2-day Lhasa Tour,Popular Tibet Tours,Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery

Highlights Itinerary Pricing Inclusions/Exclusions Important Info

Highlights

Norbulingka

Hailed as the Summer Palace of Lassa, Norbulingka has been being the palace where the Dalai Lamas work in summer and it is the people’s park where significant celebrations are hold. With the most spectacular sceneries, Norbulingka is the largest garden that enjoys the most popularity among the local people. On the Shoton Festival, the most alive festival in Lhasa, all the people, young or old, will come to Norbulingka to join in the celebrating activities. No one stays home.

Norbulingka, built under the organization of the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755, is not only a summer resort but also a historic center. As successive Dalai Lamas all used the Summer Palace for this purpose, the procession from the Potala to Norbulingka became a grand affair and the festive-occasion of the Lhasa calendar.

In 1959, the current Dalai Lama (the 14th) made his escape from the Summer Palace disguised as a Tibetan soldier. Tibetan uprisings followed as the people of Lhasa swelled up to protect the Summer Palace and their spiritual leader, and the subsequent Chinese shelling of the area damaged all the buildings of the Norbulingka. Of special interest is the New Summer Palace, built by the 14th Dalai Lama and located in the center of the Norbulingka. This Palace is filled with interesting murals and is definitely the highlight of the Norbulingka.

Opening Hours: 9:30 -- 18:00

Ticket Price: 60 CNY

Location: No. 21, Norbulingka Road, Lhasa

Transportation: Bus No. 2 will bring you here directly.

Potala Palace

Built at the order of the Tibetan King Sontze Gampo in the 7th century, Potala Palace has witnessed 1300 years’ changes. Located among the mountains, the Potala Palace is the most comprehensive art treasure house of cultural relics in Tibetan area of China. Potala Palace is an architecture complex that was construction for the Princess Wen Cheng in Tang Dynasty, while it has become the official place for the Dalai Lamas to work in winter since 17th century.

Standing on the peak of the Potala Hill, Potala Palace is the symbol of Lassa. The magnificent designs are the amazing parts. With a height of 117 meters and an area of structure of 100,000 m², the gorgeous huge golden roofs are shinning and attractive. A serpentine stairway up the mountainside leads to the palace buildings on a height of 3,700 meters above sea level. Its stone-and-wood main building has 13 stories, measuring 110 meters in elevation. Consisting of 999 rooms (plus the red tower on the mountain, one thousand rooms in total), the Potala Palace is a reflection of the sophisticated architecture art at the time.

The mammoth and solemn Palace is composed of the White Palace and Red Palace. The former is for politics and daily life of Dalai Lama. The latter comprises halls housing sturpa-tombs of successive Dalai Lamas and various Buddhist halls. One of the most fascinating scenes in the Potala Palace is the Buddhist statues of various sizes made of copper, gold or silver, which are unique and exquisite in shape, excellent in workmanship and true to life. The Grand Hall of the Red Palace consists of dozens of Buddhist halls, scripture halls and mourning halls, connecting with each other by painted corridors and staircases. The Buddhist Halls enshrine the statues painted in gold of Sakyamuni and deceased Dalai Lamas. A great amount of ancient scriptures are stored in the Scripture Halls. The mourning halls house the sturpa-tombs of 13 Dalai Lamas. All the halls are full of streamers elaborately embroidered with scriptures and incantations. Above the statues of Buddha are hung colorful ribbons.

The Potala Palace is an enormous "Art Museum" filled with dazzling array of paintings. The Art Gallery on the second floor of Sixipingcuo Tower alone contains 698 mural paintings, which has been constructed since 1648 A. D. by 63 painters and completed 10 years later. Over the past 300 years, the original murals have undergone several renovations and a number of new murals concerning a broad spectrum of Buddhist life and the unique land, custom, history and episodes of Tibet, have been added, making it more colorful and gorgeous.

