The wind is free, and so are you～

🌟 Lhasa: The Holy City Closest to Heaven!
📜 Past and Present of the Sunshine City
Standing in Potala Palace Square, with sunlight scattering like golden fragments, I suddenly remembered the words of an elderly Tibetan woman: "In Lhasa, even the sunlight has faith." This city, at an altitude of 3,650 meters, was founded during the reign of Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and is the sacred land of Tibetan Buddhism. For over 1,300 years, the footsteps of pilgrims have never ceased—they circle the Barkhor Street, prostrate at Jokhang Temple, measuring the distance to their faith in the most devout way.

🏯 Temples of Faith
1️⃣ **Potala Palace**
Builder: Songtsen Gampo
Story: The world's highest-altitude palace was initially built by Songtsen Gampo to welcome Princess Wencheng. The white and red palaces shine in harmony. When I reached the rooftop platform, I held my breath—golden roofs glimmered before me, prayer flags fluttered, and I suddenly understood why Tibetans say, "Here, you can reach out and touch heaven."
Tip: Advance booking is required. Mornings are ideal, as sunlight perfectly illuminates the red palace walls.

2️⃣ **Jokhang Temple**
Sacred Treasure: The 12-year-old life-sized statue of Sakyamuni
Story: The statue brought by Princess Wencheng made Jokhang Temple the most important temple in Tibetan Buddhism. At dawn, amid the circling pilgrims, I saw a young man prostrating—his forehead calloused, yet he rose again and again. A butter vendor named Drolma told me, "They're not bowing to the statue; they're seeking the light within."

3️⃣ **Barkhor Street**
Unique Experience: Walk three circles with the pilgrims
One evening, as I joined the pilgrims, an elderly grandmother suddenly grabbed my hand. Though she spoke no Mandarin, she insisted on giving me a piece of tsampa. Later, I learned this was the Tibetans' simplest blessing for travelers. In the old Tibetan houses along Barkhor Street, thangka painters meticulously outline the eyes of the Buddha, each stroke carrying a thousand-year legacy.

4️⃣ **Sera Monastery**
Highlight: Monk Debates
Every Wednesday afternoon, the debate courtyard echoes with clapping. Red-robed monks question and respond passionately—even without understanding Tibetan, you’re moved by the intellectual fervor. A young monk whispered that losers must treat others to sweet tea, their happiest "punishment."

5️⃣ **Norbulingka**
Historical Glimpse: The Dalai Lama's Summer Palace
Walking through Tibet’s largest artificial garden, I met a gardener tying khata scarves to ancient trees. He said these trees were transported from India, each blessed with prayers. The palace murals, still vibrant, depict Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, reminding me of the sand mandalas at Drepung Monastery—even the most dazzling creations return to a handful of sand.

Lhasa’s magic lies in making you believe: some things reach farther than eternity.