Lhasa · City Snapshot
Last verified 30 Jul 2025
Snow-capped peaks, crimson-gold monasteries and juniper-scented kora routes—Lhasa lets you sip yak-butter tea on the roof of the world.
Sunrise fires the Potala Palace walls crimson; after dark, prayer-wheel shadows flicker across Barkhor Street butter-lamp stalls.
1
Heritage Pulse
Timeline
641 AD Princess Wencheng arrives ▶ 1645 Potala Palace begins ▶ 1951 Peaceful Liberation ▶ 2006 Qinghai-Tibet Railway reaches Lhasa ▶ 2021 Lhasa Airport T3 opens
Cultural icons
Potala Palace · Jokhang Temple · Barkhor kora circuit · Norbulingka Summer Palace · Sera debating monks
Modern tags
"Sunshine City" (3 000 h/yr) · World's highest rail hub · Renewable-energy plateau
Keywords
Potala • Kora • Yak-Butter Tea • Sky Railway • Himalaya
2
Fast-Facts
👥 Population
≈ 0.96 M urban · Tier-5 plateau hub
High-altitude spiritual center
💰 Cost
Yak-noodle bowl ¥25 • 4★ hotel ≈ US $120 (oxygen rooms +10 %)
3 650 m city centre—altitude meds & acclim day advised
🚇 Transit
No metro • Electric buses & ¥10 taxis • Qinghai-Tibet Railway terminus
World's highest railway station
🌿 Air Quality
2024 avg PM₂.₅ ≈ 18 µg/m³ — ultra-thin air, strong UV
Pristine mountain air quality
🎯 Tourism
Potala tickets (4 800 / day) gone ≤ 5 min in July–Aug
Book 7 days ahead via mini-program
⚠️ Safety
Low crime; beware "holy-bead" street vendors & photo-yak fees
Very safe, respectful culture
📱 Digital
90 % 4 G (some 5 G) • QR-pay in cafés; Barkhor stalls often cash
Carry cash for traditional markets
💳 Income
GDP ≈ ¥70 bn • per-cap ≈ ¥72 k—tourism & hydropower twin pillars
Sustainable plateau economy
🗣️ English
Good in guesthouses; scarce in bus depots—offline translator useful
Learn basic Tibetan phrases
3
Why Visit ↔ Why Skip
✅
Why Visit
🏛️
UNESCO Potala + Jokhang—Tibetan Buddhism's twin jewels
🌌
Ultra-clear skies & Milky Way nights
🧘
Monk debates & kora circuits
🏔️
Quick day-trips—Yamdrok & Namtso turquoise lakes
📸
Photogenic tea-houses & market stalls
❌
Why Skip
🏔️
Altitude stress—headaches & nausea common Day 1
📋
Travel permits—Tibet Entry Permit via agency only
💨
Thin-air sprint—stairs feel double effort
❄️
January freeze (−12 °C nights)
🌙
Limited nightlife—cafés close 22 h
4
Traveler-Fit Tags
🕉 Pilgrims & History Buffs
★★★
7-km Barkhor kora, century-old thangkas and Gelug debates daily—spiritual timeline in one valley.
🏔 Altitude Adventurers
★★☆
Easy base for 5 000 m passes, Namtso high-lake hikes & Ganden kora ridge.
📸 Photo Hunters
★★☆
Golden hour Potala roof, prayer-flag valleys & yak herders; UV-rich colors pop unfiltered.
🍲 Food Explorers
★★☆
Yak-butter tea, sweet-tea houses, tsampa DIY & chilli-pepper momo stalls under ¥40.
👨👩👧 Slow Nomads
★★☆
Courtyard cafés with oxygen ports, co-works in Old Town ¥30/day—VPN a must.
💰 Budget Backpackers
★★☆
Dorm ¥70, all-day sweet-tea ¥6, free Jokhang roof view—permit cost biggest chunk.
★★★ = highly recommended · ★★☆ = good with caveats · ★☆☆ = not ideal
5
Neighborhood Snapshot
Barkhor Old Town
Kora loop, teahouses, hostels
✨
Kora loop, teahouses, hostels
⚠️
Narrow alleys, night dogs
Potala Vicinity
Palace views, photo decks
✨
Palace views, photo decks
Norbulingka West
Park strolls, summer festivals
✨
Park strolls, summer festivals
Liuwu New District
Railway station, malls
Sera Monastery Belt
Debate courtyard, valley hikes
✨
Debate courtyard, valley hikes
6
Season & Quirks
🌤️ Four-Season Climate
Very high UV
Peach-blossom valley treks; clear Potala shots
Pleasant sightseeing weather
High UV
Shoton Yoghurt Fest, refugee-cloud skies
Stay hydrated & seek AC
High UV
Crystal lake reflections; peak Everest fly-over tours
Peak photography season
High UV
Lowest crowds, butter-lamp festivals; icy dawn streets
Atmospheric but challenging
🎭
Local Quirks & Tips
🚶
Acclimate
walk Barkhor slowly Day 1, no alcohol
📋
Permit chain
Tibet Entry Permit via agency (min 15 days ahead); carry printout always
🎫
Potala tickets
mini-prog opens 08 h, 7 days ahead; ID & health QR
💡
Quick Tips
☀️
Sunblock & sunglasses: year-round—UV 11 index.
💰
No tipping: round up taxi if grateful; some teahouses collect ¥1 oxygen fee.
💊
Altitude meds: carry acetazolamide; oxygen bars ¥30/20 min in hostels.
⚠️
Etiquette & Pitfalls
No Drone Over Potala Palace
Strict no-fly zones around Potala & all monasteries. Violations result in permit revocation + deportation.
💡 Check drone regulations before flying anywhere in Lhasa
Beware "Holy-Bead" Vendors
Aggressive vendors around Barkhor selling "blessed" beads at inflated prices to tourists.
💡 Politely decline & walk away; authentic prayer beads cost ¥10-50
High-Altitude Gear Requirements
UV 11+ index, sudden weather shifts—sunglasses, hat, layers essential. Oxygen drops fast.
💡 Pack warm layers & altitude sickness meds
Always Carry Tibet Permit
Random permit checks at monasteries, hotels, transport hubs. Must carry original permit + passport.
💡 Keep digital copies on phone as backup reference
