Day 1

Arrival Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day to get used to the high altitude.
Meals: No meal
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet. Located at the foot of Mt. Gephel, Lhasa’s altitude is 3,490 m and the air contains only 68% of oxygen compared to sea level. Traditionally, Lhasa is the seat of the Dalai Lama, and the location of the Potala Palace and Norbulingka Palace. In Tibetan Buddhism the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is regarded as the holiest centre in Tibet.

Day 2

Lhasa
Today, enjoy your full day religious visit to Potala Palace, the landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang Temple and then take a stroll along the Barkhor Street, where you can find many interesting local ornaments.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa
 
The awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city. The palace which consists of the Red Palace, the White Palace and some attached buildings was a complex of political and religious function. Now it is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts.

Located at the center of the old Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. The temple is the fine product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architecture techniques. Visitors will be treated to the sight of various exotic and sacred sculptures. Jokhang Temple also houses many invaluable cultural relics. Every year, the Great Prayer Festival is held here.

Barkhor Street is a famous commercial and commodity-distributing center in Lhasa, consisting of more than 120 handicrafts shops and more than 200 stalls. It is a good choice that should never be missed by tourists coming to Lhasa, for you can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits. Barkhor is the road that pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. When walking along Barkhor Street, you should move in the clockwise direction.

 

Day 3

Lhasa
After breakfast, start your sightseeing tour today for Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery and then take a family visiting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa

The Tibet Museum houses a rich collection of prehistoric cultural relics including Buddha statues in different postures, imperial jade seals, gold albums, gifts granted by emperors, colourful tangkas, and various printed Sanskrit and Tibetan scriptures. Visitors can also see variety of folk art such as unique Tibetan handicrafts, costumes, jewellery, and adornments made of gold, silver, and jade, as well as fine Chinese pottery.

The Sera Monastery is the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries built in Lhasa. The setting itself is very beautiful with cobbled alleyways, temples and colleges. The highlight of visiting Sera Monastery will be watching 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.

 

Day 4

Lhasa    Namtso Lake
After breakfast, you will start your driving to Namtso Lake in Nagqu area, the second largest salt lake in China. On the way, you can have a chance to take a glimpse of North Tibet Grassland. But please kindly note that, the accommodation in Namtso Lake is a little bit crude, only the simple houses and tents are available. Hope you do not mind.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: In Namtso Lake area

Tip: From every November to next March, Namtso Lake site will be closed and do not receive guests due to the weather condition. If you wanna take the tour, we recommend you make your journey in some other time.  

Namtso Lake is located in Nagqu Prefecture, about 260km from Lhasa and 60km from Damxung County. Namtso Lake means 'the holy lake' in the Tibetan language.

With over 30km from north to south and over 70km from east to west, Namtso Lake covers a total area of more than 1,900 square kilometers, being the second largest salt lake in China. At an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is also the highest altitude salt lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33m.

As one of the five biggest pastures in China, North Tibet Grassland is surrounded by the Kunlun, Tanggula, Kangdese and Nyainqentanglha Mountains.

Nourished by Black River, the upper reaches of Nujiang River, North Grassland is a paradise for the wild animals and plants. Yaks and sheep can be seen everywhere on the vast grassland. The grass Naza growing on the grassland is a kind of short grass that has the highest content of protein among all grasses. That's why the flocks and herds grazing on the grassland are fatter and stronger than in other places. 

 

Day 5

Namtso Lake    Yangpachen    Lhasa
Today, you will back to Lhasa. On the way, how about take a visit to Yangpachen, where famous for its geothermal resources. After the tour, be transferred back to Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Yangpachen is a town approximately 87km (54 miles) north-west of Lhasa. The town lies in an upland lush green valley surrounded by the tents of nomads with grazing yak and sheep populating the hillside.

The area is famous for the Yangpachen hot springs, which have been harnessed to produce much of the electricity for the capital Lhasa.

There is a thermoelectric power plant on the edge of the Yangpachen hot springs field covering 20–30 square kilometers. The thermoelectric power plant was established in 1976, and the first development of geothermal power in the whole of China.

 

Day 6

Departure Lhasa
Say goodbye to Lhasa and continue your tour to the next stop.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends