9 high-altitude cities worth a visit
Elevate your travel experiences.
Published 29 Mar 2019, 11:18 GMT

At an altitude of 11,975 feet (3,650 meters), Lhasa is higher than any other city on our list. The 17th-century Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama, hovers above the city like a giant Buddhist scroll.
Photograph by Michael Yamashita, National GeographicFrom Cusco’s vibrant rooftops to Bhutan’s fortified monasteries, these high-altitude cities will whisk you through steep mountain passes, medieval palaces, and colonial towns. Here are nine high-altitude cities that will elevate your travel experience.
This list originally appeared in the book The World's Best Cities. This story was published in 2014 and updated in 2019.
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