Lhasa, Tibet, China

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Potala Palace in Lhasa, the residence of the Dalai Lama, is an immense religious structure and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. What gives the impression of the winter in Lhasa is the cold biting in which most visitors would not like and enjoy. However, because of the scarcity, cheap accommodation and the opportunity to be part of the culture and life with Tibet nomads, lots tourists chose to experience Lhasa in this period .

In winter, Tibetan New year is a must-joined event. Visiting Lhasa around the Tibetan New Year could have the chance to join the celebration of the lively festival with locals, Tibetans. During the celebration, they will perform the traditional dance in Potala Palace and decorate colorful prayer flags in the temple and top of the hill. Tibetan New Year lasts 15 days and the theme is amazing.

After new year, Chuan Zhao Dafa (Monlam), a general assembly in winter, is a worth-visit event. There will be Butter Festival of Lights, the most solemn event, that monks and craftsmen will produce butters in different color and then blaze them in the Jokhang Temple forming colorful smokes with great smell. It’s so special that attracts lots of visitors every year.

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region

In Lhasa, most of people don’t speaking English and it’s necessary to enlist a tour operator to help understand and appreciate the custom, history and culture of this wonderful region of China.

Things to do

  • Vist Potala palace, an outstanding structure which dominates the landscape of Lhasa
  • Stop by Jokhang Temple, the main temple and most important pilgrimage sight in Lhasa
  • Visit Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si) especially during Shoton/Yoghurt Festival around the end of August at which the big Budha image will be shown and least half day.
  • Shop in Tibet Museum, a nice place to buy gifts. Cash only!

How to get there

  • By Rail: Qinghai–Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world.
  • By Air: Lhasa Gonggar Airport is located about one hour’s taxi ride south from the city. There are flight connections to several Chinese cities including Beijing and Chengdu, and to Kathmandu in Nepal.
  • By Road: The Qinghai-Tibet Highway (part of G109) runs to northeast toward Xining and eventually to Beijing and is the mostly used road.
  • By Maritime: The closest port is Kolkata, India. The Nathu La pass offers Chinese companies access to the port of Kolkata (Calcutta), situated about 1,100 km (700 mi) from Lhasa, for transshipments to and from Tibet.

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