Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
floor, is a thousand-armed Chenresig. A small alley to the side of the main chapel leads
down to the former meditation chamber of Songtsen Gampo, the 7th-century king of Tibet.
The busy nuns run a great
teahouse
in the courtyard, as well as a popular shop selling
prayer beads and jewellery.
Tsome Ling
BUDDHIST, TEMPLE
The small but interesting Tsome Ling is one of the four
ling
temples of Lhasa (along with
Kunde Ling and Tengye Ling). To the east of the residential courtyard is the Kharpo
Podrang (White Palace), built in 1777, and to the west is the Marpo Podrang (Red Palace),
built at the beginning of the 19th century. Both buildings have fine murals and are well fre-
quented by pilgrims.
Tengye Ling
BUDDHIST, TEMPLE
This obscure and little-visited Nyingmapa-sect temple is dedicated to the central red-faced
deity Tseumar, as well as Pehar (a protector linked to Samye) and Tamdrin (Hayagriva).
The crates of
báijiǔ
(rice wine) stacked in the corner are there to refill the silver cup in
Tseumar's hand; apparently he's in a better mood if constantly plastered. The entire chapel
smells like a distillery. Look for the wonderful old photo of the Dalai Lama's pet elephant,
stabled in the Lukhang behind the Potala.
The chapel is hidden in the backstreets west of the Shangbala Hotel and is hard to find;
enter through the gateway marked by juniper and
báijiǔ
-sellers, just south of the Tsen Bar.
Shide Tratsang
BUDDHIST, TEMPLE
Once one of the six principal temples encircling the Jokhang, this badly ruined temple is
connected to Reting Monastery. It's in a housing courtyard, down a back alley near Tashi I
restaurant, and remains a rare example of what Lhasa looked like before the renovation
teams moved in. Look for the brown walls.
Rigsum Lhakhang
BUDDHIST, TEMPLE
