Namtso Lake

Namtso is a salt-water lake with the highest altitude in the world. It is 4718 meters above sea level. The lake is 70 kilometers’ long to an east-west direction and 30 kilometers’ wide to an south-north direction with an area of 1920 square kilometers. It is the second largest lake in Tibet and one of the three holy lakes among local people. The name Namtso means Heavenly Lake in Tibetan Language. Sometimes there are pilgrims circulating around the lake. In the lake, there are 3 islands, which is an ideal habitat for all kinds of aquatic life. One of the islands is made of calcareous sandstone. It is characterized by the stone pillars, natural stone bridges and the stalactite caves. The beaches of the lake are a beautiful natural pasture. Wild life is having a good time there.

The best time to visit Namtso is during June and September. It is usually windy with a lower temperature comparing with Tibet. It is advised to wear some warm clothes even in summer. Namtso Lake is about 240 kilometers from Lhasa, which is about 4 hours’ drive. Most tourists would like to take a one day Namtso tour from Lhasa. Some tourists would like to stay near the lake overnight. However, the accommodation and facilities are not very good near the lake.

Ticket fare: CNY120

Recommended local tours:
4 Day (3 Night) Potala Palace & Namtso Lake Tour Package, from $421
5 Day (4 Night) Lhasa Tour + Hotel Package (Private Tour), from $640    >>more tours

Namtso Lake

Barkhor Street

Barkhor is actually a complex of street and a square located in the oldest part of the city of Lhasa. The street originated in the clockwise route which Buddhist pilgrim used to circumambulate Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most holy. Today the pilgrims are still circumambulating the temple and the surrounding area has become a major tourist destination.

This is the best place to see traditional Tibetan architecture and the streets are lined by small shops selling souvenirs such as prayer wheels, the tradition Tibetan long-sleeve ‘chuba’, Tibetan knives, jade jewelry, Buddhist statues and other religious artifacts. Alongside the many colorful shops are many small, cheap restaurants specializing in authentic Tibetan food. The area also has a number of small temples to complement the Jokhang and in the south-eastern corner is Tibet’s Muslim area where you can see many excellent paintings and cultural relics. When in the main Barkhor Street with its pilgrims you should remember to walk in a clockwise direction. The road is about one kilometer long. Many of these pilgrims have walked hundreds of miles to be here, some prostrating themselves every few feet. For them it is a profound statement of faith and one of the most important rites in a Tibetan Buddhist’s life. The Barkhor Street area is one of the most fascinating and colorful places in all of Tibet. Here you will see a true and peaceful tibetan people’s life.

Barkhor Street

Potala Palace

The Potala Palace, one of the most famous architectural works in the world, was built in the 7th century during the reign of the Tubo King Srontsan Gampo. It was built for Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty . On the top of Mt. Putup, it is looming over the whole Lhasa city. The Potala Palace became the winter residence of Dalai Lama till 1959. It was also the political and religious dominion center of Tibet. It is made up of the White Palace and the Red Palace.

There are principal halls, chapels, and shrines of the past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace. The White Palace refers to the buildings surrounded the Red Palace, involving the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas, offices, the seminary and printing houses . The palace stands up so high that it resembles a magnificent castle in the heaven. It makes itself a good example of the ancient Tibetan culture and architecture. The statues of the Tubo King Srongtsan gamoi and his wife Princess Wen Cheng are being worshipped in the Palace. There are countless treasures in Potala Palace and it was praised as an art museum, Potala Palace was listed on the World Cultural Heritage Record.

Ticket information

Ticket fare: CNY 200 May 1st- October 31st

CNY100 Noverber 1st – April 30th

Children under 1.2 meter is free.

The ticket of Potalal Palace need to be booked in advance. The exact visiting time is noted on the reservation slip.It is advised to arrive at the Potala Palace 2 hours before that time. So you will have time to visit the palace and museum outside the Potala Palace.

Potala Palace