Seven Days in Tibet Expedition Dispatch
May 24, 2010 – Sightseeing and Shopping in Lhasa
It's Andrew and Doug again from Lhasa. This morning, after a buffet breakfast at our hotel, we set off for the most important Buddhist shrine in Lhasa, the Jokhang Temple. It is close to the date of an important festival, and there are many pilgrims in the city walking an eight kilometre circuit around the important religious buildings. A number of the the pilgrims are engaged in acts of prostration, on the streets and at the temple itself. We toured the Jokhang Temple (a very smoky place), which was full of many important Buddhist statues and artifacts. From the roof of the Jokhang Temple, we had our first really good view of the Potala Palace (tomorrow's destination).
Our first view of Potala Palace
After our visit to Jokhang, we toured the Barkhor market area that surrounds the temple. Booth after booth and shop after shop full of merchandise. We were particularly interested in two Tibetan artifact shops selling authentic old items, and we spent most of our time in these two shops, identifying a couple of items that we might want to return to purchase.
After lunch, we toured the Sera Monastery, the second largest active monastery in Tibet. There are currently some 400 monks in residence at the Sera Monastery. Tashi told us that at one time, there were 5,500 monks in residence. We saw the old kitchen facilities in this monastery, with enormous cooking pots.
After dinner in the Tibetan Quarter, we strolled the street near our hotel, stocking up on munchies for the road.
Andrew and Doug
People in the bustling Jokhang Square
Looking down on Jokhang Square
From the square, looking at Jokhang Temple in the background
Inside Jokhang Temple (photo courtesy of chinahighlights.com)
Inside the Sera Monastery (photo courtesy of chinahighlights.com)
Monks inside the Sera Monastery