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Map of Lhasa Tibet: Where is Lhasa Located in the Himalayas
Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, is situated in southwestern China at an elevation of 3,656 meters (11,995 feet), making it one of the highest cities in the world. The city is located at coordinates 29°39'N and 91°08'E.
The city is nestled along the northern banks of the Lhasa River, bordered by other major Tibetan destinations including Nagqu, Shigatse, and Nyingchi.
More travelers now do multi-country Himalayan tours—Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan together. Lhasa sits about 1,100 km from Kathmandu and 1,350 km from Thimphu. That's close enough to combine all three into one trip.
Lhasa Districts Map: Why Only Chengguan Matters for Tourists
Lhasa covers 29,518 square kilometers divided into 8 administrative districts. But here's what you need to know: Chengguan District is the only urban zone.
It's 525 square kilometers and holds all major sites—Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery.
The other 7 districts are rural counties: Doilungdêqên, Damxung, Nyêmo, Qüxü, Maizhokunggar, Dagzê, and Lhünzhub. Damxung has Namtso Lake (4-5 hours north).
Lhasa City Map: Chengguan District (City Center), Hotels & Local Food
- Lhasa Railway Address: No. 12 Liuwu New District, Doilungdeqen District, Lhasa
- Lhasa Gonggar International Airport Address: Gonggar County, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet
With this Lhasa city map solves your biggest headache: understanding how this high-altitude city actually works.
Most travelers get confused because Lhasa's main action happens in Chengguan District, but the airport sits 60 km away and the train station is on the city's edge.
Lhasa Gonggar Airport is a brutal 60-90 minute drive southwest of the city center. Lhasa Railway Station sits 10 km south of Barkhor Street. Taxis take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Potala Palace Altitude (3,700m): 15 Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness
Where to Stay in Lhasa City? Best Accommodation Area
Jokhang Temple-Barkhor Street Area is the most popular area for tourists, located in the heart of old Lhasa. Perfect for first-time visitors with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Accommodation options range from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Walking distance to both Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. The area around Beijing Road offers mid-range hotels with better oxygen systems.
Hotels in Lhasa: Where to Stay in Lhasa (Tibet)
What to Eat in Lhasa City?
Tibetan Hospital Road (Danjielin Road): A charming street near Barkhor known for authentic Tibetan dining experiences. The area features traditional sweet tea houses where locals gather throughout the day.
The Snow Region Restaurant is a standout choice, famous for its yak meat dishes and traditional Tibetan atmosphere. Several local bakeries offer fresh Tibetan bread and pastries.
Deji North Road: Lhasa's modern dining district, popular with both tourists and locals. The street features contemporary restaurants serving both Tibetan and international cuisines.
Makye Ame on Barkhor Street's southeast corner is pricier but the rooftop views of Jokhang are worth it. For lighter options while you acclimatize, Summit Cafe serves decent Western food and strong coffee.
Restaurants in Lhasa: Tibetan Food to Try in Lhasa Restaurants
Lhasa Tourist Map - City Sights, Monasteries & Holy Lakes by Distance
This Lhasa tourist map breaks down where everything is—and more importantly, how far. I've marked elevations too, because altitude matters here. Use this Lhasa attractions map to plan your first days smart: start low, go high gradually.
Walking Distance (City Center - 3,600m)
There is more to Lhasa than just the world-famous Potala Palace. You shouldn't miss the sacred Jokhang Temple, the lively Barkhor Street, or the beautiful Norbulingka. They are all neighbors. Located just 2 or 3 kilometers apart, they are easy to explore on foot.
We recommend spending 1 or 2 days here. This gives you time to get used to the altitude while enjoying the best sights in the city center.
- Potala Palace: The iconic winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, rising 13 stories and dominating Lhasa's skyline with its stunning red and white facade.
- Barkhor Street: A bustling circular street that serves as Lhasa's spiritual heart, where pilgrims and tourists alike circle Jokhang Temple while exploring traditional markets.
