Lonely Planet Review

If you're more interested in what's going on outside your window than inside the room, then try the Mandala, with an unbeatable location just off the Barkhor.

First things first, the rooms at the Mandala are not all that special. The carpets are a bit tired and the lighting is dim. What you really come here for is the location, plumb on the Barkhor Circuit, and for the priceless views over the pilgrim circuit from rooms 305 to 311 (and 205 to 211). There's something magical about watching a 1000-year old tradition from the comfort of your own bed, particularly at dawn and dusk, when it feels like you're the only witness to a private show. If you don't score one of the Barkhor view rooms, all is not lost, because the Nepali-style rooftop teahouse offers more great views, both down to the Barkhor circuit and across to the golden roofs of the spectacular Jokhang Temple. The attached Nepali-style restaurant is another bonus, with a great range of western breakfasts and a cosy trekking-lodge vibe.