Name:Lhasa (拉萨; lā sà (/la-sa/))
Meaning:"place of the gods"
Previous names:Rasa
Features
- It was originally the capital of the Tibetan Empire called the Bod Empire.
- Political, economic, cultural and religious center of Tibet
- Historic Tibetan buildings and cultural traditions are attractions.
- Rugged Himalayan Scenery
![Barkhor Street](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Main Attractions
- Potala Palace,Gandan Monastery,Jokhang Temple,Drepung Monastery,Sera Monastery.
- Most popular souvenirs and local products: Tibetan food, crafts, Tibetan rugs
- Most popular food: Tsampa (the staple composed of barley), balep (bread), thukpa (noodle soup), yak butter, yak cheese, yak yoghurt, raw meat
![Potala Palace](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
History
The city was originally the capital of the Bod Empire that once stretched from India to Mongolia.
- 618 Songtsan Gampo came to power over his small kingdom after the death of his father.
- 637 Songtsan Gampo raised the first structures for his capital of Lhasa for his empire.
- 763 Tibetan troops captured Chang'an (Xi'an).
- 1642 The Fifth Dalai Lama made Lhasa the capital of his kingdom.
- 1950 Communist troops captured the city.
Geography
- Significance of city:the historic center of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet's largest city.
- Nearby cities:Shannan(95 km/59 mi),Shigatse(245 km/152 mi)
- Municipality terrain:The city sits in a Himalayan river basin and is surrounded by high mountain ranges.
- Average altitude:3,490 meters (11,450 feet)
- Main rivers:Kyi River
Location Information
- City location:29.39N, 91.07E, in southwestern China
- Lhasa's prefecture population:(2009) 1,100,000
- Prefecture area:30,000 sq km (11,583 sq mi)
- Central city area:544 km2 (210 sq mi)
- Urban population:250,000
- City center:thePotala Palace(29.65N, 91.11E), in Chengguan District
![Tibetan People is praying](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Climate
- Average highest temperature in July:22.6 °C (72.7 °F)
- Average lowest temperature in January:-9.0 °C (15.8 °F)
- 半干旱,高海拔气候;年度precipitation is426 mm (16.8 in). The city is known for lots of sunshine and mild temperatures for such a high altitude. Oxygen levels are about 68% of that at sea level.
Transportation
- 拉萨贡嘎机场; it is 68 miles from Lhasa.
- Several highways
- 1 railway station; connected with the rest of China via Qinghai-Tibet Railway