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Home → China Tour → Tibet Tour → Lhasa Tour

Lhasa Tour

Lhasa is one of the most"want to visit" cities in the world. People want to visit Lhasa either because of its remoteness or its impressive heritage of over a thousand years of Tibetan culture and religion.

Sandwiched by the colossal mountain ranges to the north and south and located on the north banks of the Lhasa River, Lhasa is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of P.R.C. and also the center for Tibetan politics, economy, culture, and religion.

Sketch map of Air & Train Routes to Lhasa:

Lhasa Train Routes
Beijing - Lhasa	4064 km	44.34 hours
Chengdu - Lhasa	3360 km	43.11 hours
Chongqing - Lhasa	3654 km	44.35 hours
Lanzhou - Lhasa	2189 km	27.37 hours
Xining - Lhasa	1880 km	25.36 hours
Shanghai - Lhasa	4374 km	48.43 hours
Guangzhou - Lhasa	4980 km	55.38 hours

Lhasa Flight Routes
Beijing - Lhasa	Lanzhou - Lhasa	Xining - Lhasa
Chengdu - Lhasa	Guangzhou - Lhasa	Lhasa - Kathmandu
Diqing(Zhongdian) - Lhasa

Where to visit
1.Potala Palace : Perched on the 130m-high Red Hill with 13 storeys and over1000roms.
2.Jokhang Temple: The 1300-year-old temple is now the spiritual center of Tibet.
3.Barkhor Street: The trodden street is a kora goes around the Jokhang Temple.
4.Ramoche Temple: Located just a kilometer north of Jokhang Temple.
5.Drepung Monastery: Located about 8 km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung Monastery.
6.Sera Monastery: Located 5km north of Lhasa, the first Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa.
7.Namtso Lake: Located 250km northwest of Lhasa, the highest salt lake in the world,
8.Yanpachen: Located about 90 kilometers northwest to Lhasa City, the geothermal area.
9.Tibet Museum: The first large-sized comprehensive modern museum in the Tibet.
10.Norbulingka: The summer residence of many generations of Dalai Lamas.

Where to stay
1. Brahmaputra Grand Hotel(5 star): Gongbutang Road, Lhasa Phone: (0891)6300583
2. Lhasa Hotel(4 star): No.01, Minzu Road, Lhasa Phone: (0891)6832221
3. Thangka Hotel(4 star):YuTuo Road 38#, Lhasa Tibet Phone: (0891)
4. Four Points By Sheraton Hotel(4 Star):No.5 Section 1 Lin Kuo East 0891-6348888
5. Jardin Secret Hotel(4 Star): No.60 Jinzhu West Road, Lhasa Phone: 0891-6936666
6. Xinding Hotel Lhasa (4 Star): No.8 Jinzhu Avenue 2, Lhasa Phone 0891-6808555
7. Tibet Kailash Hotel(3 star): No.143 Beijing East Road, Lhasa,Phone: 0891-6306999
8. Shangbala Hotel(3 star): Danjielin Road.,Lhasa Phone: 891-6323888
9. Lhasa Yak Hotel(3 star):No. 100 Beijing East Road Lhasa Phone: 0891-6323496
10. Fuxin Yuan Hotel(3 star): No.88, West Jinzhu Avenue, Lhasa Phone 0891-6905555
11. Shenhu Hotel(3 star): Yangchengmarket GongbutangRoad, Lhasa. Phone: (0891)6304753
12. Snowlands Hotel(2 star): No.4, Zang Yi Yuan Lu, Lhasa Phone: 0891 6323687

General Impression of Lhasa City
The city of Lhasa is smaller than people thought to be. Its main road is called Beijing Road, which is devided into three section: East, Middle and West.

The east section is occupied by Tibetan style shops and restaurants; the west section is lined with modern department stores and restaurants. The middle part is where the Potala Palace is located.

All the taxis cost you about RMB 10 if you drive in the downtown area. Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are not far from the east section of Beijing Road. Norbulingka and Tibet Museum are close to the west section of Beijing Road.

Drepung Monastery is to the tip of west section of Beijing Road 8km from the center of Lhasa. Sera Monastery is located 5km further north of east section of Beijing Road.

Lhasa is 3600 meters above the sea level. Many people will feel a little bit uncomfortable, having a kind of headache. Lhasa makes people think of three words - sunshine, azure sky and blue water. The bald mountains are everywhere. Lhasa is sandwiched by the mountains by its north and south sides. The Lhasa River passes through the city from east to west.

How to get the travel permits?
To visit Tibet, as a foreigner, you need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). Lhasa PSB will not issue travel permits to individual travelers and will direct you to a travel agency in China. Agencies can arrange a travel permit to almost anywhere but only if you book a Land Cruiser, driver and a guide. You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date. To secure a permit, you need to offer the following information:
1) full name
2) gender
3) date of birth
4) passport number
5) nationality

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport
Lhasa Airport, or Gonggar Airport is about 90 kms from the downtown Lhasa. On the way from the airport to the city center, you will cross two newly built bridges. The Lhasa River winds along the airport road.

Lhasa has daily Lhasa Flights to & from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xi'an, Xining, Kunming and more. It has also opened up a Lhasa and Kathmandu international regular charter flights.
Airport Shuttle Bus: RMB 35 per person
Airport Taxi: RMB 140 per car

Lhasa Train Station
Taking the train, is an amazing new option, offering the opportunity to see the unseen mountain scenery. With the operation of Tibet Railway from July 1st, 2006, more and more tourists have swarmed into Tibet by the Tibet train.

There are daily trains to & from Beijing, Xining, Lanzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing, and services either daily or every other day to Xian, Shanghai and Guangzhou. All trains from Lhasa depart in the morning and all trains to Lhasa arrive in the evening. A train service to Shigatse is due to begin.

