Tibet enchants tourists from China and abroad with its landscape, religious traditions, culture, and its unsolved mysteries. At any mention of this land, the s of snowy mountains, mirror-like lakes, Potala Palace and Buddhist disciples immediately come to mind. Due to its high altitude, it is often called the ‘Roof of the World’ and the ‘Third Pole of the Earth’. It boasts the world’s highest peak, the splendid Mount Everest, and the Tibetan Plateau, where the Yangtze River and Yellow River both begin.
*Note: We stay in 5-star hotels in Tibet, unlike many other trips, and we will book 3 & 4-star hotels to lower the cost; we find that there is a huge difference in cleanliness and comfort.
Shanghai / Your preferred location
Our Xining guide will pick you up from the Xining Caojiabao Airport and transfer to Xining Railway Station. Then, you will board the overnight train on the world’s highest railway to Lhasa. The train leaves in the late afternoon, so you will have chance to see the scenery before the night falls.
Accommodation: On overnight train
Arrival in Lhasa is in the late afternoon, your Tibet tour guide will be already waiting for you and you will be presented a Tibetan Traditional Hada.
Drive directly to the hotel, have a good rest and continue to get used to the high altitude.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa or similar
After breakfast, Your Tibet exploration will start with the Potala Palace which is the landmark of Lhasa. It is the ancient time castle-style architectures with the highest altitude. We will be viewing the Winter Palace within the Potala Palace.
Lunch will be in a local restaurant, where you can try some Tibetan food, and that will help you to get used to the altitude.
After lunch, we visit the Tibetan Medicine Hospital. Then we head to Jokhang Temple, there are a lot of devout people praying in front of the gate. Then, walk around the Barkhor Street which is the most bustling handicraft market of Lhasa, for some minority handicraft souvenirs.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa or similar
Enjoy breakfast. Today’s tour will start with Norbulingka. Stroll in the beautiful park and observe local people’s life, enjoy the Tibetan buildings. Then move to Drepung monastery, which is the biggest monastery in Tibet.
After lunch, visit Sera Monastery which is one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. The debating traditions in the Sera Monastery are unique among the three famous monasteries in Lhasa. Then, we will visit a Tibetan tea store.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa or similar
After breakfast, drive about two and a half hours to the holy Lake Yamdrok. If weather permits, we will prepare a picnic by the lake-side, with sandwiches, vegetables and fruit.
The lake is decorated by many islands and natural resources. As a major water-bird habitat in Tibet, it is also a great place to see hundreds of swans and gulls in summer.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa or similar
Your guide and driver will take you to the airport and escort you safely through the check-in procedures and all the way to your gate, so you can rest assured your departure is smooth. We’re confident that this trip will be one you’ll never forget.