Tibet is filled with breathtaking scenery and sacred landmarks that leave a lasting impression on every visitor. It attracts millions of travelers each year to admire its world-topping natural beauty and old religious culture.
In this guide, we've listed 10 of the most beautiful places to visit in Tibet, ranked roughly by their distance from Lhasa, to help you plan your journey more easily.
1. Potala Palace – Most Spectacular Palace in Tibet
Potala PalaceThe Potala Palace is the most magnificent Tibetan-style palace in all of Tibet. It is also one of the few ancient architectural complexes that perfectly preserved through the centuries. Perched on a mountain in the Lhasa city, it rises high above the city, and the red and white walls contrast beautifully with the blue sky and green hills, creating a view that feels both majestic and sacred.
Inside the palace, you can explore a world of spiritual art and history. There are over one hundred thousand precious relics, from golden Buddha statues to exquisite thangka paintings and bronze figures.
Many of these treasures come not only from Tibet but also from ancient China, Nepal, and India, showing the deep cultural exchange that shaped Tibetan Buddhism. With a local guide, you'll learn how this magnificent palace once served as both a spiritual center and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.
The square in front of the palace is the best spot to take photos of its full view. Travel with us, and we can help you to take memorable pictures with traditional Tibetan clothes with the palace in the background.
Tip: Tickets for the Potala Palace must be reserved in advance and are released in limited time slots each day.
Travel with us, we'll take care of all ticket bookings and itinerary arrangements for you, and you can focus on enjoying your time in Tibet without any stress. See our 4-Day Lhasa Highlights Private Tour.
2. Jokhang Temple – Most Sacred Temple in Tibet
Pilgrims at Jokhang TempleJokhang Temple is the most sacred place in Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Many Tibetans say that Lhasa exists because of this temple. The golden roofs shimmer under the bright plateau sun, and the red-and-white walls stand quietly against the blue sky. The air is filled with the fragrance of burning incense, creating a sense of peace that makes visitors slow down and breathe more softly.
Inside the temple, the light of countless butter lamps dances on ancient murals and Buddha statues, telling stories that span over a thousand years. Outside, you will see pilgrims who have come from every corner of Tibet, some walking in circles with prayer wheels, others performing full-body prostrations on the ground. Walking here, you can feel the living faith that still shapes everyday life in Lhasa.
Located in the heart of Lhasa, just a short drive from the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple is best visited together with Barkhor Street for an immersive cultural experience.
3. Lake Yamdrok – Most Popular Lake in Tibet
Lake YamdrokLake Yamdrok is the most popular lake in Tibet, and the closest lake to Lhasa. Among lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok is known for its soft and graceful beauty.
Its turquoise water winds gently through the brown mountains, shining under the highland sun like a long piece of silk. When clouds pass or the light changes, the lake shifts from jade green to deep sapphire, showing a dozen shades of blue in one lake.
Here, you can watch yaks grazing by the shore, spot flocks of seagulls gliding over the water, or hold a baby lamb for a photo. The best views are from the Gambala Pass, where you can see the entire lake stretch beneath the snow peaks.
Many travelers love to sit by the shore, simply watching the lake sparkle and change its mood with the light. If you travel with us, we can prepare a peaceful picnic for you to enjoy your time and beauty of the lake.
Yamdrok is the easiest of Tibet's holy lakes to reach, only about two hours from Lhasa. It's perfect for a day trip, or you can continue toward Shigatse and visit the Karola Glacier on the way. See our 5-Day Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour.
4. Lake Namtso – Highest Big Lake in the World
Lake NamtsoLake Namtso is one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. It is known as the "Heavenly Lake" for its vast, mirror-like surface that stretches so far it feels more like an ocean than a lake.
When sunlight hits the water, the whole lake glows in layers of blue, framed by the snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains under the endless sky. Standing here, you can truly feel the grandeur and purity of the Tibetan plateau.
At Namtso, you can walk along the quiet shoreline and watch the wind ripple across the crystal water. You will see colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, adding a sacred touch to the wild beauty around you. Compared with Yamdrok, Namtso is more vast and powerful, giving you a deeper sense of nature's immensity.
Because of the long distance from Lhasa (about a 4–5 hour drive away), we suggest to set aside a full day for the trip. For a slower pace, consider staying overnight in Damxung County near the lake and enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the lake before returning to Lhasa the next day.
Check more information in our Namtso Lake Travel Guide.
5. Nyingchi Peach Blossom Valley – Most Beautiful Spring in Tibet
Nyingchi Peach BlossomAlthough peach blossoms can be found in many places, they are especially beautiful in Nyingchi against the contrast of blue sky, snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands and rivers.
When spring arrives in Tibet, nowhere feels more magical than Nyingchi. The valleys here explode into pink and white as peach blossoms cover the hillsides, glowing softly under the snow-capped mountains. The air is fresh and fragrant, the rivers shimmer in the sunlight, and the whole landscape feels alive again after a long winter.
The most stunning views are in Bomi's Peach Blossom Valley — the largest in China. Picture endless rows of peach trees blending with golden rapeseed fields, dotted with traditional Tibetan houses and framed by distant peaks. On clear days, the mighty Mount Namcha Barwa appears in the distance, making the scene look like something out of a dream.
