What to see in Lhasa

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Day 8: What to see in Lhasa: Kora de Barkhor, Jokhang Temple, Muslim Quarter, Potala Palace

Our first day in Lhasa started today at 6:00 in the morning, initially not as well as we expected, at least for me (Vanessa), since although yesterday I was perfectly in the Train of the Clouds to Tibet, As at night when we arrived in Lhasa, today I have not had the same fate today. It seems that spending the night at 3600 meters has not helped us much, with all the places what to see in Lhasa that we have planned for today.

Although I did not wake up at any time of the night, at the time of going to the bathroom, my body has made me realize that I was not too adapted. I have begun to feel a little dizzy, besides not having any hunger and some fatigue as I move faster.
This reminds us of yesterday's recommendation of Pasang, who recommended us to spend the whole morning resting and in the afternoon go out a couple of hours to know the area of ​​Lhasa in which we stayed, which is the most central, always without doing too much effort.
We opted to delay the alarm a couple of hours, and after taking a couple of glucose and caffeine pills, to try to stop the symptoms of altitude sickness, to continue resting, with the conviction that this afternoon we can surely start know everything what to see in Lhasa We have in mind.


But it's 8 o'clock in the morning when we wake up again, and Roger hungry and finding himself perfectly, so we decided that it is best to go up to the terrace of the Tashitakge Hotel Lhasa to have breakfast, even if it is a toast that makes my stomach .
And we can say that between the coffee, the toasts and we will not deny, the incredible views from the terrace of the hotel, both from the area of ​​Barkhor where we stayed, and from the Potala in front of us, work the miracle and little by little, every time I find myself better.

Views from the terrace of the Tashitakge Hotel Lhasa

Faced with these incredible views, we enjoyed some toast with scrambled eggs, plus a couple of coffees, which little by little make us change our mind and instead of the approach we had to stay in the morning at the hotel we decided to go out for a First round of recognition by Barkhor, which is also a contact with the city and begin to know all the places we have planned what to see in Lhasa.

We leave the Tashitakge Hotel Lhasa when it is approximately 10 in the morning and we find that image that we were looking for in this trip to Tibet, immersing ourselves in a whirlwind of stimuli that make us forget the map and places what to see in Lhasa that we had written down for today, to find ourselves walking, aimlessly, through the streets around the hotel.
Barkhor is the most central area of ​​Lhasa, which surrounds Jokhang Temple, the most important temple in Lhasa. This is the ideal area to stay in Lhasa, especially if you want to live and feel firsthand the image that we are sure you have of this city.
The typical Tibetan streets, the shops full of charm and an intense transfer of pilgrims at any time of the day, make Barkhor one of the places to see in Lhasa essential.

Streets of Lhasa

Without looking for it, we are in one of the streets that give access to the Barkhor kora, pilgrimage circuit, so we decided that the time has come to enter this area of ​​Lhasa, one of the best known and also one of those We wanted to live among all the places we had planned what to see in Lhasa.

Barkhor What to see in Lhasa

Keep in mind that the entire area of ​​the Barkhor kora fully finds taken, by the police to put it somehow. We had read a whole series of references and impressions of what we were going to find in Lhasa. In our experience, we have to say that although there is a policeman, a lot, we have not felt intimidated at all, quite the opposite, although we have had to pass many backpacks checks, in the areas most traveled by pilgrims, such as the kora from Barkhor. We also want to make it clear that at no time are we going to enter into political issues, since we believe that it is not something that has special sense in a blog like this, although we have tried at all times to know the impression and experiences of the Tibetan people before what is happening is their lands, which is why we wanted at all times to have a Tibetan guide with whom to talk in detail of several aspects that we find necessary to understand the current situation as well as possible.

Kora from Barkhor

Kora from Barkhor

As we mentioned earlier Barkhor is the most central area of ​​Lhasa, full of traditional streets that are worth losing without a map and especially without looking at the clock, only willing to soak up everything that surrounds you.
But inside Barkhor, a street that surrounds the Jokhang temple, which is the Barkhor kora, a pilgrimage circuit that surrounds the city's most important temple, 800 meters, which must be traveled in the direction of the needles of the clock and that probably the best way to know and feel this area of ​​Lhasa.

