Lhasa Area (Potala, Jokhang, Barkhor, Drepung, Sera, Norbulinka & Ganden) :-
Lhasa is situated at an altitude of 3650 meters which the capital city of Tibet on the northern banks of the Kyichu River. Lhasa in Tibetan means "Palace of Gods", the residence of Dalai Lama (The God King), is the earthly representation of the Celestial Palace of Avaloketeswora, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion whose incarnation in the human form is believed to be Dalai Lama. As Tibet's political, religious and cultural center, it is a city truly blessed by the gods, where life is unhurried, and it's people are jovial.

1. Potala Palace
This stunningly beautiful architectural wonder is Lhasa' cardinal landmark. It can be seen from all directions for miles around. The Potala was setup in the seventh century AD during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. It is located on what known as the Red Hill and covers an area of 41 hectares. The Potala consists of the White and Red palaces with more than 1000 rooms. The white place was for secular use and contained living quarters, offices, the seminary and the printing house. The red Palace's function was religious. It contained gold stupas, which were the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the monks' assembly hall, numerous chapels and shrines, and libraries for Buddhist Scriptures.

2. Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Monastery is the spiritual center of Tibet, the Holy of Holies, the destination of millions of Tibetan pilgrims. Unlike the lofty Potala, the Jokhang has intimate, human proportions, bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery. The outer courtyard and porch of the temple has usually filled with pilgrims making full-length prostration towards the holy sanctum. Its innermost shrine contains the oldest, most precious object in Tibet - the original gold stature of Sakyamuni - the historical Buddha, which Princess Wen Cheng brought from Chang'an 1,300 years ago. It is situated in the heart of Old Lhasa, it houses Tibet's most precious religious relics, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Ching on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Srongtsen Gampo. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

3. Barkhor Area
The Barkhor refers to Lhasa's pilgrimage circuit, a quadrangle of streets that surrounds the Jokhang and some of the old buildings adjoining it. It is an area unrivalled in Tibet for its fascinating combination of deep religiosity and push-and-shove market economics. Barkhor is both the spiritual heart of the holy city and the main commercial district for Tibetans.

4. Drepung Monastery
Drepung lies 8 km west of Lhasa on a main road, then 3km north on a steep, unpaved road. Its name means Rice Heap after its jumble of white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. It used to be world's largest monastery with more than 10,000 monks, and now still Tibet's largest monastery. Every year in early August, Tibetans celebrate their major festival - Shoton, the Yogurt Festival. The most important event of this festival - Giant Buddha Show is held in Drepung Monastery. Said to be largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks, it was founded in AD 1416 by the disciple of Tsonkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Second, Third, and Fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Drepung in Tibetan means ' mound of rice'.

5. Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery, around 5km north of central Lhasa, is along with Drepung one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries. The Sera Monastery is famous for it’s "Buddhism Scripture Debating” monks can be seen preparing for monastic exam by staging mock debates in the ritual way. Some sit cross-legged under the trees, while others run from group to group giving vigorous handclaps to end a statement or make a point. Master and dignitaries sit on the raised tiers when a real exam takes place.

6. Norbulinka
The 'Jewel Park ' as it is known in Tibetan, which was built in the 18th century and served as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. This colorful garden landscape was the site of picnic gathering. The palaces are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful response.

7. Ganden Monastery
This great monastery lies about 45km east of Lhasa. Situated at 4500m in a bowl-like amphitheater, Ganden was the first Gelugpa monastery and has remained the main seat of this major Buddhist order ever since. Tsongkhapa, the revered reformer of the Gelugpa order, founded it. Ganden is probably the best choice for one monastery excursion outside of Lhasa, with its stupendous views of the surrounding Kyi Chu Valley.