Discover Tibetan Buddhism


Unveil the Mysterious City - Lhasa

Trip to Lhasa are the most highlights in mylooking the life and studies of the monk
fabulous 9 days china vacation. My tripgives  me  a  vivid  impression.
starts from Beijing. After 4 days traveling
there and a wonderful Beijing Duck dinner, weÂ
fly  to  Lhasa  and  rest at Xiongbala hotel.
In late afternoon, we visit another site on
Many people would like to describe Lhasa asthe World Heritage List: Norbulinka, the
the "Roof of the World" and the "Third PoleDalai Lama former summer palace. It was
of the Globe". Yes, it is true. Walk intoconstructed in the 18th century. It is the
Tibet, look at the clear azure sky andbiggest garden in Tibet and a masterpiece of
explore this exotic land full of diverseTibetan art. Every wall in every building was
culture, you will have unique lifelongcovered with murals. It is well worth
memories. This article presents my four daysvisiting since it is a combination of feudal
highlight journey in and around Lhasa. It'spalaces, natural scenery and a structure with
more  than  the  journey.a  role  in  Tibetan  religious.
Day 1: Morning flight to Lhasa, a Buddha holyDay 4: In the morning we drive to Yamdrok
land. We arrived at Lhasa airport as scheduleTso. Yamdrok Tso (4441 m), one of the three
and were met and escorted to our hotel by ourholy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat
tour guide, John. He is a handsome guy andof waterfowls in south Tibet. From there you
has a good sense of humor. We have a pleasantwill 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 andSangwari (5,340m) on the peninsula beyond,
Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace is the symboland the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m)
of Tibet. This palace is sacred in Tibetanin  the  distance.
people hearts. With its majestic splendor,
the Potala Palace would impress theÂ
inhabitants of any world capital. Thus the
humble Tibetan pilgrim, who has always livedThe lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River (3570)
in a yak hair tent, must view the Potalaare separated by a mountain and the shortest
Palace with great reverence. It is hard todistance between them is only 6 kilometers.
believe that this 13-storey edificeThe 800m-high difference contributes a rich
containing 999 rooms was built on a steepwater 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.Itlonger  continue  when  the  lake  dries  up.
makes you keep going and going. It is hard to
find the way out if let you wander aloneOn 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 structurebeautifully painted. It was very colorful,
still existing in Tibet. It is the center ofand had religious decorations everywhere. The
the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land ofhome is very simple and have not much modern
Buddhist followers. Thousands of pilgrimsconveniences, but it is beautiful and
come here for worship everyday. Many of thecomfortable.
pilgrims were crawling on the ground.
Apparently, on their pilgrimage from theirThe Tibetan people are very hospitable. We
homes, pilgrims prostrate themselves on thewere already told by our guide that
ground after walking two steps and thenpresenting Hada (or Khatag) is a traditional
repeat the process again and again. Manypractice 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 toAnd she treated us hot butter tea, barley
explore Drepung Monastery which was one ofbeer and the other Tibetan snacks we could
Tibet largest monasteries and monasticnot tell the name. We did not prepare all
universities. It is located in the hills onthese food taste so good. We were impressive
the northern outskirts of Lhasa, and wasto see the lady to make the butter tea. We
established in 1416 as an institute of higherhad never seen anything like this. She put
Buddhist education by Khenpo Lekden. Khenpoboiling tea, salt, and butter into a thin
Lekden is a direct disciple of Lamachurn, and then churned it all together. She
Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), founder of theis a so sweet lady and we left some gifts for
eclectic Geluk. The First Dalai Lama was alsogratitude  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 aBeijing. Day 2: Beijing city tour to the
hereditary seat of all subsequent DalaiForbidden 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 thecity tour to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
afternoon. The Sera Monastery is known as oneand Barkhor Street Day 7 : Have a whole day
of the three great monasteries of Tibet alongtrip in Lhasa City of Tibet Museum, local
with Drepung and Ganden. All of theTibetan family visiting and Sera Monastery
aforementioned belong to the Gelukpa Sectafter lunch Day 8: drive down to Yamdrok Lake
which was founded by Tsong Karpa in the earlyand take a visit. Be transferred back to
15th century and all are within Lhasa. I wasLhasa Day 9: The time before transfer to the
told that monks gather here to have debatesairport 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, butget on the train to your next stop.



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