"Travel Notes" Potala Palace - Barkhor Street - Sera Monastery One-day tour in Lhasa

After exiting the youth hostel, go to the left

There are not many shops along the way

Most of them are not open either.

Finally found a steamed stuffed bun shop

I bought one together with my sister

I went to the small supermarket next door and bought a box of breakfast milk.

This is breakfast

8:36

Had breakfast on the way to the bus station

The first stop planned today is [Tibet Museum]

I plan to first understand the history and culture of Tibet

But it closed on December 1, 2016

Closing time is 3-5 years

So the first stop was changed to [Potala Palace]

on the bus

Saw the Potala Palace again

9:05 Several Tibetans got on the car

Strong Tibetan fragrance

The prayer wheels and prayer beads in my hands are constantly moving.

They spoke Tibetan which I couldn't understand

But it feels very interesting

Close contact with people of faith

Get off at 9:08

Crossed the road and walked a few hundred meters

Encounter【Zongjiao Lukang Park】

9:10 I decided to go in and take a walk.

[Zongjiao Lukang Park] is located on the mountain behind the Potala Palace.

The back mountain was built when the Potala Palace was built.

Because a large amount of soil was taken here, water accumulated to form a pond.

Also known as Longwangtan Park.

It is an urban garden that combines traditional and modern models.

Zongjiao Lukang

In Tibetan, "Zongjiao" means: behind the palace

"Lukang" means Lu Temple

Lu Shen is a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Religion

A collective name for a group of gods that live underground and in water.

"Lu Shen" is often translated into Chinese as "Dragon God".

The Dragon Palace behind the village, or the Dragon King Temple.

Many people do morning exercises here

Many Tibetans danced

Particularly contagious

It's a pity that I can't

Want to join in too

Feel the local atmosphere

One step at a time

Potala Palace from far and near

If you have the opportunity to stay in Lhasa for a long time, you can experience it from a different perspective.

Potala Palace

Located on Maburi Mountain

Founded in the seventh century AD

The Potala Palace is divided into two parts: the Red Palace and the White House.

The White House is the place where the Dalai Lama lives and engages in political activities.

walking in the park

The white wall can be touched on the right hand side

Here the big prayer wheel was turned for the first time

Walking under ancient trees

On the left are street shops

People looking for faith calm down here

That feeling is: I just want to stay a little longer

stay a little longer

After turning right

We are about to see the front of the Potala Palace.

I couldn't help it even before I reached the front.

Take out the 50 Dayang you prepared earlier and take pictures

The old man basically holds a prayer wheel in his hand

This time it’s a frontal photo

But the shooting angle is wrong

A group photo is a must

pretend to hug

This action was later borrowed by my friends hahaha

walk slowly

Grandma’s braids are so beautiful

Turn left at the intersection

Need to go through security check

Go through [Beijing Road]

Arrive at [Yaowang Mountain]

Yaowang Mountain is the best angle to photograph the Potala Palace.

Especially halfway up the mountain.

Yaowang Mountain is close to Hongshan Mountain where the Potala Palace is located.

Beijing Road, one of the main arterial roads in the city, passes between the two mountains.

The two mountains are connected by a white tower, with a doorway on the bottom floor.

In the 1960s, Lhasa expanded

The pagoda was demolished,

An asphalt road dozens of meters wide separated the two mountains.

Some people think that the divine veins have been severed.

I once thought of using prayer flags to connect the two mountains.

Every Tibetan New Year, devout believers come here to hang new flags.

Later it was changed to be connected by three white towers.

That's why there is a sight of a white tower standing on Beijing Road.

Yaowang Mountain is not actually a mountain (I think)

It’s not too high. You can reach the top in 5 minutes.

Because it is the best angle to photograph the Potala Palace

So there are more people

Semi-panoramic view of Potala Palace

The panorama image is too large and cannot be uploaded.

I took many, many, many photos

Finally found the best angle

Simply perfect

There are even tourists who climb a small platform to get a good view of the distance.

