The impressive Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century
It is now an immensely popular tourist destination but our efforts to enter were thwarted when we arrived at the wrong time. So for now, we could only gaze up from below. We were able to enter one of 3 gates before being turned away. There was a museum and a bar in which one of the earlier Dalai Lamas used to entertain girls and have a drink.
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| Potala Palace "bar" |
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| the kitchen |
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| fermentation room |
The plan was to reschedule to visit the next day. But in the meantime, there was plenty to do. We decided to return to the
Lhasa Tsamkhung Nunnery to have lunch but first, the picturesque walk from our hotel along the Jokhang Temple route.
We feasted on sweet tea, noodles with yak meat and momos (dumplings). We sat with people who were here with their handheld prayer wheel. It was very enjoyable sitting there and people watch. The nuns were working hard to keep the food moving, the tables cleaned.
One thing that is very noticeable is the number of public restrooms. They don't smell very nice but it is great that these facilities are available.
Next,
Jokhang Temple located on Barkhor Square.
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| gilded roof of Jokhang Temple |
The temple was constructed to house a sacred image of the Buddha, the Jowo Rinpoche, which Queen Wengcheng brought with her from China as a dowry. This statue is still enshrined within the temple and is the holiest object in Tibet. It was very special indeed to see this Buddha.
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| view of Potala Palace from the temple roof |
Since the Chinese occupation in 1951, Jokhang Temple has taken on a political role as the focus of Tibetan cultural identity and resistance. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), part of the Jokhang was used as a pigsty while another section housed Chinese soldiers, who spent days burning the temple's ancient Tibetan scriptures.
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| view of Barkhor Square from roof of the temple |
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| pano view of the temple |
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| pilgrims prostrating |
Jokhang Temple is a very important pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists. Pilgrims come from all corners of Tibet, usually on foot and often performing austerities for penance along the way. The most devout pilgrims cover the last several miles prostrate on the ground. More prostrations are undertaken in the plaza in front of the temple. Before entering, most pilgrims circumambulate the temple on the Barkhor, a sacred path that is also lined with market stalls selling yak butter and jewelry. I saw adults and children performing their prostrations and occasionally, someone would give them money.
I so enjoyed watching the daily life go by in Lhasa.
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| pedicab station |
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| relaxing... |
We tried to eat at
Tibetan Family Kitchen the other night but had to be turned away so we tried again.
They remembered us from the night before and felt bad because they were doing a cooking class that evening and couldn't serve us dinner. Would we be interested in a class? Of course!!! We learned to make momos, noodles soup, and cucumber salad. A husband and wife team are responsible for Tibetan Family Kitchen with a little help from their adorable daughter. The food was delicious and it was super fun.
We ended the evening with a walk around Jokhang Temple and it was surprisingly crowded. It had a carnival-like atmosphere.
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