Devout Buddhist Appreciation

Upon your arrival, our local guide will expect you outside the Arrival Hall of the airport and transfer you to the downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to adapt yourself to the high altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level. With a glorious history of over 1,300 years, Lhasa, meaning “holy land” or “the sacred place of Buddhism”, has long been the political, cultural, economic and religious center of Tibet.

Your one week Tibet tour starts from the Drepung Monastery, one of the six largest temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in China. The white buildings of Drepung Monastery scatter on the slope of the mountain, which looks like a huge pile of rice at a distance, hence the name 'Drepung', meaning a pile of rice in the local language. After having lunch, continue the private trip to  the Sera Monastery, one of the renowned Tibetan Buddhist temples of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Hat). Then visit the Norbulingka Park, a large and beautiful artificial garden.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today's visit starts from the well-known Potala Palace. Built in the Tang Dynasty, it witnessed the great changes and development of Tibet during the past 1,300 years. The palace is composed of two parts, the Red Palace as the center and the White Palace as the wings. The White Palace is the sitting room of Dalai Lamas where there are a variety of halls and corridors, delicate Buddhist paintings and decorations. The Red Palace is the holy place to worship the Buddha. 

Then you will visit the Tibet Museum to learn more on the local culture and history. You will be impressed by the exhibition of these Buddhist scriptures and statues, ancient books, handicrafts and scroll paintings. After lunch, visit the Jokhang Temple, which was built in the Tang Dynasty and restored and reconstructed many times in the following 1,300 years. Now it has become a huge complex with the architectural styles of the Tang Dynasty, India and Nepal. Then walk along the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street, where you could found ancient buildings and temples, local snacks, famous restaurants and various handicrafts. You will then pay a visit to a Nunnery, a very special and spiritual place.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

We will drive you to Gyangtse today. En route, stop off at the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Karola Glacier, which is one of the three major continental glaciers in Tibet. Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is the largest inland lake at the north foot of the Himalayas. Known as “Swan Lake” in the local language, it boasts charming landscape of crystal water, green meadow and snow-clad mountains. Arrive at Gyangtse and have a short rest in the best local hotel. Then take a stroll along the peaceful Gyangtse Old Street, where you can see the old-style houses build with cow dung.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will go to visit the Palcho Monastery first. The temple plays an important role in Tibetan Buddhism where the three sects - the Gelug Sect, the Sakya Sect and the Bkav-gdam Sect coexist with each other harmoniously. Here you will also see the world-famous pagoda, the Bodhi Dagoba. It is also named 'Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda' as more than ten thousand figures of Buddha are painted in the hall. There are also a thousand clay, copper and gold statues of Buddha in the pagoda, which can be called the Museum of Buddha Statues. Later, we will drive for about one hour to Shigatse. After checking in the best local hotel and have a short rest, you will visit the largest temple in Shigatse area, Tashilhunpo Monastery, which earns its reputation for the splendid Tibetan Buddhist buildings with brilliant murals and delicate Buddhist statues. Not far from the Tashilhunpo Monastery, you will come to the New Palace of Panchen, which houses many precious historical items about Tibetan Buddhism.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today we will drive you back to Lhasa and transfer you to the hotel. Tibet is a vast land permeated with mystery and national characteristics. It takes longer to transfer from one place to another, so you will spend a lot of time on the vehicle if you explore further. But enjoy the fascinating natural scenery along the way should make for a pleasant journey.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home and conclude the one week private Tibet tour. Have a nice trip!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast