Lhasa Altitude & Elevation of Main Attractions

Lhasa is the capital and largest city of Tibet, located in the centre of the Tibetan Plateau, at an altitude & elevation of about 3,650 meters (11,975 feet). According to statistics, it is the 7th highest city in the world. The terrain of Lhasa is high in the north and low in the south, and slopes from east to west. The central and southern parts are the middle reaches of the Lhasa River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River, with flat terrain and low altitude. Among them, the average altitude of Chengguan District in the center of Lhasa is 3,650 meters. The suburbs are slightly higher than the city center, with an average altitude of about 3,700 meters. Compared with other areas in Tibet with an average altitude of more than 4,500 meters, such as Mount Everest Base Camp and Namtso, Lhasa has a relatively flat terrain. So, Lhasa is a perfect starting point for travelers before heading to the higher altitudes in Tibet.

Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. Due to the high elevation and thin air. Therefore, Lhasa is also known as the city of sunlight, with more than 3000 hours of annual sunshine. It is a holy city in the hearts of Tibetans, and now it is also a "holy city" for tourists from all directions. However, due to the high altitude, tourists may be affected by altitude sickness. Therefore, Lhasa's elevation and altitude sickness are the most concerning and worrying questions for first-time tourists to Tibet. If you plan to travel to Lhasa, it is important to be prepared for the high altitude of Lhasa. As an experienced travel agency, TTA will provide you with essential information about Lhasa’s altitude.

Altitude & Elevation of Main Districts in Lhasa

Chengguan District

Chengguan District is the only municipal district and central district of Lhasa city. It is an altitude of 3,650 meters(1,1975 ft). It is the center of Tibet's politics, economy, and culture. In addition, it is also the most developed cultural and religious area in Tibet. Many of Lhasa’s main attractions, such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, are located in it.

Dagzê District

Doilungdêqên District

Damxung County

Quxu County

Nyemo County

Lhunzhub County

Maizhokunggar County

Elevation & Altitude of Major Attractions in Lhasa

Potala Palace - 3700 meters above sea level

Potala Palace is located on Maburi Mountain (Red Mountain) at an altitude of 3,700 meters northwest of Lhasa, with a building height of 117 meters, so it is the highest altitude in Lhasa. Generally, we arrange for tourists to visit the Potala Palace on the second or third day after arriving in Tibet, which is the most beneficial for tourists to adapt to the highland climate. In the Potala Palace, you can not only see a large number of historical relics collected in the palace, admire the wonderful architectural art of the Tibetan people, but also carry out a soul baptism in that holy atmosphere.

Jokhang Temple - 3650 meters above sea level

Built more than 1,300 years ago by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, Jokhang Temple is the holiest temple in Tibet and the center of Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang Temple is located in the center of Lhasa's old city at an altitude of 3,650 meters, and the temple buildings are not high, so many people take Jokhang Temple as the first attraction to visit Lhasa.

Barkhor Street - 3650 meters above sea level

Barkhor Street, like the Jokhang Temple, is located in the heart of Lhasa's old town, at an altitude of 3,650 meters. Barkhor Street is the street outside the outer walls of the Jokhang Temple, and it is also a famous prayer transfer road and commercial center of Lhasa, known by Tibetans as the "Holy Road". This street is also the street where tourists can feel the unique atmosphere of Lhasa the most after coming to Lhasa, and it is also convenient for tourists to buy Lhasa tourist souvenirs here.

Drepung Monastery - 3800 meters above sea level

Drepung Monastery, located at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Pi Uz in the western suburbs of Lhasa, is the largest temple in the world and the main temple of the Gelug school. The entire temple is large in scale, with white buildings stretching across the hillside, looking like huge piles of rice. Generally, you can visit after a day of rest in Lhasa.

Sera Monastery - 3700 meters above sea level

Sera Monastery, located at the southern foot of Mount Sera Uz, 3 kilometers north of Lhasa, is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, and is the latest of the three major monasteries to be built. Sera Monastery is about 3,700 meters above sea level, slightly higher than Lhasa. Getting here requires hiking up the mountain, so it is generally recommended not to go to Sera Monastery immediately after arriving in Lhasa, and to visit it after you have basically adapted to the altitude of Lhasa.

Ganden Monastery - 3800 meters above sea level

Ganden Monastery, one of the "Three Great Temples", is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level at the summit of Mount Wangur and Mount Gomba and is the first monastery of the Gelug school. The temple contains many cultural relics from the Ming Dynasty, including more than 90 spiritual pagodas that preserve the remains of Tsongkhapa and Ganden Tripa. Like Sera Monastery, getting to Ganden Monastery requires a long hike and it is recommended to get used to the altitude of Lhasa.

Norbulingka - 3650 meters above sea level

Norbulingka is a Tibetan-style garden, the summer palace corresponding to the Potala Palace, a place to spend the summer, so it is also known as the "Summer Palace of Lhasa". The scenery in the garden is pleasant, and there are many kinds of plants and flowers, just like a "paradise" in Lhasa. There are more than 300 houses in the garden, which is a large and extremely exquisite garden in the history of Tibet. Since the garden is located on Luoluo East Road in Lhasa's Chengguan District, the altitude is the same as Lhasa, so it is very suitable for visiting on the first day after arriving in Lhasa.

Jokhang Temple - 3650 meters above sea level

Located on Jokhang Road north of Beijing Road in Lhasa, Jokhang Temple was built in 641 AD by Princess Wencheng. Although the scale and reputation are not as good as the Jokhang Temple, it has a special flavor. Jokhang Temple imitates the Han and Tang Dynasty style and integrates the characteristics of Sino-Tibetan architecture.

In Conclusion

At 3,650 meters above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. Although most of the attractions in Lhasa are at 3,650 meters above sea level, you don't have to worry too much about the altitude. As an experienced travel agency, all the itineraries offered on our website have been carefully designed to not let your trip to Tibet be bothered by high anti-corruption.