Lhasa in Tibet

Covering an area of 1.2 million square kilometers, Tibet has a population of 2.62 million in which Lhasa is 400, 000.

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, known as “the Roof of the world.” The city’s main attractions include the Potala Palace (was listed by UNECSO as cultural heritage in 1994) well known as a palace and fortress. It is the quintessence of Tibetan architecture built in the 7th century by King Songtsan Gambo (c. 617-650) for his bride, the Han nationality Princess Wen Cbeng (?-680). Covering an area of 102. 5 acres, its stone-and-wood main building has I3 storeys, measuring 110 meters in height. The magnificent palace roofs are covered with gilded tiles of bronze. The Potala Palace is composed of the Red Palace and the White Palace. The foyer is mainly for religious affairs, and the latter for political affairs and daily life: Jokhang Monastery (an extension of the Potala Palace, listed by UNECSO as cultural heritage in 2000) is located at the center of Lhasa and was constructed in 647 by King Songtsan Gambo) to commemorate Princess Wen Cheng’s arrival in Tibet. After several renovations it has become a large building group, with an area of more than 25, 000 square meters. Built in the style of Tang Dynasty structures and adopted the salient features of architecture from Nepal and India, it has four storeys; its roofs are covered with gilded tiles of bronze; Norbulingka Park (Treasure Garden ), an extension of the Potala Palace, listed by UNESCO in 2001, was built by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1740s. It was refurbished and emerged and has become the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace. From April to September each year the Dalai Lmna would handle political affairs and hold festive celebrations. Occupying an area of 36 OO0 square metes the park is divided into three parts: the palace area, area in from of the palace, and the forest area. Its main buildings are Golden Palace, Sutra Hall and the New Palace put up in1954; Barkber Street is situated in the centre of the city. It is the place where traditional features and life style of the old city and still preserved. The visitor can see pilgrims with their prayer wheels walking around the Jokhang Monastery chanting scriptures. Almost all kinds of articles are available in all these shops along the street.