6 Days & 5 Nights Lhasa - Namtso Tour

Attraction: Local Famous Tea Shop

Arrival at Lhasa, you will be met at Gongkar airport and transferred to the hotel for some good rest and acclimation.

Attraction: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street Lhasa

Taking a visit to Lhasa, a trip to Potala Palace is a must as it is the largest monastery of its type in the world and the highest elevation palace of the world, which the altitude is up to 3700 meters. Then move to Jokhang Monastery, where monks receive their official training and education. The surrounding of Jokang Monastery is Barkhor Street. Walk along this street of eight corners which will afford us a window into Tibetan culture and an opportunity to buy colorful ethnic handicrafts rarely seen outside of Tibet.

Tips: When you enter into a temple or monastery in Tibet, please take off your hats at the entrance to show your respects and follow the clockwise direction for visiting. No smoking, do not touch the Buddha statues, turn the Buddhism scriptures or toll the bell. 

The awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city. The palace which consists of the Red Palace, the White Palace and some attached buildings was a complex of political and religious function. Now it is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. 

Located at the center of the old Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. The temple is the fine product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architecture techniques. Visitors will be treated to the sight of various exotic and sacred sculptures. Jokhang Temple also houses many invaluable cultural relics. Every year, the Great Prayer Festival is held here.

Barkhor Street is a famous commercial and commodity-distributing center in Lhasa, consisting of more than 120 handicrafts shops and more than 200 stalls. It is a good choice that should never be missed by tourists coming to Lhasa, for you can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits. Barkhor is the road that pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. When walking along Barkhor Street, you should move in the clockwise direction. 

Attraction: Drepung Monastery, NorbuLingka, Sera Monastery

After breakfast, enjoy your one day city tour today that starts with a visit to Drepung Monastery, then continue your tour to Norbulingka and Sera Monastery.

Located 5 km from Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is considered one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. It was first built in 1416, and held 7,700 monks in its heyday. In Tibetan language, Drepung Monastery means monastery of collecting rice.

Norbulingka means Jewel Garden, first built in 1751, it borrowed architectural style from the inland areas of China while maintaining local ethnic and religious features. Norbulingka served as a traditional summer palace and residence starting with the 7th Dalai Lama, and now it is the largest garden in Tibet.

In the afternoon, the Sera Monastery will be a good choice as well. It is the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries built in Lhasa. The setting itself is very beautiful with cobbled alleyways, temples and colleges. The highlight of visiting Sera Monastery will be watching monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Every day, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills.

Attraction: Namtso, Yangpachen

Set out in the early morning to Namtso Lake, driving through the northern plateau of Changtang Plain, over the 5150m high Nagenla mountain pass, you can get a far view of the lake; Hike about 1 hour around Namtso Lake.

Drive to Damxong Town and have lunch. On the way back to Lhasa, stop by Yangpachen hot spring, you can enjoy hot spring here if you wish, the cost is RMB98-RMB168/p.p at your own expense. Then back to Lhasa.

Free time by your own arrangement

Now, it is time to say goodbye. Departure Lhasa to the airport by your driver and guide.

Please note: Tibet is not a relaxing holiday destination, but if temples, religion and ancient culture are your things, you will find Tibet is just the place for you after these days visit.