↓

Walk down Yaowang Mountain

We arrived at the city square with the highest altitude in the world——

Potala Palace Square

Our big photo with the Potala Palace

Hahaha

This is the most picturesque photo of me and Lao Bu

Anyway...in Tibet...

My little friend has never captured a photo...

Picture of me jumping up

No high reflex

I'm happy too

You can wear Tibetan costumes and take photos in front of the Potala Palace in the square.

There are also many local women holding colorful ropes to shout at tourists.

Make money by braiding hair for tourists

It's also quite unique

Two young ladies decided to braid their hair

I also joined in the fun

10:53 Braiding hair

across the square

Walk through the underground passage

I was lucky enough to see a post office

Decided to put a few stamps on the postcard

The ladies who were traveling with me also bought postcards and stamps.

11:29 Finished sending the postcard

There are many interesting shops on the way

The ladies can’t stop at all.

There are so many things I can’t name.

I just remember that Snow Lotus refreshed my knowledge

Well, it’s the pile of yellow and green in the middle

My impression of Snow Lotus

Or is it a very rare and very beautiful thing in childhood TV dramas?

Scenery on the road

While they are selecting the Millet Spatholobus

I ran to the mall and took a look around.

So many beautiful shawls

I originally wanted to buy this

Fortunately I didn’t buy it

Otherwise, I will wear the same clothes as the aunts.

I feel like the shawl has a lot of uses.

It can be concave and keep warm

First time I learned about Millet Spatholobus

It was when I was in Hainan in 2016

Millet Spatholobus is a traditional Chinese medicinal material

Its rattan is made into bracelets, called rattan bracelets

Wearing it has miraculous effects such as dispelling wind and dehumidifying

I think these are all hyped up by businesses.

Plant literature and entertainment

But wear it on your hand

Getting smoother and smoother

Really proud

The little ring is so cute

I don’t know if it’s catkins (it doesn’t hold true in terms of time)

But there are a lot of white flakes floating in the air

Roasted sweet potatoes on the streets of Lhasa

12:40

Arrive at Barkhor Street

Also known as Bajiao Street,

It is a famous prayer path and commercial center in Lhasa.

The traditional appearance and living style of the ancient city are relatively completely preserved.

Barkhor Street is for the construction of Jokhang Temple.

And built and developed with the development of Jokhang Temple,

It has a history of more than 1,300 years.

>

I saw a rickshaw when I was crossing the road.

I really want to experience it

Barkhor Street is home to many vendors, pilgrims, and vagrants from Mongolia, Han, Kashmir, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and other regions and countries. It has developed into a neighborhood that integrates religious street, tourist street, folk street, cultural street, commercial street and shopping street.

white wall bouquet

It’s nice to take pictures

"Yaoxi Pingkang" is the residence of the 11th Dalai Lama family.

It is located in the most prosperous area near Beijing East Road and Barkhor Street in Lhasa.

"Yao Xi" means the parents of the Dalai Lama,

"Pingkang", namely Phuntsok Kangsang, is the abbreviation of the family of the 11th Dalai Lama.

The Kashag government of Tibet built a building for the parents of the 11th Dalai Lama

This mansion of about 2,000 square meters,

This has also become the place where the 11th Dalai Lama visits his parents and often lives.

Today, more than 170 years later,

Yaoxi Pingkang Courtyard has become

The oldest and most complete Tibetan noble hotel in the center of the old city of Lhasa.

Yogurt popsicles

The Yamen of the Minister of the Qing Government in Tibet

Located in North Barkhor Street, Lhasa, the ancient city.

Located in the center of Lhasa’s old city,

It has a history of more than 300 years.

The Qing government established the first ministerial office in Tibet here.

It is used for the office and residence of ministers stationed in Tibet.

Since the Minister in Tibet can look through the window of the south building of the compound

Enjoy the bustling scene of Barkhor Street up close,

Therefore, it is called "Chongsai Kang".

