Lhasa, Tibet

Well, I don't know for how long I have dreamt of the land of Tibet, of seeing the Potala Palace with my own eyes, and of experiencing the magical spiritual home of the Dalai Lama...... and after 5 days of travel from Kathmandu, we arrive in Lhasa.

I have read extensively about the Tibetan political situation, but nothing could have prepared me for just how far the Chinese had taken cultural genocide in Tibet.

For a Tibetan city, Lhasa looks very Chinese. Worryingly Chinese. Like there is no Tibet left. The Potala Palace is perched in the middle of a sprawling Chinese business district, and at the base of the Palace, the Chinese have thoughtfully put in a Tienanmen-style square. On the highest point of the Potala sits a Chinese flag. I know it sounds bad, but it really is bad. This is not Tibet, this is China.

For a more candid look at the political situation in Tibet, the feel of the place and some impressions, please have a look here.

In the Tibetan quarter of Lhasa, the Jokhang Temple appears to be one of the last vestiges of "real" Tibetan Buddhist culture left- in Lhasa, at least. And it has that amazing spiritual energy I came to Tibet for.