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This optional trip to Tibet is held at the completion of your semester. It would be the perfect end to your China journey by exploring one of the world’s most fascinating places with your friends! Of course if you’re intending to stay in China it’s still a definite must see place!
Tibet is one destination that is a lifetime dream to visit for many people and you’ll get the chance to do that! With its unique high attitude, exotic culture, unique highland landscapes and friendly people it is a tantalizing destination.
You will get the chance to experience Tibetan culture and its’ amazing highland scenery. We’ll visit spend 4 days in Lhasa, the holy capital of Tibet exploring the ancient ruins, monasteries, temples and local Tibetan's daily life under the guidance of our experienced Tibetan Guide.
Day 1 Beijing – Lhasa
We’ll travel by train from Beijing to Lhasa. The journey will take approximately 48 hours but the scenery is spectacular and it will provide a good opportunity to catch up with friends as well as slowly acclimatize to the altitude.
Once we arrive in Lhasa we will proceed to the hotel for check in and a well earned rest.
Day 2 Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street
After breakfast, we’ll head off to Potala Palace. The awe-inspiring Potala Palace is perched high above much of Lhasa and is considered a model of Tibetan architecture. The palace is a complex of political and religious function, which consists of the Red Palace, the White Palace and some attached buildings.
The Red Palace contains various chapels and mausoleums for previous Dalai Lamas. The White Palace contains the living quarters of successive Dalai Lamas and their tutors. The offices of the old Tibetan government and their assembly halls are also located here.
Enjoy a local Tibetan lunch before visiting the Jokhang Templein the afternoon. Tibetan Pilgrims consider Jokhang Temple the most important temple in Lhasa as it brought Buddhism into Tibet.
In the afternoon we’ll explore Barkhor Street. When Jokhang Temple was built, it quickly attracted pilgrims and a trodden path encircling it was formed, which is the origin of Barkhor Street. You may still see pilgrims walking clockwise as they hold prayer wheels! The street is full of many exotic articles where you can buy anything from sacks of incense, to blocks of yak butter or even monk outfits!
Day 3 Shigatse, Mount Gangbala, Yamdrok Lake
We will proceed to Shigatse, the previous capital of Tsang. Meaning “the fertile land”, Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and is considered the cultural, economic and political hub of Tibet. Around twelve minority ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han, Hui, Monggol, Tu, Manchu, Miao, Zhuang and Man live in Shigatse.
We’ll climb over Mount Gangbala which is at an elevation of 4600m, prior to reaching the highest fresh lake in the world - Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. Meaning “swan pool” in Tibetan, Yamdrok Lake is one of the three famous sacred lakes in Tibet. Surrounded by snow capped mountains, it makes for one spectacular view. The water in the lake is very clean and you can even drink it!
After we see the Karola Glacier and Gyangtse, we come to Shigatse to where we will spend the night.
Day 4 Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse open market, Zhodo Tidro Hermitage
We’ll make a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (aka Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. It is also called the “Heap of Glory” and was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama who is enshrined in Tashilhunpo.
The Monastery is one of the few in Tibet that weathered the Cultural Revolution relatively unscathed.
Afterwards, we will walk around the Shigatse open market where you can also see the Zhodo Tidro Hermitage in the distance.
In the afternoon, we will say goodbye to Shigatse and drive back to Lhasa. On our way back enjoy the view of the Yarlung Zangbo River landscape; the first river in the plateau.
Day 5 Namtso Lake, Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain
Today we head to Namtso Lake, which means “Heavenly Lake”. Along the way, you can view the Lhasa River, Northern steppes, Qinghai-Tibet Highway and the location of where the Olympics torch was carried.
Upon arrival, we’ll climb part of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain. During winter, the mountains are snow capped. We will then visit the Namsto Lake, which is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and is the highest salt lake in the world.
Legend has it that Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain and Namsto Lake are lovers: the crystal clear blue water reflects the high mountain, whilst the snow on the mountain melts to supply water for the lake!
Day 6 Lhasa – Beijing
After breakfast in the hotel, we will head off to Lhasa Railway Station where we shall return by train to Beijing.
Day 7 In transit.
Day 8 Arrive in Beijing.
Includes:
Standard room in 3-star hotel
Air-conditioned Bus, English Tour Gide
Return train tickets and service fee
Breakfasts and 9 meals
Life Accident Insurance and Travel agents liability insurance
Two shopping arrangements in Lhasa
Water and oxygen during the trip
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Programs Description 
