Arrival at Lhasa and transferrd to your hotel in Lhasa ( booked by us ). Visit the Nietang Buddha on the way to your hotel. Free for rest of the day to get accustomed to the Tibetan.
climate and altitude.
Day 02：Lhasa
Today's sightseeing: The Potala Palace, The Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street - The Potala Palace: It is located north of the middle section of Beijing Road. Actually Lhasa is not a big city. It is sandwiched by two mountains from north side and south side. The Lhasa river rides over the city. So most part of the city is located on the flat land between the mountains. The Potala Palace is built on the high land uplifting of the flat land. The palace climbing was a tough job! The palace is 115.703 meters high. People have to walked step by step to the top. The Potala Palace was built at the time of Songtsan Ganmpo in the 7th century. In the 17th century the 5th Dalai Lama extended the palace to its present size. At this time, it became Dalai Lama's living and working place. He first combined the Religion and the politics, unifying the Tibet to its greatest extent. The main construction is divided into two parts: red and white palaces. It include living quarters, temples, funerals supas and monk dormotories. The countless cultural relics in the palace are of priceless value. - The Jokhang Temple: To people's surprise, there are always a great number of local Tibetan people around it there. They either pray with hands and knees touching the ground or walking around the Jokhang Temple. Walking around the Jokhang Temple is said that it can bring prosperity and peace to one's whole life. Most of them come from the remote villages or mountainous areas. They come here once a year.
The Jokhang Temple was first built by King Songtsem Gampo (617 – 650). He was the 33rd king of Tibet. He was the leader of the Tubo (or Tibetan) Kingdom. He actively promoted Buddhism in Tibet. During his reign, Tibet achieved great progress in social innovation and realized the integration of Tibet for the first time. Before he built the Jokhang Temple, he had built the Little Jokhang Temple for one of his two wives -- Princess Wen Cheng who came from the Tang Dynasty. His another wife was Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Jealous of her, Princess Burikuti asked Gampo to construct a Jokhang for her as well. Therefore, in 647 the big temple was built. Later it was repaired and expanded many times in Ming ande Qing dynasties. After visiting the Jokhang Temple, people usually also walk around the temple along the famous Barkgor Street. - Barkhor Street: The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled. Walking around the Jokhang Temple is said that it can bring prosperity and peace to one's whole life. The street is lined with huge numbers of shops selling various kinds of tourist stuff with Tibetan style - skybeads and much more. Meals: Breakfast, Western Food Lunch
Day 03：Lhasa
Today's Sightseeing: Norbulingka, Tibet Museum, The Carpet Factory, Sera Monastery - Norbulingka: It is located in the western suburbs of Lhasa city. "Norbu" in Tibetan language means " treasure". "Lingka" means a park with beautiful trees and flowers. It once served as the summer palace for dalai lamas from 7th Dalai Lama who first built the palace. Each summer time, dalai lama would come here to handle political affairs. They also had their own living palace there. From the outside gate to the main entrance to the Norbulingka, it is about 200 meters. The park has some small buses ready for those who are too tired. People can pay RMB 10 to take the small bus to get to the main entrance. People first visit the 7th Dalai Lama's palace. Then come out to visit the 14th Dalai Lama's palace through another gate. The 14th Dalai Lama went to India in 1959. People visit the rooms in the palace one by one. When he left Tibet in 1959, he was only 25 years old. From the picture hanging on the wall of the assembly room, he was once a handsome man. - Tibet Museum: It is located to the south-east of Norbulingka. It is a Tibetan structure museum. It has three exhibition floors. It has abundant historical relics and treasures including prehistoric culture, united culture, culture and art, customs. They offer the audio guide service. You can use the audio to get a better understanding of the some important history and relics. It is a must for those who is interested in Tibetan history. - Sera Monastery: It is built on the slope of the Tatipu Mountain. It was named "Sera" due to the fact that lot of roses were once found on the mountains. "Sera" in Tibetan Language means"rose". It has an assembley hall. three collegea. Sera is most famous for lamas debating activity each afternoon from 3:000pm. The Sera Monastery is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism studies Buddhist doctrines by using a slow but systemic process. As a part of their study, lamas must take part in debates to further their learning and get to more advanced levels of study. The debating traditions in the Sera Monastery are unique among the three famous monasteries in Lhasa. Debates are practised by the lamas in the monastery every day from 3.a.m. In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer and more gestures. Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Food Lunch
Day 04：Leave from Lhasa
After breakfast, free till transferred to Lhasa Airport for your destination. Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
1.All transfers and city transportation for your own use
2.Entrance fees and meals as mentioned
3.Private car or van with English speaking guide
4.Hotels with daily breakfast
5.Permission paper to Tibet.
6.The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group.
Exclusions:
1. Tips to your tour guide and driver
2. Personal expenses.
3. Excess baggage charges.
4. Airfare or train tickets.
5. Any meals that are not mentioned.
Available:
Daily Travel Tips:
1. Wear casually with comfortable sports shoes and pay attention to the climate in Lhasa
2. The best time to visit Lhasa lasts from March to October each year.
3. 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 get accustomed 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.
4. 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 reday for a
T-shirt, overcoat and jeans. Sunhats, sunglasses and suntan lotion are necessities.
5. More Informtion for Your Trip to Lhasa Tibet Reservation:
1.Please use our online booking or send your travel request via email to info@tour-beijing.com. You are also welcome to call us at + 86 10 67160201 ext 1006 or 2007.
Phone after working hours: 0086 13520598855 or 13901312027 (24 hours)
2.Our real trip advisors will have your booking confirmed no more than 1 working day. We even take last minute booking if time is pressing. When your booking is confirmed, you will get a confirmation email or call from us, which includes the confirmed detailed itinerary with prices.
3. Way of Payment: cash payment ,credit card payment or wire transfer. Both RMB and hard currency are acceptable. Currency Converter
4. Our tour guide will meet you at either Lhasa Airport or Train Station.
