Jokhang Temple
The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet.A constant wave of devout pilgrims prostrate outside is a testament to its timeless charm. The golden Buddha statue in the center here is the most revered in all of Tibet. Jokhang was originally built to house the Buddha statues brought to Tibet by the Nepali wife of King Songtsen Gampo. However, another image, the High King Shakyamuni, was later brought here by the king’s other wife (Princess Wencheng of China). It is this image that gives Jokan both its name and its spiritual power.Jokhang means “Chapel of Jowo”. The two-story Jokhang is best visited in the morning, but the crowds of pilgrims scooping yak butter can get quite large. In the afternoon it is accessed through a side entrance, but only the first-floor chapel is visible (then only through the grate) and no pilgrims.
Potala Palace
Once home to the Tibetan government and winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the magnificent Potala Palace is Lhasa’s most important landmark. The first glimpse of the towering fortress-like walls is a moment that will be remembered for years to come. An architectural marvel even by modern standards, his 13-storey palace rises 130 meters above his Marpo Ri (red hill) and has more than 1000 rooms. Pilgrims and tourists alike shuffle across the three floors, past dozens of magnificent chapels, golden stupas and chapels. The site was first recorded in the 7th century when King Songtsen Gampo built a palace here. Construction of the current building began in 1645 during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama and took over 50 years of labor and craftsmanship to complete. It is impressive enough that Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai sent his country’s army to protect the country from the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. The layout of the Potala Palace includes the rooftop White Palace (the eastern part of the building) used as the residence of the Dalai Lama and the central Red Palace used for religious purposes. Among the Red Palace’s most impressive chapels are the jeweled golden chortens (Tibetan stupas) tombs of several past Dalai Lamas. The 13th Dalai Lama and his 14th apartment in the White Palace offer a more personal glimpse into palace life. Potala tickets are limited and guides must book timeslots several days in advance. Arrive at the palace approximately 1 hour before your scheduled time. After a security check (no water or lighters allowed), follow other visitors up the stairs to enter the palace. On the way, you will pass a ticket office where you buy tickets. If you arrive later than the time stated on your voucher (or forget your voucher), your ticket may be refused. Photography is prohibited inside the chapel.
Gyantse Kumbum
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and located next to Parcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the city’s main attraction. This 32-metre-high chorten features white tiers adorned with decorative stripes and a golden crown-like dome. But the interior is just as impressive, with elaborate paintings (kumbum meaning “100,000 photographs”) inside endless little chapels. The shooting fee is 10 yen (ticket fee not included, bring cash). Gyantse Kumbum has been described as the most important species in Tibet. In the Buddhist world, there are only two ruined, distant, taboo contemporaries.Jonan Khumbum, 60 km northeast of Lhatse, and Chong Liwoche, further afield west of Tsang. However, it is widely believed that Gyantse Kumbum’s style and size are unmatched. Once inside, follow a clockwise path marked by a red arrow, pass through his six floors where pilgrims mutter, and take in dozens of small chapels hidden in the walls along the way. Many of the chapel’s statues were damaged during the Cultural Revolution, but the murals are well weathered. They date to the 14th century and were clearly influenced by Newar forms, if not made by Newar (Nepal) artisans. Experts also see evidence of Chinese influence, and the fusion of these Newar and Chinese forms with Tibetan sensibilities has resulted in the emergence of a syncretic but distinctly Tibetan style of painting. On the first floor he has a two-storey main chapel with four he, facing the cardinal point. Four chapels are consecrated:Shakyamuni of the South (Shakyamuni Thukpa; two disciples, Medicine Buddha and Guru Rinpoche). Suhavati, the “Pure Land of the West” and home of the Red Opagume (Amitabha) of the West. North of Malmeze (Dipankara, Buddha in the past). And to the east is Tushita, another ‘pure land’ and home to the orange-faced Jumpa (Maitreya). In between are some excellent murals depicting minor tantras and guardian deities. Statues of his four guardian kings to the east mark the way to the upper floors. On the second floor, clockwise from the stairs, the first four chapels are dedicated to Jamperyan (known in Sanskrit as Manjushri), Chenlesig (Avalokiteshvara), Tsepame (Amitayus) and Dorma (Tara). increase. Most of the other chapels are dedicated to wrathful patron deities, such as Dorkar (White Tara; 12th chapel from the stairs), Chana Dorje (Vajrapani; 14th chapel) and Mikiyoba (Akshobuya; 15th chapel) It is Thunder). The chapel on this floor is visible only through the door window. The third floor is also occupied by a series of his two-storey chapels at base points representing the four Dhyani Buddhas.Red Opam (Amitabha) in the south. Orange he Rinchen Jungne (Ratnasambhava) to the west. The green Dongyo Drupa (Amogasiddi) is to the north. Blue Mikiyoba (Akshobhya) in the east. There are several other chapels dedicated to the fifth Dhyani Buddha, the White Namse (Vairokana). Again, most of the other chapels are filled with angry gods. Eleven chapels on the fourth floor are dedicated to teachers, interpreters, and translators of an obscure sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Exceptions are His Three Kings of Northern Tibet (his 8th chapel clockwise from the stairs) and Guru Rinpoche (10th chapel). The fifth floor, also known as the Bangpa, contains four chapels, with elaborate mandalas giving access to the Kumbung roof. Most people are fascinated by the stunning scenery, especially when looking south to the old town, with the white-walled Gyantse Dzong perched on a huge cliff in the background. A hidden staircase behind the statue on the east side leads to his sixth floor, which leads to a porch at eye level painted on the wall (this floor was closed for renovation in his 2018). was). The top step of Kumbum represents the tantric manifestation of Sakyamuni (Sakya Thukpa), but you will find that the way up is blocked.