7 Days 6 Nights Ultimate Tibet Guide: Sacred City Lhasa + Namtso Lake to Explore the Plateau!

Itinerary Overview
Theme: Cultural Exploration + Sacred Lake Scenery + Plateau Adaptation
Budget: Around 4800-5000 RMB per person 💰 (including transportation, accommodation, and tickets)
Best Season: October for golden autumn colors! Avoid rainy season & cold winter ❄️

Day 1: Arrive at the Sacred City 📍Lhasa
🚂 Morning:
Arrive by Qinghai-Tibet Railway train Z165 (stunning views of Hoh Xil and Tanggula Mountains)
🏠 Stay in a Tibetan-style guesthouse in the alleys of Barkhor Street (Pingcuo Kangsang Youth Hostel | Address: Linkhor East Road, Chengguan District)
🍜 Afternoon:
Stroll along Barkhor Street’s kora path, photograph Tibetan architecture with white walls and colorful prayer flags
Must-visit at night: Guangming Port Qiong Sweet Tea House (20 RMB per person for a full meal and drinks)

Day 2: Potala Palace Pilgrimage Day
🏯 Morning:
Book Potala Palace tickets 10 days in advance! Ticket 200 RMB including guided tour
Route: White Palace → Red Palace → Deyangxia Square
📸 Hidden photo spots:
Yaowangshan Viewing Platform (shoot the same view as the 50 RMB note)
Zongjiao Lukang Park (amazing lake reflections)
🕌 Afternoon:
Jokhang Temple ticket 85 RMB, worship the life-size 12-year-old Shakyamuni statue
Don’t miss the Potala Palace night light show ✨

Day 3: Namtso Sacred Lake Tour
🌊 All day:
Small group pure play 450 RMB/person (car + ticket + insurance)
Pass through 5190m Nyenchen Tanglha Pass
Horse riding on Tashi Peninsula 50 RMB, prayer flags and snowy mountains make great photos!
⚠️ Must bring: oxygen canister + windproof jacket (altitude 4718m)

Day 4: Cultural Immersion Day
🏛 Morning:
Tibet Museum (free with reservation | Address: Norbulingka Road)
Learn about Tubo relics and Thangka paintings
🛍️ Afternoon:
Shopping on Barkhor Street! Yak jerky 80 RMB/jin vacuum packed
Dinner must-try: Lulang Stone Pot Chicken (70 RMB per person 📍Tibetan Hospital Road)

Day 5: Nyingchi Direction · Basongcuo Lake
🏞 All day:
Carpool 150 RMB/person 2.5h direct
Hike around the lake 1-2h, Cuozong Monastery on the lake island is very auspicious
🛖 Optional stay in Tibetan wooden house in Jieba Village (150 RMB/night)

Day 6: Ultimate Cultural Experience
🙏 Morning:
Debate at Sera Monastery (ticket 50 RMB | best at 3 PM)
👑 Afternoon:
Visit Norbulingka Summer Palace to see Tibetan gardens
💰 Hidden activity:
Zaki Monastery for wealth prayers, very effective! The only God of Wealth temple

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations:
Barkhor Street guesthouses 100-200 RMB (ancient Tibetan paths with oxygen supply)
Transportation TIPS:
Bus 1 RMB | Carpool to Nyingchi 150 RMB/person

🍴 Must-eat List:
Tibetan noodles 15 RMB | Sweet tea 5 RMB/pot | Yak hotpot 80 RMB
Popular restaurants to mark:
Maji Ami (next to Barkhor Street kora path)
Lulang Stone Pot Chicken (soup so fresh you’ll lick the bowl)

💡 Pre-trip Must-know:
1️⃣ Border pass (required for Everest)
2️⃣ SPF50+ sunscreen! Sunglasses and hats fully equipped
3️⃣ Take Rhodiola 7 days in advance ⚠️