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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
21561 reviews
8.4
Based on 2,516 reviews
Potala Palace/Sun Island | 218m from downtown
Phone 0891-6339615
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 461 users13446 positive reviews
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After using two bottles of portable oxygen, we finally made it to Route 1. The overall experience was fantastic. The tour guide's explanations were detailed and pleasant. He even asked the group to rush over to less crowded areas. Hahahahaha. He even took photos of us at photo-op spots. This was the first time I've ever had a tour guide take such an initiative. Photos of the Potala Palace are best taken on sunny days. The rainy morning photos weren't great, but thankfully, the weather cleared up in the afternoon. After listening to the tour guide's explanations, we went back to the square to take more photos.
[Scenery] 1. Architectural Beauty
• Red and White Radiance: The White Palace resembles snow, the Red Palace resembles rosy clouds, and the golden dome gleams in the sunlight, creating a striking contrast of colors.
• Stacked on the Mountain: The palace complex rises smoothly, reaching its highest point at thirteen stories. From a distance, it looks like a celestial palace descending, a magnificent sight.
• Golden Dome and Sutra Pillar: The golden roof is clad in gilded copper tiles, and the ridge is decorated with treasure vases and sutra pillars. It radiates golden light in the sun, yet softens under the light at night.
2. Scenery of the Four Seasons
• Spring: Peach and apricot blossoms bloom in succession on the plateau, their pink and white blossoms framing the red and white palace walls, a vibrant scene.[^4^]
• Summer: The sky is incredibly blue, the white clouds seem within reach, and the Potala Palace is beautifully reflected on the banks of the Lhasa River.
• Autumn: The plateau weather is crisp and clear, the poplar leaves in Zongjiaolukhang Park are golden, and the lake reflects the palace and its colorful forests. • Winter: A blanket of snow blankets the palace, and the red and white walls appear even more sacred against the pure white snow. At sunrise, golden light drenches the snow, creating a fairyland-like scene.
3. The Rhythm of Dawn and Dusk
• Morning: The first rays of sunlight glide across the golden dome, gilding the entire palace with a soft golden hue. Lhasa awakens beneath your feet.
• Evening: The setting sun paints the palace walls a warm orange, and the night lights then illuminate, creating a unique blend of strength and softness.[^9^]
• Night: The musical fountains in Potala Palace Square dance to the rhythm, and the illuminated palace is majestic and romantic.
[Fun] Best Viewing Spots
• Potala Palace Square: Looking up from the front, ideal for wide-angle panoramic views and reflections.
• Yaowang Mountain Observation Deck: The same angle as the back of the 50-yuan banknote, offering a classic view of sunrise and sidelight.
• Zongjiaolukhang Park: Lakeside photos of the palace and snow-capped mountains framed by the "Sky Mirror" are available. • Nanshan Park: Climb high and gaze out across the Potala Palace and the city of Lhasa, the night view is particularly breathtaking.
5. A Symphony of Culture and Nature
• Inside the palace, butter lamps burn eternally, Tibetan incense lingers, and murals, stupas, and prayer flags weave a thousand-year-old faith.
• Outside the palace, a constant stream of pilgrims circumambulates, wind-horse flags flutter, and snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and rivers surround the palace, creating a poetic scene of "a journey through mountains and rivers, a thousand turns of dreams, and the emperor's body returns."
In short: The Potala Palace is more than just a palace; it is a vast canvas created by the world and humanity—garlands of flowers in spring, azure skies in summer, golden forests in autumn, and snowy veils in winter. Bathed in sunlight in the morning and shrouded in stars at night, it is a breathtaking "heavenly palace" wherever you linger.
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Namtso
4.5
/5
5019 reviews
7.9
Based on 310 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6113602
Address: Namtso National Park, Dangxiong County, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Snowy mountains & clear nights
Pilgrims & lakeside views
Saved by 133 users2946 positive reviews
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Mucuo is a great scenic spot. It ranks first among all the lakes we have visited in Tibet. The sky is particularly bright and the water is particularly blue. The only bad thing is that the gate of the scenic spot is very far from the specific scenic spots, at least 20km away, so the experience is a little worse. Otherwise, it is still very good.
Apart from the expensive ticket price, everything else is perfect. The scenery is stunning. I've always been curious why most people argue about the ranking of Jiuzhaigou and Huangshan. I personally think Namtso is just as good as Jiuzhaigou. The beautiful blue sky and white clouds, snow-capped mountains and lakes purify the soul.
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Jokhang Temple
4.5
/5
4504 reviews
7.4
Based on 1,232 reviews
Barkhor Street/Jokhang Temple | 1.5 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6336858
Address: Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Pilgrimage route for Tibetan rituals
Three pilgrimage paths around sanctuary
2281 positive reviews10K views in last month
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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.
The scenic area is conveniently located in Lhasa's Barkhor Old Street. As a representative ancient temple in Tibet, its murals and Buddha statues are truly magnificent. The guide's encyclopedic explanation, which lasted for several hours, was informative. However, during summer, peak tourist season, the temple is crowded and the air circulation is limited, so it's best to bring a portable oxygen tube.
No.
4
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Princess Wencheng Real Scene Theater
4.1
/5
54 reviews
7.1
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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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.
Not bad, not ...
No.
5
Norbulingka
4.5
/5
702 reviews
6.2
Based on 278 reviews
Lobrinka | 2.5 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6822644
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
198 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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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
520 reviews
6.2
Based on 209 reviews
Lobrinka | 1.9 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6835244
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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[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
The Tibet Museum has more than 520,000 pieces (sets) of cultural relics, of which more than 40,000 are precious cultural relics, which have extremely high historical, artistic and scientific value. When you come to the Tibet Museum, the first thing that catches your eye is the dazzling architecture.
The old building of the Tibet Museum has distinct Tibetan traditional architectural art characteristics, and at the same time deeply reflects the practical characteristics and artistic charm of modern architecture
No.
7
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Sera Monastery
4.5
/5
484 reviews
6.1
Based on 717 reviews
Sera Monastery | 4.9 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6383639
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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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.
The Sera Temple, known as the Sera Dacheng Temple, is located in the foothills of Sera Uzbekistan in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. It is one of the six main temples of Tibetan Buddhism Gelu. It was built in 17 years by Zongkaba disciple Jiang Qingqu and expanded by the Ming and Qing generations. The temple has buildings such as the Cuoqin Palace and the Sankamura such as stuttering, which preserves tens of thousands of Buddha statues and a large number of murals. There are also special debate activities here, and the Buddha ceremony is held every year at the Snowdonia Festival. The Sera Temple is not only a religious holy place, but also an important treasure trove for studying Tibetan history and culture.
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
116 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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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
158 reviews
5.6
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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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.
Zhaji Temple is really worth visiting once in Lhasa. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are crowded with people. It is a temple of the God of Wealth. You can buy a set of three offerings for Zhaji Goddess outside the temple. There are many people inside.
No.
10
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La Ghen La
4.8
/5
211 reviews
5.6
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0891-6113602
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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