Lhasa Trip Overview
Capture the highlights of magical Lhasa in just one day on this 8-hour guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site around Potala Palace. Visit the towering palace itself, the Jokhang Temple, the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism, and Barkhor Street, the vibrant street where pilgrims perform worship.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 hours
Starts: Lhasa, China
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Lhasa Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Lhasa, Tibet, China
Capture the highlights of magical Lhasa in just one day on this 8-hour guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site around Potala Palace. Visit the towering palace itself, the Jokhang Temple, the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism, and Barkhor Street, the vibrant street where pilgrims perform worship.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Meet your guide at your hotel in central Lhasa at 9:30am. Hop aboard your climate-controlled vehicle for the short drive to Potala Palace. The majestic UNESCO-listed palace, which towers over the city of Lhasa, was the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and has over 1,000 rooms, with a history dating back to the seventh century AD.
You’ll have until noon to explore this magnificent sight, with its glorious gilded burial stupas and vast walls. King Songtsen Gampo, founder of the Tibetan Empire, may have been the first to build a palace on this site, and it’s possible to visit the cave where he allegedly meditated.
At noon, it’s time to break for lunch. This is at your own expense, but your tour guide will be happy to give you recommendations of Tibetan or Chinese restaurants.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 851500 China
From here, stroll to Barkhor Street, which runs around the temple. Join pilgrims and locals in circling the shrine, a practice known as kora, or shop for traditional Tibetan handicrafts, souvenirs, or snacks.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
After lunch, it’s another short drive across town to the UNESCO-listed Jokhang Temple, reportedly also founded by Songtsen Gampo, and one of the world’s great monuments to Buddhism. Highlights include a statue of the young Gautama Buddha, aged around 12, that’s probably the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
