Summary: As Tibet's ancient city with the history more than 1,300 years, Lhasa has a lot to offer: its long history, brilliant culture, unique folk and enchanting highland view. TopChinaTravel invites you to explore the city's original look and the people still live the traditional lifestyle by visiting the magnificent Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Tibet Museum and so on.
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa (No meals)
Arrive in Lhasa. Be met and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
For this most mystery and paradoxical land in China, you must hold more expectations than any other cities. After arrival at the airport, the terrain you could see as you approach your hotel is pretty special. Mountainous, but stark, any growth on these slopes has camouflaged colors of those grey or greens. Some distant peaks are snow capped and the odd turquoise lake is visible. Beautiful, but it looks to be such a hard land to live in. For the rest of day, please do not hurry to do any sightseeing at once. Instead of, you had better have a half-day rest to adjust yourselves to the altitude sickness for tomorrow's trip.
Day 02 Lhasa (B/L)
A trip to Lhasa would be incomplete without a visit to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Religion is such an important element of Tibetan life that it's hardly surprising most of the attractions are monasteries, temples and palaces. The awe-inspiring Potala Palace perched high above much of Lhasa, is definitely your good choice. The palace is a complex of political and religious function, which consists of the Red Palace , the White Palace and some attached buildings.
The Red Palace contains various chapels and mausoleums for previous Dalai Lamas. The White Palace contains the living quarters of successive Dalai Lamas and their tutors. The offices of the old Tibetan government and their assembly halls are also located here. The Potala is full of elaborate artwork and frescos that tell many stories. They portray religious subjects as well as the customs and traditions of Tibet.
Although you need to climb up, it will be richly rewarded for your efforts. Words may fail you to convey the scope of gold, pearls, carvings, gems, incense, monks, rooms, stairs that are in this incredible place. It is a pity that there are no photos allowed in the palace. However you would take photos by your eyes and embed them into your minds forever.
The local Tibetan lunch is very different from the previous cities, but you will find its specialist and enjoy it. In fact, the most popular cuisine in Tibet now is Sichuan Cuisine. Moreover there are also western-style restaurants in Lhasa. You are delighted to eat what Tibetan eats in Tibet. Then you will visit the Jokhang Temple in the afternoon. According to Legend the Jokhang Temple was built on the former site of a lake. However, every time a temple was built, it would collapse later. Confused by this phenomenon, Princess Bhrikuti turned to Wen Cheng, the Princess of Tang Dynasty, for help. Being a well-educated woman, Wen Cheng told the Princess that the geography of Tibet was very much like a hag, with the lake at the heart. In order to build the temple, Wen Cheng advised they must demolish the hag by filling and leveling the lake using 1,000 sheep to carry soil from a mountain far away. When the temple was done, it was called Ra-Sa-Vphrul-Snang ('ra' meaning sheep and 'sa' meaning earth in Tibetan) to commemorate those sheep. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features different architectural styles. The three-level roof of the Jokhang offers splendid views of the Bhakhor Streets across to the Potala Palace . The golden roofs are superbly crafted with many birds, beasts, bells and other intricate figures. The Tibetan people are absolutely beautiful - very warm, friendly and welcoming. There are so many impressions and interesting and bizarre things happened every day in Lhasa.
Then you will spend a whole afternoon exploring Barkhor Street. The markets in Lhasa are on a scale quite unlike anything else you have seen. You can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits. When walking along the Barkhor Street , you need to follow the clockwise direction. You see many Tibetan pilgrims in town taking part in the various koras (pilgrimage circuits): the Nangkor, Barkor, Lingkor and Potala. Maybe there are even others associated with various monasteries. They are devout Buddhists who perform these koras as a part of their lives and a means of gathering merit. They are from different parts of Tibet but still have a distinctive look - heavy, colorful clothes, dark-haired, hair plaited and braided with beads. They travel in family groups with a prayer-wheel in constant motion. Among these various koras you see many prostrating themselves, some doing this repeatedly on the spot and others prostrating every 3 paces until they have circumambulated the route.
Day 03 Lhasa (B/L)
The focal point of today's sightseeing tour must be Tibet Museum, Sara Monastery and local carpet factory.
You have spent many time here visiting temples, monasteries and nunneries. And how about the history of Tibet? Why people here are so fantastic with religions? You will find the answer by visiting the Tibet Museum.
The Sera Monastery is a good choice as well. Sera means 'Hailstone' in Tibetan, and legend tells that it hailed during the foundation of this famous monastery. The Sera Monastery is the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries built in Lhasa . It is one of the most enjoyable afternoons of this trip. The setting itself is very beautiful and there are many cobbled alleyways, temples and colleges on a hill. One chapel struck us in particular: it houses only statues and paintings of Dark Goddesses with devouring humans. A solitary monk sits inside the chapel, banging a big drum and sounding a gong. The atmosphere there felt very deep and reverential.
The highlight is watching a monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Every day, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills. It is a highly entertaining spectacle, during which they strike poses not dissimilar to hip hop rappers. They are clapping, turning, and finger pointing, whooping, hollering, and throwing their prayer beads about. In most cases, one monk sits on the floor, while another one stands, and between them, they argue about Buddhist rituals - immensely enjoying their debates. As tourists you are allowed to walk around the edge and observe the very dynamic and animated monks asking and answering questions like ¡®why', ¡®what came first the chicken or the egg' and ¡®who is your favorite Buddha'. The spectacle is just so fun-filled and high energy. It's a bit like a Sicilian market place, or a football match, increasing in volume all the time, and some of the monks are really good showmen, sometimes mischievously involving you in their debates, as if trying to get you onto their side.
The Tibetan people are famous for their weaving skill with cotton. Weavers still use old-styled vertical looms to produce carpets in traditional processes. You'll see how the carpets are hand-made in a local Carpet Factory, which enjoys high reputation in producing traditional Tibetan carpets. The products are usually small, with delicate, bold designs in bright colors.
Day 04 Departure Lhasa (B)
Say goodbye to Lhasa and continue your tour to the next stop.
Service Ends
Price Details (per person in US$) :
Standard hotels
First Class hotels
Deluxe hotels
Stardand Class Hotels
Dec.01- Mar.31
Jun,Jul,Aug,Nov.16-30
Apr,May,Sep,Oct,Nov.1-15
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
185
95
195
95
208
108
6-9 pax
230
95
230
95
243
108
2-5 pax
319
95
319
95
333
108
1 pax
599
599
625
First Class Hotels
Dec.01- Mar.31
Jun,Jul,Aug,Nov.16-30
Apr,May,Sep,Oct,Nov.1-15
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
274
172
285
172
285
172
6-9 pax
319
172
319
172
319
172
2-5 pax
409
172
409
172
409
172
1 pax
765
765
765
Deluxe Class Hotels
Dec.01- Mar.31
Jun,Jul,Aug,Nov.16-30
Apr,May,Sep,Oct,Nov.1-15
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
441
232
451
232
485
267
6-9 pax
505
232
505
232
539
267
2-5 pax
599
232
599
232
633
267
1 pax
1068
1068
1136
* Note: all the "0" is in the above form are prices to be advised.
* High season :April,May,Sep,Oct,1-15 Nov; * Shoulder Season: Jun,Jul, * Low Season:Jan,Feb,Mar,15-30 Nov,Dec
* S.Supp : Single Supplement
TCT Member Price :
Remarks:
All the "0" in the above form indicate that the prices to be advised, and S.Supp(Single Supplement)means one client occupying one standard room.
Prices in USD are based on two sharing one twin-bed standard room,exclusive of the price for ONE passenger occupying one twin-bed room of his own.
The prices quoted here are only valid in 2008, period of 2008 Beijing Olympic excepted.
The availabilities of rooms, flights and so on are subject to change until the actual booking is being made. TCT reserves the right to adjust the prices of any portion of the tour due to the reasons beyond our control.
Prices are based on the current exchange rate and are subject to change without prior notice. For the most up to date prices, please contact with the sales.
Children under 12 have discount from above prices. Please advise all details about kids concerned with bookings.
Price includes:
Private transfers between airports/railway stations, hotels and all sightseeing spots. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.
