Day 1: All over the country → → Lhasa (3650 meters) ❤ Full day gathering in Lhasa
All day
Today, tourists from all over the country will arrive in Lhasa according to their own transportation options and check into their hotels. After checking in, it's recommended to rest and acclimate to the plateau before preparing for the upcoming trip. Tourists in good health can explore Barkhor Street, but it's recommended to take it slow on the plateau. If you feel unwell, please contact staff immediately for assistance.
Don't get too excited when you first arrive in Lhasa! On your arrival day, avoid showering. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, eat light meals (only until you're 80% full), and stay up late (going to bed early will cause you to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling asleep). Avoid smoking and drinking. A positive mental state is the key to overcoming altitude sickness. Numerous studies have shown that maintaining an open-minded and optimistic attitude can alleviate the physical discomfort caused by altitude sickness.
Day 2 Lhasa (3650 meters) Full day free at leisure
All day
Due to the unique characteristics of the plateau, today will be spent resting and allowing the body to fully acclimate to the low-oxygen environment to alleviate altitude sickness. Those feeling weak or experiencing altitude sickness can rest at the hotel or explore freely. Considering that many of the team members are visiting Tibet for the first time, it's worthwhile to visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, both landmarks of Lhasa.
If there are tourists who want to visit the Jokhang Temple this afternoon, we will inform the group time and location. The staff will lead everyone to visit and explain the tour. The entrance fee to the Jokhang Temple is at your own expense, and the tour fee is free.
Recommended attractions in Lhasa
The Potala Palace: A renowned landmark in Tibet, it's an ancient palace complex that combines palaces, castles, and monasteries. Its beauty can't be appreciated from a distance; only up close can its infinite charm be truly felt.
You need to visit the Potala Palace at least 14 days in advance (the specific time is subject to the official mini program, and tickets are released at irregular intervals). You must make an appointment on the Potala Palace ticket reservation mini program. On the day of the visit, you must arrive at the security check at the main entrance of the Potala Palace one hour in advance.
Jokhang Temple: The central temple of the entire Tibetan area with a high status. When you come here, you can experience the Tibetans lighting butter lamps in the Jokhang Temple and circumambulating the Barkhor Street. The entire Barkhor Street is resounding with the sound of the six-syllable mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum", which is grand and spectacular.
To visit the Jokhang Temple, you need to make an appointment one day in advance through the Jokhang Temple ticket reservation app. On the day of the visit, you can purchase tickets at the gate with the reservation code.
Barkhor Street: After visiting the Jokhang Temple, you can freely stroll through Barkhor Street, boasting over 1,300 years of history. Despite its age, the old city remains remarkably intact, offering a glimpse into Lhasa's urban life. Dinner is free to dine at. Lhasa Kitchen and Snowland Restaurant are both excellent, and Guangming Teahouse offers both sweet and butter tea. The menu offers a wide variety of Tibetan, Nepalese, Sichuan, and Western cuisine.
Sera Monastery: Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, Sera Monastery is known as one of the three great monasteries of Lhasa. They are famous for their debate rituals. The debates take place in the debate arena on the north side of the monastery. The debates are often crowded, so arrive early to secure a good seat.
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00, last admission at 16:00. Debate time: Debate starts at 15:00 every afternoon, closed on Sundays.
Drepung Monastery: The white buildings covering the hillside look like a huge rice pile from a distance, hence the name "Drepung". Famous buildings in the monastery include "Ganden Phodrang", "Coqen Hall", and the four major "Zhacang" and its affiliated Kangcun.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, last admission at 4:00 PM.
Zhaji Monastery: Located on Zhaji Road in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, Zhaji Monastery is a Tibetan temple dedicated to the God of Wealth. Although small, it is incredibly popular, attracting numerous Tibetans and Han Chinese every Wednesday. Zhaji Monastery is a branch of Sera Monastery, a Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and is free to visit.
