5 Days Classic Lhasa Group Tour with Yamdrok Lake

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa (60km, about 1.5 hours’ drive) . You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.

Arrival Ideas: Lhasa is located in the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau and southwestern China. Traveling to Tibet is convenient by air, railway, or road. There are five airports in Tibet, with Lhasa Gonggar Airport being the most popular for flights from Chengdu (which is also popular), Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, Shangri-La, and other cities. One international airline even connects Lhasa and Kathmandu. Moreover, travelers can take the train to Lhasa from Xining (21 hours, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway), Lanzhou (24.5 hours), Chongqing (35.5 hours), Chengdu (36.5 hours), Xian (31 hours), Beijing (40.5 hours), Shanghai (47 hours), Guangzhou (52.5 hours), Shigatse (2.5 hours), Nyingzhi (4 hours), and other cities.

Kind Reminds:

1. It is good to avoid altitude sickness by slowing down, keeping warm, drinking water frequently, avoiding showers for the first one or two days, taking it easy, and sleeping well.

2. You should always follow your doctor’s advice regarding altitude based on your health condition.

3. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and are good at dealing with altitude sickness.

Today, have fun in the Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center for a close touch of Tibetan culture, and you will experience Tibetan Buddhism by witnessing the Monks’ Debating in Sera Monastery.

In the morning, enjoy the experience in the Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center, fully immerse yourself by making Tibetan incense, Tibetan calligraphy, and the secrets of block printing. Tibetan incense is typically burned as an offering during religious ceremonies and rituals in Tibetan Buddhism. The ingredients used for Tibetan incense usually include juniper, sandalwood, cedarwood, cinnamon, cloves, and various medicinal herbs. Besides learning how to make Tibetan incense, you can also participate in writing your own name in the Tibetan Language with the help of a local teacher, and engraving and printing it out. Handmade Tibetan incense and printed text can be taken home as a souvenir of the Tibetan cultural experience. 

In the afternoon, drive approximately 7km (about 20 minutes) to visit Sera Monastery, which is one of the three great Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. It offers the opportunity to experience Tibetan Buddhism up close. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watching the monks’ debate, which takes place around 15:00-17:00 (except on Sundays). The debate is an interesting form of exchange, where one monk acts as the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers sit. The standing monk asks questions and slaps his palms and stomps, each action having a special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive. You will also have the chance to attend prayer ceremonies, visit meditation halls, and learn about the monastic way of life. It is a must-visit destination to gain insight into the beliefs and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.

Today, it is the time to explore Lhasa by visiting the world-famous Potala Palace, a World Heritage site and the picture behind the 50 RMB. And then, you will explore Lhasa by visiting Jokhang Temple, a world cultural heritage site renowned for its brilliant architecture, culture, art, and history. Finally, you can stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and learn more about the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk up to the Potala Palace to explore. Not only is it the landmark of Tibet, but it is also the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). After climbing 365 steps from the gate of the Potala Palace to reach the Red Palace, you will arrive at the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m, where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Lhasa city. As you explore the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be amazed and moved by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace, you will meet many Tibetan pilgrims who come from afar to pray at this sacred site, making it a lifetime destination for them. You can also ask your guide to provide more stories about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first built the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the visiting time specified on your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors are required to visit the palace with a tour group and remain inside for one hour. Please be advised that photography is prohibited inside the palace.)

Located in the heart of Lhasa for over 1300 years, the Jokhang Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. Famed as the spiritual center of Tibet, it is said that the Jokhang Monastery was built for King Songtsen Gampo‘s two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. “Jokhang” means “House of Buddha”, and it houses a life-size statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, which is considered a treasure of the Buddhist world. This is why Buddhist pilgrims consider it the holiest destination. The Jakhong temple is also renowned for its beautiful architecture. You can admire the intricate carvings, colorful murals, ornate decorations, and details of the building, which is a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Time seems to stand still as you watch people pray in front of the temple during the day and night. (Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the reservation of your Jokhang Temple Ticket Reservation.)

Afterward, take a walk on busy Barkhor Street near the Jokhang Monastery, which was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) in ancient times. Nowadays, it has become a thriving local market where you can drink a pot of yak butter tea, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

In the evening, enjoy a group dinner featuring delicious Tibetan cuisine, specially offered by AOT team.

This morning, head to Yamdrok Lake from Lhasa (125km, about 3 hours) to appreciate the amazing natural landscapes .Then pay a visit to the quiet Xiazhulin Temple on the way back to Lhasa for a panoramic view of the Yarlung Zangbo River.

When reaching Kampala Pass (4,797 meters), you’ll have a breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake (a freshwater lake) down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. You’d better have your camera ready to capture its beauty. It is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet along with Lhamo Latso Lake, Manasarovar Lake, and Namtso Lake. Yamdrok Lake offers stunning views of the Tibetan plateau and is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. Moreover, you will be happy to see dressed-up Tibetan mastiffs/dogs, goats, and yaks there. It is optional for you to pay 5-10 yuan to pose with and take photos of them, for local Tibetans, it’s a subsidy income for their family.

Located 15km away from Lhasa Airport, Xiazhulin Temple, Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is small and quiet compared to other popular ancient temples. With an altitude of 3200m, Xiazhulin Temple is the best spot to view the Yarlung Zangbo River (the Brahmaputra River), which is one of the longest rivers in Asia, spanning about 2,900 km. Tibetans consider the Yarlung Zangbo River to be a holy river. It originates in the Himalayas of Tibet and flows through several countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Xiazhulin Temple is also famous for the body of the auspicious goddess that it enshrines. It is said that she was born a thousand years ago and was 12 years old when she passed away. After passing away, her body naturally shrunk to only one cubit high, sitting in a Tara posture, with one eye even slightly open, as if she were half asleep. Legend has it that she is the true incarnation of the auspicious goddess Green Tara, who was later enshrined in this temple. The Lamas inside the temple are kind and happy to answer questions and explain the wall paintings there.

It is time to end your 5-day Lhasa Group Tour. And your guide will escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing HelloChinaTrip for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!