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Night Attractions
Top 10 Night Attractions in Lhasa [2025]
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Potala Palace
4.8
/5
21819 reviews
8.4
Based on 2,517 reviews
Potala Palace/Sun Island | 218m from downtown
Phone +8608916339615
Address: No. 35, Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Try Tibetan butter tea & barley wine
Experience Potala Palace's mystical ambiance
Saved by 502 users12616 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I visited Lhasa in the winter of 2007 for work, touring the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. I revisited in 2024 with my parents.
Key Reminder: Advance ticket booking is required.
My Experience: Seventeen years have passed, and the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple remain unchanged. Their red and white walls still stand solemnly under the high-altitude sun. What has changed is the surrounding environment, and the people… Of course, I've changed too, transforming from a naive youth to a more mature person… The most worthwhile spots to visit: Besides Potala Palace Square, the Chakpori Hill viewing platform (the location featured on the back of the 50 RMB note) is another must-see.
Transportation: You can stroll through Barkhor Street to get there, or take a taxi directly.
[Potala Palace: A Pilgrimage Guide Amidst the Overlapping Shadows of Time]
First-time visitors should begin their journey like reading an epic poem, looking up from the foot of the mountain. It's recommended to visit at dawn or dusk, when the white walls and golden roofs appear to flow and shift under the light. You'll discover that the palace walls, which you've seen countless times in photographs, are actually formed up close using the traditional Tibetan technique of "splashing white ash," creating irregular textures. During the rainy season, a mixture of milk and honey is added to the paint—this is the secret to its enduring beauty.
The route to the palace holds hidden secrets: first-time visitors should slowly ascend the traditional zigzagging steps, each turn offering a different angle for photography. Upon reaching the ticket office halfway up the mountain, consider pausing at the western platform, where you can see the overlapping shadows of the Jokhang Temple's golden roof and the modern city. To effectively explore the Potala Palace, focus on three key aspects: The Sunlight Hall in the East Hall of the White Palace, once a residence, still displays the exquisite craftsmanship of its window carvings; the sandalwood Avalokiteshvara statue in the Dharma King's Cave of the Red Palace is the oldest symbol of the palace; and the 3,721 kilograms of gold and tens of thousands of jewels in the Fifth Dalai Lama's Stupa Hall, shimmering under the glow of butter lamps, instantly convey the weight of faith.
Returning visitors can become "treasure hunters." Besides the main tour, pay special attention to: ① the "Lamas Debating" wood carving on the south window of the West Sunlight Hall, its details polished smooth by countless hands over twelve years; ② the newly added ochre-red white grass on the exterior walls of the Red Palace, a plant-based wall infused with Tibetan medicine, a testament to traditional wisdom and continuous preservation; ③ after 3 PM, the occasional chanting from the monks' quarters on the east side, as tourists disperse, is the perfect time to experience the palace's atmosphere.
Special Reminders:
① The reservation system is now fully electronic, but a green channel is still available for those over 60 years old.
② Photography is prohibited in most halls inside the Potala Palace, but panoramic city views are permitted on the outdoor platforms.
③ It is recommended to divide your visit into two parts: focus on the architecture and culture in the morning, and enjoy the reflections in Zongjiao Lukang Park at dusk.
For first-time visitors, this is an introductory course to understanding Tibet; for repeat visitors, it's a gentle confrontation with the details of their memories. Those things that remain unchanged over time, and those that have quietly changed, together constitute the Potala Palace's enduring charm.
Visit Tips:
① Walking clockwise around the palace is an unspoken etiquette.
② Speaking softly allows you to hear more stories—such as the sound of prayer flags fluttering in the wind, or the crackling of butter lamp wicks.
③ After leaving the palace, consider strolling along the pilgrimage route behind the mountain with the locals; here you can witness the most vibrant scenes of everyday life.
No matter how many times you visit, take some time to sit quietly in the square in front of the palace and watch the clouds drift across the palace walls. You will find that the Potala Palace is not just a building, but a living entity that is conversing with you every time you gaze at it.
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Barkhor Street
4.8
/5
1161 reviews
6.9
Based on 630 reviews
Barkhor Street/Jokhang Temple | 1.3 km from downtown
Address: Chengguan District,Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
Experience the charm of Tibetan prayer wheels at night
The golden roof of Jokhang Temple is set off by the lights at night
385 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Barkhor Street is located in Lhasa's Chengguan District. Admission is free all day and it's an absolutely stunning place! Must-see spots when visiting Barkhor Street:
1. Barkhor Street is a gathering place for pilgrims, and every corner is a breathtaking spectacle.
2. Barkhor Street has many shops that rent Tibetan clothing for photo shoots. You can choose according to your preferred style. Prices generally range from 299 to 399 RMB. I wore my own Tibetan clothing, which looked stunning. A little girl, about four or five years old, ran up to me and said, "Sister, you're so beautiful!" I was so happy!
3. The Atiao milk tea at the entrance of the Jokhang Temple is a must-try; it's delicious!
4. Be sure to circumambulate the prayer hall three times clockwise on Barkhor Street to pray.
5. The red graffiti walls on Barkhor Street are photogenic and have a very Tibetan feel.
On my second day in Lhasa, I walked straight to Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple. Although I'd been to Tibetan areas before, this street was decidedly more charming. I strolled through the streets and bought some small finds. Reservations are required for Jokhang Temple, but you can buy a ticket to enter Ramoche Temple directly. Tibetan architecture and Tibetan Buddhism complement each other beautifully here, especially the Tibetans' prostrating themselves every three steps. I watched quietly, not understanding but respecting them. People of faith shouldn't be mocked.