Hotel or cruiser accommodation based on two adults sharing one standard twin-bed room/cabin; a client who travels alone or desires is required to pay a single supplement rate. A single room is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar one.
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the cruise fee as well as the cruise shore excursion in groups and daily activities. The arrangements are subject to the different cruiser companies and subject to change without prior notice.
One driver and one English-speaking guide on normal sightseeing activities in each destination.
All entrance fees to scenic spots as shown in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TopChinaTravel. TCT will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.
Tibet Travel Permit application fee in the packages related to Tibet.
Price excludes:
Round International airfare or train tickets.
Visa fee, passport application or renewal fee.
Tips for guides, escort, drives, bellman, etc.
Personal expenses such as excess luggage fees, laundry, postage, communications and beverages.
Travel insurance.
Optional meals and shows mentioned in the itinerary, which will be added up if the clients desire to take the activities.
Applicable taxes or government fees.
Any other changes caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TopChinaTravel and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary :-m.jpg)
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The local Tibetan lunch is very different from the previous cities, but you will find its specialist and enjoy it. In fact, the most popular cuisine in Tibet now is Sichuan Cuisine. Moreover there are also western-style restaurants in Lhasa. You are delighted to eat what Tibetan eats in Tibet. Then you will visit the Jokhang Temple in the afternoon. According to Legend the Jokhang Temple was built on the former site of a lake. However, every time a temple was built, it would collapse later. Confused by this phenomenon, Princess Bhrikuti turned to Wen Cheng, the Princess of Tang Dynasty, for help. Being a well-educated woman, Wen Cheng told the Princess that the geography of Tibet was very much like a hag, with the lake at the heart. In order to build the temple, Wen Cheng advised they must demolish the hag by filling and leveling the lake using 1,000 sheep to carry soil from a mountain far away. When the temple was done, it was called Ra-Sa-Vphrul-Snang ('ra' meaning sheep and 'sa' meaning earth in Tibetan) to commemorate those sheep. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features different architectural styles. The three-level roof of the Jokhang offers splendid views of the Bhakhor Streets across to the Potala Palace . The golden roofs are superbly crafted with many birds, beasts, bells and other intricate figures. The Tibetan people are absolutely beautiful - very warm, friendly and welcoming. There are so many impressions and interesting and bizarre things happened every day in Lhasa. -m.jpg)
Then you will spend a whole afternoon exploring Barkhor Street. The markets in Lhasa are on a scale quite unlike anything else you have seen. You can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits. When walking along the Barkhor Street , you need to follow the clockwise direction. You see many Tibetan pilgrims in town taking part in the various koras (pilgrimage circuits): the Nangkor, Barkor, Lingkor and Potala. Maybe there are even others associated with various monasteries. They are devout Buddhists who perform these koras as a part of their lives and a means of gathering merit. They are from different parts of Tibet but still have a distinctive look - heavy, colorful clothes, dark-haired, hair plaited and braided with beads. They travel in family groups with a prayer-wheel in constant motion. Among these various koras you see many prostrating themselves, some doing this repeatedly on the spot and others prostrating every 3 paces until they have circumambulated the route.-m.jpg)
You have spent many time here visiting temples, monasteries and nunneries. And how about the history of Tibet? Why people here are so fantastic with religions? You will find the answer by visiting the Tibet Museum.-m.jpg)
The highlight is watching a monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Every day, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills. It is a highly entertaining spectacle, during which they strike poses not dissimilar to hip hop rappers. They are clapping, turning, and finger pointing, whooping, hollering, and throwing their prayer beads about. In most cases, one monk sits on the floor, while another one stands, and between them, they argue about Buddhist rituals - immensely enjoying their debates. As tourists you are allowed to walk around the edge and observe the very dynamic and animated monks asking and answering questions like ¡®why', ¡®what came first the chicken or the egg' and ¡®who is your favorite Buddha'. The spectacle is just so fun-filled and high energy. It's a bit like a Sicilian market place, or a football match, increasing in volume all the time, and some of the monks are really good showmen, sometimes mischievously involving you in their debates, as if trying to get you onto their side. 