11.07.09 Potala and Jokhang

We had our reserved visiting time to Potala at noon. So, the bus took us to Potala and we entered through security checks and started climbing to the palace. Potala is the palace of Dalai Lama and perhaps because of that with limited visiting rights. After going through the allowed sections of Potala in the allowed one hour time, we went to the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, the Norbulingka.

Potala

Norbulingka was nice and there were not so many people. In Potala there were some people but probably because of the regulations it wasn't so full. After the Norbulingka, we went for lunch to the hotel. After the lunch it was time for Jokhang temple and Barkhor Square. Jokhang was filled with pushing and yelling Chinese tourists, and thus, very full. In Jokhang some of the statues were half old, half new, like everywhere.

Jokhang Temple

Tibet sure is interesting with people walking around the streets spinning their prayer wheels and wearing the traditional dresses and some women with their hair in 108 little braids, decorated with flowers. But it's sad that so many of the statues and temples have been destroyed.

Barkhor Square