Kora from Barkhor

Kora from Barkhor

Although it is very easy to orient yourself, in addition to the pilgrims themselves making you follow in their footsteps, you can orient yourself with the four great censers, one at each cardinal point, which you will find in the kora and where the pilgrims are burning incense as they pass.
This is also one of the most suitable areas of Lhasa if you want to buy some detail or souvenir, since there are shops every few meters, some attached to others where you can buy prayer flags, prayer wheels, Tibetan bowls ... or any other detail you have in mind.

Kora Barkhor stores

What to see in Lhasa: Barkhor's kora

Although as we commented it is quite easy to find the Barkhor kora, we leave you a map where you can see the most interesting points and the recommended direction of the march.

Once we are in the Barkhor kora, we have to say that we are somewhat overcome by the incredible smells, colors, stimuli and feelings that we are living, second to second and especially the faces of the people with whom we are crossing , something we will not forget about Lhasa or Tibet. The sensations to the surface every second!

Kora from Barkhor

Kora from Barkhor

Kora from Barkhor

Although all of Barkhor's kora is impressive, the moment of arrival at Barkhor Square, where the entrance to the Jokhang Temple is located, we can say that it is the most shocking moment, since this is the most revered place in Tibet, to which all pilgrims come.

Road to Barkhor Square

Barkhor Square

Jokhang Temple

At all times we take the tour very quietly, walking very slowly, taking pictures, resting occasionally in one of the banks that are in the tour and especially drinking a lot of water, something as we already discussed in the tips to alleviate The symptoms of altitude sickness in the train article from Shanghai to Lhasa, is one of the most important things.
I initially feel much better than this morning, so I prefer to continue enjoying Lhasa, although occasionally a little dizziness and slight fatigue appears, which although makes me move somewhat slower, for not wanting to force the body , allows me to continue with the day and all places what to see in Lhasa We wanted to visit without problems.
Initially we had decided to do the barkhor kora and then return to the hotel rest for later in the afternoon go out again. But seeing that I feel quite well, after doing the kora a couple of times, we decided to approach the adjacent streets, which also have a lot of interest and in which it is more advisable to take a walk, since they are also part of Barkhor and They are more than an important part of the city.

In the southern area of ​​Barkhor we find the Muslim quarter of Lhasa, where more than 2000 Muslims live. This neighborhood is especially lively Fridays at noon, so if you are in Lhasa this day of the week, do not forget to walk around its streets.

Lhasa Muslim Quarter

Lhasa Muslim Quarter Store

In this area of ​​the city it is not uncommon to meet women with black headscarves, typical of the Linxia area, in Gansu.

Lhasa Muslim Quarter

We travel this area of ​​Lahsa practically without stopping to shoot the camera, since we have to say that it is a very scenic place, while we wonder how it is possible for many travelers to come to Tibet and only be in the city one day, since only with the hours we have been in the city and knowing the places what to see in Lhasa We have pending, we will need at least three days to know the most important.

Lhasa Muslim Quarter

If we also take into account the adaptation to the height, since many people need practically one day to start feeling well, we can only recommend reserving a minimum of 2 or 3 days to enjoy Lhasa, in addition to an extra day for visit the Potala, the Sera Monastery and Norbulingka.

Scenes from Lhasa

After this tour of the Muslim quarter we leave Barkhor's kora, ready to look for a place to eat. Initially we have seen that the number two of TripAdvisor is Dunya Restaurant, which indicates that it is open at lunchtime, but that we see, only opens in the afternoons once we arrive. Keep in mind that the location you put on Google Maps is wrong and this restaurant is located right next to Yak Hotel on Beijing East Road.
While we are already in this area, we look for another alternative on TripAdvisor, and almost without wanting it we find Lhasa's number one, the Tibetan Family Kitchen, on Danjielin Road, which as you can imagine, we cannot resist.

We go up to the first floor, where we pass through a small door that takes us directly to the kitchen, then see two small rooms, with shared tables where we sat and where after reading the letter, we decided on a few minutes of yak, the house specialty, a plate of meat plus water and coke for 84RMB.

Tibetan Family Kitchen

Eating at Tibetan Family Kitchen

After eating and taking a walk on Danjielin Road, the street where the restaurant is located, another of the most important shopping streets in the city, we decided that after these hours in Lhasa and although we did not plan it in the list of places what to see in Lhasa for today, we cannot stay without approaching the Potala Palace, one of the many reasons to travel to Tibet.

