Lhasa, Shigatse tour
Discover the soul of Tibet on a 6-day journey through Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse, exploring ancient monasteries, sacred lakes, and the iconic Potala Palace.
Embark on a captivating 6-day group tour through Tibet's cultural heartland, from the high-altitude capital of Lhasa to the historic towns of Gyantse and Shigatse. Begin your adventure with a smooth arrival at Lhasa's airport or train station, where your Tibetan guide welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel for altitude acclimatization. Over the next days, immerse yourself in the region's rich Buddhist heritage as you visit the colossal Drepung Monastery, the serene Norbulingka summer palace, and the awe-inspiring Potala Palace. Wander through the bustling Barkhor Street and the sacred Jokhang Temple, then journey over dramatic mountain passes to witness the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the towering Nyechen Khansang Glacier. In Shigatse, explore the magnificent Tashilunpo Monastery and enjoy a family visit for an authentic glimpse into local life. This thoughtfully curated itinerary balances iconic landmarks with off-the-beaten-path experiences, offering a profound connection to Tibet's spiritual and natural wonders.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.
Arrival in Lhasa (sea-level: 3658m) with one and half hours'driving from Lhasa Gonggar Airport or 20minutes from the Lhasa Railway Station to downtown Lhasa. Met by your Tibetan guide and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa to be acclimatized to the high altitude. Hotel: Yes Note: We offer only one fixed complimentary airport and train station pickup service: Lhasa airport fixed pickup: From Lhasa Airport to Lhasa downtown at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm; Lhasa railway station free pickup: per your train arrival time; If your flight arrival time is outside our complimentary pickup time, you may go to your hotel on your own or book our private pickup service as below: Private van airport pickup service: RMB 550 per ride per van
Today's sightseeing: Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka and Tibet Museum , overnight in Lhasa Exactly which one of these two will be decided by our operate team. Drepung Monastery - was built in 1416 and is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters. It is located on the Gambo Utse mountain, five kilometers from the western suburb of Lhasa. 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. Hotel: Yes
Today's sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, overnight in Lhasa - The Potala Palace : Potala Palace is perched on the 130m-high Marpo Ri ( Red Hill ) with 13 storeys and more than 1000 rooms 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 worshipers 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. Hotel: Yes
Today's sightseeing: Khampala Pass (4998m) - Yamdrok Lake - Karola (5190m) Nyechen Khansang Glacier (7191m) Today we are leaving Lhasa to ancient city or highland barley store room of Tibet for 2 days. We need to bring all our luggage and go to discovering new experiences and wonders on the way to Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse. It is the best choice to travelers who like to know different Tibetan cultural and take photos in Tibet. We can see an awesome landscape out side of Lhasa city around 50 Km and will reach top of the Khampala and can view the full sight of Yamdrok Lake . It is located in Nangkar tse County in the Shannan region of Tibet, less than 100 kilometers away from Lhasa and is called the three holy lakes in Tibet together with Namtso and Manasarovar. Unique location, south of the mountain; The beauty of lakes and mountains is unparalleled in southern Tibet. The Yamdrok Yongtso Lake is the sacred lake in the hearts of local Tibetans, and it is also a must see tourist landscape in Tibet. It gives people a clear and ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere. By driving along the Lake and villages we will be at our lunch place for an hour. Then keep drive to ancient city by crossing several interesting villages, high pass, Glacier, monastery, 100,000 statue of stupa, canola flowers and barley seeds farms. Over Night at Shigtse local Hotel Hotel: Yes
Today's sightseeing: Shigatse - Tashilump Monastery - Shigatse family visit. - 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. Late afternoon drive back to Lhasa or by Train. Hotel: Yes
Your guide and driver will see you off at the airport or train station. Your Tibet tour ends. Hotel: No Note: We offer only one fixed complimentary airport and train station drop-off service: Downtown - Lhasa airport fixed drop-off service: From Downtown to Lhasa Airport at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm, 14:30 pm; Lhasa railway station free drop-off: per your train drop-off time; If your departure time is outside our complimentary drop-off time, you may go to Lhasa airport on your own or book our private drop-off service as below: Private van airport drop-off service: RMB 550 per ride per van
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Accommodations as listed. | Tips to your tour guide and driver (suggested US$ 5 per day per person) |
| All the necessary Permits: including TTB, Tibet Entry permit. | China visa, All air tickets and train tickets to and from Tibet. |
| Breakfasts + 1 Dinner. | Accommodation & Services of non-Tibet parts; |
| Mini Van or coach according to group size. | Lunch and dinner, your guide will assist you to locate the local comfortalbe restaurants. |
| Gas and parking fee of the vehicle. | Private expense like laundry, IDD calls, drinks in the room, etc. |
| Local English-speaking Tibetan tour guide. | Extra expenses and/of additional days caused due to unexpected events (delays, porterage because of land slides and other natural events.) |
| All entrance fees as listed. | |
| Government Tax. |
English
Subscribe to receive Beijing travel ideas and tour updates.
Use these attraction notes to connect nearby sights with tours, destination guides, and planning articles.