Discover Lhasa - the spiritual city of Tibet. Experience spectacular Buddhist architecture, fascinating culture and authentic Tibetan food. Visit Potala Palace, known as the ‘Crown Jewel of Tibet’. Wander through the bustling Barkor Circuit after visit Tibet’s holiest shrine of Jokhang temple, observe interesting monk debating and explore Tibetan Quarter.

Day 1 Lhasa
Lhasa is the spiritual heart and capital city of Tibet. You will be picked up from the Lhasa airport and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of day is free to relax and acclimate to the high altitude.

Day 2 Lhasa
Your guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby at 9:00am and then take you to visit Tibet's holiest shrine of Jokhang Temple to see a solid gold enlightened Buddha. You'll feel the electric atmosphere and immerse yourself into Tibetan culture while wandering through the bustling Barkor Circuit. In the afternoon, you'll tour the architectural wonder of Potala Palace, towering 13 stories high and containing thousands of rooms. Drop off at the hotel at 5:00pm .

Day 3 Lhasa
You will be picked up at the hotel lobby at 9:00am and then brought to explore the former Dalai Lamas’ Summer Palace - Norbulingka Park and 15th century Drepung Monastery. Visit the impressive Sera to observe student monks debating with their masters. A leisurely walk around the Tibetan Quarter will follow. You will be dropped off at the hotel at 5:00pm

Day 4 Depart Lhasa
Private transfer to the airport.

Less info

Visit the top 3 highlighted attractions of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor street in the capital of Lhasa by walking led by local Tibetan English speaking guide. During this city downtown walking tour, travelers will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Potala Palace, the landmark of the capital. Visitors can enjoy a window into the past as they walk where Dalai Lamas and Tibetan kings have walked. The Jokhang Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site is the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism. Further more enjoy the leisured walking tour around Barkhor Street, the vibrant street where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims perform worship. This highlight walking day tour is recommended to take only after your first 1-2 free days in Lhasa with good acclimatization. Please note that Tibet travel permits are included!

Meet your Tibetan guide at 8:00 am at the lobby of House of Shambhala or 8:20 am at The Ganggyan Hotel Lhasa Tibet on time. You'd better be at least 15 minutes earlier at these two points to wait for your Tibetan tour guide. And please take your passports with tour booking codes. And please dress conservatively.

Today the three main attractions to visit are Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor street.
The Potala Palace was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. It has been capturing travelers’ imaginations as it takes them on an adventure through Tibetan history. With its highest point at about 300 meters (around 1000 feet) above the valley floor its gargantuan size often surprises travelers: this building houses over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and around 200,000 statues.

Potala Palace was the residence of former Dalai Lamas all the way back to the 5th. Over hundreds of years Potala’s interior has been ornately decorated: vibrantly colored and incredibly detailed paintings cover the walls and shelves of prayers books tower overhead. Travelers can see gold covered statues, shrines of unimaginable beauty, and even look upon the resting places of past Dalai Lamas. Incense fills the air and the glow of yak butter candles illuminates cultural treasures, creating a dream like atmosphere.

Another UNESCO-listed attraction you are going to visit is Jokhang Temple, reportedly also founded by Songtsen Gampo, and one of the world's great monuments to Buddhism. A visit to Lhasa without visiting Jokhang Temple is not complete. So Jokhang Temple is by no means one of most important attractions in capital city of Lhasa, Tibet. Included on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple is in the heart of Lhasa downtown. With an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres), it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims.Highlights include a statue of the young Gautama Buddha, aged around 12, that's probably the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism.

From Jokhang, stroll to Barkhor Street, which runs around the temple. Join pilgrims and locals in circling the shrine, a practice known as kora, or shop for traditional Tibetan handicrafts, souvenirs or snacks. 

It takes about 3.5 hours for the Potala Palace walking tour, 1.5 hours for Barkhor while 2 hours for the Jokhang Temple. Lunch is at your own expense, but your Tibetan tour guide will be happy to provide you recommendations restaurants. Regarding to which attraction to visit first, it depends on the Potala Palace ticket schedule which can only be reconfirmed to you by local supplier half day in advance according to the local policy.

