter

3. Potala Palace

4. Nobulingka Palaces

5. Sera Monastery

6. Drepung Monastery

7. Ganden Monastery

8. Drak Yerpa Monastery

9. Namtso Lake

Moreover, Lhasa’s monasteries are not just places of religious and cultural importance, but also architectural wonders that have shaped Tibet into a beautiful canvas of art and faith. And the city has a thriving culture that can be best experienced during cultural celebrations and popular festivities such as Saga Dawa, Losar (you can experience the Tibetan culture during the Horse Year in 2026), Shoton, and Butter Lamp Festivals. During these festivals, Lhasa is adorned with prayer flags, Thangkas (paintings), and lamas & Tibetan Buddhists perform the Cham dance.

Tibet’s spiritual legacy is built by its Barkhor quarter, which is home to the Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims perform kora, around 2-km-long circuit. Here at the four cardinal points, where incense burners are installed, known as sangkh, believed to guard Jokhang from negativity. Barkhor street is dotted with lanterns, and crowded with monks, pilgrims and Lamas. Additionally, you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, gemstones, Thangkas, Tibetan tea and other things from Lhasa’s market. 

Lhasa’s sightseeing tour is all about immersing in spirituality and devotion beyond life and Tibetan culture, serving you authentic experiences. Check out our Tibet tour package to explore Lhasa city like never before.