Lhasa Shigatse 6 Days Tour

Day By Day Itinerary    ( B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner )

Arrival at Lhasa either by train or flight and transferrd to your hotel in Lhasa. If arriving in Lhasa by flight, you will visit the Nietang Buddha on the way to your hotel. Free for rest of the day to acclimate to the Tibetan climate and altitude.

Nie Tang Buddha is the largest Buddha image engraved in the mountain face. Located 20km south of Lhasa, the Buddha image is 9.83m high and 7.9m wide, a must-see attraction on the 100km-drive from Gonggar Airport to the city of Lhasa. The image tells Shakyamuni buddha gained enlightenment under the bodi tree. It takes 10 minutes to view and take pictures.

Today's sightseeing: The Potala Palace, The Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
- The Potala Palace: Potala Palace is perched on the 130m-high Marpo Ri ( Red Hill ) with 13 storeys and more than 1000roms in the middle of Beijing Road, the heart of Lhasa City. It was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. The first recorded use of the site dates back to the 7th century AD when King Songtsen Gampo built a palace here. The present construction began during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama 1645. It takes at least 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

- The Jokhang Temple: The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is now the spiritual center of Tibet. From earliest dawn to last light, daily worshippers and once-in-a-lifetime pilgrims make the inner circumambulation (kora) of the Jokhang to earn religious merit. Some of them prostrate outside circuiting the temple. The Jokhang Temple is best visited in the early morning. It now houses the life-sized statue of the twelve year-old Sakyamuni brought by Songtsan Gampo's Chinese wife - Princess Wencheng.

- 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.

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. 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: Located 5km north of Lhasa, this monastery was the first Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa and has remained the main seat of this major Buddhist order ever since. About 600 monks are now in residence here. Debating takes place from 3:30pm to 5pm in a garden next to the assembly hall in the center of the monastery. There is a fine kora path around the monastery.

Today's Sightseeing: Yamdrok Lake, Tashilunpo Monastery
- Yomdrok Lake: The Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is located to the south of Yarlong Tsangpo River in the Shannan Region of Tibet. The lake is one of three holy lakes in Tibet. It has an area of about 638 square kilometers with a length of 130 kilometers and a width of 70 kilometers. The It is a deep lake with the average depth of 20-40 meters and the deepest place is about 60 meters below the surface.

- Tashilunpo Monastery: Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the 6 big monasteries of Gelugpa (or often called Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. The temple lies at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain), Shigatse. First built the First Dailai Lama in 1447, the temple's structure was repaired and expanded a by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. There are now nearly 800 lamas.
Check in the hotel in Shigatse booked by us.

Today's Sightseeing: New Palace of Panchen
- New Palace of Panchen : The New Palace of Panchen lies to south of the Tashilhupo Monastery. It is famous as the summer palace of the tenth Panchen Lama (1938-1989). It greatly mixes both traditional and modern architectural styles. Green plants cover the palace, making a natural and peaceful environment.
After lunch, take 4 hours' drive (370km)back Lhasa. Check in the hotel booked by us.

After breakfast, free till transferred to Lhasa Airport or Lhasa Station for your next destination.

Price List for this tour   ( US$ Per Person )

Price inclusion: 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.

Price exclusion: 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.