Travel Tips for Potala Palace

1. Pay respects to the Buddhist customs

2. Take off your hat inside the Potala Palace

3. No photographing inside the Potala Palace

4. Go out the Potala Palace only from the West Gate

5. Don’t linger at any place inside the Potala Palace

6. No stepping on the doorsill of any room in the Potala Palace

Opening Hours:

9:00 -- 12:00 -- Break -- 15:30 -- 16:30 (except for some festivals or ceremonies)

Ticket Price:

200 CNY (May, 1 to October 31)

100 CNY (November 1 to April 30)

Location: No. 35, Middle Beijing Road, Lassa

Transportation:

From inside the Lhasa, you can come here on foot, by taxi (10 CNY) and by pedicab (5 CNY).

From airport, shuttle bus (20 CNY and 2 hours), Midi-bus (30 CNY) and taxi (200 CNY) will bring you here.

Lhasa

Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, has witnessed more than 1300 years’ changes. “Lassa” in Tibetan means the “Holy Land”, where is the economic, cultural and religious center in Tibetan. The sunny will shine on the Potala Palace for more than 250 days annually, making the Potala Palace more shining and holy.
Lhasa Lhasa
In this world’s highest city with an altitude of 3650 m, apart from the magnificent and splendid Potala Palace, other charming scenic spots will catch your eyes. Luobulinka Park, the Summer Palace in Tibet, is the largest garden with the most attractive sceneries for the Dalai Lama to spend the summer. The Jokhang Temple (Da Zhao Si), a Buddhist temple built in Tang Dynasty (618-907), is of great significance in the development of the Tibetan Buddhism, to where the pilgrims still flock to experience the ancient traditions and the conduct their devout faithfulness inr Buddhist.

Being an old city on the plateau, Lhasa has impressed visitors with blue sky, clean water, fresh air and pleasant environment. Endowed by nature with pure water and air, Lhasa is the least polluted city with the best environment in China. Although Lhasa is famous for being one of the highest cities in the world, the banks of the Lhasa River, what really knocks you out here is the full-scale impact on your senses of the breathtaking beauty, unique landscape and the holy atmosphere of this religious center.

In addition to the holy Buddhist culture, the magnificent architectures and the picturesque landscapes, there are many other wonderful places waiting for your adventure.
Lhasa Lhasa
Travel Tips for Potala Palace

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 -- Break -- 15:30 -- 16:30

Ticket Price:
200 CNY (May, 1 to October 31)
100 CNY (November 1 to April 30)

Location: No. 35, Middle Beijing Road, Lassa

Transportation: From airport, shuttle bus (20 CNY and 2 hours), Midi-bus (30 CNY) and taxi (200 CNY) will bring you here. 　　

Shigatse

As an ancient city with more than 600 years history, Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet and one of the political, economic and cultural centers in Tibet. Shigatse is known as the land of milk and honey for it possesses the wonderful Tibetan customs, abundant natural resources as well as attractive landscapes.

Shigatse lies next to the Brahmaputra River, which grants Shigatse advantages in the landscapes and development of culture. The splendid mountains, the peaceful holy lake, the open grassland, the rich traditions, the mysterious ancient temple will be an amazing part of your expedition. In addition, go southwards from Shigatse you can take the greatest adventure in the world’s highest mountain, Mount Qomolangma.
Drepung Monastery
South of the city lies the Tashilhumpo (Zhaxi Lhunpo) Lamasery, one of the four lamaseries of the Galu sect of Lamaism and the residence of the Panchan Lama for long. Southeast of the city is situated the Xialu Lamasery, a cross between Han and Tibetan architecture, built during the Song and Yuan Dyasties. Shigatse is the major agricultural producer as well as one of the bases of commodity grain in Tibet. Its economy relies on agriculture and animal husbandry. The peaceful Lake Yangzhuoyong, one of the three holy lakes and the highest freshwater lake, likes a pearl inlaid among the mountains.

