Lhasa is the capital of the Xizang Autonomous Region, located in the southwestern part of China, in the central Tibetan Plateau, to the north of the Himalayas. It sits in the middle reaches of the Lhasa River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River, with a valley plain at an altitude of 3,650 meters. It is one of the highest cities in the world. The city is rich in various resources, with predominantly clear weather throughout the year, little rainfall, mild winters, and moderate summers. The annual sunshine duration exceeds 3,000 hours, earning it the nickname “City of Sunlight.”
With a history of over 1,300 years, Lhasa has long been the political, economic, and cultural center of Xizang. In 1982, it was listed as one of the first 24 national historic and cultural cities by the Chinese government. Lhasa is home to numerous cultural and historical sites, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s rich tourism resources include 36 A-level scenic spots, famous for their beautiful landscapes, long history, and unique customs. Lhasa boasts unparalleled high-altitude natural scenery, integrating snow-capped mountains, holy lakes, glaciers, wetlands, and meadows, such as Namtso Lake (one of Xizang’s three sacred lakes), the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain (one of the three holy mountains), the Lhalu Wetland Nature Reserve, and the Yangbajing geothermal hot springs. As an international tourist city with highland and ethnic characteristics, Lhasa is one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists.