The red-and-white walls of the Potala Palace, the devout prostrations before the Jokhang, the pilgrim flow of Barkhor Street and the deep-blue sky beneath snow peaks — Lhasa is the city of faith closest to the sky.
Three routes — from the sacred heart to holy lakes and plateau wilds; acclimatise to the altitude first.
Sacred Heart
1 dayThe red-and-white walls of Potala Palace (book 7 days ahead at 8:30, limited entry), then the pilgrim circuit of Jokhang and Barkhor Street.
See full route →Holy Lakes
1 dayCross the pass to Yamdrok Lake, turquoise set among snow peaks, with the Karola Glacier in the distance.
See full route →Plateau Wild
1 dayHoly Namtso Lake and the Nyenchen Tanglha snow range — starry skies and high pastures (mind the altitude).
See full route →Tibetan devotion: prayer wheels and prostrations, thangka, Tibetan opera and the Shoton Buddha-unveiling.
Warming highland flavours: butter tea, tsampa, yak meat, and Tibetan noodles with sweet tea.