The dominant landmark of Lhasa 117 metres above the city below construction started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 storeys high with walls 3 metres thick Containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues it was both residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former Heads of state. The entire building is made of stone and wood and covers an area of 130,000 square metres. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories.

On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled park known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park. Covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally laid out in the 1750s. There are fountains, pavilions, terraces and stone tablets where visitors may rest amidst the numerous kinds of flowers and various colours.
The whole park consists of two main parts - Norbulingka at the Eastern area and Jianselingka at the Western area.
Norbulingka is also the site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8 th to 14 th). The small palace of the 13 th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia, such as a Philips radiogram and Victorian bathroom fittings! At Norbulingka you will also find the one and only zoo in Tibet.

The foremost monastery in Tibet, built in the 7 th century AD and now housing the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is topped with golden roofs found nowhere else except in Tibet. Watch the many worshippers pay their respects and prostrating themselves at the main gate. The monastery is encircled with the Barkhor Bazaar a sacred pilgrim path, but also a lively & colourful market where you can bargain over such treasures as ornate long-bladed knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewellery.

Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa 'Universities' - once housing more than 5500 monks. Here one can see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their Master. Sera is also the birthplace of Tibetan medicine.

Drepung monastery is situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. Formerly the largest and richest monastery in the world with 10,000 monks (now 400). It is the size of a small town and lies sprawled over the side of a mountain 8 km from Lhasa. Of particular interest is the medieval monk's kitchen with its great cauldrons of steaming barley 'tsampa' sitting on top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron-robed monks wielding massive ladles....
From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley to one's heart content.

Tsurpu monastery is built on the north side of the river in the Dowo Lung Valley. This is the home of Karmapa. Karmapa is the true 'living little Buddha' - the new reincarnated leader of the black hat sect. He is the only spiritual leader actually living in Tibet. The recent recognised 17 th Karmapa can be visited by all visitors. Tsurpu monastery was built in 12 th century. Tsurpu is the richest monastery in Tibet.

Once Tibet's third most important city, lying in the Nyangchu valley along the main routes from India and Nepal to Lhasa. In former times it was a fort, the centre of Tibet's wool trade and a gateway to the outside world. Other spots of interest: Palcho Monastery and Kumbum Pagoda.

Shigatse is Tibet's second largest city. It is the administrative centre for 18 countries in southern and western Tibet. Besides its rich cultural heritage, Shigatse has an abundance of native fruits and products. At the bazaar, there are more than 300 stalls selling local produce as well as colourful and elaborate handicraft, accessories, antiques and porcelains. In Shigatse one can also find Tashilumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. The Monastery, built in 1447 by a nephew of Tsong Khapa once housed over 4000 Monks, but now there are only 600.