Lhasa, which means the Buddha Land, is Tibet's cultural, political, and economic center. The city's 1,000-year-old spiritual and cultural heritage is evident in the splendor of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and other spectacular monuments and buildings. The natural beauty of the surroundings is unsurpassed. Visitors should keep in mind that the remote city is at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet, which may cause altitude sickness. And travelers are advised to dress warmly. Foreign visitors can only come to Tibet with authorized Chinese travel guides and must get a Tibet travel permit through an authorized travel agency 30 days prior to travel.

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