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 break 14:00 -- 17:00

Ticket Price: 55 CNY

Location: No. 1, Jijilangka Road, Lhasa

Transportation: You (from anywhere in Lhasa) can come here on foot or take the pedicab (3 CNY).

Trashilhunpo Monastery

At the foot of the Nyima Mountain on the outskirts of Shigates, the monastery was built in 1447 under the supervision of the First Dalai Lama Gedun Zhuiba and expanded by the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Bainqen Lamas and has become the place of the reincarnation of the Bainqen Lamas. In the front of the 30-meter-tall temple, there is a spacious place as wide as 500 m2, where can hold more than 2,000 monks chanting sutras at the same time. Inside the temple, there are over 80 Buddha statues, among which the 26.2-meter-tall bronze statues of Maitreya Buddha with 100,000 kg bronze, more than 300 kg gold and 1400 pearls is the largest and heaviest Buddha statues in the world.
Trashilhunpo Monastery
The magnificent architectures, the life-like Buddha statues and the precious Buddhist classics will be one of the shinning parts of your expedition to Lassa.

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 break 14:00 -- 17:00

Ticket Price: 55 CNY

Location: No. 1, Jijilangka Road, Lhasa

Transportation: You (from anywhere in Lhasa) can come here on foot or take the pedicab (3 CNY).

Drepung Monastery

On the slope of the Wuze Hill in Genbei five kilometers northwest of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery, the largest of the monasteries of the Gelug Sect, was built in 1416. Covering an area of 250,000 square meters, Drepung Monastery is actually a collection of Buddhist chapels and colleges. In its heyday, in this largest temple of Lamaism had a amazing amount of more than 10,000 monks.

Inside the magnificent temple, decorations are marvelous and shinning. There are 103 giant stand columns with exquisite carvings on, lots of precious elegant streamers, beautiful Tangkars (a kind of scroll painting with Buddha portrait on), lifelike Buddha statues and colorful frescos on the wall as well as precious Buddhist classics for you expedition.

The word Drepung can be literally translated as "rice pile", a name whose meaning becomes clear when you see the white-walled buildings scattered along the hill. Originally founded in 1416, the monastery in its heyday was home to 10,000 monks (around 1600). The monastery has trained a large group of talents for Tibetan Buddhism. The Fifth Dalai Lama lived here before he moved to the Potala Palace. It houses plenty of historical and cultural relics and Buddhist classics. In the exciting Shoton Festival, "Sunning the Buddha" by the monastery has been one of the most magnificent religious activities in Tibet.

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 break 14:00 -- 16:00

Ticket Price: 50 CNY

Location: West Beijign Road, Lhasa

Transportation:
You (from South Sangge Road) can come here by bus No. 5 (3 CNY) or take the taxi (20 CNY)

Ganden Temple

The Ganden Monastery, built in the year 1409, was the first and the most typical monastery of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism (also known as the Yellow Hat Sect) and remains the power center of this sect today. The word "Ganden" means "joy" in Tibetan and is also the name for the "western heavens" where the Maitreya Buddha (the Future Buddha) resides. Among the successive leaders of this sect who have come to be known as the Ganden Tripa, a post earned through scholastic achievement, the Dalai Lama is the most famous member of this sect.

Ganden Temple

The Monastery was heavily damaged during the Cultural Revolution bombings, making the place somewhat depressing. Work is underway to repair the damaged buildings of the monastery, so that Ganden Monastery is being quickly restored to its must-see status as one of Lhasa's most impressive monasteries. Seek out the Golden Throne Room of the Dalai Lama. Placed upon the throne is a cloth bag containing his yellow hat that he left behind in his escape to exile in India.

There are many burial stupas on the grounds of the Monastery, the most noteworthy of which is the Tomb of the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. Tsongkhapa's preserved body used to sit meditatively in the stupa, but the body was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. All that remains today are a few enshrined skull fragments. Check more China tour packages here

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 break 14:00 -- 16:00

Ticket Price: 40 CNY

Location: Dazhi County, Lhasa

Transportation: Shuttle bus from Jokhang Monastery (7:00 in the morning) will bring you here (20 CNY/ 2 hours).

