Chenguan (Lhasa)

According to legend, the second emperor of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo (Srong-brtsan Sgam-po), who lived in the first half of the 7th century , made Lhasa his capital. But documents of that time say that the capital of Tibet was constantly moving then. In the center of the city, the Jokhang Monastery was still built, which is now the main pilgrimage site in Lhasa.

The city began to grow and flourish after the foundation of three large monasteries of the Gelug school as a result of the activities of Lama Tsongkhapa and his students in the 15th century . These are the monasteries of Ganden (Dga'-ldan), Sera (Se-ra) and Drepung ('Bras-spung).

The Dalai Lama V Lobsang Gyatso (Blo-bzang-rgya-mtsho) ( 1617 - 1682 ), subjugated Tibet and transferred its administrative center to Lhasa. Then he began to build the Potala Palace , the construction was completed several years after his death. Since that time, Lhasa has become the full political capital of Tibet.

By 1951, half of the city consisted of monks, the total population was about 25,000 people. Additionally, about 15 thousand people inhabited the nearby monasteries.

In 1960, the administrative structure of Tibet was changed to the general Chinese manner. An Lhasa urban district was formed, in which the former city of Lhasa became the Chengguan district.

Chengguan District is divided into 8 street committees and 4 volosts .

• Chengguan - information about the territory, population and history of changes in the administrative-territorial division on the site 行政 区划 网(Chinese)