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