Exploring Lhasa and Tsedang with Namtso Lake covers popular landmarks in Lhasa and Tsedang with a day tour of the Namtso Lake. In Lhasa, we visit the astonishing Potala and Norbulingka Palaces.
Exploring Lhasa and Tsedang with Namtso Lake covers popular landmarks in Lhasa and Tsedang with a day tour of the Namtso Lake. In Lhasa, we visit the astonishing Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, Tibet Museum and Barkhor Bazaar. Here, we also tour a number of impressive Tibetan monasteries like Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Jokhang Temple. In Tsedang, we visit the 8th century Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Chim Phu caves and Yambulakhang palace. A seperate day is set aside to explore Namtso Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. The lake was also selected as one of the five most beautiful lakes in China by the Chinese National Geography magazine.
Arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, pick up and transfer to hotel and then free time.
In early morning transfer to the airport and fly to Lhasa (3650 m), and after arrival at the Gonggar airport drive directly to Lhasa. In the afternoon a rest at a hotel to acclimatize to the new environment is essential because of the sudden ascent from 500m above sea level to an altitude of over 3,650 meters.
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.
In the morning visit Drepung monastery, the sacred land of Gelugpa sect., which was created in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 llamas live there.
Drive to the holy Lake Namtso and hike there.
Drive to Tsedang, on the way visit Mindrolling monastery.
In the morning, drive along and then cross over the Yarlung Tsangpo River by small ferry to visit the magnificent Samye monastery built in the late 8th century. It is the first monastery in Tibet that possessed the three essences of a Buddhist monastery: Buddha, Scripture and Monk. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. The grand building complex was structured in the model of the boundless universe regulated by Buddhist scripture. Its main building is a three-story tower with an interior influenced by Tibetan, Han and Indian styles. In the afternoon you drive to Yarlung valley to visit Yumbulagang, a reconstruction of Tibet's oldest palace originally established on this site by the founder of the Yarlung dynasty - Nyatri Tsenpo during the 1st century BC.
In the early morning transfer to the airport and fly back to Chengdu. Then connecting flights. End of our services.
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