Travel Notes | The Lhasa I took photos of in those years: Magyami, Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace

When it comes to going to Tibet, I am really worried about my health, mainly because my body has severe altitude sickness. I once suffered from altitude sickness in Siguniang Mountain in western Sichuan and suffered from splitting headaches. In Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, I suffered from shortness of breath, palpitations and chest tightness. But I still decided to go to Tibet. In fact, when you muster up the courage to make a decision, you are more than half successful. What are you afraid of from the distance, what are you afraid of from altitude sickness? What you are afraid of is actually your heart. When you get off the plane and see the blue sky and the white clouds that seem to be within reach, you will know that you have come to the right place. They are so clean that you will forget the troubles in life.

When you go to Lhasa, you must go to Barkhor Street. There are many old buildings in Lhasa, two or three stories high, with strong religious overtones. There are many shops selling handicrafts and antiques on the streets. The sun is shining brightly, there are elongated shadows underfoot, and there are many tourists.

Be sure to go to Maggie Ami Restaurant southwest of Barkhor Street and have a cup of milk tea. Let’s recall the poem that is said to be recited by everyone in the local area:

On the high mountaintop in the east

Whenever the bright moon rises

Maggie Ami’s intoxicating smile

It slowly appears in my heart

Take bus No. 24 in the city center and you can go to Drepung Monastery, the most beautiful temple.

Drepung Monastery is a monastery of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism in China. It is the largest temple of Tibetan Buddhism. It is built on the mountain and is large in scale. It is composed of row upon row of rich buildings.

Drepung Temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Walking into the gate of Drepung Temple Scenic Area, you will arrive at the gentle slope of the southern slope of Gengpeiwuzi Mountain along the stepped mountain road. It is covered with trees and shrubs, and in front is the Lhasa River and the open valley plains. Most of the main buildings in the temple were built successively during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The entire temple is built step by step with Buddhist halls, sutra halls, and residences for monks in Zhacang according to the mountainous terrain. The buildings are towering, with well-proportioned levels and a large scale.

The white buildings cover the hillside and look like huge piles of rice from a distance, hence the name Zhebung. Drepung means "rice gathering" in Tibetan, symbolizing prosperity.

Among the winding paths, there are temples one after another, with clear light and dark, black and white.

The person who turns the prayer wheel skillfully turns the prayer wheel while muttering the six-character mantra. The prayer wheel dances and turns, shining brightly.

When you arrive in Lhasa, you will definitely go to the Potala Palace. In my mind, the Potala Palace is a mysterious and magnificent historical palace. When you lift its mysterious veil, you will see the majesty, historical mountains, art palaces, and countless treasures that you can look up to.

The majestic Potala Palace is 3,700 meters above sea level, covering a total area of 360,000 square meters and a total construction area of 130,000 square meters. The main building is 117 meters high, with 13 floors on the outside and 9 floors inside. Among them, palaces, pagoda halls, Buddhist halls, sutra halls, monks' residences, courtyards, etc. are all available.

The main building of the Potala Palace is divided into two parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. Built against the mountain, with overlapping buildings, the palace is lofty and majestic, with solid and thick granite walls, flat white horse grass wall collars with matsutake mushrooms, a splendid golden roof, and a huge gilt vase with a strong decorative effect. The buildings, buildings and red flags complement each other, and the sharp contrast of the three colors of red, white and yellow, as well as the divided and connected building shapes, all reflect the charming characteristics of Tibetan ancient architecture.

Every time I look at these photos, the melodious phrase "Back to Lhasa, back to the Potala, back to Lhasa, back to the Potala Palace..." always rings in my ears.