TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION

Tibet is a land as abstruse as that millions of pilgrims all embrace it as the world center of holiness. But it's natural enough for Tibet, for that the Himalayas has been the venue of rich legends and myths since a time, for that the river Brahmaputra is running the same way as it surged before mankind, and Ngari, the region known as the Roof of the World, that strikes associations with the heaven.

Tibet enlightens you, and insight is interpreted everywhere. The all-year-round ice and snow that cover and seal this land and the subtle blinking waves of lakes betray it. It's echoed through murmuring prayers floating in the air between temples invisible among mountains and lakes. In front of the majestic Guge Dynasty relics, you feel the time backing. On the vast grassland, hearing the neighs of troops of free wild horses, you produce an admiration to the crude life in Tibet as it has been.

Tibet is for all minds. It means adventure for courageous people who overcome the hardships and dangers to come to it. It's where dream is realized for people who love the world and are seeking its beauty. It's pursued by scholars for its age-old relics. It's meanwhile a shrine for pious souls. And whoever you are, if you come to Tibet, one share is always for you, inevitably a thought tourist.

LHASA CITY

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located between 29^o 36¡¯N and 19^o 06¡¯ E on the north bank of the Kyichu river, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level. Lhasa has a history dating back over 1300 years. It remains the center of politics, economics, culture and religion in Tibet.
There is so much to see in Lhasa it is difficult to know where to start and where to end. Potala Palace, Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine of Tibet, and the famous Ramoche Temple. The circular Barkhor Street with its innumerable shops, and wayside peddlers are only some of the experiences of Lhasa.

BARKHOR SQUARE
This is Lhasa¡¯s inner pilgrim circuit, shaped roughly like an octagon,

which runs around the Jokhang temple. The circuit is lined with markets,

shops stalls and street vendors providing every, conceivable item a

Tibetan could need a very good place to sample Tibetan barley beer. This

is a very holy pilgrimage site for Tibetans who come from all over to

experience the unique atmosphere.

PATALA PALACE

The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works of our nation, is erected on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The word ¡°Potala¡± comes from Sanakrit. In the 7^th century, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo¡¯s marriage with Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court, the Palace was built for meditation. In the mid-17^th century, it was rebuilt by the 5^th Dalai Lamato its present size, and ever since it became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from its beginning to completion. The Potala is divided into two sections, namely ,the Red

Palace and the White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117 meters which is built in thirteen stories, the length of the Palace from east to west has 400 meters and the breadth from south to north has 350 meters. The whole building is a structure of stone and timber. The top most flat

glistens with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural work and the

cream of Tibetan culture and a complex of Tibetan and Han cultures.

JCKHANG TEMPLE

Situated in the center of the old section of Lhasa, Jokhang Temple was built in the mid-7^th century A.D.and later extended by succes-

sive rulers, it has now become a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east ,facing to the west, it is a four storied temple with splendid

golden roofs. It has architecture feature of Tang Dynasty and also

assimilated very much feature from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist

temples. The murals in the temple mainly depict the life stories of

historic characters. The temple houses mainly historical relics since

Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng,

Princess Bhrikuti Devi. ¡±Princess Willow¡± (a tree),and ¡°the Uncle Nephew Alliance Tablet¡± can be seen at the front gate of the temple.

DREPUNG MONASTERY

Situated 5 km¡¯s distance to the western suburb of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze. Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelupa Sect. The monastery ,occupying an area of 250,000 square meters with a fixed number of 7,700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps plentiful historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts.

SERA MONASTERY

Situated at three km¡¯s distance to the northern suburb of Lhasa, Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupa Sect. The monastery is erected grandly at a mountain slope with a colourful architecture. Sera Monastery together with Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are known as the Three Great Monasteries in Tibet.