Lhasa, Tibet, at 3850 metres (12,631 ft.) is the highest provincial capital in the world.
The city rose to prominence following the founding of three large Gelugpa monasteries by Je Tsongkhapa and his disciples in the 15th century.
The three monasteries are Sera, Drepung and Ganden monasteries.
The fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso (1617–1682), conquered Tibet and moved the center of his administration to Lhasa.
During this time, Lhasa gained its unquestioned status as the political capital of Tibet.
