Lhasa Tour: A Glimpse of Tibet

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa

1. Barkhor Street
   2h
   Upon your arrival to the airport or railway station in Lhasa, you will be transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, an orientation walk around Barkhor will be arranged. Barkhor is actually a complex of street and a square located in the oldest part of the city of Lhasa. The street originated in the clockwise route which Buddhist pilgrim used to circumambulate Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most holy. Today the pilgrims are still circumambulating the temple and the surrounding area has become a major tourist destination.

Day 2: Lhasa

1. Potala Palace
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Today visit Potala Palace, a 13-story fort complex that overlooks the Lhasa Valley from an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet). It used to be a residence of Dalai Lama, now a museum and World Heritage Site. There are hundreds of murals, painted scrolls, sculptures, historical and religious documents and other rare objects. Then continue to see Sera Monastery, a complex of structures with the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges, was founded in 1419.Walk around the large complex and learn about its architectural features and history of teaching generations of scholars. Witness the monks engaged in Buddhist philosophical debate in the courtyard, an event that occurs daily in the afternoons (except Sundays).
2. Jokhang Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Then visit Jokhang Temple at Barkhor Square. The highlight of the temple is a 26 meters (85-foot) tall Buddha along with many Buddhist statues and paintings brought to Tibet as part of the dowries by wives of King Songtsän Gampo. Afterward, visit a Tangka Academy to appreciate this ancient and intricate art form, considered sacred to Buddhist.

Day 3: Lhasa

1. Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, visit the beautiful Norbulingka which used to be the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas, now a public park. It is famous for its Potrang, the private palaces of former Dalai Lamas with grandiose Tibetan architecture style.
2. Sera Monastery
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Then continue to see Sera Monastery, a complex of structures with the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges, was founded in 1419.Walk around the large complex and learn about its architectural features and history of teaching generations of scholars. Witness the monks engaged in Buddhist philosophical debate in the courtyard, an event that occurs daily in the afternoons (except Sundays).

Day 4: Lhasa Departure

1. Lhasa
   2h
   On your departure day you will be provided with transfer back to the airport or railway station and any time.
   
   Note: This is an layover tour. The arrival/departure transer can be moved to any day as you like

• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Passport name, number, expiration date and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• A current valid passport, Tibet travel permit and Chinese visa are all required on the day of travel
• If you do not already have a Chinese visa, you must get one before the local tour operator can start the process of getting your Tibet travel permit; to obtain a Chinese visa, you will need an 'invitation letter,' which the tour operator can give you
• If you have a Chinese visa, your booking must be made at least 20 days in advance of the travel date; upon booking, contact the tour operator immediately so they can start the process of obtaining your Tibet travel permit and flights
• If you do not yet have a Chinese visa, your booking must be made at least 30 days in advance of the travel date so there is enough time for you to obtain your Chinese visa before the tour operator can start the process of getting your Tibet travel permit
• Please note: If you already have a Chinese visa but it's not an 'L' tourist visa, then you need to provide supplementary letters from your sponsored organization; please contact the local operator for more details