Lhasa Travel Guide

• Lhasa Overview
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• Lhasa Miscellaneous

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Lhasa Overview

TOPIntroduction to Lhasa

Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region and has long been the center of politics, economy, culture and religion in Tibet. Lhasa means "holy land" in Tibetan language. The history of city dates back to the 7th century AD, when the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo conquered many tribes, united Tibet, transferred the capital from Yarlung to Lhasa, and established Tubo Regime. The 11th century had seen the Buddhism spreading widely and Lhasa became the center for many eminent and learned monks to preach the religion. In the time of the 7th Dalai Lama, a very famous palace, Norbulingkha, 2 kilometers away from the Potala Palace, was built. From then on, the ancient section of Lhasa city was formed, with Potala Palace as its center, Barkhor Street and Norbulingkha Palace on both sides. Lhasa is one of the most charming cities in the country. The grand Potala, the blue sky, the clear water and the fresh air all add charm to the city. The total population of the city is around 373,000 and the total population in the urban area only is close to 130,000. People of 31 nationalities live in the city and Tibetans take up 87% of the total population. Lhasa is located in the valley of Lhasa River, a branch of Yarlung Tsangpo River. It is 3,658 high in altitude. The city has jurisdiction over 7 counties and one district with an area of 300,000 square kilometers. The total area of urban section is 523 square kilometers.

TOPTibet Entry Permit

Tibet Entry Permit is issued only to tour groups traveling with a Chinese tour operator. You travel agency will represent you to go on the application process. A permit to Tibet usually costs around 200 yuan. You need to apply for the permit at least 10 days in advance. Read more

TOPLhasa Tourism Information

Tourism Administrative Bureaus

Tourism Administrative Bureaus of Tibet Autonomous Region

Address: 18 Yuanlin Road Lhasa

Tel: 0891-6323632

Complain phone call: 6833476

Tourism Administrative Bureaus of Lhasa

Tel: 6323632

Head Tourism Company of Tibet

Address: 208 West Beijing Road

Tel: 6836651

Tibet International Travel Service

Address: West Beijing Road

Tel: 6835277

Tibet China Youth Travel Service

Address: 16 North Jiangsu Road

Tel: 6327414

Lhasa Tourism Company

Address: 27 Linju Road

Tel: 6335675

Medical Service Institutions

Tibetan Emergency Center

Tel: 120

People's Hospital of Lhasa

Address: 6 East Beijing Road

Tel: 0891-6323811

People's Hospital of the Autonomous Region

Address: North Linkuo Road

Tel: 0891-6332462

The Second People's Hospital of the Autonomous Region

Address: West Jinzhu Road

Tel: 0891-6324883

Worker's Sanatorium of Lhasa

Tel: 0891-6824684

Epidemic prevention station of Lhasa

Tel: 0891-6322089

Tibetan Hospital of the Autonomous Region

Address: 26 Niangre Road

Tel: 6323428

Head Hospital of Tibetan Military Area Command

Address: Niangre Road

Tel: 6323390

TOPMoney, Banks and Currency

Bank of China, Construction Bank and Agriculture Bank set their branches in Lhasa. Agriculture Bank has the most banking outlets and branches of Construction Bank has been connected with a network. There’s a branch of Construction Bank at the west junction of the square of the Potala Palace. The ATM has been hooked up to the network and you can draw cashes with credit cards there.

The office hours of the bank is from 9:00 to 12:00 am and 15:00 to 18:00 pm. If you withdraw money with credit cards, you’d better avoid Saturdays and Sundays.

Place for converting foreign currencies: 33 East Jinzhu Road Post code: 850000

China reopened Tibet to foreign tourists