Tibet · Roof of the World
拉萨 지국
China (Tibet)
3.65M Tibet (78.4% Tibetan)
Tibetan Plateau (3,656m)
CST (UTC+8)
Lhasa, the spiritual and administrative capital of Tibet, sits at an elevation of 3,656 meters (11,995 feet) on the Tibetan Plateau—earning its designation as one of the world's highest cities. As the largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region (population 3.65 million in 2023, 78.4% Tibetan), Lhasa has served for centuries as the religious and cultural heart of Tibetan Buddhism, drawing pilgrims from across the Himalayan region who circumambulate sacred sites in acts of devotion.
The economy is experiencing robust growth driven primarily by tourism, which generated 52.928 billion yuan in 2024 (up 14%). This sector has become crucial to Lhasa's economic development, balancing modernization with preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage. The city serves as the political and economic center of Tibet, with government administration, tourism, and traditional crafts forming the economic foundation.
Tourism continues its impressive expansion, with 43.24 million visitors to Lhasa in 2024 (up 15%) and Tibet overall welcoming 57+ million tourists generating 67 billion yuan in revenue. The Potala Palace alone saw a 69% increase during Spring Festival 2025, though visitor numbers are managed with a daily quota of 2,300 to preserve the site. Recent surveys have identified 7,799 tourism resources across Tibet, highlighting the region's vast cultural and natural attractions that captivate travelers seeking spiritual experiences and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates Lhasa's skyline as a 13-story architectural masterpiece that once served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Built in the 17th century, the palace features over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. Visitor access is strictly limited to 2,300 daily (closed Mondays since December 1, 2025), and Spring Festival 2025 saw a 69% increase in visitors, reflecting its enduring spiritual significance.
Founded in the 7th century, the Jokhang is considered the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, housing a revered statue of the young Buddha (Jowo Rinpoche) that pilgrims travel thousands of miles to see. The temple's golden roof glints above the Barkhor circuit, where the devout perform kora (circumambulation) throughout the day, creating a living expression of Tibetan Buddhist practice.
This ancient pilgrimage circuit encircles Jokhang Temple and serves as the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Pilgrims perform kora (clockwise circumambulation) while spinning prayer wheels, alongside the bustling market selling traditional Tibetan handicrafts, religious artifacts, incense, and local foods. The street offers an authentic glimpse into Tibetan culture and devotional life.
One of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, Sera was founded in 1419 and once housed over 5,000 monks. The monastery is famous for its daily monk debates (except Sundays), where monks engage in animated philosophical discussions through ritualized gestures and debate, clapping their hands to punctuate arguments—a unique and theatrical aspect of Tibetan Buddhist education.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the traditional summer residence of successive Dalai Lamas. Built in the 18th century, Norbulingka ("Jewel Park") features beautiful gardens, pavilions, and chapels spread across 36 hectares. The park hosts the annual Shoton Festival, when thousands gather for opera performances, picnics, and celebrations, representing a beloved aspect of Lhasa's cultural calendar.
Once the world's largest monastery with a population of 10,000 monks, Drepung ("Rice Heap") was founded in 1416 and served as the seat of the Gelug school's power before the Potala Palace. The white buildings cascade down the mountainside like rice poured from a bowl. The monastery hosts the spectacular Shoton Festival featuring the unveiling of a giant thangka (religious painting) on the hillside.
Lhasa's economy has transformed significantly in recent decades, with tourism emerging as the dominant sector generating 52.928 billion yuan in 2024. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the remarkable Qinghai-Tibet Railway (the world's highest railway) which connects Lhasa to the rest of China. Traditional industries including handicrafts, carpet weaving, and thangka painting continue alongside modern service sectors, creating an economic landscape balancing tradition with development.
The cultural landscape is deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, which permeates every aspect of daily life. Prayer flags flutter from rooftops, prayer wheels line the streets, and the scent of juniper incense fills the air. Tibetan culture expresses itself through distinctive arts including thangka painting, butter sculpture, sand mandalas, and traditional opera. The Tibetan language, script, and literary traditions remain vibrant, though increasingly coexisting with Mandarin Chinese in this bilingual city.
Festivals form the rhythm of Lhasa's year: Losar (Tibetan New Year) brings family reunions and religious ceremonies; the Shoton (Yogurt) Festival features opera performances and picnics; Saga Dawa commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Traditional Tibetan architecture with its distinctive white walls, colorful window frames, and flat roofs contrasts with newer Chinese-style developments, creating a cityscape that visually represents Tibet's complex modern identity—preserving ancient spiritual traditions while navigating contemporary political and economic realities.
Lhasa's history as Tibet's spiritual capital dates back to the 7th century when King Songtsen Gampo made it his capital and built the Jokhang Temple to house sacred Buddha statues brought by his Chinese and Nepalese wives. The introduction of Buddhism transformed Lhasa into a religious center, with successive rulers building monasteries and temples. The 17th century saw the construction of the Potala Palace under the Fifth Dalai Lama, consolidating Lhasa's position as both the spiritual and political center of Tibet under the Dalai Lama's theocratic rule.
The 20th century brought dramatic changes. Chinese Communist forces entered Lhasa in 1951, and the 1959 Tibetan uprising led to the Dalai Lama's exile to India. Since then, Lhasa has developed rapidly under Chinese administration, with significant infrastructure investment, population growth (including substantial Han Chinese migration), and economic development alongside controversial policies affecting Tibetan culture and religion. Today, Lhasa navigates a complex identity as a major Chinese city while remaining the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, attracting both tourists and pilgrims to its ancient monasteries and sacred sites that have defined its character for over a millennium.
Bureau Chief 지원자는 물론, Lhasa를 방문하시는 모든 분들을 위해
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