Once you’ve finished your Qinghai birding trip, it’ll take a while for the high of spotting snowcocks and rosefinches to die down. So, why not make the most of those lingering feelings? Extend your trip and drop by Lhasa. This next chapter of your birding journey will be filled with ancient monasteries, high-altitude habitats, and birds that seem almost as enlightened as the monks.
Lhasa, popularly known as the “Highland Pearl,” is just as rich in cultural treasures as it is in region-restricted species. I explored this area for four days, indulging in birdwatching in alpine shrublands and admiring 13-story palaces. The contrast is absolutely mindblowing. Let’s take you through that journey today.
Culture Shock (In the Best Way)
Once the Qinghai birding tour was over, the next leg of the adventure started with catching a flight to Lhasa. After settling into a comfortable hotel (yes, birders deserve some comfort too!), our small group made our way to Jokhang Monastery. This is the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism.
Here’s some interesting facts about this monastery -
● It was founded in 650 A.D.
● This place pulses with prayer and pilgrimage.
● Centuries-old chapels glow with butter lamps and golden statues.
● Pilgrims circle the temple, spin prayer wheels and prostrate themselves in devotion.
You’re bound to be overcome with emotions when you visit this place. Even if you’re more interested in birds than Buddhas, don’t miss out on this wonderfully serene place. Just a simple walk down Barkhor Street is enough to get a slice of real Tibetan life.
Bird Calls and Palace Walls
After spending the first day exploring monasteries, the next few days were exclusively booked for birds and sightseeing. First place: Potala Palace. This astounding structure is not just a mere monument. It was a marvel to behold. If seeing the 13-storey high towering monument wasn’t enough, then the delicate intricacies of over a thousand rooms inside will definitely leave you speechless. Potala Palace dominates Lhasa’s skyline like a watchful guardian.
While you’re in the locality, check out Drepung Monastery. This place gives you a deeper insight into monastic life and Gelug sect traditions.
Now, a birding tour isn’t complete without the birds. Lhasa has plenty. All you need to do is find the right tour guide who knows those secret corners where the birds love to frolic. Our first birding stop was at Xiongse Temple.The primary goal? To track down the legendary Tibetan Eared Pheasant. This bird is as legendary as its name suggests, and tracking it down can be near impossible. But we succeeded. Along the way, we also came upon these beauties -
● Tibetan Blackbird
● Giant Babax
● Tibetan Snowcock
We also got rich opportunities to explore various species around Norbulingka Park, Lhalu Wetland, and the Lhasa River. The sightings here are every birder’s dream. If you know where to look, you’ll find species like -
● Lord Derby's Parakeet
● Streaked and Common Rosefinch
● Plain Laughingthrush
● Common Merganser
● Pallas's Gull
On paper, the tour seems easy enough. But let me add a disclaimer. It’s certainly easy, only when you’ve made peace with the high altitudes. A word of advice? Carry warm and waterproof clothing so nature doesn’t end up spoiling your fun.
One Last Look
Lhasa promises a birding tour of a lifetime. It is the perfect location where you can end your trip. After all, every tour should end on a sweet note. If you time the trip right, you might just spot that one last rosefinch to round out your trip.
The Takeaway
My journey across Lhasa wasn’t just your typical birding tour. It was a full cultural immersion, served with some high-altitude sunlight for breakfast and awe-inspiring palaces for lunch. Between the iconic birds, UNESCO-worthy sites, and the unbeatable guides (local and Western), it’s clear why hundreds of birders around the world opt for such tours. So yes, your legs might complain, and your lungs might write a formal protest letter, but your soul and your bird list will thank you.
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