Location:Lhasa(拉萨) is located in central Tibet plateau and north of the Himalayas with an altitude 3650 meters.
Population: 559,400
Area: 29,518 square kilometers
Nationalities: Zang, Han
History: Lhasa has a history of 1,300 years and it is one of the State Council announced the first batch of 24 historical and cultural cities. The early 7th century, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gambo moved the capital from the Yalong valley here. Sure enough, the Tubo Kingdom gradually grown strong under the command of Songtsen Gambo. Along with Princess Wencheng, Nepal Bhrikuti and Princess Jincheng got married with Tibetan King, foreign advanced culture and technology were introduced into Tibet. And then the Tubo became more prosperous.
In 1644, the Qing Dynasty occupied the Central Plains and unified the country, and gradually establish a rule for Tibet. From the 17th century to the 18th century, from the period of the fifth Dalai Lama to the eighth Dalai Lama, the Tibetan politics is relative stable and the society is relative peace. Lhasa urban development is relatively fast.
In May 1951, People's Liberation Army took over Lhasa. In 1960, the city of Lhasa was formally established.
Climate: The climate of Lhasa is semi-arid plateau temperate monsoon climate. The annual sunshine hours are 3000 hours which is 1800 hours longer than that of Chengdu, Sichuan and 1100 hours longer than China's largest city Shanghai. Lhasa is among the best in the various cities in China, it is has got the reputation of "Solar City".
Historical maximum temperature of Lhasa was 29.6 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperature was minus 16.5 degrees Celsius, the average temperature is 7.4 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is concentrated in June, July, August and September.
Lhasa has strong solar radiation, thin air and low temperatures. Between day and night, Lhasa has large temperature difference. The winter and spring are cold, dry and windy. Frost-free period is 100 to 120 days.
Transportation: Air-Lhasa Gongga Airport is located in Gongga County, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of the urban area of Lhasa. There are many round-trip flights between Chengdu and Lhasa, passengers are advised to go to Lhasa from Chengdu transit.
Railway- Lhasa railway station is located southwest of the Lhasa city, about more than 3600 meters above sea level. A taxi from the train station to the city probably costs around 20 yuan.
Highway- Currently, tourists can take direct bus to Lhasa from Golmud in Qinghai and Yecheng in Xinjiang. If you starts from Yunnan, Sichuan and other cities, you need to change buses to get to Lhasa.
Specialties: Saffron
Local Food: buttered tea, yougurt
![]() Lhasa Nightlife | ![]() Lhasa shopping | ![]() Lhasa Transportation |
![]() Lhasa Attractions | ![]() Lhasa Climate | ![]() Lhasa Dining |

