Quick Lhasa City Budget Tour - 4 days

This is the arrival day at Lhasa. You can fly from Kathmandu over the breathtaking Himalayas. Lhasa is the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Then transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. (D,A)

Good morning in Lhasa. Welcome to this culturally loaded city with ancient heritages to see and explore.

Visit the Potala Palace

The Potala Palace in Lhasa was an abode of the Dalai Lama, which continued up to the 14th reincarnation. After the exile of the Dalai Lama, it turned out to be the museum site that's listed as the UNESCO world heritage site. It covers an area of 1300 ft/1000 ft. it has got a large series of staircases that leads you to the top of the rock, above which the palace has been built.

There are two palaces, differentiated by the red and white colors. The Red Palace is taken as a significant site. The white palace is used for official purposes. It is heavily decorated with jewelry and carving of stone and wood.

• Tombs of eight past Dalai Lamas.
• Fifth Dalai Lama’s 50-foot stupa.
• Golden tomb-stupa of the last Dalai Lama.
• Libraries and Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
• Saint's Chapel

Visit the Norbulingka Palace

The awesome site- Norbulingka palace is the largest man-made garden in Tibet. It is located close to the Potala palace, just 2.5 km away, which is translated as the park of treasure. When the Dalai Lamas were in Tibet, they used Norbulingka as their summer shelter. It has been included in the world heritage site. It covers 360,000 square meters. Norbulingka is divided into three categories- the forest area, the palace area, and the area in front of the palace. In the palace, you can explore ancient arts, crafts, Thangkas, statues, and paintings. This offers a sense of heavenly pleasure while visiting around, totally the tranquil zone in the holy highland of Tibet.

Three palaces in Norbulingka include

1. Kelsang Potrang- During the 7th Dalai Lama.

2. Tyokyil Potrang- During the 8th Dalai Lama.

3. Takten Migyur Potrang- during the 14th Dalai Lama.

Note: Shoton festival is a famous festival celebrated in July in Norbulingka.

Visit the Tibet Museum

The Tibet Museum is located southeast of Lhasa city, below the Potala palace, which is the perfect craftsmanship of the Tibetan style. The museum covers 23,508 square meters and another large area is the exhibition area, built-in 1999. It is the official museum that brings the cultural history of Tibet. It is richly decorated with interior designs, such as Tibetan doors and beams.

The history of Tibetan natural resources and geography.

Explore the folk culture and customs.

See the ancient cultural collections.

Various forms of Buddha statues. 

Welcome for the second day's visit to Lhasa city. Go on exploring the cultural jewels.

Visit the Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is located just 2 km north of Lhasa, below Tatipu hill. This is one of the significant monasteries among the three, including the Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. It was built in 1914, covering 28 acres. It was picturesquely surrounded by roses during the time it was built. It holds 19 hermitages and 4 nunneries. There are some popular sections, including Coqen Hall- 1710 AD, consisting of 5 chapels, Zhacang- Buddhist College 1419 AD, consisting of three zhacangs, and Kamcun- dormitories.

Note: the popular festival in Sera monastery is the Sera Bengqin Festival, held in the month of December. Want to book the Sera Bengqin Festival tour? Please, contact Nepal Kameleon Holidays.

Visit the Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is a great monastery in three lists. Others include the Ganden and Sera Monastery. It is located at Mt. Gambo Utse, which is on the western side of Lhasa city, about 5 km away. It was once claimed to be the largest monastery in the world. It was built in 1416, covering an area of 250,000 square meters. The courtyard sites are always chosen near Zhacang and various trees are grown. It is wonderfully constructed in the form of caves and temples with white pagodas.

Visit the Jokhang Temple/Monastery

The Jokhang temple is located in Barkhor Square in Lhasa. This is regarded to be the holiest temple in the Tibetan territory. The 4 story timber complex is brilliantly architected by the mixed styles from different neighboring countries of Tibet, built in 647. This UNESCO world heritage site covers 6 acres of area and is renowned as a Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The cultural history of the Jokhang temple dates back to the Tang dynasty (618-907). It has got numerous shrines. Other highlights include:

• Statue of Shakyamuni
• Statues of King Songtsem Gampo, Princess Wen Cheng, and Princess Bhrikuti
• Bronze collections

Visit the Barkhor Street

The Barkhor is a public square, located in the Jokhang Temple in central Lhasa of Tibet. It has become the central attraction for tourists and is widely renowned for the pilgrimage way. After the Jokhang temple became a renowned pilgrimage destination, Buddhist devotees started to come. This is the ancient trail they used. During the tour of Barkhor Street, you can see the real outlook of the ancient town. Stone and wooden sculptures are prevailing. You can buy the souvenirs for your nearest and dearest ones with a variety of items such as Thangka, prayer wheels, Tibetan paintings, holy books, and many more. The whole surroundings are spiritually loaded. 

Wow. The awesome quick gaze of Lhasa city concludes finally. We get the flight from Lhasa to your further destination or to Kathmandu. Thank you for traveling with Nepal Kameleon Holidays.