Mikeysoft - U.S.A

We saw many Chinese in Lhasa. Our guidebook said the government has encouraged Han immigration to Tibet. This is to dilute the Tibetan population to help suppress the independence movement.

We stayed in east Lhasa but in a new, very comfortable hotel with a very convenient location.

Our hotel was on Lingkhor Chang-Lam (Linkua Beilu) which is one street north of Beijing Road and an easy walk to the Barkhor area. Our room was very large, had AC/Heat, TV, high speed Internet, and a modern bathroom with plenty of hot water.

Weather
Lhasa is at 3595 meters. The weather was sunny with cool nights and warm days. The sun was very strong. This was a welcome change from the overcast or raining days we had the last few days in eastern Tibet.

The Potala Palace, The Square and The 'Liberation' Monument
The Potala Palace is on a hill over looking Lhasa on the north side of Beijing road. The Potala is the landmark image of Lhasa and where the Dali Lamas lived. It is now a museum with a 100 rmb charge.

The area across the street is a wide-open square, like a little Tiananmen Square. A monk told us this area used to be a park with trees and a lake. We rented a Tibetan dress for pictures in the square.

At the opposite end of the square is a concrete monument facing the palace. The monument looks like an outdated rocket ship. The Chinese characters say: Peaceful Liberation of Tibet Monument. At the base of the monument are statues of the military and statues of common people.

Summer Palace and the 14th Dali Lama
The Summer Palace was first disappointing with many places closed until we found the 14th Dali Lama summer home. No picture is allowed and they had security cameras inside and out. Many places had security cameras.

A guard followed us, at first I believed so we wouldn't take pictures but he was very helpful. He told us a lot of things about the home and furnishings. It was interesting to see everything including the old style radio and even an old stereo record player. The guard pointed out a wall mural with the 14th Dali Lama when he was 22, he looks so different now. Our driver had a picture of the Dali Lama when we attempted our overland trip. The monks did not know who he was when our driver showed them the picture.

The guard said Tibetan people love the 14th Dali Lama very much. Mimi asked if he hopes the Dali Lama will return. The guard said it was too dangerous for him to come back.

I recommend seeing the 14th Dali Lama's summer home.