Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet, abode of the Dalai Lamas, an object of devout pilgrimage, is still, a city of wonders. Since the major sacred places such as Potala, Jokhang, and Three Monasteries are located in Lhasa, the township itself has become somewhat the "Mecca'' of Tibet. Pilgrims crowd the year round. Today, the population has grown into a sizable city of 120,000 people. Climate in summer is one of the mildest in the world, no fear of hot or cold. During the raining season it usually rains at night, and daytime almost everyday is fresh and sunny. In winter during the dead of the night is cold, the temperature drops to about -13c, but daytime still is mild, the temperature rises to about 15c above 0c.The altitude of Lhasa is 3667 meters above sea level.

The Potala Palace-: A stronghold probably existed on Red Hill as early as the 7th century AD when King Songtsen Gampo built a fortress on it for his two foreign wives. The palace was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in three years, while the Thirteenth Dalai Lama extended and repaired it into what it is now. It became winter palace in 1755 when the Seventh Dalai Lama made the Norbulinka into a summer residence. With over 1 000 rooms, the Potala contained the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas while they lived, and their sumptuous golden tombs when they died. As the religious and political centre of old Tibet and the winter residence of Dalai Lamas, the palace witnessed the life of the Dalai Lamas and the important political and religious activities in the past centuries. Potala Palace also houses great amounts of rare cultural relics including the gold hand-written Buddhist scriptures, valuable gifts from the Chinese emperors and a lot of priceless antiques.

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 the oldest street in a very traditional style in Tibet, where you can enjoy bargaining with the local Tibetan vendors for the handicrafts which are rare to be seen elsewhere in the world. Barkhor Street is one of the most important religious paths along which pilgrims walk around Jokhang Temple while turning prayer wheels in their hands through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night.

Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 by one of Tsong Khapa’s (the founder of the Gelupa sect) eight disciples. It became famous for its tantric teachings, while Drepung drew fame from its governing role. Sera was smaller than Drepung,but was very rich and comparable in power. The monks of Sera were considered clever and dangerous.

190km north-west of Lhasa, is the second largest salt-water lake in China. It is also known as Sky Lake, the water is a miraculous shade of turquoise blue and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. The lake is the one of the 3 most significant holy lakes in Tibet and a well worth visit!

About 170km south-east of Lhasa, this valley is considered to be the birthplace of Tibtan culture. Near the town of Tsetang, which forms the administrative centre of the region, are several sites of religious importance. Rising out of the lush forested valleys of South-Eastern Tibet, Namcha Barwa is considered one of Tibet's most inaccessible peaks. Beautiful to behold in its impenetrable serenity, it still remains the highest unclimbed peak of the Himalayas. The bulk of its massif causes the East flowing Tsangpo River, the highest flowing river in the world, to make a huge loop around the mountain to flow southward into India where it becomes the mighty westward flowing Brahmaputra.

This lies about 30km west of Testang, on the opposite bank of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra River).It was founded in 775 AD by King Trisong Destsen and was the first monastery in Tibet. Getting there is complicated, but the monastery commands a beautiful, secluded position.

To reach Samye, take a bus from Lhasa, you will be dropped off close to a ferry which functions sporadically and will take you across the river. From there, a truck or cart will carry you the 5km to Samye.

About 12km south-west of Tsetang, Yumbulagang is the legendary first building in Tibet. Although small in scale, it soars in recently renovated splendour above the valley. It takes 1 or 1.5 hour-drive to get there from Tsetang.

One of the earliest and the “Demoness Subduing” Buddhist monasteries in Tibet having been founded at the same time as the Jorkhang & Ramoche in Lhasa. Most of the valuable images and murals have been replaced, This is a lively place and well worth a brief visit en route to Yumbulagang.

The second-largest urban centre in Tibet. This is the seat of the Panchen Lama, a reincarnation of Amitabha(Buddha of Infinite Light),who ranks close to the Dalai Lama. It is also the seat of power which ruled over the whole of Tibet prior to 1642.

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.

Shigatse's market is a great place if you enjoy participating in wrestling matches, otherwise bewere. The vendors smile, but some of them grab your arm and won't let go untill you buy something. This has caused a few scuffles, and it might just be best to avoid wandering into the market together.

Situated at the juncture of Lhasa, Shigatse and Yatung, Gyantse has always been considered a place of great strategic importance. It became particularly famous after the bloody 1904 battle fought by the Tibetans in resisting Young husband's Expedition. Remnants of the battle and a hollow made by a cannon ball can still be seen on the perimeter walls of the Dzong Ford. The kumbum Pagoda in the Palcho Monastery is a spectacular architecture of the 15th century.

Built in 1427,this monastery is notable for its superb Kumbum (10000images) stupa, which has nine tiers and, according to Buddhist tradition,108 chapels. Palkhor Monastery is a kind of typical Tibetan Buddhism monastery architecture combined stupa and temple, with temples in the stupa, stupas in the temple. The stupas and temples stay harmoniously and bring out the best in each other. Its architecture fully represents a typical style of monasteries from thirteenth century to fifteenth century in Later Tibetan area, which is also the unique monasteries with both the temple and stupa being kept well today. So it is reputed as a monument of architecture period. The Palkhor Monastery (meaning lucky and happy monastery) has a Chinese name Baiju Monastery.