Yaowang Hill

Yao Wan Hill (Chakpori Hill) rises up beside of Potala Palace with the height of 3725 meters (12,221 feet).It means Chakpori Hill in Tibetan-"hill at the foot of mountain". Ascending from the winding path to the top, you will have panoramic view of landscape below and the city. By the end of 17 century temple was erected on the top of the mountain. It served as a medical school for lamas from all over the country to study traditional Tibetan medicine. Later, the temple became the Tibetan Medicine Bureau, but over time it fell into ruin. In this temple was placed a sapphire figure of Tibetan Medicine King. Thus it is call Yaowang Temple. The hill is consequently name after Yao Wang Shan.

 

Following a throng of pilgrims, you can start your pilgrimage to the top from the lane at east side of Chakpori Hill, where colorful prayer flags are decorated. The flags are dancing in the wind and seem to welcome all guests from home and abroad.

Along the way, you may see some folk sculptors engraving Buddhist Statues in different poses along the cliff. Occasionally, you will find some pilgrims exchange money for statues. They are not bought as souvenirs but as offering to the Holy hill and the Buddha which are placed by the pilgrims along the cliff and hill It has been a tradition in practice for thousand of years. when you almost come to the end of the lane where the folk sculptors, stone grotto (Chalalupu Cave) is sight. The grotto is located in southeastern cliff along half-way up the Hill, covering an area of 27 sq meters (0.0067 acre).

The grotto is built along the hill .There are more than 70 Buddhist statues in it. The statues feature historical and religions figures in Tibetan culture. All of them are well-preserved. They are vivid and lifelike, which represent the soul of Tibetan stone inscription art.

Whenever there is important religious festival, the path is crowded with pilgrims and tourists. Some pilgrims come from afar and bring the offerings such bull heads or stones form their hometown to show their sincerity and worship to the holy hill.

Best picture of Potala palace could be taken from Yao Wan Hill (Chakpori Hill).The sunset is most beautiful. Every early morning, crowds of people wait at the mountainside to enjoy the first rays of the sun. Thus it becomes a hot tourist destination for photographers and tourists. Every year, millions of visitors from both home and abroad will pay a visit for both sightseeing and historical interests.

Location:in the west of Potala Palace
Entrance fee: RMB 2 per person
Opening hours:0:600-19:00
Transportation:take No.86 or No.91 But and get off at Potala Palace