Weekend Guide · China
Weekend in Lhasa
Lhasa — the spiritual heart of Tibet, sitting at over 3,600 metres on the Tibetan Plateau, home to the Potala Palace and centuries of Tibetan Buddhist culture..
Arrive & Explore Lhasa
Potala Palace
Former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, a monumental fortress-palace and UNESCO World Heritage site towering over the city
Jokhang Temple
Tibet's most sacred temple, where pilgrims perform prostrations outside before the golden-roofed shrine housing a revered statue of Buddha
Barkhor Street
Ancient pilgrimage circuit and market street encircling the Jokhang Temple, filled with prayer wheels, incense, and Tibetan handicrafts
Hidden Gems & Local Flavours
Sera Monastery
Famous monastery known for its lively afternoon monk debates held in a shaded courtyard garden
Namtso Lake Day Trip
High-altitude sacred lake a few hours from Lhasa, ringed by snow-capped mountains and prayer flags
Local Tips
- 1China suits most budgets.
- 2China is very safe for tourists — violent crime is rare and the country has a heavy security presence in cities.