Around Lhasa

Lhasa is the cultural capital of Tibet. The city's elevation is 3650m (12,000 feet).

Barkhor Square - the home of Tibetan Buddhist's most holy site, the Jokhang Temple.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive each year to worship at the temple, many prostrating themselves on the ground while reciting mantras.

Our views from the roof of Jokhang.

As seen from in front:

The former home of the Dalai Lama in the distance, Potala Palace.

Even local personnel take in the beautiful view.

All day long people walk in a clockwise circle around the temple to perform a holy circuit, called a kora.

Due to riots last year, China stepped up security all of the city. Riot police like the one on this roof stand guard over the whole city.

;

Some candid shots of pilgrims:





Don't miss the local cuisine - yak meat. Order it fresh, by the half carcass..


Or the full carcass.


At such high elevation, there isn't as much atmosphere to shield the blazing sun.


We found some time to visit the outlying 'river,' mostly dry during the winter months.


The Chinese section of town looks very.. Chinese.



On a separate day we toured the Potala.


Lhasa as seen from above. The haze over the city is not pollution, in fact, but incense from the thousands of daily devotions.



When it comes to carrying children, some lengths of cloth cord is enough to do the trick.


At the base of the palace are a line of large prayer wheels. Spin each one to offer the prayer text embossed on its surface.


As expected, they do have Tibetan Terriers in Tibet.