Map Introduction

The Establishment and Early Development of Lhasa (Lhassa) in the Tibetan Empire

Lhasa (modern Lhasa), the capital of the Tibetan Empire (Tubo), was established in the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo. In 629 AD, after suppressing internal rebellions and seeking to strengthen central authority, Songtsen Gampo moved the political center from the Yarlung Valley to Lhasa. This location was strategically significant: the Lhasa River Valley, surrounded by mountains, was easily defensible and situated in the heart of the Tibetan Plateau, facilitating control over surrounding tribes. Following the move, Songtsen Gampo established the Thousand-District System, formulated the Twenty Articles of Tibetan Law, and created the Tibetan script, transforming Lhasa into the political, military, and cultural center of the Tibetan Empire.

Tang-Tibetan Relations and Lhasa's Pivotal Role

Lhasa served as the terminus of the Ancient Tang-Tibetan Road, witnessing profound cultural exchanges between Han Chinese and Tibetan civilizations. After Songtsen Gampo married the Tang Princess Wencheng in 641 AD, Chinese architectural styles appeared in Lhasa. For instance, the Jokhang Temple blends a Chinese hip-and-gable roof with traditional Tibetan fortress tower structures. Tang-era porcelain and silk entered Lhasa via this route; shards of porcelain combining Han Chinese mandarin duck motifs with Tibetan lotus petal patterns are preserved in Tibet's Sakya Monastery. When Princess Jincheng entered Tibet in the 8th century, Lhasa further incorporated Han Chinese calendar systems and medical techniques, becoming a "crucible of Han-Tibetan cultural fusion."

Military Defense and Urban Expansion

To counter military pressure from the Tang Dynasty, the Tibetans built defensive fortifications around Lhasa. In the mid-8th century, during the reign of Trisong Detsen, the Potala Palace was expanded to serve as a military command center, and a system of beacon towers was established along the Lhasa River. After the An Lushan Rebellion in 755 AD, the Tibetan Empire expanded eastward, and Lhasa became the command hub for controlling the Hexi Corridor, with its garrisons advancing as far as the Longshan Mountains. In the early 9th century, Tibet established the "Shanglon" deliberative council in Lhasa to coordinate the war against the Tang and manage affairs in the Western Regions.

The Decline of the Tibetan Empire and Lhasa's Transformation

After the fragmentation of the Tibetan Empire in 842 AD, Lhasa lost its status as the political center but retained its religious significance. In the late 9th century, the anti-Buddhist persecutions under Langdarma led to the destruction of Buddhist structures in Lhasa. However, following the revival of Buddhism after the 10th century, the Jokhang and Ramoche Temples gradually became sacred sites of Tibetan Buddhism. During the Yuan Dynasty, Lhasa was incorporated into the political-religious system of the Sakya school, laying the foundation for its future role as the capital of Tibet.