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L
H A S A
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@exotic.T
I B E T
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| Situated 3683 m above sea level,
Lhasa has long been the political and spiritual capital of Tibet.
The centre of the city is occupied by a four-story temple of Gtsug-lag-khang,
built in the mid-7th century AD and considered the holiest in Tibet.
It was temporarily converted into a guesthouse by the Chinese after
1951, but restoration of its artistic and architectural heritage began
in 1972-75, and its religious functions were restored in 1979. Other
city landmarks include the temple of Klu-khang; the Potala Palace,
once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama; and the former summer
palace of the Dalai Lama, the Nor-bu-gling-ka (Jewel Palace), which
is now the People's Pleasure Park. The monasteries of 'Bras-spungs
(Drepung) and Se-ra, two of the largest in Tibet, have received renovation.
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| Modern Lhasa divides cleraly into
a Chinese section in the west and a Tibetan section in the east. For
travellers who have arrived from other parts of China, the Chinese
parrt of town hardbours few surprises. Nestled at the foot of the
Potala Palace and extending a copule of Kilometres westward is an
uninspired muddle of restaurants, karaoke bars, administravtive blocks
and department stores. The Tibetan part of town , which begins west
of the Jokhang temple, is altogether more colorful and the better
area to be based in . |
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