TIBET - Part 2: Sights of Lhasa

After a not so restful night from adjusting to the altitude - we had breakfast at the hotel then met Tenzin for Lhasa sightseeing.

Our first stop was the Jokang Temple.  Known as the most revered and sacred temple in Tibet it was built in the 7th Century.  THE 7th CENTURY!!!  This temple was mind-blowing.  Out front, juniper was being burned as an offering for cleansing, Tibetans were prostrating (a Buddhist gesture showing reverence) and walking clockwise around the temple chanting their daily devotions.  We did have to go through security when entering the square but again, never felt in danger during our journey.

Photos were not allowed inside the temple and words cannot fully describe the experience.  It was MAGICAL!  It looked like something that should be in an Indiana Jones movie.  The center of temple was lavishly decorated with layers of fabrics, urns, candles, and even had a 'high cat' who kept the temple clean of rodents.  The oldest life-sized Buddha statue is also housed within the temple dating back to again, the 7th century!!!  It was beautiful!

 

Inside the building behind the incense burner is a huge prayer wheel - a very large version of the gold wheels lining the building.  Tenzin invited us inside to contribute to turning the wheel clockwise to wish and send our prayers out in the world - it was an incredible experience!  The people were accepting and even eager for our participation.

Inside the temple....artwork from the 7th century!  I still can't get over it all!  

 

Next we headed to the Potala Palace.

It's on the back of the 50 yuan bill!

Potala Palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India during the Tibetan uprising in 1959.  The 5th Dalai Lama started its construction in 1645.  Today it is a museum and World Heritage Site.

Ready to start the climb!  No elevators here!

The long curtains are actually door covers and very popular in Tibet.  There is lighter weight for warmer weather and heavier weight for cold weather.  The more expensive ones seen here for the palace are made from Yak fur.  All have one of the lucky auspicious signs from Tibetan culture.

The inner courtyard was the last area open to photographs.  In the building behind, we were able to see where the monks practiced worship, the Dalai Lama's apartment, bedroom, and special meeting room for meetings with foreign officials.  Most rooms contained boxes upon boxes of rolled scrolls from studies of Buddhism texts.  It was fascinating!

We spent about an hour inside before beginning the descent from the top.

This yellow wall greeted us at the bottom - I thought it was just beautiful :)

Tenzin grabbed us two rickshaws to ride back into town towards our hotel.  It was so much fun!  

Our driver peddled the bike and we enjoyed the sites!

And since we thought the dinner the night before was so delicious, we went back for more!

TIBET - Part 3:  Prayer Flags & Monastery

TIBET

Surreal, Magical, Breathtaking, Humbling....these are the words that describe the experience of Tibet.

I wasn't sure what to expect.  There are still major tensions between The Republic of China and TAR, (Tibetan Autonomous Region).  We had our one permit checked three times at the Pudong airport before we departed; this included having Chinese agents take us to a separate booth to log our trip in their 'books'.  It was never an uneasy feeling but the definite twinge of tension between the two regions was felt.

With not knowing what to expect, we were exposed to warm Tibetans who still dress in traditional garments, are hard working, and people who stick with their generations of values.

Our friend, Josh, took the journey with us.  It began with months of planning and organization with our tour guide, Tenzin.  We had to have letters prepared from Disney regarding our job descriptions to present to the Tibetan authorities (ensuring we weren't in the journalism business) in order to gain our permits (4 in total!), present copies of our passports, Chinese residence permits, and work permits; airfare had to be booked and confirmed prior to applying for the permits, and travel insurance investigated before we began the journey on August 30th - only two days after receiving our permits.  Talk about nerve racking!

We flew from Shanghai to Xi'An, then Xi'An to Lhasa; about a 6 hrs in total from Shanghai.
Upon landing in Lhasa, Tenzin (our fantastic guide recommended to us from Todd & Rebecca) met us at the airport and presented us with traditional Tibetan scarves for luck and prosperity.  We had about a 45 minute drive to the hotel and drank lots of water upon instruction from Tenzin due to the altitude.  After a quick rest, we headed to dinner at a wonderful restaurant where we experienced Yak!  Yak curry and yak steak and nan.  It was delicious!

Of note:

Lhasa is 3,650m above sea level or 11,450ft.

Shanghai is 4m above sea level or 13ft.

Mt. Everest Base Camp is 5189m or 17,026ft.

The highest point in the world unless you apply for permits to trek further :)

As comparison....

Atlanta is 320m above sea level or 1,050ft.  

Los Angeles is 71m above sea level or 233ft.

To help our bodies adjust to the altitude, we took pills twice a day that I purchased in the states made for high altitude sporting, and tons of water.

In the evening, we discovered the roof of the hotel had incredible views.  I can only describe the lighting as 'God-like' as it was the most beautiful light I've ever seen; highlighting the mountains and back lighting the Potala Palace.  Incredible!

We were finally in Tibet and in arms reach of Mt. Everest!

TIBET - Part 2:  Sights of Lhasa