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 Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka and Tibet Museum.
The second day in Lhasa, you'll visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries in Lhasa. It is one of the largest monasteries in the world. As the most powerful of the Gelukpa monasteries, Drepung has seven colleges and houses over 10,000 monks. It owns many splendid murals, elaborate statues and other valuable treasures. A giant golden statue of Buddha 'Jiangba Tongzhenma' sits near the precious conch shell.
The Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas in the western part of town, is your next spot. This complex was first built in 1755 as a palace and retreat; the procession of the Dalai Lama and his entourage from the Potala to here is quite a highlight for the locals. Inside the Palace, there are many interesting murals which definitely are the highlights of the Norbulingka. Whenever there are festivals, the dressed-up people gather here with their food and tents singing and dancing.
Then you will visit the Tibet Museum to know more about the long history of this unique land.
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
329
95
339
95
352
108
6-9 pax
412
95
412
95
425
108
2-5 pax
511
95
511
95
524
108
1 pax
893
893
919
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
405
172
415
172
415
172
6-9 pax
489
172
489
172
489
172
2-5 pax
588
172
588
172
588
172
1 pax
1046
1046
1046
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
451
232
461
232
496
267
6-9 pax
516
232
516
232
550
267
2-5 pax
610
232
610
232
644
267
1 pax
1078
1078
1147
* 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 Single Supplement(S.Supp) means one client occupying one standard room.
Prices in USD are based on two sharing one two adults 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.
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)
The second day in Lhasa, you'll visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries in Lhasa. It is one of the largest monasteries in the world. As the most powerful of the Gelukpa monasteries, Drepung has seven colleges and houses over 10,000 monks. It owns many splendid murals, elaborate statues and other valuable treasures. A giant golden statue of Buddha 'Jiangba Tongzhenma' sits near the precious conch shell. 