- Jokhang Temple: Tibet's most sacred temple, housing the precious Jowo Buddha statue and serving as the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism for over 1,300 years.
- Norbulingka: The former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, featuring beautiful gardens, traditional architecture, and peaceful grounds that showcase Tibetan landscaping at its finest.
Potala Palace - World’s Highest Palace to Experience Tibetan Buddhism
Barkhor Street - Lhasa Kora & Most Popular Bazaar in Tibet
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa - the Holiest Temple & Spiritual Center in Tibet
30min-2hr Drive (Suburbs Monasteries- 3,700-4,300m)
The outskirts of Lhasa are home to some incredible monasteries. A great example is Sera Monastery, famous for its lively monk debates. These sacred sites are just a 30-minute to 2-hour drive from the city center.
We recommend taking a day to visit 1-2 of them. It is the perfect way to truly soak up the spiritual atmosphere of Tibet.
- Sera Monastery: Famous for its unique monk debates, where maroon-robed monks gather in the courtyard each afternoon, engaging in dramatic philosophical discussions with characteristic hand gestures.
- Drepung Monastery: The largest monastery in Tibet, once housing 10,000 monks, showcasing magnificent architecture and hosting the spectacular Shoton Festival's giant thangka display.
- Ganden Monastery: Perched at 4,300m with breathtaking valley views, this important Gelugpa monastery offers a beautiful kora (pilgrimage circuit) with panoramic mountain vistas.
- Drak Yerpa Monastery: A hidden gem carved into limestone cliffs, featuring ancient meditation caves and hermitages where many great Buddhist masters once meditated, offering a peaceful escape from busy Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery (Lhasa): How to Visit Drepung Monastery
Lhasa Sera Monastery: Best Temple to See Tibetan Monk Debate
2-4hr Drive (Holy Lakes - 4,400-4,700m)
As a perfect complement to your Lhasa journey, Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake are must-visit classics. Both are among "Tibet's Three Holy Lakes," renowned for their spiritual significance and stunning natural beauty. They are approximately 2-4 hours away from Lhasa.
- Yamdrok Lake: A sacred turquoise jewel nestled among snow-capped mountains, this scorpion-shaped lake reveals breathtaking views from Kamba La Pass, with its stunning blue waters contrasting perfectly against the Tibetan plateau's rugged landscape.
- Namtso Lake: Known as the "Heavenly Lake," this vast salt lake sits at 4,718m, surrounded by magnificent snow peaks and dotted with nomadic tents along its shores, offering one of Tibet's most spectacular natural settings, especially magical during sunrise and sunset.
What to Do in Lhasa? Spot 15 Lhasa Attractions on Map (2026)
Tibet Lake Namtso: The Highest Saltwater Lake & Holy Lakes
Lhasa Transportation Maps: Flight & Train to Lhasa Map
There are only two ways getting to Lhasa: fly or take the train. Here's what this Lhasa transportation map covers: which cities connect to Lhasa by air, which cities offer train routes, travel times.
China Tibet Train Railway Map
Taking the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa stands as one of the most memorable experiences of any Tibet journey. The railway journey offers spectacular views of the Gobi Desert, snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and pristine lakes.
Lucky travelers might even spot the elusive Tibetan antelope along the way. The railway network now connects Lhasa with major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xining, making it increasingly accessible for travelers.
Flight Routes to Lhasa
Air travel represents the quickest and most convenient way to reach Lhasa. On clear days, passengers are treated to breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayan range.
Domestic flights connect Lhasa with major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Xining, and Chengdu. For international travelers, Lhasa currently maintains air connections with Kathmandu, Nepal, and Singapore.
Routes from Lhasa: Maps from Lhasa to Everest, Namtso & Western Tibet
Our maps show how you actually get to each destination: Everest, Shigatse, Kailash, Nagqu, and Nyingchi each offer different transport realities. These maps clarify your actual travel options before you book anything.
