Lhasa means "holy land" in Tibetan language. Lots of Tibetan people and visitors from home and abroad are attracted mostly because of Podala Palace and Johkang Temple, and the Buddhist rings of the brilliant golden roofs on them. The two grand and mysterious buildings are regarded as the symbols of the city Lhasa.

Podala Palace was first constructed in the 7th century. According to The New Tang book-Tubo History, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo waited to meet Princess Wencheng here to marry her and decided "a fort should be built for Princess to show pride to her accuser and a palace for her to live in. There were 999 rooms in early Podala Palace, all together 1000 rooms if adding the Qujizhopo Cave. Stricken by wars and thunderstorms, there left only two places: Qujizhopo and Pabalungkang. After the constant repair and enlargement started from the mid of the 17th century by Fifth Dalai Lama, the scale of today has formed finally.

Podala Palace is the residence for successive Dailai Lamas, symbolizing the political and religious power of old Tibet. The official documents given by Chinese Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are preserved in the Palace, and also lots of precious relics on religion, culture and arts.