| Trip to Lhasa are the most highlights in | | | | studies of the monk gives me a vivid |
| my fabulous 9 days china vacation. My | | | | impression. |
| trip starts from Beijing. After 4 days | | | | Â |
| traveling there and a wonderful Beijing | | | | In late afternoon, we visit another site |
| Duck dinner, we fly to Lhasa and rest at | | | | on the World Heritage List: Norbulinka, |
| Xiongbala hotel. | | | | the Dalai Lama former summer palace. It |
| Many people would like to describe Lhasa | | | | was constructed in the 18th century. It |
| as the "Roof of the World" and the | | | | is the biggest garden in Tibet and a |
| "Third Pole of the Globe". Yes, it is | | | | masterpiece of Tibetan art. Every wall |
| true. Walk into Tibet, look at the clear | | | | in every building was covered with |
| azure sky and explore this exotic land | | | | murals. It is well worth visiting since |
| full of diverse culture, you will have | | | | it is a combination of feudal palaces, |
| unique lifelong memories. This article | | | | natural scenery and a structure with a |
| presents my four days highlight journey | | | | role in Tibetan religious. |
| in and around Lhasa. It's more than the | | | | Day 4: In the morning we drive to |
| journey. | | | | Yamdrok Tso. Yamdrok Tso (4441 m), one |
| Day 1: Morning flight to Lhasa, a Buddha | | | | of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the |
| holy land. We arrived at Lhasa airport | | | | largest habitat of waterfowls in south |
| as schedule and were met and escorted to | | | | Tibet. From there you will enjoy the |
| our hotel by our tour guide, John. He is | | | | unforgettable vista of Yamdrok Tso's |
| a handsome guy and has a good sense of | | | | spear-shaped expanse of turquoise water, |
| humor. We have a pleasant time together | | | | with the mysterious Mt. Donang Sangwari |
| in the following days in Tibet. | | | | (5,340m) on the peninsula beyond, and |
| Day 2: Today we went to Potala Palace | | | | the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang |
| and Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace is the | | | | (7,191m) in the distance. |
| symbol of Tibet. This palace is sacred | | | | Â |
| in Tibetan people hearts. With its | | | | The lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River |
| majestic splendor, the Potala Palace | | | | (3570) are separated by a mountain and |
| would impress the inhabitants of any | | | | the shortest distance between them is |
| world capital. Thus the humble Tibetan | | | | only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high |
| pilgrim, who has always lived in a yak | | | | difference contributes a rich water |
| hair tent, must view the Potala Palace | | | | resource to this region. Many Tibetan |
| with great reverence. It is hard to | | | | people believe that the life of Tibet |
| believe that this 13-storey edifice | | | | will no longer continue when the lake |
| containing 999 rooms was built on a | | | | dries up. |
| steep mountain as long ago as the | | | | On the way driving back to Lhasa, we |
| seventh century. Touring it just like a | | | | were invited to visit one of the local |
| huge labyrinth.It makes you keep going | | | | families just roadside. The family we |
| and going. It is hard to find the way | | | | visited lived in a traditional wooden |
| out if let you wander alone there. | | | | home, which was beautifully painted. It |
| Jokhang monastery: The temple built in | | | | was very colorful, and had religious |
| 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry | | | | decorations everywhere. The home is very |
| structure still existing in Tibet. It is | | | | simple and have not much modern |
| the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and | | | | conveniences, but it is beautiful and |
| the sacred land of Buddhist followers. | | | | comfortable. |
| Thousands of pilgrims come here for | | | | The Tibetan people are very hospitable. |
| worship everyday. Many of the pilgrims | | | | We were already told by our guide that |
| were crawling on the ground. Apparently, | | | | presenting Hada (or Khatag) is a |
| on their pilgrimage from their homes, | | | | traditional practice in Tibet to show |
| pilgrims prostrate themselves on the | | | | respect and hospitality. When we entered |
| ground after walking two steps and then | | | | the house, the lady of the owner |
| repeat the process again and again. Many | | | | presented the Hada to us. And she |
| others were spinning prayer wheels. | | | | treated us hot butter tea, barley beer |
| Day 3: Early in the morning, we start to | | | | and the other Tibetan snacks we could |
| explore Drepung Monastery which was one | | | | not tell the name. We did not prepare |
| of Tibet largest monasteries and | | | | all these food taste so good. We were |
| monastic universities. It is located in | | | | impressive to see the lady to make the |
| the hills on the northern outskirts of | | | | butter tea. We had never seen anything |
| Lhasa, and was established in 1416 as an | | | | like this. She put boiling tea, salt, |
| institute of higher Buddhist education | | | | and butter into a thin churn, and then |
| by Khenpo Lekden. Khenpo Lekden is a | | | | churned it all together. She is a so |
| direct disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa | | | | sweet lady and we left some gifts for |
| (1357-1419), founder of the eclectic | | | | gratitude before we leave. |
| Geluk. The First Dalai Lama was also a | | | | Recommended tours: Beijing: Day 1: |
| disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa, and the | | | | Arrival in Beijing. Day 2: Beijing city |
| Second Dalai Lama built a residence in | | | | tour to the Forbidden City & Temple of |
| Drepung, called the Ganden Potrang, | | | | Heaven Day 3: Explore the Mutianyu Great |
| which remained a hereditary seat of all | | | | Wall. Day 4: Beijing Hutong tour; half |
| subsequent Dalai Lamas. | | | | day free. |
| Â | | | | Lhasa: Day 5: Arrival in Lhasa. Day 6: |
| After that we visit the Sera Monastery | | | | Lhasa city tour to Potala Palace, |
| in the afternoon. The Sera Monastery is | | | | Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street Day 7 |
| known as one of the three great | | | | : Have a whole day trip in Lhasa City of |
| monasteries of Tibet along with Drepung | | | | Tibet Museum, local Tibetan family |
| and Ganden. All of the aforementioned | | | | visiting and Sera Monastery after lunch |
| belong to the Gelukpa Sect which was | | | | Day 8: drive down to Yamdrok Lake and |
| founded by Tsong Karpa in the early 15th | | | | take a visit. Be transferred back to |
| century and all are within Lhasa. I was | | | | Lhasa Day 9: The time before transfer to |
| told that monks gather here to have | | | | the airport is free on your own |
| debates on the Buddhist scriptures at 3 | | | | arrangement. Bid Lhasa a fond farewell |
| pm everyday. I can't understand Buddhist | | | | as board the flight or get on the train |
| scriptures, but looking the life and | | | | to your next stop. |