It means "a house with a view of the market place".

I cached a lot of Tibetan documentaries before this trip.

The speed with which I looked at it was not as fast as the speed with which I deleted photos along the way.

On the train from Xining to Lhasa

I watched several episodes of documentaries about Tibetan history.

Fortunately, I learned about Tibet’s complicated history

Among them was the Yamen of the Qing government’s minister in Tibet.

I was just passing by and didn't go in to visit.

Fanla Tibetan Cake

The cake is a bit expensive

But it tastes good

Majiami means "unmarried lady" in Tibetan

According to legend, this is the place where Tsangyang Gyatso and Maggie Ami met.

He once wrote the famous "On the Mountain Top of the East" here,

"On that high mountaintop in the east,

A bright moon rises,

The face of an unmarried girl,

It always appears in front of my eyes."

Maggie Ami’s Tavern is an art bar with a very artistic taste.

Its walls are covered with paintings, photography, handicrafts,

There are original books by Kafka, Eliot and others on the bookshelf.

The restaurant has a strong Tibetan style.

There are Tibetan singers performing next to the bar on the second floor.

Most of the guests are foreign tourists, so the prices are relatively expensive.

I wanted to have lunch here.

There are many people who have no choice but to wait for their meal

Everyone comes here because of its reputation

Simply find another home

Gone not long ago

Come to Magpie Pavilion Kitchen

The store is very uniquely decorated

I chose a window seat and sat down.

The sweet tea in the small pot is so cute.

14:29 Finished eating

I don’t think Tibetan food is particularly to my liking.

It seems like it started from that time

Photos about food are never as good as family photos

Sweeping everything away is the norm

Eating is more important than taking pictures

Tea time

While the young lady is checking out,

Chatted with the aunt in the store

Both parties work hard to understand each other

We also had a good time chatting

The raw materials of sweet tea are mainly black tea and milk powder.

Add appropriate amount of sugar to taste.

Tibetan sweet tea is not particularly sweet.

But I still want to experience butter tea.

On the first floor is [Paradise Time Travel Bookstore]

Super unique bookstore

Semi-open-air bookstore with trees

A piano. Didn't catch up with the piano playing time.

But there happened to be a singer singing

At that time, I wasn’t as keen on listening to folk songs as I am now.

Later I found out that it was [Dabing’s hut]

At that time, I was still wondering why I couldn’t find it.

Journey is about finding a better self.

Leave my cool handwriting on the guestbook accompanied by music

Write postcards to friends you know, strangers, and yourself

Send my distant blessings

But...most of the postcards written here have been lost.

The postcard of Yanghu Lake is so beautiful!

The photography angle of this shot makes the picture particularly realistic.

It makes people full of unlimited expectations for it even before going there

Charge your mobile phone while writing postcards

This place is suitable for spending a quiet afternoon

Afternoon

Continue shopping on Barkhor Street

Arrive at [Jokhang Temple] at 15:38

Didn't go in to visit either

for religious culture

In awe, not particularly interested

Jokhang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple.

It was built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet.

The temple was originally called "Jasa".

Later, Jasa became the name of the city.

And evolved into the current "Lhasa".

The Jokhang Temple has a history of more than 1,300 years.

It has the supreme status in Tibetan Buddhism.

It is the most splendid Tubo period building in Tibet.

It is also the earliest civil structure building in Tibet.

There are only three life-size statues of Sakyamuni Buddha in the world.

The founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni, opposed idol worship when he was still alive.

No temple is built to enshrine images.

On his deathbed, Sakyamuni only agreed

A statue of himself at three different ages,

And he painted the statue himself.

Among these three Buddha statues,

A gilt bronze statue of Sakyamuni as a prince at the age of 12

The most exquisite and noble.

This Buddha statue later flowed into China from ancient India.

It was also brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty.

The 12-year-old life-size statue of Sakyamuni was enshrined in the Jokhang Temple to this day.

