Hotels in Lhasa

Does anyone have any experience with Thangka hotel or Kailash hotel? Which is better? Lonely Planet guide does not mention them.

I don't know the Thangka Hotel, but the location of Kailash Hotel is very central, just about 3 minutes away from the Barkor, it's also next to the Beijing Dong Lu so it's not too dangerous to go back at night (contrary to some guesthouses inside the Barkor). But the Kailash mostly have guests from tours only.

Also, are you going to book these hotels through an agency? Unless it's compulsory to book these hotels, I think you'd better come and find your ways in Lhasa by yourself, it's very easy to find guesthouses and it's usually cheaper. At least you can examine everything before you pay your money.

Pazu: which places do you consider dangerous at night?

Hi Helga,

I have some staff who weren't very happy to go back home at night alone because they told us the area inside Barkor can be dangerous, some robbery were reported. I think I would avoid those guesthouses INSIDE the Barkor Street because it's very dark at night and you won't see many people around this area.

Last year my friends stayed at the Flora Hotel (western side of the Barkor), we sent them back to the guesthouse at night (around 11pm) but on the way back, we saw some fighting and some people vomitted blood, pretty scary. I don't have any statistics, but I would prefer those guesthouses along Beijing Dong Lu (Deky Shar Lam) or Tibetan Hospital Road (Mentsikhang Lam).

Pazu: we are staying at the Kyichu hotel. Is it located in or outside the Barkor?

Helga, no problem, Kyichu Hotel is right on the Dekyi Shar Lam, about 3 minutes from the Barkor entrance but it's not dark walking at night. I don't feel dangerous walking around at any hours. It's also run by Tibetan and most people said they love this place.