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== Architecture and cityscape == {{main|Architecture of Lhasa}} [[File:Potala Palace, August 2009.jpg|thumb|The [[Potala Palace]]]] Lhasa has many sites of historic interest, including the [[Potala Palace]], [[Jokhang Temple]], [[Sera Monastery]] and [[Norbulingka]]. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Norbulingka are UNESCO world heritage sites.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/707 |title=Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa |publisher=unesco |access-date=10 February 2008}} In the surrounding prefecture of Lhasa are [[Sera Monastery]] and its many hermitages, many of which overlook Lhasa from the northern hill valleys and [[Drepung Monastery]], amongst many others of historical importance.</ref> However, many important sites were damaged or destroyed mostly, but not solely, during China's [[Cultural Revolution]] of the 1960s.<ref>Bradley Mayhew and Michael Kohn. ''Tibet''. 6th Edition (2005), pp. 36–37. Lonely Planet. {{ISBN|1-74059-523-8}}</ref><ref>Keith Dowman. ''The Power-Places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide'', (1988) pp. 8–13. Routledge & Kegan Paul, Ltd., London and New York. {{ISBN|0-7102-1370-0}}.</ref><ref>Laird, Thomas. (2006). ''The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama'', pp. 345–351.Grove Press, New York. {{ISBN|978-0-8021-1827-1}}.</ref> Many have been restored since the 1980s. The [[Potala Palace]], named after Mount Potala, the abode of [[Chenresig]] or [[Avalokitesvara]],<ref>Stein, R. A. ''Tibetan Civilization'' (1962). Translated into English with minor revisions by the author. 1st English edition by Faber & Faber, London (1972). Reprint: Stanford University Press (1972), p. 84</ref> was the chief residence of the [[Dalai Lama]]. After the [[14th Dalai Lama]] fled to [[India]] during the [[1959 Tibetan uprising]], the government converted the palace into a museum. The site was used as a [[meditation]] retreat by King [[Songtsen Gampo]], who in 637 built the first palace there in order to greet his bride [[Princess Wen Cheng]] of the [[Tang dynasty]] of China. [[Lozang Gyatso, 5th Dalai Lama|Lozang Gyatso]], the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645<ref name="Laird, Thomas 2006 pp. 175"/> after one of his spiritual advisers, Konchog Chophel (d. 1646), pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated as it is between [[Drepung]] and [[Sera Monastery|Sera]] monasteries and the old city of Lhasa.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The palace underwent restoration works between 1989 and 1994, costing RMB55 million (US$6.875 million) and was inscribed to the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1994. [[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 135-S-12-09-14, Tibetexpedition, Wirtschaftsgebäude des Potala.jpg|thumb|left|Inner and outer [[Zhol Village]] as seen from the [[Potala Palace]] in 1938.]] The [[Lhasa Zhol Pillar]], below the Potala, dates as far back as circa 764 CE.<ref>Richardson (1985), p. 2.</ref> and is inscribed with what may be the oldest known example of Tibetan writing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631214816_chunk_g978063121481622_ss1-17 |title=Tibetan writing |last=Coulmas |first=Florian |year=1999 |publisher=Blackwell Reference Online |access-date=20 October 2009}}</ref> The pillar contains dedications to a famous Tibetan general and gives an account of his services to the king including campaigns against China which culminated in the brief capture of the Chinese capital [[Chang'an]] (modern [[Xi'an]]) in 763 CE<ref>Snellgrove and Richardson (1995), p. 91.</ref> during which the Tibetans temporarily installed as Emperor a relative of Princess Jincheng Gongzhu (Kim-sheng Kong co), the Chinese wife of [[Trisong Detsen]]'s father, [[Me Agtsom]].<ref>Richardson (1984), p. 30.</ref><ref>Beckwith (1987), p. 148.</ref> [[File:Tibet-5540 (2624909770).jpg|thumb|[[Norbulingka]]]] [[Chokpori]], meaning 'Iron Mountain', is a [[sacred]] [[hill]], located south of the Potala. It is considered to be one of the four holy mountains of central Tibet and along with two other hills in Lhasa represent the "Three Protectors of Tibet.", Chokpori ([[Vajrapani]]), Pongwari ([[Manjushri]]), and Marpori ([[Chenresig]] or [[Avalokiteshvara]]).<ref name="Stein, R. A. 1972 p. 228">Stein, R. A. (1972). ''Tibetan Civilization'', p. 228. Translated by J. E. Stapleton Driver. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. {{ISBN|0-8047-0806-1}} (cloth); {{ISBN|0-8047-0901-7}} (paper).</ref> It was the site of the most famous [[medical school]] Tibet, known as the [[Mentsikhang]], which was founded in 1413. It was conceived of by [[Lobsang Gyatso]], the "Great" 5th Dalai Lama, and completed by the Regent [[Sangye Gyatso]] (Sangs-rgyas rgya-mtsho)<ref name="Dowman, Keith 1988 p. 49">Dowman, Keith. (1988). ''The Power-Places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide'', p. 49. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., London. {{ISBN|0-7102-1370-0}}.</ref> shortly before 1697. [[Lingkhor]] is a [[sacred]] path, most commonly used to name the outer [[pilgrim]] road in Lhasa matching its inner twin, Barkhor. The Lingkhor in Lhasa was {{convert|8|km|mi}} long enclosing Old Lhasa, the Potala and [[Chokpori]] hill. In former times it was crowded with men and women covering its length in [[prostration]]s, [[beggar]]s and [[pilgrim]]s approaching the city for the first time. The road passed through willow-shaded parks where the Tibetans used to [[picnic]] in summer and watch open air operas on festival days. New Lhasa has obliterated most of Lingkhor, but one stretch still remains west of Chokpori. [[File:Jokhang Square, the first destination or drop-off for most tourists.jpg|thumb|left|Jokhang Square]] [[File:Old Barkhor street.jpg|thumb|Old Barkhor street, 1993.]] The [[Norbulingka]] palace and surrounding park is situated in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance to the southwest of Potala Palace and with an area of around {{convert|36|ha|acre}}, it is considered to be the largest man made garden in Tibet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tibetctrip.com/lhasa-attractions-tours/norbulinka-palace-the-treasure-park.html |title=Norbulingka Palace |publisher=Tibet Tours |access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name=China>{{cite web |url=http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/Scenery95bye384.html |title=Norbulingka |access-date=23 May 2010 |publisher=Cultural China |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719220250/http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/Scenery95bye384.html |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> It was built from 1755.<ref name="Tibet71">Tibet (1986), p.71</ref> and served as the traditional summer residence of the successive [[Dalai Lama]]s until the 14th's self-imposed exile. Norbulingka was declared a 'National Important Cultural Relic Unit", in 1988 by the State council. In 2001, the Central Committee of the Chinese Government in its 4th Tibet Session resolved to restore the complex to its original glory. The [[Sho Dun Festival]] (popularly known as the "yogurt festival") is an annual festival held at Norbulingka during the seventh Tibetan month in the first seven days of the [[Full Moon]] period, which corresponds to dates in July/August according to the [[Gregorian calendar]]. The [[Barkhor]] is an area of narrow streets and a public square in the old part of the city located around [[Jokhang Temple]] and was the most popular devotional circumambulation for pilgrims and locals. The walk was about one kilometre ({{convert|1|km|1|abbr=off|disp=output only}}) long and encircled the entire [[Jokhang]], the former seat of the [[Nechung Oracle|State Oracle]] in Lhasa called the [[Muru Nyingba Monastery]], and a number of nobles' houses including [[Tromzikhang]] and [[Jamkhang]]. There were four large incense burners (''sangkangs'') in the four cardinal directions, with incense burning constantly, to please the gods protecting the Jokhang.<ref>Dowman, Keith (1998). ''The Power-Places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide'', pp. 40–41. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London and New York. {{ISBN|0-7102-1370-0}}.</ref> Most of the old streets and buildings have been demolished in recent times and replaced with wider streets and new buildings. Some buildings in the Barkhor were damaged in the 2008 unrest.<ref name="The EconomistWeekInTibet">{{cite news |last=Philip |first=Bruno |title=Trashing the Beijing road |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=19 March 2008 |url=http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10875823 |access-date=3 February 2010}}</ref> [[File:Ramoche-Tempel Schuh 2007.JPG|thumb|left|Ramoche Temple]] The [[Jokhang]] is located on Barkhor Square in the old town section of Lhasa. For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is presently controlled by the [[Gelug]] school. Along with the [[Potala Palace]], it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It is part of the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace," and a spiritual centre of Lhasa. This temple has remained a key center of [[Buddhist]] [[pilgrimage]] for centuries. The circumambulation route is known as the "kora" in Tibetan and is marked by four large stone incense burners placed at the corners of the temple complex. The Jokhang temple is a four-story construction, with roofs covered with [[gilded]] [[bronze]] tiles. The [[architecture|architectural]] style is based on the Indian [[vihara]] design, and was later extended resulting in a blend of [[Nepal]]ese and [[Tang dynasty]] styles. It possesses the statues of [[Chenresig]], [[Padmasambhava]] and King [[Songtsen Gampo|Songtsan Gampo]] and his two foreign brides, Princess [[Wen Cheng]] (niece of [[Emperor Taizong of Tang]]) and Princess [[Bhrikuti]] of [[Nepal]] and other important items.