Lonely Planet Review

A favourite with backpackers and carpet sellers back in the 1980s, this old-timer has a near-perfect location beside Barkhor Square, and comfortable deluxe rooms.

The Snowlands is quieter than the Yak or the Banak Shöl and retains the old-school feel of the early days of Tibetan travel. That said, it's still a good place to plug into the Lhasa scene. The hotel's notice boards are jammed with hand-written flyers advertising independent trips all over Tibet and the popular internet cafe hums with backpackers emailing pics from their adventures across Tibet. The cheaper rooms with shared bathrooms aren't really much and you'll get better budget value elsewhere. A better bet are the slightly faded but quiet and carpeted rooms with private bathroom at the back of the courtyard. For a little extra money, our recommendation here would be one of the brighter and newly renovated Tibetan-style deluxe rooms in the side wing. Other pluses include cheap laundry, a popular travel agency and one of the best restaurants in town. And you'll thank us for those extra ten minutes in bed when you're catching the dawn pilgrim bus out to Ganden, Tsurphu or Drak Yerpa!