4-day Tour to Lhasa, Gyangtse and Shigatse

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

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. 

Meals included: Lunch

Today, we travel to Gyangtse. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the alpine damned lake- Yamdrok Lake and the white Karola Snow Mountain on the way to Gyantse. After the arrival, transfer to the hotel. Then pay a visit to [Palkhor Monastery] and [Gyangtse Old Street]. After the visit, we keep driving to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse. 

Meals included: Lunch

In the morning we will visit the [Tashilunpo Monastery] and the [New Palace of Panchen]. Then, drive back to Lhasa and transfer to the hotel. The tour ends when back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Meals included: Lunch