The unique plateau scenery and mysterious sanctuary in Tibet is worthy of feeling with your whole being. The following 20 sights are the most popular and charming ones. If you travel to Tibet in China, do not miss them!
Mainly comprised of the White Palace (Administrative Building) and the Red Palace (Religious Building), Potala Palace is famous for its grand buildings, complicated constructions, devotional atmosphere and splendid artworks.
With an area of 25,100 square meters, the Jokhang Temple is a four-story timber complex with a golden top. It adopts the architectural styles of the Tang Dynasty, as well as those of Tibet and Nepal. It is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims.
Morbulingka, or “Jewelled Garden”, is the site of the Dalai Lamas’ summer palace. From the mid 18th century, each successive Dalai Lama moved to the park during the summer season, and carried out all their religious and political affairs there.
As a symbol of Lhasa, Barkhor Street is a magical place showing the original outlook of Lhasa. Varied shops offer the prayer wheels, long-sleeve 'chuba' (the Tibetans’ traditional clothes), Tibetan knives and some religious articles for sale. Furthermore, some shops sell 'Thangka' (the Tibetan scroll painting), which is a unique art of Tibet with the themes of religion, history, literature, science and customs.
Yangbajing
Yangbajing is famous for its hot springs and geothermal system. Although the surrounding areas are extremely cold, Yangbajing is a green highland covered by smoke and steam emitted from the springs. The hot spring is proved to cure certain illness and it is a place to refresh oneself when he admires the snow-covered Nyainqen-tanggula Mountains.
Sera Monastery
It is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. Its main buildings are the Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). A great number of debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here with a distinctive style different from other famous monasteries in Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery
The Drepung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered as one of the “Three Great Monasteries” in Tibet. The major buildings are Ganden Potrang, Coqen Hall, the four Zhacangs (or Tantric colleges), and Kamcuns.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. Also called the Heap of Glory, the monastery covers an area of nearly 300,000 square meters. Visitors can see the grand buildings with golden roofs and white walls, the Maitreya Chapel on the west side of Tashilhunpo and the biggest statue of a sitting Maitreya Buddha inside the chapel.
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is one of four holy lakes in Tibet. It is revered as a talisman and said to be the part of the life-spirit of the Tibetan nation. It is the largest lake in southern Tibet, and it is said that if it is dry, Tibet will no longer be inhabitable.
Segrila Mountain
Segrila Mountain is one of four holy mountains in Tibet. It has fresh air and graceful environment. In the high altitude of 4,728 meters, a sea of forests and clouds, rock and snowy peaks are all under your feet.
Namtso Lake is the second largest saltwater lake in China. It's considered to be one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Annually, many pilgrims go there and walk around the lake praying for good fortunes. Additionally, being selected as one of the five most beautiful lakes in China, it attracts a lot of tourists as well.
Basum Lake
The Basum Lake is an alpine lake at the middle and upper reaches of the Ba River, which is the largest tributary of the Nyang River. The blue, limpid lake water and the verdant mountain around the lake combine into a charming scene that can be compared with those in Switzerland. Going upstream from the Basum Lake to the source of the mainstream, one can see many large mountain glaciers.
Karuola Glacier
Karuola Glacier is about 71 kilometers away from Gyangtse County. You can even see this amazing glacier on the road beside it. Karuola Glacier is about 5,600 meters north to the main peak of Karuola Mountains. Due to the smoke pollution from motor vehicles, the entire glacier is now divided into black and white layers, which forms a distinctive beauty of the nature.
Mutuo
Mutuo is one of the most mysterious places in Tibet, which brings temptation to many Tibetan.
Mount Qomolangma, also called Mt. Everest, is the highest peak in the world. Its Tibetan meaning of 'Goddess the Third' adds more mysterious color and magic power to the name. As a result, it has attracted all kinds of people since it was first discovered. Pilgrims trek long distances to present a pious worship, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude and the common tourists also yearn for a reverent look at this holy peak.
In Chinese, Yarlung Tsangpo River means water flowing down from the crest. Found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as 'the roof of the world', the Yarlung Tsangpo River is the biggest river in Tibet and also holds the position as the river being found at the highest altitude across the world.
Tanglha
Nyenchen Tanglha is one of the four well-known holy mountains in Tibet. In ancient Tibetan myths, Nyenchen Tanglha and Namco are not only a holy mountain and a sacred lake but also a married couple swearing to live and die together.
Benri Mountain
Benri Mountain is covered with forests. In spring it is a sea of flowers and in winter a snowy world which is like a great crystal.
Tibet Museum
The museum is equipped with modern facilities to ensure quality service for visitors and safety and efficient administration of the museum itself. The exhibits are introduced in Japanese, English, Tibetan, and Chinese, in order to meet the needs of visitors from all over the world.
Manasarovar Lake
It is one of the highest elevation fresh-water lakes in the world. Lake Manasarovar is relatively round in shape. The lake freezes in winter and melts only in the spring.