Tibet’s capital – the magical Lhasa, which literally translates to ‘Place of Gods’ – sits in a remote valley, surrounded by towering mountains that reach an awe-inspiring 5,500 metres. Despite its rapid expansion over recent years, it is still considered the spiritual centre for Tibetan Buddhists and remains as alluring now as it did when adventurers sought to explore its mysteries centuries ago.
The city boasts a collection of renowned sites, such as the UNESCO World Heritage listed Potala Palace (the Dalai Lama’s winter palace), Norbulingka (his summer palace) and Jokhang temple, which serves as the most sacred shrine in Tibetan Buddhism. From the impressive views of Potala from its hilltop to the bustling Barkhor pilgrimage circuit packed with spinning prayer wheels and prostrations, visitors can still immerse themselves in the atmosphere of mysticism that has drawn people to Lhasa for centuries.
