Palace wonder
The grandPotalaPalaceis a striking landmark ofLhasa. To get a good picture of the palace, climb a small hill to the left of it and catch the rays of the rising sun lighting its golden roof. Some 2,000 visitors are allowed entry each day. All the local guides will make the two-hour trip worthwhile.
Not far is the Jokhang temple, which has a gilded bronze Sakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng in AD 647 when she journeyed fromXi’anto marry King Songtsen Gampo.
Circling the monastery is Barkhor Bazaar, a heaven for shoppers and photographers. The main street stretches for about a kilometer but branches off into 35 alleys. Among the cafes offering tasty Tibetan cuisine, the most famous is Mayke Ame.