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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Lhasa [2025]
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Potala Palace
4.8
/5
21667 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
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
A Tibetan Buddhist holy site atop Hongshan Mountain
Dalai Lama's winter palace center
Saved by 475 users12954 positive reviews
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Potala Palace: A Sky City Above the Soul
—An Eternal Faith on the Snowy Summit, a Sacred Promise of a Lifetime
It's impossible to praise the Potala Palace enough. For many, awe and longing coexist, and they eagerly embark on a pilgrimage. I believe the following points explain this:
1. Awe: A Sacred Gaze Across Millennia
Reaching the summit of Red Mountain, the Potala Palace is not only a landmark of Lhasa but also a spiritual totem of the snowy plateau. The White Palace, like a sacred hada, embraces the mountain ridge, while the Red Palace, like a flame reaching to the heavens—as you gaze up, you can hear echoes of the eras of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, and feel the solemnity of successive Dalai Lamas chanting. Every stone and tree here is imbued with faith, and every step leads to spiritual cleansing.
II. Past and Present: A Dialogue between Eternity and Change
Origin: Built by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng, it was later expanded by the Fifth Dalai Lama into a political and religious center.
History: The world's highest palace complex, the pinnacle of Tibetan religious and architectural art, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.
Today: It remains a sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple, housing eight Dalai Lama stupas, thousands of Buddhist scriptures and murals, and is also open to the world as a museum. III. Recommended Guide: How to Arrive and Immerse Yourself
1. Best Time: May-October (abundant oxygen, stunning sunlight);
2. Reservation Notes: During peak season, reservations must be made one day in advance with your real name, and the daily limit is 5,000 people;
3. Pilgrimage Route: In the morning, hike along the prayer path with locals, admiring the gilded roof in the morning light; in the afternoon, delve into the Red Palace to see the stupa and murals, listening to the clatter of prayer wheels in the wind; in the evening, take a panoramic photo from the Yaowang Mountain Observation Deck, the same 50-yuan RMB price.
4. Spiritual Preparation: Walk quietly and slowly, with a sense of reverence. It's recommended to have some change for lamp oil.
4. Happiness Highlights: Touching Moments Hidden in the Details
Occasionally encountering a pilgrim prostrating himself, the dust on their foreheads and the light in their eyes equally captivating; the aroma of butter tea mingling with the chanting of Buddhist scriptures from a corner of the palace wall drifts into a trance-like afternoon; from the summit, overlooking Lhasa, you'll suddenly understand the meaning of "Pure Land on Earth"; take home a small, consecrated thangka, a blessing that will become a lasting souvenir of your journey. I want to say: It's more than just a trip; it's a journey of spiritual enlightenment.
There's no need to "check in" at the Potala Palace; simply measure the height of your faith with your footsteps and sense the frequency of the sky with your breath. Its sacredness lies not in the murals on its golden roof, but in the clarity that arises in the hearts of every beholder.
"May all who see find peace, and all who contemplate find yearning."
Tips: Take your time to acclimate to altitude sickness. Remember to bring sunscreen and a thick jacket. Saving space for the soul is far more important than a camera.
The tour guide controlled the climbing speed very well, and talked while climbing. Stopping and walking helped the body adapt better than climbing all the time. After entering the palace, the explanation was also quite detailed, and the time was well controlled. It was not very tiring after the whole trip.
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Namtso
4.5
/5
5157 reviews
7.9
Based on 310 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608916113602
Address: Namtso National Park, Dangxiong County, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Lhasa
Highlights:
Snowy mountains & clear nights
Pilgrims & lakeside views
Saved by 136 users3048 positive reviews
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The entire peninsula is quite far from the customer service center. It takes more than 40 minutes to get to the scenic spot by car. The attitude of the staff when buying tickets was not very good. You have to buy the tickets online before you can pick them up. When you arrive at the ticket office, you pay the money, but why can't you buy the tickets? Especially these elderly people are not very friendly. They are not very skilled in using mobile phones and their speech is not very clear. I hope to improve the service.
The tour guides were very good this time. The tour guide helped take photos and the driver took drone photos. It was a very relaxing and comfortable trip. Thank you very much to all the staff for their careful arrangements.
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Jokhang Temple
4.5
/5
4514 reviews
7.3
Based on 1,233 reviews
Barkhor Street/Jokhang Temple | 1.5 km from downtown
Phone +8608916336858
Address: Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Pilgrimage route for Tibetan rituals
Three pilgrimage paths around sanctuary
2248 positive reviews10K views in last month
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Witness the most devout faith. Only by seeing the people kneeling in front of the Jokhang Temple can you feel the pure faith of the Tibetan people. At that time, you had to kowtow 100,000 times before your wish would come true.
The Jokhang Temple came first, and then Lhasa itself. In the Jokhang Temple square, backpackers and believers sat on the ground. For those who came here for the temple's fame, it became a unique kind of encounter. It's said that if you bask in the sun at the Jokhang Temple, all your bad luck and misfortune will transform into bluebirds and soar to the clouds.
