Long journey back to Lhasa
After breakfast, we began our long journey back to Lhasa (about 4.5 hour drive) travelling along the China–Nepal Highway and through the vast Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley. It was one of those drives where you simply sit back, gaze out the window, and let the landscape do the talking.
This post is part of our 13-day Tibet journey, documenting each day of our journey across Nyingchi, Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. Read the full itinerary here.
We arrived in Lhasa by early afternoon and checked in to Shangri-La Lhasa. Since we didn’t have much time to explore Barkhor Street earlier in the trip, we asked our guide if we could return for some shopping. Given that we had arrived early, we were given a choice – rest at the hotel or head straight out again. In the end, the answer was obvious: we were heading back to Barkhor Street.
Barkhor Street, Lhasa
Barkhor Street felt noticeably busier this time, buzzing with pilgrims, locals, and travellers alike. We joined the steady flow of people circling Jokhang Temple for another kora, soaking in the energy of the place before starting our souvenir hunt.
Our souvenir loots included fridge magnets, Tibetan prayer wheel keychains, prayer flags and a Thangka to bring home. Just to clarify: my Thangka is printed, not hand-drawn. Authentic hand-painted Thangkas can cost thousands of dollars, and while this one may not be an original, it still holds special meaning as a reminder of this journey.
A Must Try: A Diao Milk Tea (阿刁奶茶)
Quick tip: if you’re a bubble tea or milk tea fan, you do not want to miss A Diao Milk Tea (阿刁奶茶). I first tried yak milk tea in Yunnan and loved it, so when I spotted A Diao near Barkhor Street, I knew I had to try it. To my delight, it tasted just as good – rich, creamy, and comforting in the high-altitude chill.
After shopping, we returned to the hotel for a buffet dinner but the day wasn’t over yet. In the evening, we had a special arrangement that felt like the perfect way to end our time in Tibet: a night visit to Potala Palace Square.
Potala Palace at Night
Seeing Potala Palace after dark was an entirely different experience from daytime. Illuminated against the night sky, the palace felt even more majestic, and standing there, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of awe. It was a fitting and unforgettable way to end our time in Tibet.
Hence, this marked the end of our stay in Tibet. Tomorrow, we would board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and journey onward to Xining, carrying with us lasting memories of just how beautiful and sacred Tibet truly is.
Continue reading: Day 11: Riding the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Lhasa to Xining