Potala Palace to Drak Yerpa: A Journey Through Tibet’s Sacred Sites

Even a short trip to Tibet can offer a truly unique experience. Lhasa itself is a perfect starting point for understanding Tibetan culture. Visiting the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple gave me a real sense of the region’s deep history, and I also enjoyed the energy of the pilgrims along Barkhor Street.

But what truly made this trip stand out were the day excursions outside the city.

Ganden Monastery, built along the mountainside, offers incredibly wide views. The kora route behind the monastery is peaceful and quiet, with colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, snow-capped peaks in the distance, and deep valleys below-it’s a perfect escape from the noise of daily life. Drak Yerpa was equally breathtaking, with meditation caves carved into the cliffs and hidden temples that offered a profound sense of tranquility.