Many tourists take photos using the white wall as a background

We also followed suit

This can be considered a photo with the Jokhang Temple, right?

I've been thinking about it these days

Every time I go to a place, if only to take some photos

So what is the meaning of traveling?

You can also make photos at home

The temperature in Lhasa is not high

But the ultraviolet rays are extremely strong

The reputation of "Sunlight City" is not for nothing.

The picture above was taken after I mustered up a lot of courage to take off my coat.

When not taking pictures, everyone hides under the umbrella

The exposed skin does not want to be exposed to the sun at all

Go further

It seems like we are about to leave Barkhor Street

Rest for a while under the shade of a tree

The young lady plans to find a small shop to sit down

I don't want to spend the whole afternoon in Barkhor Street

15:53 ​​So say goodbye to the ladies

Go to [Sela Monastery] alone

16:05

See the Potala Palace again

Power bank charging in hotel youth hostel

The phone is almost out of battery

At that time, I still dared to run around alone

Now I kind of admire myself

Afraid that my phone will run out of battery

Check the bus route back in advance

15:59 Take bus 23 to Sera Monastery
Get off at 16:33

Sera Monastery , Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery are collectively known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa.

It is the latest one to be built among the three major temples.

There is the most famous scripture debate ceremony in Tibetan areas.

Ticket: 50 RMB

Why choose Sera Monastery?

Proximity is one reason

Another reason is that I want to watch wonderful debates

Debating is a discussion of Buddhist knowledge.

It can also be said to be a learning method for lamas.

The monks of Sera Monastery hold a scripture debate activity every day.

This is a challenging debate,

Debates often use various gestures to enhance the intensity of the debate.

They may high-five each other to urge them to answer questions as quickly as possible.

Or pulling the beads means using the power of Buddha to defeat the opponent.

It was already getting late

Debate begins at 3 p.m.

Although it is possible to miss the debate

Still choose to go

Sera Monastery

when going uphill

Don’t forget to ask the shops on the left side of the street if they rent out mobile power supplies.

It turns out that was my wish

Sera Monastery closes at 16:00

Didn't go in for a visit

I took some photos of the buildings

Naturally, I can’t see the debate anymore.

Too little work has been done on Tibetan architecture

Keep walking along this road

I didn’t expect that the following story would happen

My original intention was to take a stroll

Feel the feeling and go back

Chatted with people on the road

As for the content

They seem to be bringing children to visit the temple

I don’t remember very clearly

I just remember they were very kind

they go fast

He left soon

Think about it now

They are holding water bottles in their hands

He should be here to fetch water.

walking slowly

Whenever a relative dies in Tibet,

Families would use white ash to draw ladders to heaven for their loved ones on the mountain.

To help loved ones reach the Paradise as soon as possible.

There are really many dogs in Tibetan areas

The dogs at Sera Monastery surprised me even more

They rested very neatly

Not far ahead you can see some food and food bowls

It can be seen that these stray dogs were adopted by the temple

Thinking about it this way, these dogs are not so pitiful.

Someone is raising them

There are so many companions

It's okay, let's soak in the sun

Or enjoy the coolness under the shade of a tree

Seems to be living a carefree life

17:01

I met a little brother walking alone on this road

To charge your phone

I... shamelessly relied on him

Later we chatted and found out

His friend is resting in the hotel due to high fever

So he came to Sera Monastery alone

a natural spring

The Tibetan girl in white clothes is so beautiful

The handsome + feminine kind

I also went to join in the fun and have a taste.

A scene by the water

an old willow tree

leave the spring

My friends want to climb the mountain behind Sera Monastery

(I feel like he just wants to leave me behind)

I thought about it

Decided to follow him shamelessly

After all, mountain climbing is not difficult for women.

The unknown journey also makes people look forward to it

Facts have proved that I am not a weak girl.

I was not helped the whole time.

