Highlights

  • Visit the well-known Norbulingka in Lhasa, which is a typical Tibetan-style garden.

  • Visit the well-known Potala Palace in Lhasa, the most outstanding representative of thousands of Tibetan Buddhist temples and palaces.

  • Explore traditional Chinese religious culture and get some spiritual strength in the Jokhang Temple - a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. It is the most brilliant architecture in Tibet during the Tubo Period.

  • Walk into Barkhor Street and learn more about traditional Tibetan life.

  • Visit the second largest monastery in Tibet - Sera Monastery.

  • Visit the beautiful Namtso Lake; this lake is considered to be the symbol of Parvati, the mother of the universe in Hinduism, and it is also regarded as the habitation of the legendary swan king.

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Arrive in Lhasa, Visit Norbulingka

Welcome to Lhasa! Lhasa is a city with both human and natural landscapes. Lhasa is the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region and the political, economic, cultural, and religious center of Tibet; it is also the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism. Lhasa is located in the middle of the Tibetan Plateau and the north of the Himalayas, with an altitude of 3650 meters. After arriving in Lhasa, the local tour guide will welcome you at the airport, and then transfer to the hotel. Then visit Norbulingka in the afternoon. Return to the hotel to rest after the tour. Acclimatize to the high altitude in the hotel.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa
Altitude: 3650
  • Lhasa

  • Norbulingka

Day 2Admire World Heritage Potala Palace, Visit Jokhang Temple, Leisure time at Bakhor Street

There is no severe cold in winter or intense heat in summer; the climate is pleasant. The annual sunshine time is more than 3000 hours, which is known as the "sunshine city". The tour will begin from the UNESCO World Heritage site - Potala Palace, which is also the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It's situated at 12,139 feet above sea level. It's a 13-story high building that contains over 1,000 rooms, various statues, stupas, murals, and artifacts. Potala Palace is located on the Maburi mountain in the northwest of Lhasa city. It is a palace-castle-style building complex. It was originally built by Zanpu Songzanganbu of the Tubo Dynasty to marry Princess Wencheng. Potala Palace is an outstanding representative of Tibetan architecture as well as the essence of ancient Chinese architecture. The architectural art of Potala Palace is the most outstanding representative of thousands of Tibetan Buddhist temples and palaces. It is a unique example in China and even in the world. In addition, about 200 cultural relics in the Potala Palace treasure museum are on display, including letters of patent, seals, gifts, documents and classics, palm leaf scriptures, statues of Buddha, Thangka, magic tools, etc. Therefore, you can explore more about traditional Chinese culture and religious culture and also can get spiritual strength in this unique holy land.

Jokhang Temple is another UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. Located in the center of the old urban area of Lhasa, it is a Tibetan Buddhist temple built by Tibetan king Songzanganbu. The reason why Lhasa has the reputation of "holy land" is related to this Buddha statue. Jokhang Temple has a history of more than 1300 years and has a supreme position in Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang Temple was the most brilliant architecture in Tibet during the Tubo Period, and it is also the earliest civil structure architecture in Tibet. It has created the Tibetan Pingchuan style temple Municipal Bureau style. 


And next to the temple, there is Bakhor Street, filled with pilgrims and street vendors, selling traditional Tibetan items such as prayer wheels and jewelry. It has strong local style and national characteristics. Bakhor Street is the most famous commodity street in Lhasa. It is also an ancient and sacred place in Lhasa; you can visit Bakhor Street for a long time and buy some souvenirs.


Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3650m
  • Potala Palace

  • Jokhang Temple

Day 3Enjoy the beauty of YamdrokTso Lake, then back to Lhasa visit Sera Monastery

Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse. Admire the Gampala pass (4790 m) on the way, and get a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake (4400m), which is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains. In the hearts of Tibetans, YamdrokTso Lake is regarded as "Turquoise Earrings scattered by goddess". In the Gangbala mountain pass, you can overlook the lake. When irradiated at different times, it will show different levels and rich blue. Water sources come from snow water in the Tanggula Mountains and the water changes with light and evolves into a thousand changes in blue. There is a section of road along the lake not far from Gangbala Snow Mountain and you can take a walk here for a while. 

Afternoon, Sera Monastery---It was one of the "three great" Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. And a lot of people come here to watch the debate, so if you can get earlier then you will get a good seat. Besides, the older murals are preserved in many large halls of Sera Monastery. Tourists should bring a flashlight or headlights for easy appreciation. Tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues are also preserved in the temple, some of which are made locally, and a few are brought from the mainland or India. You can see the whole Sera Monastery in the northeast of the Buddha platform; every year, the Sutra ceremony is held here at the Sho Dun Festival.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3800m
  • Yamdork Lake

  • Sera Monastery

Day 4Enjoy the holy Lake Namtso, then back to Lhasa, experience the traditional Tibetan handcraft art.

Today is a great day for witnessing Tibet’s natural beauty--Namtso Lake. Drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso. Namtso Lake is the "Heavenly Lake" which is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt lake. Namtso Lake was selected as the third place in the "China's Five Most Beautiful Lakes" by China National Geographic's "Beauty China" pageant. You can do a relaxing trek around the lakeside and the Tashi Island. Many travelers will spend the night on the lake together to see the beautiful sunset and sunrise. And the starry night in Namtso brings you wonderful memories too. 

Then, drive back to Lhasa. Upon arrival, we will take you to fully immerse yourself in the experience traditional Tibetan handcraft art center.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 4200m
  • Namtso Lake

  • Namtso Lake

Day 5Depart from Lhasa

The driver will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight. Wish you have a pleasant journey!

Traffic: Car
Hotel: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3650m

Dates & availability

Prices may change, so secure your trip today!

Departing Finishing Booked Single Room Total USD Book

INCLUDES

  • Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight info.

  • Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

  • All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary

  • Domestic flights and 2nd class express train listed in the itinerary

  • Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request)

  • Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

  • Travel and health insurance when travel with us.

  • 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

EXCLUDES

  • International and domestic flights not indicated.

  • Food, Lunch or dinner not specified

  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

  • Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned

TRIP NOTES

  • We will upgrade trains to 1st class where available if book the tour 5 months in advance of departure.

  • There is no problem to travel Silk Road during Ramadan.

  • Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

Transportation

We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and trains.

Accommodation

All the hotels we selected are 4-5star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.

Guides

Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from SRT.

Climate and Altitude

Generally speaking Mid March—End Oct are the best time to visit Silk Road. And we strongly suggest you come in May, June, October to avoid the heat and crowd. No need to worry about high altitude along the Silk Road. We will prepare Oxygen bags if the package includes Xiahe, Qinghai Lake and Taxkorgan County.

We offer beneficial Cancellation Policy to our customers.