Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigatse Tour

This is the first day in Tibet. Your guide will greet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport/Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel. It usually takes around 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa and takes about 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station. Tourists could have a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the largest and longest river in Tibet on their way to the hotel. After check-in, you can have a good rest first. And if you feel like going out, you can wander around the city. But just remember that don't take too much stuff, try to go with a light pack. Meanwhile, drink some more water, and do not move strenuously. It’s really useful to get acclimatized to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

After a night of rest, you will begin your Lhasa city tour. As the heart of Tibet for over 1,300 years, Lhasa is home to Tibet’s most important cultural and religious landmarks.

Your first stop is the Potala Palace, the former winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, it is famous for its gilded stupas and historic chapels.

In the afternoon, you will visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, where pilgrims gather for worship throughout the day.

Later, you will stroll along Barkhor Street, a traditional street around Jokhang Temple known for its Tibetan handicrafts and lively local atmosphere.

Optional:

You can go to visit the Tibetan handicraft art or the Tibetan Traditional Medicine center if time is enough. You can also watch the Tibetan Culture Show in the evening for USD60 per person at your own expense.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today you will leave Lhasa and head to Tsedang, at an altitude of 3,560m.

Trandruk Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibetan history, was founded by Srongtsen Gampo and Wen Cheng princess. There is one priceless treasure in this monastery. It’s a Tangka that is made of pearls and gems, attracting Buddhists to worship.

Yumbulakang Palace, with a history of more than 2,100 years, is the first palace for the Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsanpo. The entire building is shaped like a castle, towering high on the top of the mountain.

Stay overnight in Tsetang

Today you will go to Gyantse (4,040m). En route, you will visit Samye Monastery, which is designed according to the mandala of Tantra. Samye Monastery is the first monastery in the history of Tibetan Buddhism with Triratna "Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha".

On the way, you can have a glimpse of Yamdroktso Lake. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m) in the distance. And you will see the grand Karola Glacier on the roadside. After that, we will arrive at Gyantse soon.

Stay overnight in Gyantse

After breakfast, we shall visit Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and then see the Gyantse Fortress from a distance.

Gyantse Dzong, the hero city that witnesses the history of fierce fighting. In 1904, British troops started to attack China here, and the Tibetan people defended their homeland with simple weapons. The bloody war lasted for more than three months. This is also the basic story of the famous movie named "Red River Valley".

The last spot of the day is Shalu Monastery, the only monastery in Tibet that combines Tibetan and Chinese styles in its design.

Then we will start to go to Shigatse (3,840m). It normally takes one and a half hours to drive from Gyantse to Shigatse, where we may visit the traditional barley mill and have the unique sights of barley fields (in summer).

Stay overnight in Shigatse

In the morning, drive to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447. The monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge of the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.

After that, transfer to Yungdrungling Monastery. It is one of the few remaining Bon Monasteries in Tibet. Often referred to as the original religion of Tibet, Bon came about during the 11th century. The Monastery is rather small but in a wonderful setting with only a few monks to maintain the many valuable Bon writings. This is a great side trip when traveling between Lhasa and Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Lhasa