No.
4
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Princess Wencheng Real Scene Theater
4.2
/5
64 reviews
7.0
Princess Wencheng Live Theater | 4.3 km from downtown
Address: 纳金街道102乡道拉萨河畔慈觉林（原次角林）中国西藏文化旅游创意园
Highlights:
Enjoy a performance in the Tibetan Valley Theater under the stars
A stunning epic of Han-Tibetan civilization on stage
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Princess Wencheng, a shining figure of the Tang Dynasty, married into the Tibetan Plateau and brought great benefits to the plateau. Carrying the mission of her country with her gracious shoulders, she journeyed to the snowy lands, bringing rituals, medicine, agriculture, and Buddhist civilization. Undeterred by imperial grace and fearless of hardship, she earned the admiration of the Tibetan people with her compassion and wisdom, earning Songtsen Gampo the Potala Palace in her honor. She was not only a peace envoy, but also a bridge of communication between Han and Tibetan peoples. Her soul remains on the plateau, passed down through the ages and remembered by the people.
The performance of Princess Wencheng is set against the backdrop of Cangshan Mountain and the starry sky. The fusion of Han, Tibetan, and Tibetan opera creates a truly unique experience.
It's easy to get a taxi during the show, but after the show, since it's so close, taxi drivers will offer a ride.
No.
5
Norbulingka
4.4
/5
704 reviews
6.2
Based on 278 reviews
Lobrinka | 2.5 km from downtown
Phone +8608916822644
Address: Luodui East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Lhasa
Highlights:
Exotic flowers at alpine garden
Tibetan & Han architectural fusion
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While Norbulingka lacked the stunning blue skies and white clouds, the moist air made mainland tourists feel more relaxed. Our Tibetan guide, Jiazhen, provided a very detailed explanation, which was a welcome change from a cursory visit. There's also a small zoo within the park, which was a delight for the children.
Norbulingka, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site, is located in the western suburbs of Lhasa. Originally built in the 1740s during the reign of the Seventh Dalai Lama, it served as the summer retreat for successive Dalai Lamas. It is a typical Tibetan-style garden. After over 200 years of expansion, the garden now covers 360,000 square meters and boasts over 100 plant species. These include not only common flowers and trees in Lhasa, but also exotic plants from the southern and northern foothills of the Himalayas, as well as rare flowers transplanted from inland areas or imported from abroad. It is truly a highland botanical garden. Norbulingka means "treasure garden." Designated a People's Park, it is sometimes jokingly described as "a water tower, two rows of handicraft shops, and several palaces surrounding a zoo." Norbulingka has gates on all four sides, with the main entrance on the east. The most striking pavilion on the facade is Kangsong Silun. Originally a small Han-style wooden pavilion, it was later converted into a theater. A spacious venue was added to the east, specifically for the Dalai Lama to watch performances. Next to it is Xiabudian Lakang, a venue for religious ceremonies. Before liberation, Norbulingka was merely a "summer palace" for the Dalai Lama and a few dignitaries to relax and unwind. After liberation, it underwent renovations and a revamped look, now home to 49 species of trees, including pines and cypresses, 62 varieties of rare flowers and plants, including peonies and Chinese peonies, and 15 species of birds and animals. The park boasts beautifully maintained flower beds and lawns, exquisite pavilions and waterside terraces, a stage, and wooden tables and benches.
No.
6
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Tibet Museum
4.5
/5
521 reviews
6.2
Based on 209 reviews
Lobrinka | 1.9 km from downtown
Phone +8608916835244
Address: No. 19, Robinka Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan architecture & Potala Palace
Free Tibet cultural exhibit visit
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Located southeast of Norbulingka in Lhasa, the Tibet Museum is Tibet's first modern museum. It opened in October 1999, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 40th anniversary of the Democratic Reform in Tibet. Its most notable treasure is a double-bodied pottery jar unearthed from the Neolithic Karuo site, representing the pinnacle of pottery craftsmanship during Tibet's early Karuo culture, dating back over 4,000 years.
I originally planned to visit for a break, but the Tibetan style, history, and culture were truly captivating!
[Scenery] Deeply feel the history and culture of Tibet, especially the understanding of the living Buddha system, and feel the harmonious unity of the motherland and Tibet. It is really worth calming down and experiencing and thinking. [Fun] Unfortunately, there are only public explanations, and you can't ask a tour guide to explain it yourself. This way you can understand the history and culture of Tibet more systematically. There are also east and west viewing platforms on the 3rd floor, where you can drink coffee, relax and enjoy the scenery, and think about life. [Cost-effectiveness] High
No.
