Capital of the Autonomous Region of Xizang (Tibet)
Lhasa (Tibetan 5 ''Place of the Gods'') is also known by the name ''City of Sun'', because it is situated high on the Tibetan plateau, the ''Roof of the World'', which is very well favored by the sun. Lhasa lies on the banks
of the river of the same name (Lasahe; Kyichu) in the south of Tibet.
Lhasa's airport lies 120km/75mi outside the city.
Lhasa's history begins with Tibet's first king, Songtsen Gampo, (ruled 620-649), who moved here and had a fortress erected where later the Potala Palace stood. Since then, the town has been the main political and religious center of Tibet, a position heavily fought over with Shigatse. The foundation of the town coincided with the birth of Tibetan Buddhism. After becoming Songtsen Gambo's third wife, the Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti, a Buddhist, founded Jokhang, the oldest temple in town. The importance of this building and of Buddhism further increased, when the Chinese Princess Wen Chang came to the court as Songtsen's fourth wife. Under the great reformer, Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the Drepung Monastery outside Lhasa became the main seat of Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism), and here, too, the institution of the Dalai Lama began. Lhasa kept its historic appearance until the military intervention of Chinese troops in 1959 who forced the 14th Dalai Lama to flee. Apart from a few places such as the Potala Palace and the last remaining parts of the old town around the Jokhang, the town today resembles any other provincial Chinese town.
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