Lhasa

Located at the bottom of a small basin surrounded by the Himalayas, Lhasa has an elevation of about 11,800 ft or 3,600 m and lies in the centre of the Tibetan Plateau with the surrounding mountains rising to 18,000 ft or 5,500 m. The Kyi River (or Kyi Chu), a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River, runs through the southern part of the city. This river, known to local Tibetans as the ‘merry blue waves’, flows through the snow-covered peaks and gullies of the Nyainqêntanglha mountains, extending 315 km or 196 mi, and emptying into the Yarlung Zangbo River at Qüxü, forming an area of great scenic beauty.

Lhasa is the second most populous city of the Tibetan Plateau having a population of over 550,000. The city contains many culturally significant Tibetan Buddhist sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka, many of which are located in Chengguan District—the city seat.