Tour Code: xz-1
Departure Date: Daily
Features: 
Private Tour Guide 
Private Car & Driver 
Authentic Local Restaurants
Found on countless travel bucket lists around the world, Tibet and its legendary capital Lhasa remain as exotic and mysterious to as always. Steeped with traditional Tibetan and Buddhist culture, Lhasa is a spiritual getaway as well as a historical gateway into the region's undying customs. On this 4 day tour in Lhasa, you will discover the many ways in which the city and its people have become one with nature, time, and the heavens.
Welcome to Lhasa, seeming the top of the world here in Tibet! On arrival into Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be met by your guide, then taken to your hotel in the city. Have the remainder of the day at your leisure, with the activities of your tour to begin the next day.
| Tangka Hotel 
| lhasa Tashi Nota hotel 
Potala Palace will be the first destination on your tour of Lhasa. This is considered to be among the most sacred sites in the country, both religiously and geographically. Potala Palace was the former winter home of the Dalai Lama, main residential site of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama, and is now a respected museum and dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The complex is made up of 2 main palaces, the White Palace (living quarters of the Dalai Lama) and Red Palace (for religious studies and scriptures), with the Red Palace having a great number of outstanding halls, chapels, and galleries to observe.
Next, visit Jokhang Temple and its iconic gold roof. Filled with many important Buddhist brass and copper statues (more than 800) and images collected from throughout China, Nepal, and Tibet, the treasures within Jokhang Temple are absolutely priceless. There are also sacred scrolls known as thangkas housed in the temple. Today, the property is much larger than the original 8 shrines that comprise the temple complex.
After an anthentic tibetean flavor lunch, you will be taken to Barkhor Street, a very old walkway that is right next to Jokhang Temple. Legend goes that when the temple was first opened, it attracted so many worshippers that the path leading to it became worn down an unattractive. Than it is when the first Tibetan king, Singten Gampo, decided to create this dedicated walking street. To this day, some people walk for thousands of miles as part of a pilgrimage to end at Jokhang Temple. For a quick religious experience, walk around all of Jokhang Temple along Barkhor Street, which is about 1 kilometer. As for Barkhor Street, it has become a magical place in modern times. Many of the shop items you will find here are Buddhism-related, in addition to classic Tibetan clothes, knives, literature, and more.
| Tangka Hotel | lhasa Tashi Nota hotel Continue your tour today of Lhasa with the first stop at Sera Monastery. It is one of the 3 main monasteries in the city, along with Drepung Monastery which you will visit later in the day. "Sera" means "wild" due to the wonderful fields of wild roses that bloomed on the hill behind the structure when it was first built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty. Coquen Hall, a fine college, and dormitory comprise the grounds. Within Sera Monastery, you will also see scriptures written in gold powder, religious statues, and stunning mural paintings. Famous daily debates between monks take place at Sera Monastery daily (except Mondays) at 3:00pm. The public is invited to witness these debates, but please be sure to stay quiet and unobtrusive.
Your guide will then take you to Norbulingka, meaning "jeweled garden." Norbulingka is considered the top horticulture park in Tibet, full of gardens, ancient architectures, sculptures, gates, temples, and other features. The most dramatic area is around the Lake Palace which has a large lake, 3 islands with a palace on each, old bridges, and ancient horse stable.
Enjoy a fine tibetan flavor meal and continue to visit Drepung Manastery. Drepung Monastery has long been the center for the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism although today it is divided into 7 colleges with monks from different areas nearby, instructing 300 monks in total. Each school has a different emphasis, focus, teaching legacy, and geographical connections. As you explore the property, see Sutra Hall with its 183 outstanding pillars, ancient stone stairs, precious sutras and scriptures, woodcarvings, large statues of Buddha, and much more.
| Tangka Hotel | lhasa Tashi Nota hotel At a time that is convenient and matches your schedule, we will take you back to Lhasa's airport for your outbound flight.
We use different hotels for different tour classes while the itinerary is the same. Deluxe Class is usually staying at a 5-star hotel, Superior Class at a 4-star hotel and Tourist Class at a 3-star level hotel. The prices for one person are based on sharing twin hotel rooms with another guest. A supplement is necessary if you want to book single rooms. And the prices may rise during national holidays, such as the National Day (September 30th to October 6th) and Chinese New Year (late January or early February)
All of our tour guides are certificated and experienced. They are local experts with detailed knowledge about attractions, history, culture and more. They know the best places to visit, can give you advice on restaurants that serve great local food, the best places to shop, or theaters for the best shows in town.
We use the modern air-conditioned luxury cars for families or 2-3 persons and small buses for small groups of 4-7 persons.
We ensure that all of the vehicles that we use are well-maintained (not over 4 years) and always very clean. Our drivers are very nice and careful with over 5-year drive experience.
Sally Guo
Travel Advisor
86-773-2865632(Int'l)
service@chinatravel.com