A day in Lhasa

The Chinese have created rules for “Independent Travelers” that restrict the ability to travel within Tibet. We found out that the travel company who arranged your entry permit must organize travel requiring a permit anywhere in Tibet. That meant that we were left with FIT- the new branch of CITS (or as we termed them, “F----ing Independent Travelers”. We had hoped to go with our guide outside Lhasa, but no luck. We decided to spend our last few days in Lhasa shopping and relaxing.

We started with our pilgrimage around the Barkhor.

The streets were filled with pilgrims making the loop around the Jokhang, spinning their prayer wheels and chanting, street vendors selling everything from plastic pails to fake antiques.

We took a few back roads to visit the Mani Lhakhang, a small chapel with the mother of all prayer wheels inside. Next to it was the Jamkhang with a two-story statue of Maitreya (Future Buddha).