Plan to spend at least two or three days in Nyingchi so you can wait out cloudy weather and catch the blossoms at their best. The bloom usually peaks from mid-March to mid-April, when the entire valley turns into a soft, romantic sea of color.
6. Lulang Forest – Most Beautiful Forest in Tibet
Lulang ForestLulang Forest is also in Nyingchi area, and it feels like stepping into a Tibetan version of the Swiss Alps. The forest stretches across the mountain slopes, with layers of shrubs, pines, and spruces climbing higher and higher toward the peaks.
In the distance, mist often drifts between the ridges, wrapping the upper forest and peaks in soft clouds. At lower altitudes, you'll find open meadows, winding streams, and scattered villages, together forming a peaceful and picturesque idyllic scenery.
Known as the "Switzerland of the East", Lulang Forest lies about 2 hours' drive from Nyingchi. If you're planning a trip to Nyingchi, it's well worth adding this breathtaking forest to your itinerary.
Next to the forest sits Lulang Town, a peaceful resort area with several fine hotels. Spending a night here is a great way to unwind. You'll wake up to birdsong, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and enjoy a rare sense of calm far from the noise of the city.
7. Laigu Glacier – Most Beautiful Glacier in Tibet
Laigu GlacierLaigu Glacier is one of the most beautiful and photographed glaciers in Tibet, best known for its surreal blue ice. Here, layers of deep-blue ice gleam under the sunlight, and the frozen surface reflects the surrounding snow peaks like a mirror.
With a local guide, you can explore its blue ice caves, where the translucent walls of crystal-clear ice shimmer like sapphire glass. It's one of the most magical sights you can experience in Tibet.
The best time to visit is winter (November to March), when the blue ice caves are visible and open to visitors. During the rest of the year, only patches of floating ice remain on the lake.
8. Tashilhunpo Monastery – Most Beautiful Temple in Shigatse
Tashilhunpo MonasteryLocated in Shigatse, about a seven-hour drive from Lhasa, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the largest and most famous monastery in the region. With a knowledgeable local guide, you'll be able to truly appreciate its deep history, unique architecture, and the spiritual meaning behind each wall painting and statue.
The monastery sits on a hillside, its red-and-white walls and golden roofs rising in layers to form a magnificent sight that often reminds visitors of the Potala Palace. Yet, Tashilhunpo feels quieter and more local.
Inside the temple stands the world's largest gilded bronze Buddha statue. The stupa holding the body of a Panchen Lama is covered with gold and decorated with countless gems, showing the monastery's grandeur and deep reverence.
As you walk through its narrow alleys, sunlight and shadow intertwined on the walls, monks in crimson robes pass by in small groups, and the soft murmurs of pilgrims chanting prayers fill the air. We suggest visiting the temple in the afternoon to see the gentle sunlight and watch monks having their evening chanting at around 18:00.
If you're planning to visit Everest Base Camp, you'll stay in Shigatse on the way. It's well worth spending some time here to explore this remarkable monastery.
9. Everest Base Camp – See the Highest Peak of the World
Mt. Everest Base CampSeeing Mount Everest with your own eyes is a dream for many travelers, and Everest Base Camp (EBC) is the closest place ordinary visitors can reach without a climbing permit. From Everest Base Camp, the world's tallest mountain towers above you, snow-capped and dazzling, with its sheer scale making every other peak around look tiny.
You can visit Rongbuk Monastery—the highest monastery on earth—spend a night near the mountain's foot, and watch the stars, sunrise, and sunset over Everest's snowcapped summit. On clear nights, the Milky Way often spreads across the sky, creating an unforgettable view.
The Everest Base Camp lies in Tingri County of Shigatse, about a 12-hour drive from Lhasa. If you start from Lhasa, we recommend planning at least 8 days for the journey. See our 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour.
If you're dreaming of reaching the foot of the world's highest mountain, contact us and make your Everest dream come true!
10. Mount Kailash – Most Sacred Pilgrimage Mountain in Tibet
Mt. KailashRising majestically from the vast Ngari plateau, Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred mountains in Asia. Its snow-capped peak shaped like a diamond, surrounded by countless colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
The beauty of Kailash lies not only in its stunning landscape but also in the deep faith it inspires. Unlike Mount Everest, visitors come here not only for sightseeing, but also for spiritual peace. For Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists, this snow-capped peak is believed to be the center of the world and the home of the gods.
The traditional pilgrimage, known as kora, circles the mountain in a 52-kilometer loop that usually takes 2–3 days. Along the way, you may meet pilgrims performing full-body prostrations, showing their incredible devotion and endurance.
The mountain lies in the remote Ngari region of western Tibet, about 1,200 kilometers (more than 20 hours by road) from Lhasa. Due to the remoteness and challenging transportation, if you plan to visit Mount Kailash for sightseeing or pilgrimage, we recommend setting aside at least 14 days, including 3 days in Lhasa for acclimatization and 3 days for the kora trek.
Whether you come for faith or for the breathtaking landscape, this sacred mountain offers one of the most powerful travel experiences in Tibet. Check out our 14-Day Tibet Tour including Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
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