Much of Lhasa has been replaced by post-1950 Chinese developments with only a small quarter dating from pre-invasion times. This part is now under renovation to attract tourists. It is still worth taking a stroll through the old part of Lhasa and buying goods from Tibetan vendors, who sometimes come from remote provinces of Tibet. Watch the impressive bargaining for Shish stones but refrain from buying turquoise or coral items as most of them are synthetic or dyed. Nevertheless Tibetan vendors have a huge range of beautiful Tibetan articles and it pays to buy directly from them instead of spending money in shopping malls which have started to appear everywhere in the centre of Lhasa. There are some small cafes and bars run by young Chinese or Tibetan people which are very good hangouts and fantastic meeting places for the few expats who live in Lhasa. They provide great information about Tibet. A must are the small Tibetan restaurants who serve authentic Tibetan food. If you have never tried momos or gyantok, a definite must together with a cup of salted Tibetan butter tea. Tibetan people in general are wonderful and friendly people who always have a warm smile. Some speak a bit of English and are happy to have a chat with you. For an authentic, fulfilling visit to Tibet, you must have a native Tibetan guide. Many of the Chinese guides are relocated from other areas of China and don't have a real understanding of the people or culture of Tibet that make the country so amazing. Since visiting Tibet requires being accompanied by a licensed tour company, the following is a list of some Tibetan owned and operated tour guides: Tibet Highland Tours, well connected, custom trips. www.tibethighlandtours.com Tibet Shaman Tours, former Buddhist monk turned tour guide. tibetanshamantour.com Tibet Kyunglung Travel, www.en.tibetkyunglungtravel.com CITS Tibet Travel,Specialized in Tibet Train Travel.www.tibettravel.org If you come from Nepal, there are also many specialized agents and mostly it is easier to arrange the trip there.
The Potala Palace, the home of successive Dalai Lamas is in Lhasa The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa was built in 647 AD by Songtsen Gampo and is one of the holiest sites in Tibet. The Barkhor in Lhasa is the name for the ring of streets of traditional Tibetan buildings surrounding the Jokhang Temple. The 'Norbulingka (Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama) is located in Lhasa, about 1km south of the Potala. Samye Monastery - constructed in 779AD, Samye was the first Buddhist Monastery established in Tibet, and is located near Dranang, Shannan Prefecture, 150 km south-east of Lhasa. Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. It was constructed in 1447 and is located in Xigatse. The Rongbuk Monastery, one of the highest monasteries in the world, from which the view of the Mt. Everest is just amazing.
Tibetan Journeys - the start of a journey is but with a single step