Chakpori Hill

Introducing Chakpori Hill
Chagpori Hills is a sacred hill in the city of Lhasa in Tibet. The hill is in the south of the Potala and just to the left when one is facing the Potala which is the best place to take photos of Potala. Chakpori Hill is considered to be one of the four holy mountains of central Tibet.

Chakpori Hill Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Yao Wang Shan 药王山
• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Rock Carvings, Buddhist Culture
• Opening Hours: All day for the hill; 07:00-19:00 for Observation Deck
• Entrance Fee: Free; CNY 2 for Observation Deck
• Address: Beijing Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet

What to expect at Chakpori Hill

Chagpori Hill was the site of the monastic medical college of the same name founded there by Sangye Gyatso in 1696. This medical college, which incorporated a recently restored temple made by Thang Tong Gyalpo, was supplied with revenue generating lands and with a constant stream of students by a “monk tax”. It remained an important medical institution in Tibet and Central Asia up until the mid-Twentieth century. During the March 1959 Lhasa uprising, the medical school and a temple housing statutes of coral , mother-of-pearl and turquoise were demolished by PLA artillery as the Tibetans had placed a few cannons up there. Chakpori Hill is now crowned by radio antennas, which has been viewed as “yet another Chinese attempt to demean the things of value to the people of Tibet.” A road has been constructed through the spur that used to connect Chagpori with the Marpori , Red Hill, on which the Potala is built.

On the east side of the Chagpori Hill was a small temple in the cave style named Palukb Temple. Situated on the hillside of the Chagpori Hill, Palukb Temple is one of the rare cave temples well preserved during the long history in Lhasa. There are 69 Buddha carving on the wall and another 66 carvings lined on each side.

Tradition has it that the three main hills of Lhasa represent the “Three Protectors of Tibet.” Chagpori Hill is the soul-mountain (bla-ri) of Vajrapani, Pongwari that of Manjushri, and Marpori, the hill on which the Potala stands, represents Chenresig or Avalokiteshvara.

How to get to Chakpori Hill
• Take bus 13, 24 or 34 to Yaowangshan Caishichang Station; take bus 8, 17, 26, 35 or L2 to Baita Station.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lhasa to Chakpori Hill.

Additional travel advice on Chakpori Hill
• Chakpori Hill is always crowded, especially in the morning. If you would like to take photographs of Potala Palace, please go to the Observation Deck early and take care.
• Sunglasses and sun cream are always needed to protect from the sunburn and strong ultraviolet radiation in the daytime.