Day 3 Lhasa (3650m) → Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon (2880m) → Suosong Village (2930m)
All day
After breakfast, we will continue along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway, one of China's most scenic highways, passing the confluence of the Niyang and Yarlung Zangbo rivers and the Buddha's Palm Sand Dunes, and enter the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. We will take a scenic shuttle bus to visit the Grand Canyon scenic area, and then stay at Suosong Village in the canyon scenic area. We will sit and admire the beautiful scenery of Mount Namjagbarwa and the canyon, stroll and take photos, and wait for the sunset over the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.
Day 4 Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon (2880m) → Basongcuo (3480m)
All day
In the morning, you will wake up to the pastoral scenery of snow-capped mountains and the fragrance of birds and flowers. In the morning, you can freely take photos of Mount Namjagbarwa and the morning glow of the Grand Canyon. Then, you can leave in time and drive to the [Basongcuo] scenic area to find the Buddhist affinity of the zodiac tree, verify the legend of the "floating island", touch the "green water", and climb up to overlook the panoramic view.
Basongcuo Scenic Area is Tibet's first national 5A-level scenic spot. Meaning "green water" in Tibetan, it stretches approximately 18 kilometers, covers an area of approximately 27 square kilometers, reaches a depth of 120 meters, and sits at an altitude of 3,480 meters. Located in a high gorge upstream of the Bahe River, approximately 36 kilometers from Bahe Town in Gongbujiangda County, it is a renowned sacred lake and site of the Red Sect. Our guide will lead us to the Dachela Observation Deck for a panoramic view of Basongcuo.
Then stroll along the road to the island in the middle of the lake, where the tour guide will lead you to visit the temple on the island - Cuozong Temple.
Stay in a hotel or B&B in the scenic area at night to facilitate all-day sightseeing.
Day 5 Basongcuo (3480m) → Lhasa (3650m)
All day
Wake up to stunning views, enjoy breakfast, and then embark on a light hike to Xincuo (Xincuo, a high mountain lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, a hidden gem inaccessible to ordinary tourists). First, transfer to a small car to Sangtong Ranch, where the driveway ends. Continue hiking for approximately 3 kilometers to Xincuo Lake, nestled among snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you'll pass alpine pastures, pristine jungles, and streams traversing pastures and pastures, offering a close-up experience of nature. The wildflowers bloom in summer and autumn, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Depart in the afternoon and return to Lhasa along the beautiful Linla Expressway.
Special Note: If weather conditions prevent the hike into Xincuo, the day's itinerary will be changed to a light hike in Bailanggou. If bad weather prevents the light hike, the Norbulingka visit will be offered instead. Thank you for your understanding!
Day 6 Lhasa (3650m) → Namtso (4770m) → Lhasa (3650m)
All day
Today we visited the long-awaited Namtso Scenic Area. We arrived at the gate of Namtso Scenic Area and took a short break. We could also take beautiful photos with the beautiful scenery at the gate of the scenic area. Wearing colorful clothes will make you look more attractive. Then we arrived at Nagenla Pass. We specially reserved time for everyone to take photos at Nagenla Pass and hang prayer flags to pray for family and friends.
We arrived at Namtso Lake (4,770 meters above sea level), one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, covering approximately 1,920 square kilometers. From afar, the lake's water and sky merged seamlessly, the azure sky and lake forming a single entity. The lake itself was dotted with numerous islands, each offering a unique array of shapes and forms. Enjoy a photo op before departing in time for your return to Lhasa.
Day 7 Lhasa (3650m) → Gangbala Pass (4990m) → Yamdrok Lake (4441m) → Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (3600m) ❤ Dismissal Day
All day
After breakfast, we'll cross the Gangbala Pass at an altitude of 4,990 meters and arrive at Yamdrok Lake, known as the "Heavenly Holy Lake." It's a freshwater lake and one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. On clear days, you can see Ningjinkangsha Peak (7,206 meters) in the distance. In summer, the lakeside is ablaze with flowers and grazing with cattle and sheep. Here, you can get up close and personal with the water and pose for some fun!
After the tour, we arrived at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport for a transfer, concluding our trip! Farewell to our beautiful holy city of Lhasa. See you next time in Lhasa!
If you are not leaving Lhasa today, you can disband at Lhasa Airport or return to Lhasa city.
