Lhasa - Tibet - page 116

Around the Potala
A morning visit to the Potala can easily be combined with a circuit of the Potala kora and
an afternoon excursion to some of the temples nearby.
Potala Kora PILGRIM CIRCUIT
( MAP GOOGLE MAP )
The pilgrim path that encircles the foot of the Potala Palace makes for a nice walk before
or after the main event. Budget around half an hour; longer if you stop for tea. The exit
from the Potala conveniently deposits you on the northern side of the kora path.
From the large western chörten (formerly the west gate to the city), follow the prayer
wheels to the northwest corner, marked by three large chörtens. There's a particularly nice
teahouse here.
The northeast corner is home to several rock paintings and a delightful prayer hall alive
with the murmurs of chanting nuns. Just past here, spin the large prayer wheel of the re-
cently rebuilt Phurbu Chok Hermitage Mani Lhakhang ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) and then
swing past the Chinese-style square, where pilgrims prostrate in front of the Potala on aus-
picious dates.
Look out for the three 18th-century doring (stele); the two to the north side of the road
commemorate victories over the Central Asian Dzungars (1721) and Nepali Gorkhas
(1788 and 1791). King Trisong Detsen is said to have erected the single southern obelisk
in the eighth century.
Drubthub Nunnery BUDDHIST, NUNNERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP )
Southwest of the Potala an unmarked road leads around the eastern side of Chagpo Ri, the
hill that faces Marpo Ri, site of the Potala. Take this road past stone carvers and rock
paintings to Drubthub Nunnery. The nunnery is dedicated to Tangtong Gyelpo, the 15th-
century bridge-maker, medic and inventor of Tibetan opera, who established the original
nunnery on the top of Chagpo Ri. Gyelpo's white-haired statue graces the nunnery's main
hall.
Palha Lu-puk BUDDHIST, TEMPLE