Lhasa to Mount Everest Base Camp Map
Mount Everest Base Camp is about 670 kilometers south of Lhasa. You can travel from Lhasa to view the world's highest peak, visit the historic Rongbuk Monastery, and experience the breathtaking panorama from Gawu La Pass. The journey takes you through some of Tibet's most dramatic landscapes.
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp: Distance, By Train & Car
Lhasa to Shigatse Map
Shigatse lies 260 kilometers southwest of Lhasa. This important religious center is home to the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and the historic Sakya Monastery with its distinctive grey walls.
Lhasa to Shigatse Train Schedule, Tickets & Travel Tips
Lhasa to Mount Kailash Map
Mount Kailash, located 1,400 kilometers west of Lhasa, is one of Tibet's most sacred sites. This remote destination features the holy Mount Kailash and the pristine Lake Manasarovar, both significant pilgrimage sites for Buddhists and Hindus.
How to Get to Mount Kailash from Lhasa or Nepal
Lhasa to Nagqu Map
Nagqu is situated 210 kilometers north of Lhasa. The region is famous for Lake Namtso, one of Tibet's most beautiful high-altitude lakes, and Yangbajain Hot Springs, where visitors can enjoy natural thermal baths with mountain views.
Lhasa to Nyingchi Map
Nyingchi lies 400 kilometers east of Lhasa. This region showcases a different side of Tibet with the turquoise waters of Basum Lake and the stunning alpine scenery of Lulang Forest, often called the "Swiss Alps of Tibet."
Best Time to Visit Nyingchi in Tibet | Nyingchi Weather & Temperature
How to Plan a Lhasa Tour
Tibet Travel Permit
For all travelers to Tibet, a Tibet Travel Permit is mandatory and can only be obtained through authorized travel agencies. At Asia Odyssey Travel, we provide complimentary permit application services when you book our Tibet group tours or private tours. Contact us now!
Classic Lhasa Itinerary
The ideal duration for a Lhasa visit is 4-5 days. This allows time to explore the city's iconic attractions, visit suburban monasteries, and take day trips to either Lake Namtso or Yamdrok Lake. This timeframe also helps with altitude acclimatization.
Extended Tibet Itineraries
Combine your Lhasa visit with other Tibetan destinations:
- Lhasa + Mount Everest (7-8 days): Experience both Tibetan culture and the world's highest peak. This classic route includes Lhasa's highlights and the breathtaking journey to Everest Base Camp.
- Lhasa + Mount Kailash (15 days): A spiritual journey combining Lhasa's Buddhist sites with a pilgrimage to sacred Mount Kailash, suitable for adventurous travelers seeking a deeper Tibetan experience.
- Lhasa + Shigatse (6 days): Perfect for those interested in Tibetan Buddhism, featuring Lhasa's landmarks and Shigatse's significant monasteries.
- Lhasa + Nyingchi (6 days): Contrast Lhasa's high-altitude plateau landscape with Nyingchi's alpine forests and valleys, particularly beautiful during peach blossom season.
How to Visit Lhasa: How to Plan Lhasa Tour
Explore Tibet with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)
Discover Tibet's wonders stress-free with Asia Odyssey Travel! We handle permits, craft personalized itineraries, and pair you with expert local guides. From Everest treks to Lhasa's sacred sites, enjoy safe, authentic journeys with 15+ years of trusted expertise.
✅ Complete Tibet Tours - Explore all of Tibet with expert guides and full permit support.
✅ Budget-Friendly Packages - Small Group Tibet Tours at the Best Prices.
✅ Lhasa Highlights - Lhasa Tours covering Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and monastery day trips
✅ Beyond Lhasa: Everest Base Camp Tours · Mount Kailash Tours · Shigatse Tours · Overland Routes to Nepal
Useful Tibet Travel Guide: Tibet Travel Guide, Tibet Travel Tips
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