Data in submission...Welcome to Nyingchi, which means the "Throne of the Sun" in Tibetan language. The attractions in Nyingchi will let you feel the warmth of the sun. Let’s start the sightseeing right after you leave the airport. The Sekyim-La Pass is your first destination. With an altitude of 4,728 meters (15,511 feet), the Sekyim-La pass is a perfect site to admire sea of cloud, forest scenery and the Mountain Namjia Bawa, whose meaning is the "Rock Fell Down from the Sky" in the Tibetan language. It is covered by snow all year round.
Continue the trip to the Lulang Forest, which enjoys the reputation of the “South Yangtze Area in Tibet”. The mist, forests and countless types of flowers are the features of the South Yangtze River Area. In Tibet, this scenery can only be seen in Nyingchi. Some local people build their houses in this earthly paradise. Don’t be jealous of them. You will have plenty of time to take photos there.
Why is altitude sickness less common in Nyingchi?
It is Because Nyingchi is the area with the lowest altitude (3,000 meters or 9,842 feet) in Tibet. And the 53.6% of the land in Nyingchi is covered by forest. This gives Nyingchi air high Oxygen content and high air quality. Both these factors help protect people from acute altitude sickness. However, not everyone is immune to the sickness.
Accommodation：Style Hotel or Similar
We will drive to Lhasa along the beautiful Niyang River today. Although you might not want to wait too long to see the holy capital of Tibet, the Lake Basumtso is absolutely worth a stop. Snow-capped mountains, forests, pastures with waterfalls, and relics of ancient buildings can all be found here. What else could you expect from this place, seemingly from out of a painting? You will spend the night in Lhasa.
Accommodation：Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa or Himalaya Lhasa Hotel
Today, you will visit the sacred Potala Palace, which was built during the Chinese Tang Dynasty in the 7th century AD and listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO Organization in 1994. The buildings, artworks, and statues of Tibetan Buddhism are all highlights of this ancient architectural complex. Standing on the mountain where the Potala Palace is located, you will have a bird’s eye view of the city of Lhasa. Of added interest, check out the back of a Chinese Currency 50 Yuan note, and you will see a picture of the Potala Palace printed there!
Continuing on your trip to the Jokhang Temple, also known as the Qoikang Monastery, you will find the life-size statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni (Buddha). Jokhang Temple is believed to be the sacred heart of Tibet, because the Shakyamuni Buddha is located in the there. That historical fact makes the Jokhang Temple even more scared than the Potala Palace. It is said the city of Lhasa was built based on the Jokhang Temple. After leaving the Temple, we will take a stroll along Barkhor Street. This ancient street is the route for pilgrimages around the Jokhang Temple and a perfect place to buy local Tibetan style handcrafts including shoes, hats, tea, bowls and quilts. If you are hungry, stop at one of the many small food stands and buy a mouth-watering Tibetan Style dessert, such as "Tu", a sort of pastry made with yak butter, brown sugar and water. If you want something more substantial, try a tasty bowl of "Thenthuk", a hand-tossed Tibetan noodle soup, a local favorite.
Did you know Shakyamuni lived around 500 BC and was the founder of Buddhism?
Accommodation：Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa or Himalaya Lhasa Hotel
This day will give you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Tibetan culture as you will be involved in the hands-on process of the traditional Tibetan handicrafts; then witness a truly Tibetan tradition with the debating monks at one of Tibetan Buddhhim's holiest monasteries - the Sera Monastery. After breakfast, in the ethereal morning rays of light of a Lhasa morning, we will learn how to make traditional Tibetan cuisine in a typical Tibetan setting. Dishes will include Kasei (fried dough foods), Tsampa (roasted barley) with butter and cheese, Tibetan butter tea, and other tasty Tibetan treats. After learning the essence of Tibetan cooking, we will move on to Tibetan Traditional Handicraft Art Center by bus. This treasure house of Tibetan culture will teach you all about various Tibetan costumes as you learn how to make Tibetan incense, the methods behind Tibetan calligraphy, how to create thangka (Tibetan Buddhist painting), and the secrets of block printing.
Having mastered the art of Tibetan handicrafts, we will move on to visit the holy Sera Monastery to see the Buddhist scripture debate, which is held in the courtyard almost every day between 3 and 5:30 p.m. Please note that in case of some special monastery activities such as the Dharma Meeting or the reception of VIPs, the monk debates may be canceled that day. After our visit to the monastery, feel free to stroll around the streets of Lhasa as you absorb the atmosphere and spirit of the devoted Tibetan people or you may return to your hotel to rest and relax from this wonderful Tibetan cultural experience.
Accommodation：Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa or Himalaya Lhasa Hotel
Today, we will leave Lhasa for Shigatse, the home of 5 mountains whose heights are over 8,000 meters (26,246 feet). On the way, we will see the charming Lake Yamdrok first. With an altitude of 4,441 meters (1,446 feet), the Lake Yamdrok is the highest fresh-water lake in the world. The color of the lake is sky blue due to the reflection of the blue sky. Sometimes it turns to deep blue when the angle of sunshine changes. The water of the lake comes from the snow on the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain, so local people believe the water can purify their souls.
We will head towards the Karola Glacier after visiting the lake. The altitude will go up to 5,560 meters (18,241 feet) on the way to the glacier, which is only 300 meters (1,082 feet) away from the highway. The glacier looks like a huge Tangka (Tibetan Scroll Painting) under the sunshine. It was used in scenes in many Chinese movies, such as the Red River Valley and The Knot.
Visit the Kumbum Monastery before you spend the night in Shigatse. The 9-story One Hundred Thousand Buddhist Pagoda is a must-visit attraction in the monastery. Over 100,000 sculptures of Buddhas and 1,000 frescos collected in the monastery make it a paradise for art.
Did You Know the Yamdrok, Namtso and Manasarovar are three sacred lakes in Tibet?
Accommodation：Shigatse Gesar Hotel or similar
We will get an early start today to visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. After visiting this ancient monastery, one of the most important sites in Tibetan Buddhism, then we will head back to Lhasa.
Accommodation：Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa or Himalaya Lhasa Hotel
Known as the most sacred lake in Tibet, the Namtso Lake is a must-visit attraction for tourists to Tibet. Today you will head north from Lhasa to unveil her mystery. Although you need to spend 10 hours on the road for the Lhasa-Namtso round trip, the grassland and wild animals will make the drive colorful and interesting. The Mountain Nyenchen Tanghla is reflected clearly on Lake Namtso, the highest saltwater lake in the world. Sometimes, the fish swim through the huge mountain’s reflection. It looks like these fish are swimming on the top of the mountain. Besides fish, the Tibetan goats and yaks are also the prevalent in the Lake Namstso area.
Accommodation：Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa or Himalaya Lhasa Hotel
Your day will be free until we pick you up to take you on the 90-minute drive to the Lhasa airport for your departing flight.
Accommodation：None