Lhasa

American  

[lah-suh, -sah, las-uh] / ˈlɑ sə, -sɑ, ˈlæs ə /

Or Lasa,

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Tibet, in the SE part: sacred city of Lamaism. About 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) above sea level.

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Lhasa British  

/ ˈlɑːsə /

noun

1. a city in SW China, capital of Tibet, at an altitude of 3606 m (11 830 ft): for centuries the sacred city of Lamaism and residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 17th century until 1950; known as the Forbidden City because it was closed to Westerners until the beginning of the 20th century; annexed by China in 1951. The Dalai Lama fled after an unsuccessful revolt against Chinese rule in 1959. Pop: 131 000 (2005 est)

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Example Sentences

The Dalai Lama was just 23 when he fled the Tibetan capital Lhasa in fear for his life after Chinese troops crushed an uprising in 1959.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

The visit to Lhasa, which sits at an altitude that could pose health problems for the 72-year-old, suggests a desire to stamp his authority over the region.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

Ballinger cuts nearly two weeks from his trips by driving his bedroom-acclimatized clients from the airport in Lhasa, Tibet, straight up to the northern route’s base camp, which is also at about 18,000 feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2024

It said the areas with lockdowns included Lhasa in Tibet.

From Washington Times • Dec. 2, 2022

The next march from Tuna to Dochen was still on the Lhasa Road.

From Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 by Howard-Bury, Charles Kenneth