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Potala Palace Square
4.8
/5
458 reviews
5.3
Potala Palace/Sun Island | 164m from downtown
Phone +8608916339615
Address: (in front of the Potala Palace) Lhasa City Chengguan District
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 hour
Highlights:
Night fountain show with music
2,000 Square Pigeons Interact with Visitors
230 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
[Scenery] The Potala Palace Square has a great environment, the national flag is majestic, and it faces the Potala Palace. You can take photos of its reflection at night. Yaowang Mountain is next to it.
[Fun] You need to go through security check, but it is open during get off work hours, so it is absolutely safe.
[Value for money] Free
It is the best place to take photos of the entire magnificent Potala Palace besides Yaowang Mountain. If you are lucky enough to come here after the rain, you will have the opportunity to take photos of the rare reflection of the Potala Palace.
No.
4
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Lhasa River
4.7
/5
266 reviews
5.0
14.2 km from downtown
Address: Chengguan District，Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Blue sky and clear water reflect the Potala Palace
One of the three holy rivers of Lhasa
Verified user reviews
This is the highest tourist attraction. The Potala Palace on the riverbank is particularly eye-catching at night. The scenery is really beautiful and amazing. The Lhasa River Bridge is magnificent, brightly lit and full of cars. The Lhasa River Wetland Park is huge and has a lot of greenery.
The Lhasa River, called Jiqu in Tibetan, means "Happy River" or "River of Happiness". It originates from Lob Rula on the north side of the middle section of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains, flows through Mezhugongka County and Dagze District, and finally passes through Lhasa City, and merges into the Yarlung Zangbo River in Qushui County of Lhasa City. The sunset that day was beautiful.
No.
5
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Zongjiao Lukang Park
4.9
/5
224 reviews
4.7
Based on 22 reviews
Potala Palace/Sun Island | 568m from downtown
Phone +8608916823540
Address: 9 Niangre South Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Verified user reviews
This is a large park open to the public free of charge in the center of Lhasa. It is close to the famous Potala Palace and has convenient transportation. The park has lush vegetation, a clean environment, complete service facilities, and a large lake area.
Behind the Potala Palace is a very beautiful park called Zongjiaolukhang Park. It is an open urban park in Lhasa that integrates natural landscape and cultural history. It is an important place for tourists and citizens to relax, take photos, and experience Tibetan culture. There is an artificial lake in the park called "Longwangtan". Wild ducks and bar-headed geese often inhabit the lake. The reflection of the Potala Palace is a popular photography location.
No.
6
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Dazhao Temple Square
4.7
/5
178 reviews
4.1
Barkhor Street/Jokhang Temple | 1.4 km from downtown
Address: Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 hour
Highlights:
Ancient buildings lit up at night
Experience folk customs at a Tibetan sweet teahouse
33% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jokhang Temple has a history of more than 1,300 years and holds a supreme position in Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang Temple is the most splendid Tubo-era building in Tibet. It is also the earliest civil engineering structure in Tibet and pioneered the Tibetan flat-style temple market layout. The circle around the Sakyamuni Buddha Hall in the center of Jokhang Temple is called "Nangkor", the circle around the outer wall of Jokhang Temple is called "Bakor", and the street radiating from Jokhang Temple is called "Bakor Street" or Bajiao Street. The large circle with Jokhang Temple as the center and including the Potala Palace, Yaowang Mountain and Ramoche Temple is called "Lingkor". These three rings from the inside to the outside are the routes for Tibetans to perform the circumambulation ceremony.
When you arrive in Lhasa, you must check in at this holy place. The scenery is stunning and charming, and there are many interesting places. There is a lot of historical sense in places such as the Tibetan Office, and the cost performance is very high. Faith is everywhere.
No.
7
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XiZang TianHai YeShi
4.4
/5
10 reviews
3.6
Based on 5 reviews
Lobrinka | 2 km from downtown
Address: In the Xizang Tianhai Mall, Lhasa, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Verified user reviews
Tianhai Night Market is a snack mecca in Lhasa. I am still savoring the taste of roasted lamb’s trotters and roasted tendons. The cumin is particularly strong and the roasting time is just right. I went there to eat roasted lamb’s trotters every night during the few days I was in Lhasa!
Ask the locals in Lhasa where to go for fun at night, and the answer you get is to visit the Barkhor Street Night Market or eat barbecue in Tianhai Mall.
There are many barbecue restaurants in the night market, most of which serve beef and mutton skewers with strong flavors. Some restaurants only serve drinks, and you can't drink alcohol!
No.
8
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Princess Jincheng
4.7
/5
48 reviews
3.4
Princess Wencheng Live Theater | 5.6 km from downtown
Phone +868916576666
Address: 拉萨市慈角林文化旅游创意园金城公主舞台剧剧场
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
90% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Princess Jincheng stage play is performed in the Princess Jincheng Theater in the Cijuelin Tibetan Cultural Tourism Creative Park in Lhasa.
The ups and downs of the plot exquisitely connect the legendary life of Princess Jincheng, and the beautiful and moving stage scenes form a magnificent thousand-year epic... The myriad emotions of love and sacrifice, joy and sorrow, and reunion and separation in those marriage stories are vividly presented in the new interpretation, which has attracted countless audiences to applaud.
After watching the stage play Princess Jincheng carefully, it is like watching a touching historical story and enjoying a cultural feast up close. The sun shines, and all beings are glorious; the heart is like the sky, without hatred and disturbance. There is no distance in the world, and the world is home.
1
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