Tibet, a highland region administratively part of China, has ancient ties to Buddhism and Hinduism. For centuries, it has been considered a sacred place, populated by monasteries, spiritual schools, and sites with special energetic potential. Mount Kailash, located in this region, is called the center of the world in ancient texts, and for good reason: four major rivers, including the Indus and the Brahmaputra, flow from its summit.
Tibet Attractions
If you’re planning a visit to Tibet but don’t have time to see all the sights, it’s best to plan your visit in advance, as there are a vast number of interesting places to see.
In Lhasa, on Red Mountain, stands the majestic Potala Palace, known as the Mystic Mountain. This white stone palace, 115 meters high and consisting of 13 stories, is stunning in its architecture, as if the mountain itself had become a palace. The palace contains over a thousand rooms, each exquisitely decorated. The monks who reside there maintain the palace in good order and cleanliness.
Not far from Lhasa is the city of Gyantse, which has preserved the atmosphere of traditional Tibetan culture thanks to its distance from Chinese influence. This city is the third largest in Tibet.
The Norbulingka Park complex, home to the Dalai Lama’s summer palaces, is perfect for quiet strolls and reflection. The park features an artificial lake, and a zoo is also located nearby.
The Jokhang Temple, a renowned Buddhist holy site, was built in the 7th century to house Buddha’s relics. Images of Buddha Akshobhya and Jowo Shakyamuni can be seen in the temple. The temple is actively used, with daily services held there.
The Sacred Mount Kailash
Another natural relic of Tibet is Mount Kailash. Its pyramidal shape, a snow cap crowns its summit, and its faces point precisely to the cardinal directions. On the mountain’s southern face, there is a vertical fissure intersected by a horizontal one, forming a figure reminiscent of a swastika. The four great religions consider Kailash a sacred place where one can perform a kora—a ritual circumambulation. It is said that by circumambulating the mountain just once (a distance of about 53 km), a person is freed from all their sins. The trek takes one to three days, and the mountain is surrounded by numerous interesting sites and beautiful views.
