Although there is a gradually increasing tourism industry in Lhasa, it is a city with many difficulties yet to be overcome due to its unique location and geography. Please bear in mind that traveling in Lhasa, as well as in Tibet on the whole, is more challenging than in any other part of China.Despite this more and more people from every corner of the world are being attracted towards this vibrant city with its mysterious culture. Its unique scenery, long history, exotic culture, mystical religion and spectacular monuments will ensure your stay is unforgettable.

The Potala was the winter palace of Dalai Lama, It was originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsan Gampo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Situated atop a hill, it consists of 13 stories including some 1000rooms and is divided into the Red palaces(mainly for religious use) and the White palaces for govermental use).As a whole, however, the Potala is a com-prehensive work of Tibtan architecture, wood carving, painting, sculpture, etc.Barkhor

The golden-roofed Jokhang is 1300 years old and one of Tibet's holiest shrines. It was built to commemorate the marriage of the Tang Princess Wen Cheng to King Songtsan Gampo, and houses a pure gold statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by the princess. Here, too, pilgrims in their hundreds prostrate themselves in front of the temple entrance before continuing on their circuit. Follow the pilgrims through a labyinth of shrines, halls and galleries containing some of the finest and oldest treasures of Tibtan art. Take a torch if you want a closer look, and to avoid getting lost copy the nomad kids and hang onto the tresses of the pilgrim in front.

The Barkhor is essentially a pilgrim circuit which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang. It is also a hive of market activity, an astounding jamboree,a Tibetan-style stock exchange. All round the circuit are shops, stalls, teahouses and hawkers. There is a wide variety of items to gladden a Tibetan heart-prayer flags, block prints of the holy scriptures, earrings, Tibetan boots, Nepalese biscuits, puffed rice, yak butter and incense.

Built in 1427,this monastery is notable for its superb Kumbum (10000images) stupa, which has nine tiers and, according to Buddhist tradition,108 chapels.For people seeking spiritual and personal growth, Sakya Monastery provides access to the Buddha’s teachings and guidance in a community of practitioners. Sakya Monastery provides a place to learn from highly qualified and spiritual Tibetan Lamas in a beautiful traditional setting. Here are the best ways for a new person to learn about the practice of Tibetan Buddhism at Sakya Monastery: Attend the monthly Orientation - answers the most frequently asked questions. Attend the 8:30 am Sunday morning introductory class and the 10:00 am Chenrezi service - open to the public. Review the material on our website. Attend a Virupa Educational Institute class at Sakya Monastery.

It is the seat of the Panchen Lama, founded in 1447 by Gedun-Drup, the first incarnation of the Dalai Lama and the disciple of Tsongkapa. It is the largest monastery in Shigatse proper, which once housed 3800 monks. Apart from a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha(nearly 27 meters high) in the temple of the Maitreya, the monastery is also famed for its Grand hall with its opulent bomb(containing 85kg of gold and masses of jewels)of the 4th Panchen Lama. The First Dalai Lama,is a historic and culturally important monastery next to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. It was sacked when the Gurkhas invaded Tibet and captured Shigatse in 1791 before a combined Tibetan and Chinese army drove them back as far as the outskirts of Kathmandu, when they were forced to agree to keep the peace in future, pay tribute every five years, and return what they had looted from Tashilhunpo. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Gelukpa tradition. The "Tashi" or Panchen Lama had temporal power over three small districts, though not over the town of Shigatse itself, which was administered by a dzongpön (prefect) appointed from Lhasa. Located on a hill in the center of the city, the full name in Tibetan of the monastery means: "all fortune and happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory".

BASE CAMP

Before heading down to the border, many travellers doing the Lhasa--Kodari trip take in Ronbuk and Everest Base Camp(also known as Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp).It would make sense to check on this situation in Lhasa before you set off.
There is dorm accomodation at Rongbuk Monastery, which is about 3hours walk from the base camp. It's a good idea to bring your own food. Monks at the monastery are sometimes willing to sell food, much of it stuff that has been left behind by previous expeditions, but it's probably best not to count on this.
If you hikking up to the base camp from Rongbuk, you will know you've reached your destination when you come across a toilet block. It's a four-day walk up to Rongbuk.