Sometimes I'm even bolder than him

For example, climbing directly without using stones, etc.

swipe left

Start climbing up around 17:15

no road

Just find your own way

Our goal is to climb to the top

I didn’t know that at that time

On the mountain behind Sera Monastery is the only sky burial platform in Lhasa.

if knew

I shouldn't have been as bold as I was then

nameless little fruit

Climb higher and higher

There are also people climbing up the hill on the left

He even said hello to us

Later I found out that it was part of my little friend

You can almost see the whole of Lhasa

The scorching sun

You also need to wear sun protection when climbing mountains

I can’t complain about this posture myself

But only this one among several pictures can show how promiscuous I am.

Little cute

Take a shot of my teammates from this angle

Showing the difficulty of our journey

16:15

It's been an hour now

Photo with Lhasa

My skin was really bad those days in Lhasa

Although not acclimatized

But I get acne frequently

Look at my little friend again

Now I think this pose is very suitable for taking pictures.

ground cover plants

We should be on our way down the mountain by now

At around 6 o'clock

The sky is a bit gloomy

While climbing, I always feel that the end is not far away.

Actually, there's still quite a long distance.

It gets dark

no road

The risk index of climbing at night in an unfamiliar environment is too high

At that time, I was still thinking about arriving at the youth hostel at 8 o'clock

Sign a travel contract to travel around Tibet in the next few days

Almost down the mountain

In comparison

It really echoes the old saying "It's easier to go up the mountain than it is to go down the mountain."

You can slide down this small slope

It's very difficult to climb up

Going downhill is like riding a slide

It looks steeper from another angle

Come down at 19:05

Continue walking up the unfinished road clockwise before the mountain.

Buildings along the way

Some things about Buddhism were not photographed

I don’t dare to take pictures either

with awe

(Off-topic: When I was writing this travel note and looking for information about the Jokhang Temple, Sera Temple, and sky burials, I felt very scared)

19:16Out of the temple

I happened to meet a friend

I was a little excited at that time

Although I don’t know him very well

I don’t know the name either

So I said goodbye to the mountain climbing guy right away

It turns out that my friend came here with his friends in the mountains.

He didn't want to climb the mountain, so he waited for them outside.

I feel like they won't be able to get off for a while.

We probably won’t be able to gather together at 8 o’clock.

then

I also said goodbye to this little friend.

Plan to go see Barkhor Street at night

I walked into the small shop at the bottom and ordered some Tibetan noodles.

Really hungry

I drank all the soup

There was a local uncle sitting opposite

He was very enthusiastic about telling me where to eat delicious food.

I recommend several expensive and cheap ones.

Also due to a slight communication barrier

I didn’t hear several of them clearly and didn’t remember them either.

19:55 Finished eating Tibetan noodles

Ready to take the car

20:03 Take bus 24

Because this is the terminal station

No need to cross the street and take a bus

I was confused for a long time

I asked several people

Got off at 20:27

At that time, I was looking for my sister’s fried potato shop that my uncle recommended to me.

I walked through the alleys of Barkhor Street for quite some time.

I feel like I haven’t found the right store either.

Cold skin and fried potatoes are the specialties

Liangpi is filled with chili pepper

super spicy

20:43 After finishing the jelly, fried potatoes were packed.

Bring it back to the youth hostel to share with friends

The night scene of the streets of Lhasa is beautiful

Very beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue

I think this one is the most beautiful

9:00

Looking for the bus stop and getting ready to go back

21:13 Take bus 7 and go back
Music, lighting and a different mood on the car

Get off at 21:24
Arrive at the youth hostel at 21:30

22:11

write travel notes

I also took a shower tonight

Logically speaking, you should not take a shower easily when you first arrive in Tibet.

But I'm worried about the next 8 days of the tour

There is no better bathing conditions

At once……

But I don’t have a cold or anything.

22:20 The moon when hanging clothes on the rooftop

The night was not too beautiful that night

Lhasa at night gives people a complicated feeling

How wonderful it would be if the sky were filled with stars

Good night Lhasa