Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of four chapels surrounding the Jokhang at cardinal points, this lovely small chapel
hidden in a housing courtyard southwest of Barkhor Sq is dedicated to the Rigsum Gonpo
trinity of Jampelyang, Chenresig and Chana Dorje (Vajrapani). Look for the line of prayer
wheels disappearing down the alley.
Pode Kangtsang
BUDDHIST, TEMPLE
Diehards can track down this hard-to-find chapel with old murals in the south of the old
town. It's accessed from the south.
WORTH A TRIP
BRAHMAPUTRA GRAND HOTEL
Even if you're not in the market for showy five-star digs, it's worth investing ¥10 in a cab
www.tibethotel.cn
; Section B, Yangcheng Plaza, Zangda Xilu, Gongbutang) in the east of town. It oc-
cupies a space somewhere between Vegas theme hotel and ethnographic museum, and
you could easily spend an hour wandering the hundreds of exhibits in the free 2nd-floor
museum, from antique opera masks to armour and historic B&W photographs. Amaz-
ingly, it's all for sale. Pick up a floor plan from the lobby.
The Norbulingka
; Minzu Lu; admission ¥60; 9am-6pm)
is in the western part of town. The lifeless templelike
buildings rank well behind the other points of interest in and around Lhasa, since most
rooms are closed to the public.
This said, the Norbulingka is worth a visit if you don't mind the entry fee, and the park
is a great place to be during festival times and public holidays. In the seventh lunar month
of every year, the Norbulingka is crowded with picnickers for the Shötun festival, when
traditional Tibetan opera performances are held here.
As you leave the palace after your visit, pop into the charming yellow-walled
mani