Less info

We will leave your hotel early in the morning around 7:30 am and it takes about 5-6 hours to get to Lake Namtso. Along the way there are some places to stop for taking pictures. If weather permitting and also nomad tent is accessible, we can get into local Tibetan nomad's yak tent home and have a short time together with the local. When we get to the Lake, it is around lunch time and we can enjoy the view to the Lake. about 2 hours leisure time beside the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa around 7:30 pm.

This highlight day tour covers around 500 km beautiful landscape. And this is a busy day trip, you will be spending around 12 hours inside the car, but it depends on how much time the group will spend for leisure time by the lake and time of taking pictures.

About Namtso Lake
In Nov. 14, 2005, Namtso Lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region was selected as one of the five most beautiful lakes in China by Chinese National Geography magazine. Namtso Lake's touching beauty should not be missed by any traveler who visits Tibet. Its purity and solemnness are symbols of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso is famous for its high altitude (4720 meters (about 3 miles)), vast area (1961 square kilometers (about 757 square miles) and beautiful scenery. 

Being the second largest saltwater lake in China only after Qinghai Lake, Namtso Lake is the biggest lake throughout Tibet. Meanwhile, it is the highest altitude saltwater lake in the world. The water here is a storybook crystal-clear blue. Clear skies join the surface of the lake in the distance, creating an integrated, scenic vista. Soul of every visitor who has ever been here seems to be cleansed by the pure lake water.

Please be noted that, this is a long distance day trip, focusing on landscape view along the way, during the summer months between June and August, Tibetan tour guide and driver can take you to take a quick visit to Tibetan Nomad family. It is a long driving trip covering about 500 km. However you do see lots of landscape such as river, grassland, lake, mountain passes, nomad people's life (in summer months), animals, etc.

Less info

This top Lhasa city small group tour covers world heritage sites such as Norbulinka and Potala Palace, the important temple of Tibetan Buddhism - Jokhang Temple, and Tibetan Barkhor street. Enjoy watching the monks debating at Sera Monastery. Tour Price Per Person (twin-share room basis)

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa. Individual travelers (1-3 people) will get to Lhasa by airline shuttle bus between airport and Lhasa. However if there are 4 or more people for one booking at a time, a shared shuttle or van transfer will be included. Rest or partake in free time to explore the city on your own. You will stay overnight at 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option).

Day 2 (B) Visit Norbulinka-Summer Palace of Dalai Lama and Sera Monastery, O/n in hotel .
Norbulingka which means ‘treasure garden’ in Tibetan language, is located in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance from the southwest of Potala Palace. It is marked as the world’s highest, largest and best-preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden. As part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace’, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sera Monastery (founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe, disciple of Tsongkhapa) is just located at the foot of Tatipu Hill,located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north of Lhasa and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the Jokhang and it is about 6 km to the northeast direction of Potala Palace. It is famous for the Buddhism activities of” Monks Debate” which happens in afternoon from Monday to Saturday. This is one highlight attraction for travel in Lhasa Tibet.
You will stay overnight at 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option).

Day 3 (B+D) Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, Barkhor streets
Today what we will visit in Lhasa is the vital Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple with the vicinity. Potala palace is Lhasa's most important landmark and it is a wonder of Eastern architecture. Your first site of this massive structure will be a magical moment which will be remembered for your rest life time. It has been a palace since the fifth or sixth century and was once the home to the Dalai Lama. Serving as the winter palace for the Dalai Lama for several centuries, Potala Palace contains hundreds of murals, painted scrolls, sculptures, historical and religious documents, and other rare objects. Today another visit we will take is to Jokhang Temple which locates at Barkhor Bazaar. This temple is the most revered shrine in Tibet and is constantly bustling with devout worshipers. We will also be given the opportunity to shop in Barkhor Bazaar, the crowded central market in ancient section of Lhasa where the residence of many local people is. You will stay overnight at 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option).

