Discover Tibet's Cultural Origins
This 8-day tour including Tsedang, Shigatse, and Lhasa will bring you to the birthplaces of Tibetan culture to find out where all that is now seen as "Tibetan" is from and how Tibetan Buddhism come into being.
Starting from Tibet's four firsts: king, palace, temple, and farmland, you'll then travel to a holy lake, a beautiful glacier, and the world's deepest canyon — Tibet's awesome landscape is another facet of its culture. Visit four monasteries representing four main sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Then you'll be ready to read the most splendid chapters of Tibetan history and culture in the Potala Palace.
During this tour, you will experience Tibet with Buddhism's six sense bases: eye, ear, tongue, nose, body, and mind.
Tsedang, Shigatse and Lhasa Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Eye : See Tibet's First Palace and Greatest Palace
Discover the origins of Tibetan history in Yumbulakang Palace, and unlock stories of the mysterious Dalai Lamas in the Potala Palace.
Ear : Hear the Chants or Debates of the Monks
Admire the architectural beauty of Tashilunpo monastery: its golden roof, red walls, and white pagodas. Get to know the relationship between Dalai and Panchen lamas and witness a monks' class in the late afternoon, which is usually missed by tourists.
Tongue : Taste a Cup of Tibetan Sweet Tea to Experience Daily Life in Lhasa
Step into Tibetan life in the less-touristy corners of Barkhor Street. Explore a local market where the local people do the daily shopping, and sit in a peaceful nunnery for a cup of the sweet tea that's loved by locals.
Nose : Smell the Fragrance of the Tibetan Incense
Visit a small village that is famous for Tibetan Incense. Experience incense stick making and let the fragrance brings you a peaceful moment.
Body : Experience a Local Tibetan Family's House and Farming Work
Discover Tibetan folk customs when you walk into the living room of a local family's house. Listen to the hosts talking about their daily life. Help Tibetan people with their farming work, such as seeding, cutting barley, or hanging barley on racks.
Mind : Experience a Meditation in a Hermitage of the Oldest Tibetan School
Visit a monastery hidden on a cliff with amazing scenery around it. Discover the caves where the Buddhist masters meditated, and let your mind tune in to their legacy.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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One of the most memorable trips
We joined 6 day trip (Lhasa and Shigatse) with China Highlights/Tibet Vista. We have learned a lot about Tibet's history, culture, beliefs and lifestyle. The trip was running smoothly and relaxing. It was very well organized. People always respected of time. The chosen hotels were amazing - good locations, nice views, clean, spacious and nice breakfast. Our guide was Jenny. She was very friendly, helpful and always smiling. She was very knowledgeable like a history professor. We left the group earlier than the rest as our trip was 6 days, while others went further to Everest Base Camp. So another guide (not our original guide, Jenny) would travel back to Lhasa with us and the other person would drive us to the airport. The coordination between guides and drivers were seamless. We were always informed of next steps. We didn't feel left out or abandoned. All guides and drivers were punctual, nice, friendly and professional. Despite of language barrier, all of them were very patient and helpful. All of these not included other tour members who were very nice and easy going. more
Jul 2025, Monruthai S
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Well planned and smooth visit lhasa + Everest base camp
Had a wonderful week with the set tour with our guide Lobsang. The bus rides can be long and people should expect some discomfort from the altitude more
Jul 2025, gav
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Lhasa with Grace was Great!
We visited Lhasa for our wedding anniversary. Grace was an excellent guide—kind, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about her work. She gracefully guided us through the temples and shared valuable insights on Tibetan Buddhism. We thoroughly enjoyed her company. more
Jun 2025, OnAir6955
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private driver and guide will meet you at the airport. Sit back in a comfortable vehicle and enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel.
Visit the first palace of Tibet: Yumbulakang Palace and listen to stories of the first king of Tibet in context. The barley field at foot of the palace's hill is the first piece of farmland that fed the local Tibetans, and it has been used generation after generation since.
Visit Samye Monastery in the afternoon. It is the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery that had a Buddha, dharma, and monks. It's establishment was the most important milestone in the development of Buddhism in Tibet. Its four pagodas in different colors are a unique feature.
Explore the Chimpu Meditation Centers where the Buddhist masters meditated. Experience a meditation there yourself if you would like to.
Drive from Tsedang to Shigatse. Along the way you will visit holy Lake Yamdrok and enjoy the beautiful Kanola Glacier. Visit a local Tibetan farmer's house and be treated to Tibetan butter tea. Experience their farming work, such as cutting highland barley.
Explore the most mysterious monastery — Sakya Monastery (seat of the Sakya "Multi-colored" School) — in the morning. The murals on its yellow walls, the woman ghost statue tied by iron chains, and the mysterious sutra wall are the highlights you should not miss.
Visit splendid Tashilhunpo Monastery (base of the Gelug "Yellow Hat" School) in the afternoon. Figure out the relationship between Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Catch the chants and debates of the monks in the late afternoon if you are interested in them.
Drive along the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon to Lhasa. Enjoy the marvelous scenery on the way. See plateau lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, and traditional Tibetan villages. Stop at a small village that is famous for Tibetan incense making. Experience producing hand-made Tibetan incense.
Pilgrimage to the Potala Palace. Prepare to enjoy the resplendent chambers, exquisite wall paintings, and the stories about the most famous king of the Tubo Kingdom and the Dalai Lamas.
Have a walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street including its local market, admire traditional Tibetan architecture, and take afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery.
You will visit two less touristy monasteries today. Talk with a monk in Tsurphu Monastery (seat of the Kagyu "Black Hat" School) to get to know how the "living Buddha" reincarnation is believed to work.
And finally explore a small and quiet hermitage of the Nyingma "Red Hat" School, Drak Yerpa Monastery, which is located on a cliff with great scenery.
Note: If you are not interested in covering the monasteries of all four schools, you can replace Tsurphu Monastery with Sera Monastery, which is closer to Lhasa city and famous for its monk debates, or Ganden Monastery, which has a magnificent building group.
Your guide and driver will take you to Lhasa's airport or train station on time for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: xz-5
Rated 5 out of 5 | 98.8% Excellence