<ref name="Yuan Kunga Li 2014 p. 171">{{cite book | last1=Yuan | first1=H. | last2=Kunga | first2=A. | last3=Li | first3=B. | title=Tibetan Folktales | publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing | series=World Folklore Series | year=2014 | isbn=979-8-216-15591-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PQbJEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT171 | language=es | access-date=2024-03-13 | page=171}}</ref> [[Ramoche Temple]] is considered the most important temple in Lhasa after the Jokhang Temple.<ref name="Benard Moon 2000 p. 158">{{cite book | last1=Benard | first1=E. | last2=Moon | first2=B. | title=Goddesses Who Rule | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2000 | isbn=978-0-19-535294-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D50ob0i_e0MC&pg=PA158 | access-date=2024-03-13 | page=158}}</ref> Situated in the northwest of the city, it is east of the Potala and north of the Jokhang,<ref name="Dowman, Keith 1988. p. 59">Dowman, Keith. 1988. ''The Power-Places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide,'' p. 59. Routledge & Kegan Paul. London. {{ISBN|0-7102-1370-0}} (ppk).</ref> covering a total area of 4,000 square meters (almost one acre). The temple was gutted and partially destroyed in the 1960s and its famous bronze statue disappeared. In 1983 the lower part of it was said to have been found in a Lhasa rubbish tip, and the upper half in Beijing. They have now been joined and the statue is housed in the Ramoche Temple, which was partially restored in 1986,<ref name="Dowman, Keith 1988. p. 59"/> and still showed severe damage in 1993. Following the major restoration of 1986, the main building in the temple now has three stories. [[File:Tibet Museum1.jpg|thumb|left|Tibet Museum]] [[File:Tibet Peaceful Liberation Monument, Potala Square.jpg|right|thumb|Tibet Peaceful Liberation Monument, Potala Square]] The [[Tibet Museum (Lhasa)|Tibet Museum]] in Lhasa is the official museum of the Tibet Autonomous Region and was inaugurated on 5 October 1999. It is the first large, modern museum in the Tibet Autonomous Region and has a permanent collection of around 1000 artefacts, from examples of Tibetan art to architectural design throughout history such as Tibetan doors and construction beams.<ref name="zt">{{cite web |url=http://zt.tibet.cn/english/zt/culture/20040200451384554.htm |title=The Tibet Museum |publisher=China Tibet Information Center |access-date=18 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726212012/http://zt.tibet.cn/english/zt/culture/20040200451384554.htm |archive-date=26 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="cm">{{cite web |url=http://www.chinamuseums.com/tibet.htm |title=Tibet Museum |publisher=China Museums |access-date=18 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604022604/http://www.chinamuseums.com/tibet.htm |archive-date=4 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located in an L-shaped building west of the Potala Palace on the corner of [[Norbulingkha Road]]. The museum is organized into three main sections: a main exhibition hall, a folk cultural garden and administrative offices.<ref name="zt"/> The [[Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet]] was unveiled in the Potala Square in May 2002 to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the [[Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet]], and the work in the development of the autonomous region since then. The 37-metre-high concrete monument is shaped as an abstract Mount Everest and its name is engraved with the calligraphy of former CCP general secretary and PRC president [[Jiang Zemin]], while an inscription describes the socioeconomic development experienced in Tibet in the past fifty years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xzta.gov.cn/yww/Introduction/History/4949.shtml |title=Monument to Tibet Peaceful Liberation Unveiled |publisher=China Tibet Tourism Bureau |access-date=26 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707043243/http://www.xzta.gov.cn/yww/Introduction/History/4949.shtml |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> There are four mosques in and around Lhasa. The earliest mosque, called ''Khache Lingka'', dates to 1650 and is located west of the city, and consists of two compounds.<ref name=islamicshangrila/> The [[Lhasa Great Mosque]] is the most prominent and built by the early 1700s.<ref name=islamicshangrila/> The Dokdé Mosque, north of Lhasa, has an adjacent cemetery and is dated to 1716.<ref name=islamicshangrila/> The fourth mosque, commonly known as "Small Mosque" (but also Barkor or Rapsel Alley Mosque), was built in the early 1900s.<ref name=islamicshangrila>{{Cite book |last=Atwill |first=David G. |year=2018 |title=Islamic Shangri-La:Inter-Asian Relations and Lhasa's Muslim Communities, 1600 to 1960 |edition=1 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |page=17}}</ref>
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