Danjielin Road

From here we have to take Beijing East Road, a road that we can say goes through the most modern area, a contrast compared to Barkhor, where we find a shopping center called "Times Square", where we take a couple of coffees for 60RMB, which give us the energy we need at this time of day and more being more than 3500 meters high.

Beijing East Road

"Times Square" Shopping Center

Although to be honest we did not expect to find this type of premises in Lhasa and it is not that they make us very funny, we have to say that at this moment the caffeine craving for the heart has been able.

Cafe in the Times Square Shopping Center

After enjoying and recovering the energies with these coffees, we return to Beijing East Road, where after walking practically one kilometer, we arrive at the Potala Palace, at which time we can say we fulfill another of our traveling dreams.

First views of the Potala Palace

And it is that for many photos that you can see or for whatever you have been able to read, it is impossible to imagine what it is to be in front of the Potala until you really have it in front of you.
And so, without being able to look away, we are in the main entrance area for more than half an hour, enjoying it and taking pictures from all possible angles.

Potala's palace

Although our idea was not to come here today, we cannot be happier about this change of mind, although counting on the days that we will be in Lhasa, we have already booked another day to come here and be able to tour the area with all the tranquility it deserves, day in which we will detail all the most important points, also adding maps so you can see the best places and viewpoints to enjoy the best views of the Potala.

Potala's palace

Potala's palace

Another of the places that you cannot miss is the Potala Palace, where there is a small viewpoint, which allows you to have a lateral perspective of the Potala, which is really worth it and that you cannot miss.

Potala's palace

Potala's palace

After being at the viewpoint for almost an hour, we cross the road again and begin to travel part of the Potala kora, which is surrounded in a clockwise direction.

Prayer wheels Potala's palace

This is one of the most scenic areas of the Potala Palace, where we are crossing many pilgrims and we are involved in a very special environment.
After traveling a few hundred meters we reach the back of the Potala Palace and we find the famous lake, where during the day you can see the incredible reflection of the Potala.

Potala's palace

Potala's palace

Although this time of day is not the best to come to this area, it is best to come first thing in the morning, we decided to go around completely, especially considering that in a couple of days we will return, with much more peace of mind.
We follow the circular route arriving again to the area where we initially arrived and this is when we begin to assess what to do when it is practically 7 in the afternoon.
Taking into account that we have done much more than we had planned for today, we decided that it is best to end the day and visits what to see in Lhasa, to avoid forcing ourselves too much, deciding that since we are in the area, it is best to approach dinner at Dunya Restaurant, where we were going to go at noon but it was closed and so try the food, which they say is very good.
Here we meet several foreigners in the area, which we intuit is a group organized by the number of people, and who send the guides here since as we have read and checked in the letter, they serve several dishes of western cuisine.
And so, after reviewing the letter several times, Roger ends up ordering a yak burger and I have fried yak momos and two mineral waters for 136RMB.

Dinner at Dunya Restaurant

All very good although the momos, honoring the truth, we have to say they were better those of Tibetan Family Kitchen that we ate at noon.
From here and when it is 8 pm, we start the account at the Tashitakge Hotel Lhasa, entering again in the Barkhor area, where we meet again with the same scenes in which we were involved this morning and that, we have to say , have made us fall in love with Lhasa.

Barkhor What to see in Lhasa

Barkhor What to see in Lhasa

We arrived at the hotel when at almost 10 pm, ending the first day in Lhasa, which has taken us to some of the most interesting places in the world.

Remember that any foreign traveler who wants to travel to Tibet must do so through an agency (IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL TO TIBET FOR FREE), either by adding to a group or privately and having, before entering Tibet, a fixed route, that the agency will have submitted and must be approved by the Chinese authorities.
To obtain the visa and all permits, it is necessary that this itinerary be approved by the authorities. It is also not possible to modify the itinerary on the fly, something very important to keep in mind, as it will force you to be clear about what you want to visit from the first moment, since based on that, the agency will manage the permits.
In our case we have traveled with The China Guide, who managed all the permits after designing a personalized itinerary together, with a guide in Spanish and that has led us to enjoy as we had never imagined this magical place

Day 9: Lhasa: Potala Palace, Norbulingka and Sera Monastery

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