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China's Living Tibet

7 daysLhasa

Why you will love this trip

Go beyond postcard views and experience Tibet through its living culture. Begin in Lhasa, where the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street reveal the religious heart of Tibetan life. Continue through monasteries, ancient towns and highland landscapes to Gyantse and Shigatse, discovering Tibetan Buddhist art, sacred rituals, traditional architecture and everyday life on the plateau. This is a journey through Tibet as a living culture, shaped by faith, altitude, craftsmanship and community.

Highlights

  1. 1Explore Lhasa’s Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
  2. 2Experience monastery culture and debate at Sera Monastery
  3. 3Follow the sacred route past Yamdrok Lake to Gyantse
  4. 4Discover Tibetan Buddhist art in Gyantse and Shigatse

Itinerary

Written by the planner who runs this trip. Days marked with meals and where you sleep, so you can see what is actually arranged.

Meeting point · Lhasa airport or railway station pickup on arrival. Exact meeting details will be confirmed before travel.

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to your hotel to settle in and rest. No formal sightseeing is scheduled, giving you time to adjust to the plateau; an optional Tibetan-style or highland dinner can be arranged.

    Included
    • Arrival pickup in Lhasa
    • Transfer to the hotel
    • Hotel check-in assistance where required
    Optional
    • Tibetan-style or highland dinner
    The first day is intentionally kept free of formal sightseeing. Take the day at an easy pace and follow any personal health guidance for high-altitude travel.
  2. Day 2

    Visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, then walk through Barkhor Street to explore the spiritual life and traditional architecture of Lhasa. The day includes an introduction to pilgrimage culture and the Potala Palace’s exterior or surrounding area, depending on access arrangements.

    Included
    • Potala Palace visit
    • Jokhang Temple visit
    • Barkhor Street visit
    • Introduction to Tibetan architecture and pilgrimage culture
    • Private English-speaking guide service
    • Entrance tickets for the included attractions
    Optional
    • No additional optional activity specified
    Major religious and cultural sites may have visitor rules, restricted areas or photography limits. Access arrangements and ticket availability should be confirmed before travel.
  3. Day 3

    Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery to learn about monastic life and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. If available on the day, observe the monks’ debate at Sera; optional Tibetan medicine or Thangka and Tibetan craft experiences can also be arranged.

    Included
    • Drepung Monastery visit
    • Sera Monastery visit
    • Private English-speaking guide service
    • Entrance tickets for the included attractions
    Optional
    • Tibetan medicine culture introduction
    • Thangka painting experience
    • Tibetan handicraft experience
    The monks’ debate depends on the monastery’s opening arrangements and activities on the day. Optional cultural experiences require advance confirmation.
  4. Day 4

    Travel from Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake, taking in the highland scenery along the route. In Gyantse, explore the old town and visit Palcho Monastery and its Kumbum Stupa, known as the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda.

    Included
    • Yamdrok Lake visit
    • Gyantse Old Town visit
    • Palcho Monastery visit
    • Kumbum Stupa visit
    • Private English-speaking guide service
    • Entrance tickets for the included attractions
    Optional
    • No additional optional activity specified
    This is a road-travel day through highland areas. Stops and arrival times may vary with weather, road conditions and local access arrangements.
  5. Day 5

    Travel from Gyantse to Shigatse and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, an important center of Tibetan Buddhist culture and art. Explore the monastery complex and its religious setting before staying overnight in Shigatse.

    Included
    • Transfer from Gyantse to Shigatse
    • Tashilhunpo Monastery visit
    • Private English-speaking guide service
    • Entrance tickets for the included attractions
    Optional
    • No additional optional activity specified
    The monastery visit involves walking around the complex and may include steps. Please dress respectfully at religious sites and follow local visitor instructions.
  6. Day 6

    Travel from Shigatse back to Lhasa, watching the highland landscape change along the way. After arriving, enjoy free time or choose an optional visit to a traditional Lhasa market.

    Included
    • Return transfer from Shigatse to Lhasa
    Optional
    • Lhasa traditional market experience
    The journey back to Lhasa takes place by road, and arrival time depends on road and weather conditions. The market experience is optional and depends on opening arrangements.
  7. Day 7

    Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to the Lhasa airport or railway station. Your pickup time will be arranged according to your confirmed departure schedule.

    Included
    • Departure transfer to the airport or railway station
    Optional
    • No additional optional activity specified
    Please confirm your flight or train details and preferred departure point before travel.

What is included

In the price

  • 6 nights in 4-star hotels
  • Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 7
  • Lhasa arrival pickup and hotel transfer
  • Scheduled transfers between Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse
  • Lhasa departure transfer to the airport or railway station
  • Visits to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
  • Visits to Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
  • Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Old Town, Palcho Monastery and Kumbum Stupa visits
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery visit
  • Private English-speaking guide service on scheduled sightseeing days
  • Entrance tickets for the included attractions

Not included

  • Flights or train tickets to and from Lhasa
  • China visa or travel-document fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Day 1 dinner
  • Optional Tibetan-style or highland dinner
  • Tibetan medicine culture introduction
  • Thangka painting or Tibetan handicraft experience
  • Lhasa traditional market experience

Before you book

The practical things worth knowing before you commit.

  • The journey begins in Lhasa and travels through highland areas; Day 1 is kept free of formal sightseeing to allow time to settle in
  • If you have health concerns related to high-altitude travel, seek medical advice before booking
  • Monasteries and temples are active religious sites; visitors should dress respectfully and follow local rules on access and photography
  • Sera Monastery’s debate is subject to the monastery’s schedule and activity on the day
  • The route between Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse includes long road journeys; timing may change with road and weather conditions，
  • Your Day 7 airport or railway station transfer will be arranged according to your confirmed departure details

Frequently asked questions

The first day is set aside for arrival, hotel check-in and rest, so you can settle in before beginning the sightseeing program.

These are active religious places as well as cultural sites. Expect to follow local visitor instructions, dress respectfully and observe any restrictions on access or photography.

No. The debate depends on the monastery’s schedule and what is taking place on the day of your visit.

It is the stupa at Palcho Monastery in Gyantse, also known as the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda.

Yes. A traditional market experience is available as an optional activity on Day 6, subject to opening arrangements and your arrival time in Lhasa.

Yes. You can request a Tibetan medicine culture introduction, a Thangka painting experience or another Tibetan handicraft activity. Availability and format should be confirmed in advance.

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Cancellation policy

  • MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE — Full refund
  • 15–29 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE — 30% cancellation fee
  • 8–14 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE — 50% cancellation fee
  • WITHIN 7 DAYS OF DEPARTURE OR NO-SHOW — Non-refundable

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