Unveil the Mysterious City - Lhasa

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