Jokhang Monastery

Built in the year 647 (Tang Dynasty), Jokhang Monastery, covering 25,000 m², is the center of Lassa in every aspects. It is said to that Lhasa radiated outwards from Jokhang Monastery. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Barkhor Street, a shopping center in Tibet, is the rudiment of the Lhasa city. For a long period, it was the seat of the Tibetan government, where tens of thousands of lamas from various parts of Tibet gather in the Temple to worship Buddha and recite sutra in the first month of Tibetan calendar.

After years of expansion, the Jokhang Temple is now part of a large group of buildings, covering a total area of 25,000 square meters. The four-storey main hall is magnificent with a Golden Summit. Mounting the cupola, the magnificent Potala Palace in the ancient city comes into clear focus. The main hall consecrates a gold statue of Sakyamuni brought to Tibet in the Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songtsang Kampo (517 - 650), Princess Wen Cheng and Princess Chizun. Murals in the temple include one entitled "Princess Wen Cheng Entering Tibet" and lines of woodcuts of beasts and sphinx featuring local arts of the Western Region. The temple is fronted with a stele to mark the meetings between the officials of the imperial court of the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan regional government and other historical relics.
Norbulingka
A great amount of precious cultural relics is well preserved here. In the Grand Hall, enshrined is a gilded copper statue of Sakyamuni elaborately decorated, which is priceless national treasure. Also kept with great care is a gold Bumpa urn granted as a present by the Emperor Qianlong in 1792. The gold urn is used to keep the lots that will be drawn to decide upon the in carnation boy of Dalai Lama, when there are two or more candidates.

The newly painted murals encompassing 2,600 square meters in the Monastery are a group of glorious historical pictures. They depict vividly the Jataka of Buddhism, the story of acquiring scriptures in the Western Heaven by the ang monk and his disciples as well as Princess Wencheng crossing the snow-capped mountain on horse back.

Opening Hours: 9:00 -- 12:00 break 14:00 -- 17:00

Ticket Price: 70 CNY

Location: Chengguan Zone, Lhasa

Transportation: You (from anywhere in Lhasa) can come here on foot or take the pedicab.

Norbulingka

Potala Palace

Travel Tips for Potala Palace

1. Pay respects to the Buddhist customs

2. Take off your hat inside the Potala Palace

3. No photographing inside the Potala Palace

4. Go out the Potala Palace only from the West Gate

5. Don’t linger at any place inside the Potala Palace

6. No stepping on the doorsill of any room in the Potala Palace

Opening Hours:

9:00 -- 12:00 -- Break -- 15:30 -- 16:30 (except for some festivals or ceremonies)

Ticket Price:

200 CNY (May, 1 to October 31)

100 CNY (November 1 to April 30)

Location: No. 35, Middle Beijing Road, Lassa

Transportation:

From inside the Lhasa, you can come here on foot, by taxi (10 CNY) and by pedicab (5 CNY).

From airport, shuttle bus (20 CNY and 2 hours), Midi-bus (30 CNY) and taxi (200 CNY) will bring you here.

Lhasa

Shigatse

Trashilhunpo Monastery

Drepung Monastery

Ganden Temple

Ticket Price: 40 CNY

Location: Dazhi County, Lhasa

Transportation: Shuttle bus from Jokhang Monastery (7:00 in the morning) will bring you here (20 CNY/ 2 hours).

