As the "Roof of the World," Tibet has long been a favored destination for tourists from around the world.Locked in by towering mountains, Tibet on the southwestern border lies in the main part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the highest in the world, at an average altitude of 4,000 meters. Set up as an autonomous region in 1965, it has an area of more than 1.2 million square kilometers

The mysterious Buddhist holy place was hidden from the outside world for thousands of years. For adventurers and traders it was a legendary land of treasure and riches.

Potala Palace, situated on the Hongshan Hill in Lhasa, means "the Sacred Palace of Buddhism" in Sanskrit. It was built in the 7th century by king Songtsan Gambo for his bride, the princess Wen Cheng of Han nationality, and was enlarged and renovated by the successive Da1ais. The 13 story palace, 117 metres high, 360 metres east-west, with an area of 130,000 square metres was constructed completey by stone and wood. It includes temple, seminary, chanting hal1, domitory, mouming hall and yard. The eight mouming halls house the stupas of seveal Dalai Lamas, which are covered with gold 1eaf and studded with jewels. Enormous precious histrical relics and frescos on various themes are kept in the building. Potala Pa1ace was the winter residence of Dalai Lamas. The imposing

grand building was constructed on the slope of the hill, which demonstrates a combined style of T1betan and Han architecture.

To pilgrims, the first place of visit is Jokhang temple because it is the very center for Buddhists and Lhasa got its name due to her. It was also built in 7th century for the place of Holy statue of Lord Buddha. You could also buy some small souvenirs in Barchor Bazaar circling the temple after the visit. Here you could see some very religious people prostrating countless on the ground.

Yamdrok Lake is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90 km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is 100 km to the northwest. According to local mythology, Yamdok Yumtso lake is the transformation of a goddess.