Activities to do in Lhasa
For any tourist wishing to have an experience of a lifetime, there is nothing better than a vacation with so many eclectic things to do in Lhasa. The land of spirit and dream is a great destination to visit, whether you travel goal is a pilgrimage, adventure or just a leisure vacation. Following a thousand years of changes, it has figured out how to hold its antiquated royal residence, thick with religious history, its old sanctuaries, relics and avenues while at the same time keeping pace with current society. Guests have every reason to take inspiration and visit the decent attractions of Lhasa when they come to Tibet. A day trip into the countryside of Lhasa reveals the monastic ruins and restorations of Ganden, passing monks on the way to isolated shrines and enjoying fantastic panoramas across the valley.
Lhasa is also known as "the City of Sunlight" for it enjoys much more sunshine than most places in the world. As the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, Lhasa boasts numerous well-preserved Buddhist constructions, most of which are mysterious palaces and monasteries. No matter what your interest is, let’s say climbing majestic towering mountains, circling around holy lakes, visiting sacred monasteries, riding horses across the vast grasslands, or hiking through national parks, Lhasa has something for you.
Lhasa houses some of the most renowned temples and monasteries like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Tashilhunpo Monastery etc. And when it comes to natural sceneries, it is replete with breathtaking landscapes in the form of Mt Kailash, Yamdrok Lake and Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. Lhasa is also the best place to climb the world’s highest peak in the Himalayas-the Mount Everest.
There are so many great places to see and amazing things to do in Lhasa that your vacation will remain jampacked with several interesting activities.
More Lhasa Activities
9 Days Tour from Lhasa to Nepal Border via Everest Basecamp
15 Days Tour in Lhasa to Kailash and Lake Manasarowar
7 Days Tour from Lhasa to Namtso Lake Via Gyangtse and Shigatse
10 Days Tour of Lhasa to Mount Everest Basecamp
Lhasa Religion and Culture Experience Tour in Tibet
15 Days Lhasa to Ancient Kingdom Tour of Tibet
16 Days Lhasa to Holy Mount Kailash Tour in Tibet
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Lhasa Things To Do FAQs
What are the activities that can be done in Lhasa?
Lhasa, mostly renowned for being the world famous center for Tibetan Buddhism for so long, is a great place to enjoy a vacation. Replete with its charming boulevards and temples that resemble the traditional Tibetan life, Lhasa offers a great tourist experience. It is not wrong to say that Lhasa is a city of wonders replete with interesting history and culture.
Here are the best activities that you can enjoy in Lhasa:
- Take a tour of Potala Palace
- Visit the holy Jokhang Temple
- Enjoy some fun entertainment at Norbulingka
- Walk on the famous Barkhor Street
- Enjoy the serenity of Sera Monastery
- Dive into Tibetan History at Tibet Museum
- Take a dip into the hot springs at hot springs
Which places are best for trekking in Lhasa?
Trekking in Lhasa is a perfect way to explore Tibet and a wonderful experience of a lifetime that you can’t get anywhere else on earth. By trekking in Tibet, you can enjoy the unique landscapes on the roof of the world and have a full insight of Tibetan culture. You can sense the subtle and harmonious relationship of people with nature once you step on the highland. The best trekking near Lhasa would be Tsurphu to Yangbachen Trek as it is just 60km far from Lhasa city.
This trek is a perfect choice for everyone who would like to have a short trekking near Lhasa to discover countryside and Tibetan village as well as it combines lovely lake Namtso. Starting from the seat of Karmapa the Tsurpu monastery the trek leads toward Yangbachen hot spring crossing magnificent Tibetan landscape and remote villages meeting with Nomads. It is a very romantic and panoramic trek near Lhasa perhaps best trekking experience.
Tsurphu to Yangpachen trek begins at Tsurphu Monastery walk crosses several alpine valleys like Leten valley, Bartso valley. This trek combines with alpine Valleys and mountain panoramas with visits to monasteries and a nunnery, cultural and wilderness.
Where to experience art and culture of Lhasa?
Lhasa attracts tourists for its traditional and spiritual ambience leaving everyone spellbound. This mystical yet fast modernizing still resonates with Tibetan culture that was practiced in the most spectacular Tibetan Buddhist temples and shrines in Lhasa. Morever, the company of Lhasa’ spiritual and devout people makes the art and culture even more beautiful.
If you wish to explore the cultural side of Tibet, then the best places to go are:
- Potala Palace
- The Barkhor
- Jokhang Temple
- Tibet Museum
- Sera Monastery
Which are best places for camping in Lhasa?
One of the best features of Lhasa is that it is the best place to go for camping. And what can be a better than Everest Camp when you’re in Lhasa. Camping up close to the Mount Everest in Lhasa is overwhelming experience which tourists would love to experience in their lifetime. The spectacular view of the glorious Mt. Everest is such a sight to see and feels as if it was one of the greatest achievements of life.
Which are some famous pilgrimage sites to visit in Lhasa?
Surrounded by colossal mountain ranges in southwestern China, the city of Lhasa ("Place of the Gods") is the religious and political capital of the Tibetan world. Not only it’s a dream destination for every Tibetan Buddhist but also for the casual vacationers looking for something unique.
- Jokhang Temple: This historic temple in Lhasa is the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism. It houses a venerated Buddha statue and has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries.
- Drepung Monastery: Founded in 1416, this monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa was once Tibet's largest and most influential, with over 10,000 monks. It remains active today
Potala Palace: This castle-monastery was long the primary residence of the Dalai Lama, who now lives in exile in India. Today it is a state museum and World Heritage Site.
