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Lhasa
The Holy City of the Snow Land · Potala Palace & Pilgrim Paths
Handpicked itineraries
About Lhasa
Lhasa sits at about 3,650 metres, one of the highest cities in the world. Its Tibetan name means “holy land”, and for over 1,300 years it has been the centre of Tibetan Buddhism and the starting point of every journey into Tibet. The Potala Palace climbs Red Hill to 117 metres across thirteen storeys with more than a thousand rooms inside; tickets must be booked in advance for a fixed time slot. The flagstones before the Jokhang Temple are polished smooth by pilgrims, and the kora circuit on Barkhor Street never stops. Namtso and Yamdrok Lake are the essential holy lakes, and trips to Everest or Ngari need a border permit best arranged through a local agency. Take it easy for the first day or two, drink water, avoid baths, and use oxygen if symptoms appear. Gonggar Airport and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway both reach the city. Allow four to five days.
Lhasa tours & packages
Travel guides for Lhasa
Senior Travel in China: Ticket Discounts, Age-Friendly Rail Services and High-Altitude Preparation
The 2026 guide to senior travel in China: ticket discount age thresholds, age-friendly rail services, whether foreign seniors qualify, and altitude safety.
Health and Medical Preparation for China: Vaccines, Medicine, Clinics and Insurance in 2026
Yellow fever is the only mandatory vaccine for China. What to bring, which hospital to choose and which insurance covers you: the 2026 practical guide.
The Best Time to Visit China: A Region-by-Region and Month-by-Month Guide
China has no single best season. A region-by-region and month-by-month guide, with the 2026 holiday calendar, Jiuzhaigou ticket rules, Tibet permit changes and crowd-dodging tactics.
Where to Go on Your Second Trip to China: Five Deeper Routes Worth the Detour
Your first China trip covered Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Guilin. Your second should go deeper. Five routes, plus 2026 entry rules, rail links and booking details.
Lhasa In Depth: The Tibet Permit, Booking the Potala Palace, and Handling Altitude
Foreign passports need a Tibet Travel Permit, group travel of two or more, submitted 20–30 days ahead. The Potala sells no same-day tickets and authorises no reseller. Covers both barriers, the border pass and altitude.
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