7
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Sera Monastery
4.5
/5
485 reviews
6.0
Based on 718 reviews
Sera Monastery | 4.9 km from downtown
Phone +8608916383639
Address: No.1, Sela Road, Lhasa Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Watch monks' lively debates daily
Watch monks debate at 3pm
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Sera Monastery, officially known as "Sera Mahayana Monastery," is located at the foot of Sera Utse Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. It is one of the six principal monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, and along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, is considered one of the three great monasteries of Lhasa. Construction began in the 17th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty by Tsongkhapa's disciple Shakya Yeshe and was completed in 1434. The monastery houses the Tsokchen Hall, three large datsangs, and other buildings, housing tens of thousands of Buddha statues and numerous murals. Its unique Buddhist debates make it a vital venue for understanding Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The Sera Temple was built in 1419 and was presided over by Master Zongkaba's pro-disciple Sakya Yixi. As one of the six main temples of the Gelu school, it carries the mission of rejuvenation of Tibetan Buddhism in the "post-false period". Its complex was built on the top of the Sera Ulu Mountains. Perfectly blending Tibetan-style yulou and Handi Golden Peak style, there are more than 60 buildings such as Cuoqin Palace and Maizakang, of which Cuoqin Palace is supported by 108 giant pillars. The temple is a model of Tibetan wood structure. The temple has preserved more than 2000 square meters of original 15th century murals. And the cinnamon version of "Ganzhuer" given by Emperor Yongle witnessed the cultural exchange between Han and Tibetans. The unique "Kangcun" monk house system is divided by region, forming a hierarchical practice community, with its stone exterior walls and black window frames forming a typical aesthetic of Wei Tibetan architecture.
No.
8
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Chagpori
4.7
/5
387 reviews
5.7
Based on 44 reviews
Potala Palace/Sun Island | 661m from downtown
Address: Near No. 41, Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Guan Cha La Lu Pu Cave Temple Rock Carvings
Photographing Potala Palace from The Picture Spot of Jag Pori
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Yaowang Mountain in Lhasa is located to the southwest of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, and is separated from the Red Mountain where the Potala Palace is located by only one Beijing Road. At the end of the 17th century, in order to develop Tibetan medicine, Desi Sangye Gyatso built Menba Zhacang (medical hospital) on the mountain and selected lamas from various temples to learn medical knowledge here. This was once the birthplace of Tibetan medicine. The cliff carvings on Yaowang Mountain are the largest, most numerous and most famous existing ones. On the nearly two-kilometer-long cliff, there are more than 5,000 statues of various Buddhist gods, with a wide range of themes, including Sakyamuni, Tathagata, Thousand-handed Guanyin, etc. The viewing platform halfway up Yaowang Mountain is one of the best places to take pictures of the Potala Palace.
Yaowang Mountain is simply a treasure place in Lhasa! Don't look at the mountain is not high, you can climb up directly and the Potala Palace face to face, 50 yuan background picture with the same perspective, just take a photo of the circle of friends blockbuster. The most awesome is the cliff stone carvings here, which are engraved with densely carved cliffs, Buddha statues, Tibetan texts, and prescriptions. I feel that I can touch the wisdom of thousands of years ago by reaching out. There are more locals than tourists in the passage of the scriptures. They follow them around and listen to the booming of the prayer wheel. The observation deck on the mountainside is absolutely amazing! In the evening, the whole city of Lhasa was full of gold, and the cloth palace was like a layer of gold powder, so beautiful that people could not move their legs. The sweet tea house at the foot of the mountain is two yuan and a cup of sweet tea. After climbing the mountain, a cup of fairy days is just like this! The key is that this place is free! It takes half an hour to stroll around, not only to see the thousand-year-old monuments, but also to punch in the net red seat, but also to integrate into the life of the locals, it is definitely the most cost-effective attraction in Lhasa, no one!
No.
9
Dra Shi Monastery
4.3
/5
159 reviews
5.7
Based on 14 reviews
Zhaji Temple | 3.3 km from downtown
Address: East Zaki Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Worship Jakhilam on Wednesdays
Lively worship & offerings scene
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This temple is where locals pray for wealth and make wishes. Every Wednesday, lines form early in the morning, stretching out into the street.
Hours: Every Wednesday. (It's also open on weekdays, but less crowded.)
Tips: 1. Bring two bottles of wine from the small shop near the temple. 2. Bring some one-yuan coins; if you don't have any, you can exchange them at the entrance for a small difference.
Zaki Temple, a place full of mystery and tranquility. Here you can feel a peaceful force, let people relax involuntarily. The architectural style here is unique, full of historical atmosphere. Whether it is to worship the Buddha here or just to feel the unique atmosphere here, Zaki Temple is a place worth visiting.
No.
10
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La Ghen La
4.8
/5
211 reviews
5.5
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608916113602
Address: Within Dangxiong County, Lhasa (near Namutso)
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Highlights:
Namtso Lake's stunning blue waters
Overlooking the Nyingchi-Tangula mountain
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[Scenery] The Nara Mountain Pass Observation Deck is 5,190 meters above sea level. You can burn incense and pray. The blue sky and white clouds set off the majestic mountain scenery.
[Fun] A popular check-in spot
[Value for money] Free
It is like the scar of the earth, quietly witnessing the flow of time and the grinding of wind and rain. Standing here, people can deeply feel the magic of nature, every stone, every land seems to whisper those ancient and mysterious stories. At a glance, it is an endless field, very shocking
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