Four kilometers north of Lhasa lies Sera Monastery, one of the three Gelugpa monasteries. Sera was largely spared from the Cultural Revolution's destructive tendencies and so remains one of the oldest original structures important to Tibetan Buddhism.

It is here that the resident monks famously debate Buddhist doctrine in a highly stylized manor with ritualized clapping and stamping to designate starting and stopping points. During most afternoons (around 3:30), you can witness this fascinating procedure. The hill behind Sera is the only place near Lhasa where sky burials still take place. These are not advertised and not open to the public, but if you are lucky enough to happen upon one, keep your distance and remain respectful of this extremely sacred act.