Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake 5 Days Tour

Upon your arrival at the Lhasa airport, your tour guide will greet you and take you to your hotel and help you check in. You will have the rest of the day and evening to rest and relax to become acclimatized to the higher altitude of Tibet.

Meals: None
Accommodation: Lhasa

Warm Reminder: According to regulations, foreign tourists and tourists from Taiwan (China) must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide when arriving in or departing from Lhasa. The travel agency will inform you of the hotel check-in procedure in advance, to facilitate your check-in at the front desk. If you do not receive the notification, please contact the travel agency staff promptly (see the group departure notice for details), and we will provide you with timely assistance. Your tour guide will notify you of the assembly time for the next day via phone call or text message before 10:00 PM.

Travel Tips:
1) Pick up/drop off: Foreign and Taiwanese travelers need a tour guide to pick up/drop off according to the regulations of the Tourism Administration. Chinese traveler without foreign partner will pick up/drop off by local professional Transfer Center. Our staff/guide will contact you in advance, please ensure that your mobile phone is unobstructed.
2) Altitude sickness：With its much higher elevation, some visitors may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend
* Take a good rest and stay calm. This is the best way to prevent altitude sickness.
* Avoid strenuous activity and you’d better not take a shower on the first night to prevent catching a cold.
* Do not drink alcohol. Instead, drink plenty of water, eat fruits, and avoid heavy meals.
* If you wish, you can prepare herbal or oxygen supplements such as Rhodiola, American ginseng lozenges, or Gaoyuan’an to help with adaptation.
* Always follow the advice of your local guide. If you feel unwell, inform your guide and seek medical attention promptly.

Today we will visit the Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Center and Sera Monastery.

Traditional Handicraft Art Center
Today we will take you to fully immerse yourself in experiencing traditional Tibetan Traditional Handicraft Art Center. Experience Tibetan incense crafting (a sacred Buddhist practice), explore the ancient Tibetan script (derived from Sanskrit), and uncover the mysteries of traditional woodblock printing (used for sutra reproduction for centuries). Tibetan incense is commonly burned as an offering during Buddhist ceremonies and rituals. Its ingredients often include juniper, sandalwood, cedar-wood, cinnamon, cloves, and a variety of medicinal herbs.In addition to crafting incense, you can observe the full process demonstrated by the local artisan, who will teach you Tibetan calligraphy and help you write your own name or blessing in the Tibetan script. This makes for a meaningful keepsake to bring home as a memory.

Sera Monastery
The monk debate in Sera Monastery is held in the courtyard almost every day between 3:00pm and 5:30pm. Please note that in case of some special monastery activities such as the Dharma Meeting or the reception of VIPs, the monk debates may be canceled that day. After our visit to the monastery, feel free to stroll around the streets of Lhasa as you absorb the atmosphere and spirit of the devoted Tibetan people, or you may return to your hotel to rest and relax from this wonderful Tibetan cultural experience.

Warm Reminder:
* If today falls on Sunday, you will only visit the Sera monastery without debating. We will appreciate your understanding!!
* If Sera monastery holds temporary religious ceremonies or receives special guests, the debating could be canceled. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lhasa

 

Today we will visit the highlights of Lhasa city Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace
Initially built in 641 AD and listed as a world heritage site in 1994, the Potala Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in Tibet. The halls, murals, statues and mountain views will make you shocked even if you are not a Buddhist.As you wander through the halls, chapels, and sacred shrines that honor past Dalai Lamas, you’ll be captivated by the intricate murals, exquisite carvings, dazzling jeweled decorations, and the deep spiritual atmosphere that fills the air. Inside the Potala Palace, countless Tibetan pilgrims can be seen bowing and praying devoutly - for many, visiting this sacred site is the journey of a lifetime.Your guide will also share fascinating stories about King Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd ruler of Tibet, who originally built the Potala Palace in the 7th century to honor his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty.
【Ticketing tips for the Potala Palace】
* All visitors must enter as part of a guided group and can stay inside for a maximum of one hour.
* Tickets are issued under a real-name reservation system. A valid ID, MTP or passport is required, and once reserved, rebooking is not allowed within 7 days.
* Entry times are assigned randomly by the Potala Palace Administration, and it’s not possible to choose your visiting hour.
* During peak season, your travel group may be split into smaller sub-groups with different visiting times or guides.
* Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace.
* The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays. If your visit happens to fall on Monday, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. Please confirm the final arrangements with your travel consultant.

Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Temple is the final destination for pilgrims. A statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, who lived in India in the fifth century BC, and who was the creator of Buddhism, is collected in the monastery. This is the reason why Buddhists consider Lhasa a Sacred Land.According to legend, Jokhang Temple was built by King Songtsen Gampo for his two brides - Princess Wencheng of China and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. The name Jokhang means “House of the Buddha,” and the temple enshrines a life-sized statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, one of the most sacred treasures in the Buddhist world. This makes Jokhang Temple the holiest pilgrimage site in Tibet.Take time to explore the temple’s intricate architecture - admire the colorful murals, ornate decorations, and fine carvings that showcase the essence of Tibetan craftsmanship. From the second floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling Barkhor Street below.【Ticketing tips for the Jokhang Temple】* Visiting time: about 1 hour* Admission requires real-name reservation through the “Jokhang Temple Reservation” WeChat between 7:00–23:59 for the next day. Reservations are limited, so please book in advance with your guide’s assistance.* Jokhang Temple is an active religious site. During important religious ceremonies or special events, access may be restricted - your understanding is appreciated.

Barkhor Street
Located near the Jokhang Monastery, the Barkhor Street was only a place for Buddhists to do a religious circumambulation in ancient times. Nowadays, tourists can buy exquisite souvenirs on the street, such as handicrafts, costumes, tea, prayer wheels and Tibetan incense.

Meals: Breakfast, 1 special meal (Tibetan or Nepalese specialty cuisine)
Accommodation: Lhasa

 

This morning we’ll take a drive up to the Kampala Pass (elevation 4797 meters) where you’ll have a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. Yamdrok Lake is a turquoise ribbon shimmering among snow-capped mountains. Known as one of Tibet’s four sacred lakes (along with Lhamo Latso, Manasarovar, and Namtso), Yamdrok is believed to hold spiritual power - helping Tibetans locate the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. You’ll also see locals offering photo opportunities with Tibetan mastiffs, yaks, or goats dressed in traditional ornaments. You will want to have your camera at the ready for the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet.

Later in the afternoon we will continue to visit the Xiazhulin Temple. Compared with other popular ancient temples, Xiazhulin Temple with a panoramic view of the Yarlung Zangbo River is very quiet. The temple is most famous for the body of the auspicious goddess it enshrines. It is said that she was born a thousand years ago and was only twelve years old when she passed away. After passing away, her body naturally shrunk to only one cubit high, sitting in a Tara posture, with one eye even slightly open, as if she was half asleep. It is legend that she is the true incarnation of the auspicious goddess Green Tara, who was later enshrined in this temple.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lhasa

 

Today you will have free time until your tour guide escorts you to the Lhasa train station or airport for your departing train or flight from Lhasa. This will end your tour services in Tibet.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None