Top Attractions in Tibet

Tibet is a holy land for all the Tibetan people and tourists from all over the world. It is home to sacred monasteries, holy highland lakes and grand mountains. Tibet is separated into several parts and each region boasts lots of highlights for tourists to discover. Here we are going to recommend some famous attractions in Lhasa, Nagri, Shigatse, Mount Everest, Shannan, etc. Hope you will get a better understanding of Tibet when preparing for your Tibet tour here.

Potala Palace (Lhasa)

Potala Palace is the symbol Lhasa. With high historical value, the palace is very important to Tibet. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 17th century, Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill of Lhasa. The awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city. Don't miss this one when doing the Lhasa City tour!

Destroyed by lightning and war, it was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1645 and since then, it has become the seat of Dalai Lamas and also the political center of Tibet. Mainly comprised by the White Palace, the administrative building, and the Red Palace, religious building, Potala Palace is famous for its grand buildings, complicated constructions, devotional atmosphere and splendid artworks.

Jokhang Temple (Lhasa)

Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. Some of them even progress prostrate by body length to the threshold of the temple. Pilgrims fuel myriad of flickering butter lamps with yak butter, or honor their deities with white scarves (Kha-btags or Hada) while murmuring sacred mantras to show their pieties to the Buddha.

The Jokhang Temple complex has several decorated shrines and rooms. The main hall of the temple houses the Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. There are also famous statues of Chenresig, Padmasambhava and King Songtsan Gambo and his two famous foreign brides, Princess Wencheng (niece of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty) and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal.

Sera Monastery (Lhasa)

About 4 km north of Lhasa, the Sera Monastery was built in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Named after the wild rose flowers grown on the slope of mountains nearby, it is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 square meters. 

As the second largest temple in Tibet, there are many Buddhist statues enshrined in Sera Monastery and it contains a large number of sutras, exquisite thangkas, embroidery, murals and other art treasures. Besides that, going to Sera Monastery to watch lamas debating on Buddhist doctrines is definitely one of the must-do things in Tibet.

Namtso Lake (Nagqu)

Being the 2nd largest saltwater lake in China only after Qinghai Lake, Namtso is the biggest lake throughout Tibet. Meanwhile, it is the highest altitude saltwater lake in the world. The water here is crystal-clear blue. Clear skies join its surface in the distance, creating an integrated scenic vista. Being 1 of the 3 holy lakes in Tibet, people believe that soul of every visitor who has ever been here will be cleansed by the pure water.

Most water in Namtso Lake arises from rains, melted ice and snow of Mt. Nyenchen Tonglha and the inflow of crooks and streams, hence the lake is very clear and limpid. With the blue surface, the lake and the sky seem to be one and undivided, which may make visitors feel themselves in a fairy land if they stroll by the lake for a while. Booking a Namtso Lake tour will be suitable for you if you are interested in the natural landscape.

Tashilhunpo Monastery (Shigatse)

As the largest monastery in Shigatse, Tashilumpo Monastery covers an area of 300,00 square meters. It was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447 and its structure was expanded by the 4th and successive Panchen Lamas.

There are many precious cultural relics such as statues of Buddha, scrolls of Buddhist paintings, embroideries, sacrificial vessels and so on preserved in the temple. Large numbers of gold and jade seals, imperial written orders and the seal of Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) are also treasured up in the temple, and they are of great significance for the research into the ancient culture in Tibet and the history of the relationship between the Tibetan and the Han people. If you are a culture/history person, Shigatse tour will be just perfect for you!

Mt. Everest (Shigatse)

Mount Everest, or Mount Qomolangma, meaning "Goddess" in Tibetan, is the highest mountain on earth with an altitude of 8, 848.13 meterss standing at the south of Tingri County in southern Tibet, at the border of the central Himalayas between China and Nepal, capped with accumulated eternal snow. Its snow peak sends out silver radiance year after year with its waist hidden in the clouds. The optimum weather to visit Mt. Everest is from April to June, Sept. to Oct., a golden period for mountaineers. Each year, a great number of brave robust mountaineers come from all over the world to visit and climb Mt. Everest, hoping to fulfill a life-long dream by climbing onto and looking over from the world's highest peak.

If you want to experience the Everest trek, the classic route Old Tingri-Everest trekking tour would be worth trying. If you are looking for a tour to Everest with economic price, joining in the Everest Base Camp tour would be the best option for you!

Yamdrok Lake (Shannan/Tsedang)

Also called Yamdrok Yumtso, the lake is 110 km southwest of Lhasa. Encompassing an area of 638 square kilometers, it is regarded by Tibetans as one of the three sacred lakes. The lake has an elevation of 4,441 meters above sea level with an average depth of 30 meters. The lake is surrounded by many snowcapped mountains and fed by the numerous small streams. It is a highland freshwater lake with a dozen of islands, the largest of which is about 3000 square meters. In the summer, many different types of aquatic birds fly here to mate and lay eggs. Due to the close distance, normally speaking, 5 days would be enough for the Yamdrok Lake tour. 

Namjabarwa Peak (Nyingtri)

One of the interesting things to do in Tibet is to appreciate a magnificent snow mountain. As the most beautiful snow mountain in China, the peak of the Mt. Namchabarwa, covered with ice and snow, is always surrounded with clouds and fog. It's located in Nyingtri Prefecture and on the east side of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. The best time to travel is from April to October. The scenery at the foot of the mountain is completely different from the top. Green forests thrive and flowers blossom. Two distinct pictures make a perfect fairyland.