5-Day Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour

Utilize 5 days to experience the most essential Tibetan culture and explore the plateau scenery. You will visit the highlights of Lhasa's attractions and have a lakeside picnic near the Tibetan holy lake — Lake Yamdrok.

Highlights

Count the steps up to the Potala Palace — the holy palace of Tibetan Buddhism
Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims at the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
Watch monks debate at Sera Monastery
Enjoy a picnic at Lake Yamdrok
Stay in a heritage hotel in Lhasa's old town

Suggested Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1Arrive in Lhasa (elevation 3,650 m)

Accommodation in Lhasa: House of Shambhala (4-star) / InterContinental Lhasa Paradise (5-star)

Your private driver and guide will be ready for you when you arrive in Lhasa. Sit back in a comfortable vehicle, leave the hassles to your guide, and enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel.

Local people

Good to know

It's better to arrive in Lhasa in the morning. Then you will have more time to acclimatize to the altitude and preempt altitude sickness.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel with special oxygen supplies, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (with a luxury oxygen spa) or InterContinental Lhasa Paradise (with oxygen supplied directly to the rooms each day from 10pm–6am) is recommended.

Day 2Lhasa: Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery

Breakfast and lunch

Quick Facts

Norbulingka

Like the royal Summer Palace in Beijing, Norbulingka was known as the Summer Palace for the Dalai Lamas in Tibet, but now it is a beautiful public park.
There are lots of plants, so we recommend you start your day from there as there is more oxygen, which will help you to get used to the altitude.

Sera Monastery

Debating is a way of learning Buddhist teachings. Sera Monastery opens its doors to the public when the debates are in session so you will have the chance to watch the monks in debate. The monks' debate is held at 3:30pm every day except for Sundays.

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is built on the hillside and there are many Buddhist rock paintings on the hill.

Activities

Enjoy an unhurried Western breakfast, such as bread, hot coffee, and salad. In the morning, you will visit Norbulingka, stroll in the park, and get used to the altitude.

Later, you will be driven for about 15 minutes to Drepung Monastery where you will climb the stairs up to the hill and visit the delicate temples. If you are lucky, you will hear the monks chanting together, which sounds just like singing.

Have lunch in a local restaurant and choose Tibetan food, Western food, or even spicy Sichuan food. Your tour guide will help you to order.

In the afternoon, you'll watch monks debating over age-old scripts in a courtyard of Sera Monastery. When debating, the monks will do a lot of gesturing. Enjoy their “dance” and guess what it means.

Norbulingka

General rules for visiting temples in Tibet:

Cameras are not allowed in the temples or in the debate field, but taking photos with a cell phone is acceptable.

When entering a temple, please take off your hat and sunglasses to show respect. Your shoulders should be covered and you should not wear shorts.

Walk clockwise when visiting Barkhor Street.

Day 3Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Breakfast and lunch

Quick Facts

Potala Palace

“Potala” means Buddhist shrine. The Potala Palace was built as a gift for the fiancée of the Tibetan King Songtsen — Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty. Later, it became known as the Winter Palace for the Dalai Lamas.
The Potala Palace houses incredible antiques including eight Dalai Lamas' holy stupas. The most exquisite stupa is the 5th Dalai Lama's, which comprises 3,721 kilograms of gold, 52 tons of silver, and over 15,000 jewels and pearls.
The Potala Palace is composed of a white palace and a red palace. The white palace is used for working and the red palace is for religious purposes.
People mix milk with sugar and honey and coat the Potala Palace with this mixture. These ingredients make the walls stay bright and stable.

Potala Palace

Jokhang Temple

It houses a golden statue of a life-sized Sakyamuni, which was taken there by Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty. This statue is considered to be Sakyamuni himself, so the Jokhang Temple is the most holy temple to Buddhists.

Activities

Visit the Jokhang Temple in the morning. You will find a lot of devoted pilgrims prostrating themselves near the front gate. The Jokhang Temple Square is also an interesting place. You can write down your wish and hang your prayer flags on the tall praying pillar.

Barkhor Street is like a backstreet around the Jokhang Temple. Walk clockwise and join the local people's kora (circle for religion). There are many interesting shops in the street.

The Potala Palace is built on a mountain and before entering the palace you will need to climb about 360 steps. This is your third day in Tibet so you should be ready to do it.

Once you get into the palace, you will be surprised by the exquisite wall paintings and glorious chambers. Listen carefully as your guide is going to explain a lot of Buddhist culture.

Potala Palace

Day 4Lhasa — Yamdrok Lake (elevation 4,500 m)

Day 5Leave Lhasa

Trip Notes

1. Tibet Travel Permit

You will need a Tibet Entry Permit. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for your permit once you book a Tibetan tour with us.

In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.

2. Altitude Sickness

Before your trip, ask your doctor for any suggestions in relation to altitude sickness and take some medicine with you, just in case. The most popular altitude medicine among foreigners is Acetazolamide/Diamox.

We recommend that during the first 2 days after arriving in Tibet, you should keep warm, avoid taking a bath, and refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol.

Drink plenty of water (more than 4 liters per day) before you go out and when you have reached a higher altitude, and eat lots of vegetables and carbohydrates. Slow down, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.

If you don't feel well after entering Tibet, go and see a doctor as soon as possible. There are doctors in major hotels in Lhasa, and you can call your tour guide for help at any time. We offer a free oxygen bag in the car.

Guiding

Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. They are trained to offer a Western standard of service.

Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs

This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extending or shortening it to suit your price, interests, and schedule.

Our service includes

Our 1-to-1 expert China consultancy with unlimited itinerary changes
Booking of China internal flights, trains, and cruises, per your preferences
Your own China-Highlights-trained, versatile and knowledgeable tour guide (per city)
Your own chauffeured and comfortable vehicle, chosen for ample space
Hand-picking of hotels for your requirements
Hotel breakfasts arranged, and local restaurant lunches ordered, to suit you
Entry to all attractions on your itinerary, with queues avoided wherever possible
Our 24-7 helpline for while you are travelling

map

Highlights
Suggested Itinerary
Trip Notes
Price and What's Included