Lhasa - The Land of Gods (11850 ft.)
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located
between 29o 36'N and 19o 06' E at the north bank of Kyichu river,
a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of
3650 meteres above sea level. Lhasa has a history of more than
1300 years and has been the center of politics, economy, culture
and religi pung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje,
a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect. The monastery,
occupying an area of 250,000 square meters with a fixed number
of 7,700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery
keeps many historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts, and
crafts.
Sera Monastery
Sera means "hailstone" in Tibetan. Set at the foot
of the Wudu Hill to the north of Lhasa City, Sera is comprised
of a great sutra chanting hall and a college. Situated at three
kilometers distance to a northern suburb of Lhasa, Sera Monastery
was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa,
the founder of Gelugpa Sect. The monastery was erected on a
mountain slope. Sera Monastery together with Ganden Monastery
and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are known as the Three Great
Monasteries of Tibet.
Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of the old section of
Lhasa called Barkhor, was built in the mid-7th century A. D.
It was later extended by successive rulers, and has now become
a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east, and facing
the west, Jokhang is a four storeyed Temple with splendid golden
roofs. Its architecture features art from the Tang Dynasty but
also assimilated many features from both Nepalese and Indian
Buddhist Temples. The murals in the temple depict the life stories
of historic and religious characters. The temple houses many
historical relics, including statues of King Songtsen Gompo,
Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). "Princess
Willow" (a tree), and "The Uncle-Nephew Alliance Tablet."
Jokhang is Tibet' s spiritual center, and the holiest destination
for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses a sitting of statue
of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old. The circular Barkhor
Street has innumerable shops, and wayside peddlers intermingle
with devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang. An evening
walk (Kora) around the Jokhang Temple together with the Tibetan
pilgrims is a lifetime experience.
Potala Palace
The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works of the
world, sits on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. In the 7th century,
after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo's married Princess Wencheng
of the Tang Court, the Plalace was built to provide the Tibetan
court with a place of worship and meditation. In the mid-17th
century, it was re-built by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present
size, and became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction
took fifty years from beginning to completion.
The Potala is divided into two sections, namely,
the Red Palace and White Palace. The total height of the Potala
is 117 meters spanning thirteen storeys. The length of the Palace
from east to west is 400 meters and the breadth from south to
north is 350 meters. The building was constructed of stone and
timber with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural masterpiece
Day1: Fly to Lhasa airport and
transfer 95 km to the hotel. It takes 2 hours on the way to Lhasa
through the Yerlung Tsangpo and the Lhasa Kyichu River. O/n at
yak Hotel or similar.
Day 2: Morning visit Potala
palace, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet. It was
built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and later
renovated by the 5th Dalailama in the 17th century. Afternoon
visit Sera monastery 5 kilometer north of Lhasa city, It was built
in 1419 by Jamchen Choeji, a disciple of Tsongkhapa,the founder
of the Gelugpa sect. Sera is one of the three major monasteries
of yellow sect in Tibet. O/n at yak hotel or similar.
Day 3: Morning visit Drepung
monastery, which is the largest Monastery of the Gelugpa sect
in Lhasa, which was built in 1416 by Jamyang chojie a disciple
of Tsongkhapa. Afternoon visit JokhangTempal and Barkhor market,
this is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses of golden statue
of the Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese
princess Wenchen. O/n at same hotel as above.
Day 4: Departure from Lhasa
to airport and fly to your next destination
Cost -
Ask us for the cost
Departure Date:
Every Saturday from Kathmandu
Every day from Chengdu/Beijing
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