Tibet, an autonomous region of China, is on the roof of the world. This land attracts numerous travelers from domestic and abroad each year with its remaining traditional Tibetan culture, great Tibetan Buddhism atmosphere and stunning landscape views even though it has relatively high altitude.
The transportation to Tibet is mature right now, you can choose to fly directly from Chengdu or other Chinese domestic airports to Lhasa Gonggar Airport, or choose to take a train to appreciate the marvelous landscape along the way. After arriving in Tibet, you can enjoy philosophical talks with local pilgrims or monks, explore snow-covered mountains and glaciers, and taste delicious Tibetan traditional food. With all these reasons, you really have to put Tibet on your next travel plan.
Today, we are going to introduce the top 10 attractions that you muse see in Tibet.
-
Potala Palace
Potala Palace i
s located in the capital city of Tibet, Lhasa. It is one of the most spectacular and amazing places you can discover in the whole world. Standing in the ‘roof of the world’, Potala Palace is not only a magnificent building with palaces and monasteries, but also Tibet’s largest and most complete ancient palace buildings. And this unbelievable structure has been used as the home of the Dalai Lama for centuries, which is filled with thousands of well-preserved artefacts, marvelous statues, beautiful paintings and religious objects, etc. Potala Palace is the Holy Land of Tibetan Buddhism, every year countless pilgrims and tourists come here to visit and pure their heavenly mind of Buddhism.
-
Jokhang Temple
The Jokha
ng Temple is the supreme temple of Tibetan Buddhism. King Songtsen Gampo constructed this temple in 642. It is said that this temple was founded for the king’s two brides: Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang dynasty and princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Later it became an even more well-known temple after the Buddhist master Atisha taught here in the 11th century. Till now, it has a history of 1300 years and considers to be the most essential and sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism by local Tibetan people.
-
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery is one of the three Gelug University monasteries of Tibet, and the other two are Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. It locates 2 km north of Lhasa. When it was in construction, the building was surrounded by wild roses, therefore, it is also called the Wild Rose Monastery. The debating of Buddhist Doctrines is the highlight of Sera Monastery among other monasteries in Lhasa. Lamas gather together in the special 
debating filed from 3 pm Monday to Saturday to have debates. Generally, the debate lasts for an hour and a half.
-
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery (3,500 m) is founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama in Shigatse, Tibet. In Tibetan language, it means ‘heap of glory’ or ‘all fortune and happiness gathered here’. This monastery regarded as a historic and culturally essential monastery in Shigatse. It is also the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet. Worth to mention that, the huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world. Since 1447, Tashilhunpo Monastery has been
the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas (the second highest ranking Tulku lineage in the Gelugpa tradition. Therefore, every year, believers and tourists from both domestic and abroad come here to travel and worship.
5. Palcho Monastery
Palcho Monastery was founded in 1427 and completed in 1437. The building combines Stupas, Zhacangs and Temples, also it owns the characteristics of Nepali, Han and Tibetan architecture. By housing three sects of Kadampa, Gelugpa and Sakyapa, Palcho Monastery enjoys a high status in Tibet Buddhism history as these three sects get along well with each other though they once fought before.
-
Lake Yamdrok
Yamdrok, located in Nangartse County, is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet (the other two are Lake Yamdrok and Lake Manasarovar) and the largest habitat for migratory birds in southern Tibet. The lake is regarded as a talisman. Local people think it is part of the life-spirit of Tibet.
There is a monastery on a peninsula in the lake, Samding Monastery. This is the only Tibetan monastery to be leaded by female reincarnation. Samding Dorje Phagmo, the most famous female incarnate Lama in Tibet, once stayed and presided in Samding Monastery. Every year, believers in Tibet or other regions would come here for pilgrimage. People believe this lake will bless and protect them.
-
Lake Namtso
Namtso (4,718 m) is t
he highest lake in the world and the second largest lake in Tibet. It is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The south of the Namtso Lake faces Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains which has a year-round snow over the summit. There are vast expanse of lakeside plains which is the heaven for yaks surround the lake. Herdsmen in northern Tibet usually take their cattle and sheep to graze here before winter. The lake owns rich natural resources such as rare animals, abundant minerals and various typical wetland characteristics. Every Sheep Year in Tibetan calendar, pilgrims from far away come to worship by circling around the lake clockwise. This holy lake attracts both pilgrims and visitors to seek transcendence of their souls.
-
Lake Manasarovar
Lake Manasarovar is a fresh water lake at 4,590 meters above sea level which is also one of the Three Holy Lake in Tibet. For local Tibetan, Manasarovar is the most sacred lake. Bathing and drinking the water can cleanse all sins. There is a ghost lake next to Manasarovar, named Rakshastal (means ‘lake of demon’ in Sanskrit). Lake Rakshastal does not share the historic religious significance with its neighbour, Manasarovar.
-
Mount Kailash
Gang Rinpoche is the Tibetan name of Mt. Kailash. This is a sacred place in four regions: Bon Religion, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash for the faith they believed that circumambulating Kailash by foot will bring good luck and clear the sins.
-
Mount Everest
Mount Everest, Earth’s highest mountain (8,844.43 meters) locates in the international border between China and Nepal. As the dominant peak of the Himalayas, Mt.Everest is ‘the Third Pole of the Earth ’. Covered with snow all year round, its glacier area has reached ten thousand kilometres. Due to its special geographic location and features, Mount Everest attracts numerous mountaineers every year. As climbing Mt.Everest requires a lot of money and time, so most travelers choose the base camp as the best sightseeing point to enjoy the beauty of this snow-covered mountain. The base camp is 8 km from Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.
If you want to travel to Tibet, do not forget to apply for the Tibet permit after having the Chinese Visa. You can contact the local Tibet travel agency for more detail information.
