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Tibet is revered as the "Roof of the World" where the
immense Himalayas hold the region in isolation from the rest of the world. Tibet's lengthy history is filled with
takeovers and turmoil, but one fact remains: its determination to exclude outside influence. Despite the hostilities
and destruction of Tibetan monasteries in teh past, the Tibetan lifestyle continues and the region remains one of the
most naturally beautiful places on earth.
Lhasa
Lhasa has been the Tibetan capital since the unification of the
country in the 7th century. Its name means "Ground of the Gods" and, indeed, it appears to be just that in
its remote and heavenly location. Since 1951, Lhasa has been governed by the Chinese, however it has managed to
retain its unique charm symbolic to traditional Tibetan culture.
Lhasa has a wealth of sites to visit that are mostly representative of Tibetan religious life.
The Potala Palace, named after a holy mountain in India, has been the home of successive Dalai Lamas and their winter
home since the construction of the Summer Palace in the 18th century. It drapes the slopes of Red Hill in white, gold
and read and consists of a thousand rooms, many of which are open to the public. Visitors are welcome from 9 am to
12 noon every day except Sunday.
The Jokhang Temple contains many of Buddhism's most sacred treasures, including the golden
jewel-encrusted Sakyamuni Buddha that was carried to Tibet in the 7th century. Its roof offers dramatic views across
the city. Drepung Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. Built in 1416, the fortress-like
monastery was the dwelling place for more than 10,000 monks at one time. Sera Monastery is another of Tibet's four
major monasteries. Sera houses the 11-faced golden statue of Guan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Xigaze (Shigatse),
Tibet's second largest city, is about 500 km southwest of Lhasa and is the former spiritual home of the Panchen Lama,
second to the Dalai Lama. Also the centre of the Red Hat sect of Lamaist Buddhism, Xigaze is the site of another great
Tibetan monastery, the Jashilunpo Monastery.
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