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 Jokhang is the most celebrated temple in Tibet. Because the temple is not controlled by a particular sect of Tibetan Buddhism it attracts adherents of all the sects as well as followers of Bon-Po, Tibet's indigenous religion. Three pilgrimage circuits exist in Lhasa, each directing pilgrims to the Jowo Sakyamuni statue: the Lingkhor, which encircles the city’s sacred district; the Barkhor, which encloses the Jokhang temple; and the Nangkhor, a ritual corridor inside the Jokhang. Every day throughout the year hundreds of pilgrims circumambulate each of these three circuits. Some pilgrims will cover the entire distance by prostrating every few feet, and others will walk slowly, chanting sacred mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. For more than a thousand years millions of pilgrims have trod these sacred paths with devotion in their hearts; this cumulative focusing of intention and love has charged the Jokhang with an enormously powerful field of sanctity.

The Barkhor is essentially a pilgrim circuit which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang. Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the Tibetan people are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, this street is also a must-see place for the tibet tourists.

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.