Lhasa Station is located 4km southwest of Lhasa city. From the station to the city center, you may take public bus No.91 or take taxi.

Train Timetable

Beijing-Lhasa	Chengdu-Lhasa	Chongqing-Lhasa	Xining-Lhasa
Lanzhou-Lhasa	Shanghai-Lhasa	Guangzhou-Lhasa

Travel overland to Lhasa
Travelers can travel overland to Lhasa either from other parts of China or Nepal. In China you can travel from Xining, Chengdu. But the presence of the Tibet train has pushed the sleeper buses into irrelevancy. For affordable adventurous travelers, hiring a Land Cruiser is the best choice. For Nepal side, you are suggested to hire a Land Cruiser or looking out for the occasional advertisements posted for seats in non-stop minibuses or Land Cruisers to from Zhangmu to Lhasa.

Lhasa City Transportation
In the city of Lhasa, to get around, you have many choices - public buses, taxi and pedicabs. Taking taxi is the most welcomed tool of transportation. You can get to the major attractions in Lhasa at the cost of within RMB 15. Keep Beijing Road in mind, you will have directions of the most of the attractions and hotels.

Lhasa Travel Tips
1. The best time to visit Lhasa lasts from April to October each year.
2. With an altitude of 3650 meters, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. It has the highland temperate semi-arid monsoon climate. People will feel uncomfortable, even having a headache due to the thinning oxygen! To quickly acclimate to the Tibetan climate and altitude, we suggest you speak less, don't drink any wine, less smoke, and don't have any shower on the first day.
3. Though Lhasa enjoys the great amount of sunlight, the daily difference in temperature is still huge. It is cold at night even if the day here is very sunny. It is wise to bring winter clothes. Generally speaking, you must be ready for a T-shirt, overcoat and jeans. Sunhats, sunglasses and suntan lotion are necessities.
5. More Informtion for Your Trip to Lhasa Tibet

Shopping
Baiyi Supermarket: It boasts Lhasa's best range of foodstuffs. Beijing Donglu, Potala Square Area.
Dropenling: 11 Chaktsal Ganglu, Barkhor, Lhasa. From fine woven rugs to handbags and jewelry.
Lhasa Department: A good one-stop shop for most supplies, especially clothes. Add: cnr Kangangduo Nanlu & Yutuo Lu, Potala Square Area.
Mani Thangka Arts: Featureing thangkas made with mineral paints by local artist Phurbu Tsering. Add: Zangyiyuan Lu, Barkhor.

Where to dine
Lhasa's dining options are much diverse and offer everything from yummy Tibetan to delicious Chinese and good Western food.
Dunya Restaurant: Offering excellent and wide-ranging western food. 100 Beijing Donglu, Barkhor Phone: 0891-6333374
Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant: This is 100% vegetarian food. Add 10 Linkuo Beilu, N of Barkhor Phone: 0891-636 3851
Naga Restaurant: A nice Tibetan restaurant. Beijing Donglu 11 Phone: 0891 6327509
Snowland Restaurant: a nice international and Tibetan restaurant. Zang Yiyuan Lu (near Barkhor ) Phone: 0891-6337323
Shancheng Ming Xiaochi: A good Sichuan food restaurant. Zang Yiyuan Lu 9 ( Near Barkhor ) Phone: 0891-6711719

Health & safety
1.Military Hospital: This hospital is one of the best option if you need meidical service. Add: Niangre Beilu Lhasa Phone 0891-6280557. 2.Medical treatment: For easing altitude sickness, the local Tibetan herbal medicine - Solomano in Tibetan and Hongjingtian in Chinese is highly recommended. Some traveler also recommend Gaoyuanning and Gaoyuankang. These herbal medicines are available in some hotels and pharmacies in the town.

Fast Facts
Bank of China main office: West of the Potala Palace. There are ATMs inside and outside the building (the latter open 24 hours). Other branches are at Beijing Donglu (9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10.30am-3.30pm Sat & Sun); Beijing Xilu (9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10.30am-3.30pm Sat & Sun), just opposite the Lhasa Hotel.
Post Office: The main post office is at Beijing Dong Lu 33 ( (9am-6:00pm Mon-Fri)
PSB: Linkuo Beilu, Lhasa ( 0891-6324528 )

Highly recommended Lhasa tours (2 Tours):

Lhasa 4 Days Highlight Tour ( LXA-01 )   from US$290p/p
	Attractions: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple,Barkhor Street, Norbu Lingka, Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery Travel Service: Personal local guide & driver + hotel + private car / van + entrance fees & lunch This is a private tour. No other travelers will join in your party.

5 Days Lhasa and Namtso Lake Tour ( LXA-02 )   from US$360p/p
	Attractions: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple,Barkhor Street, Norbu Lingka, Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, Lake Namtso Travel Service: Personal local guide & driver + hotel + private car / van+ entrance fees & lunch This is a private tour. No other travelers will join in your party.

Highly recommended Beijing Lhasa Tour (2 Tours):

6 Days Beijing Lhasa Train Travel ( LXA-03 )   from US$490p/p
	Attractions: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple,Barkhor Street, Norbu Lingka, Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, Lake Namtso Travel Service: Personal local guide & driver + hotel + private car / van+ entrance fees & lunch Beijing-Lhasa One Way Train Ticket This is a private tour. No other travelers will join in your party.

4 Days Beijing Lhasa Flight Travel ( LXA-04 )   from US$680p/p
	Attractions: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple,Barkhor Street, Norbu Lingka, Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, Lake Namtso Travel Service: Personal local guide & driver + hotel + private car / van+ entrance fees & lunch Beijing-Lhasa One Way Flight This is a private tour. No other travelers will join in your party.

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