Jokhang Monastery

Norbulingka

Potala Palace

Travel Tips for Potala Palace

1. Pay respects to the Buddhist customs

2. Take off your hat inside the Potala Palace

3. No photographing inside the Potala Palace

4. Go out the Potala Palace only from the West Gate

5. Don’t linger at any place inside the Potala Palace

6. No stepping on the doorsill of any room in the Potala Palace

Opening Hours:

9:00 -- 12:00 -- Break -- 15:30 -- 16:30 (except for some festivals or ceremonies)

Ticket Price:

200 CNY (May, 1 to October 31)

100 CNY (November 1 to April 30)

Location: No. 35, Middle Beijing Road, Lassa

Transportation:

From inside the Lhasa, you can come here on foot, by taxi (10 CNY) and by pedicab (5 CNY).

From airport, shuttle bus (20 CNY and 2 hours), Midi-bus (30 CNY) and taxi (200 CNY) will bring you here.

Tibet possesses the spectacular snowy scenery, the unique culture, exotic customs and rare animal and plant species to Tibetans.And the friendly Tibetan People warmly welcome you here.

Itinerary

Day 1: Lhasa

You will be picked up at your hotel in the morning and we firstly go to visit the [Potala Palace] which is the former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. We will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience.

Then, we drive to the [Jokhang Temple] which is smaller and more manageable than the Potala. This 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is always at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly. The temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.

Right after the Jokhang Temple, we come to the [Barkhor Street]. Built about 1,300 years ago, the Barkhor (pilgrims’ circuit) is found in the heart of Lhasa encircling the Jokhang Temple. In the past, it was a designated circumambulation circuit, "a saint’s road" in the eyes of Tibetans. Many people call the Barkhor “the window of Tibet” as it exhibits typical Tibetan life. Watch the pilgrims, wearing their local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate them near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.

Meals included: Lunch

Day 2: Lhasa

Today, we firstly got to visit the [Sera Monastery]. Located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, The Sera Monastery is a complex of 4 structures: the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges. It was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe of Zel Gungtang (1355–1435), a disciple of Tsongkhapa. 'Sera' means wild roses and was called this because the monastery was surrounded by wild roses. One of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place. At 15:00 every day (except Mondays), there is a debate about Buddhist doctrines among the monks at Sera Monastery. The debating is held in the grounds and is a necessary way of learning sutras and scriptures. Visitors can watch the debate, but it is advised to keep quiet.

We then go to the [Norbulingka]. Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". Constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama, it later served the whole government administration. It was built by the 7th Dalai Lama and served both administrative and religious purposes.

[Drepung Monastery] lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). The grand Shonton Festival is hold in the early part of August every year. That is the busiest day there with crowds of people. It is an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this festival.

The tour ends when you’re transferred back to your hotel.

Meals included: Lunch

Pricing & Accommodation

US Dollar
Euro
GB Pound
CA Dollar
AU Dollar
HK Dollars
Renminbi

Group Size	1 person	2-5 persons	6-9 persons	≥10 persons
Tour Cost	$ 459	$ 368	$ 300	$ 238

* The price is only for your reference and it is subject to seasons, high or low.Please send us your inquiry if you are interested.

* Price is in US dollar. It may vary a little bit according to US dollar exchange rate fluctuation, car fuel price change and government tax adjustment, etc.
* Price in every box above is for each person.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

A. Personal English-speaking Guide .
B. Experienced Driver + comfortable Private car/van/bus for the driving part .
C. Admission fee for the attractions enclosed in the square brackets in the itinerary.
D. Meals specified in the itinerary.

Exclusions:

A. Gratuities, Tips to local people, the guide and driver
(Although not compulsory, if you think your guide and driver have done a good job at the end of the tour, we suggest you tip them at you own decision to show your appreciations.)
B. Other Personal Expenses.

Important Information

How to Dress (only for reference):
Comfortable walking shoes
Long, loose and comfortable pants
Shorts for summer months (June – September)
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes (Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves etc.) for Nov-April
Umbrella or waterproof jacket in a cloudy day or rainy day
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry in case of rain

What to Bring (only for reference):
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Bottled Water
Small towel
Camera, film and memory chip, battery
Binoculars