In the center of Lhasa, Potala Palace is the most famous landmark in Tibet and a grand museum of Tibetan culture. Tibet’s largest and best-preserved ancient castle, holy stupas and Tibetan Buddhist temple, Potala Palace is also a masterpiece of ancient architecture in the world.
Ever since its establishment 1300 years ago, Jokhang Temple has been recognized the supremacy of Tibetan Buddhist and made Lhasa the ‘holy city’. Its 5 golden roofs and 108 halls keep all kinds of Buddhist treasures and draw numerous devout pilgrimages every day.
The first of the six great Gelugpa sect monasteries, Gandan Monastery was built in 1409, and was home to 4000 lamas. There are rare treasures of 24 elaborate embroideries of Buddha Shakyamuni, the eighteen arhats and four heavenly kings that will be displayed to the public at regular time every year.
In the west suburb of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery has many Buddhist activities and festivals. The most magnificent is the festival of Sun Buddha held during Shonton Festival - huge thangka paintings bask in the morning sun, followed by various traditional Tibetan activities.
3 km south of Lhasa, Sera Monastery is another famous Gelugpa sect monastery and was built in 1419. It keeps thousands of Buddhas and is home to 500 monks who debate Buddhist scriptures every afternoon.
The Reincarnation of the Living Buddhas originated in Tsurphu Monastery - the major temple of Karma Kagyu. Thus it preserves many precious Tibetan Buddhist relics.
Mysterious Drak Yerpa Monastery is hidden in the sacred land of Lhasa and surprisingly embedded in the cliff embraced by stunning natural scenery.
For over 800 years, the temple has seen the soul coming out of the body and reaching the shore. Drigung has one of the world’s three most famous ‘sky burial sites’.
World’s highest temple above sea level (around 5100 m), it offers breathtaking scenery of Mt. Everest.