Day 4: (B) Final departure, guide or driver will transfer you to airport or railway station and help you get on board.

Less info

Welcome to visit Norbulinka, the summer Palace of Dalai Lama. You will be led by a local Tibetan guide to enjoy the Tibetan Royal garden-the well preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden in Tibet. Despite the title of World Heritage Site and natural scenery, people also take it as a unique historical attraction in Tibet. The construction of Norbulingka began in 1755 by the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso. The primary function of Norbulingka Palace is to cure the health problems of the 7th Dalai Lama. Then it became the summer residence of Dalai Lamas.

Norbulingka which means ‘treasure garden’ in Tibetan language, is located in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance from the southwest of Potala Palace. It is marked as the world’s highest, largest and best-preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden. As part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace’, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Potala Palace is known as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, the Norbulingka Palace is known as the summer palace. Situated at an elevation of 3650 meters above sea level, Norbulingka palace holds 374 rooms. It contains a large collection of Italian chandeliers, Ajanta frescoes, Tibetan carpets, and many other artifacts. Besides, it is also a natural garden with kinds of flowers, trees, animals and even herbs and some rare plants.Join this daily group tour at 10 am. 

Your local Tibetan English speaking guide will meet travelers at House of Shambhala hotel lobby at around 8:30 am, Lhasa Ganggyan Hotel lobby at around 9:00 am and Lhasa Shangri-la Hotel lobby at 9:30 am and transfer to visit Norbulinka. If there are only 3-4 travelers finally in a group, public transport of taxi or bus will be in use, while if there are 5 or more travelers per group, local supplier will arrange a suitable van or tour bus for the transfer. Please be on time for the tour activity. The exact meeting time will be reconfirmed at least 1 day in advance. If your hotel is far from downtown, please inform clearly to supplier in advance.

Less info

Welcome to visit Norbulinka, the summer Palace of Dalai Lama and highlight Sera Monaster. During this 1 day Lhasa highlight tour, you will be led by a local Tibetan guide to enjoy the Tibetan Royal garden-the well preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden in Tibet and explore Sera Monastery, one famous Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect monastery in Lhasa. Sera Monastery was founded  in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe, disciple of Tsongkhapa). It is just located at the foot of Tatipu Hill,located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north of Lhasa and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the Jokhang and it is about 6 km to the northeast direction of Potala Palace. It is famous for the Buddhism activities of” Monks Debate” which happens in afternoon from Monday to Saturday.

Norbulingka which means ‘treasure garden’ in Tibetan language, is located in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance from the southwest of Potala Palace. It is marked as the world’s highest, largest and best-preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden. As part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace’, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Potala Palace is known as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, the Norbulingka Palace is known as the summer palace. Situated at an elevation of 3650 meters above sea level, Norbulingka palace holds 374 rooms. It contains a large collection of Italian chandeliers, Ajanta frescoes, Tibetan carpets, and many other artifacts. Besides, it is also a natural garden with kinds of flowers, trees, animals and even herbs and some rare plants.Join this daily group tour at 10 am. 

The magnificent Sera Monastery covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). There are three main buildings which are called Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). There are scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here every afternoon except for Sunday and this is distinctive from the other famous monasteries. In the history, it housed more than 6000 monks but since 2008, there are no more than 550 monks living here. And the time to enjoy the sightseeing to Buddhism activities of” Monks Debate” in Sera Monastery happens in afternoon 3 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.

Your Tibetan English speaking guide will meet travelers at House of Shambhala hotel lobby at around 8:30 am, Lhasa Ganggyan Hotel lobby at around 9:00 am and Lhasa Shangrila Hotel lobby at 9:30 am and transfer to visit Norbulinka. If there are only 3-4 travelers finally in a group, public transport of taxi or bus will be in use, while if there are 5 or more travelers per group, local supplier will arrange a suitable van or tour bus for the transfer. Please be on time for the tour activity. The exact meeting time will be reconfirmed at least 1 day in advance.

Less info