Shannan Trip Overview
Enjoy this multi-day tour and explore Tibet through some of its impressive sights: Potala Palaces, Jokhang temples, Drepung and Sera monastery, snow-capped mountains of Nyenchen Thanglha and holy lakes Yamdrok, real Tibetan villages and nomads. Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world with the altitude of about 3600 meters and prides the world-highest salt lake Namtso. You will also visit the mystical Buddhist monasteries of the Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse, Tashilhunpho monastery in Shigatse.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Shannan, China
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Shannan Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Shannan, Tibet, China
Enjoy this multi-day tour and explore Tibet through some of its impressive sights: Potala Palaces, Jokhang temples, Drepung and Sera monastery, snow-capped mountains of Nyenchen Thanglha and holy lakes Yamdrok, real Tibetan villages and nomads. Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world with the altitude of about 3600 meters and prides the world-highest salt lake Namtso. You will also visit the mystical Buddhist monasteries of the Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse, Tashilhunpho monastery in Shigatse.
Itinerary
Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
Pass By: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel.
Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa. After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. Insider Tips: For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Don not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Stay in Lhasa 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 2: Lhasa Tour (B, D)
Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa 851500 China
Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market. Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay in Lhasa 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 3: Lhasa tour (B)
Stop At: Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), Southern Slope of Genpeiwuzi Mountain, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sera Monastery, Wuze Hill , Sera Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay in Lhasa 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 4: Lhasa (3650m) to Shigatse(3900m) via Gyantse (B)
Stop At: Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Langkazi Country, Nagarze County 851100 China
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Karo La Glacier, Provincial Road S307, Nagarze County 851100 China
Later, we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pelkor Chode Monastery, China, Xi Zang Zi Zhi Qu, Ri Ka Ze Shi, Jiang Zi Xian, Unnamed Road 邮政编码: 857400
In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay in Shigatse 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 5: Shigatse to Lhasa (B)
Stop At: Tashilunpo Monastery, Jijilangka Road, Shigatse 857001 China
You will start your day by heading to the Tashilunpo Monastery, which is the seat of Tibet’s second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. Afterwards, you will be driven 175 miles (280km) back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley through Friendship Highway. It takes about 6 hours.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay in Lhasa 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 6: Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Damxung / Yampachen (B)
Stop At: Lake Namtso, Nakchu Region, Damxung County China
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland ( in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake.
Then we can enjoy our time to do leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Dumxung or Yampachen.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Dumxung or Yampachen local hotel
Day 7: Yampachen to Lhasa
Stop At: Yangpachen Hot springs, Yangpachen Town, Lhasa China
Drive to Yampanchen and enjoy the natural hot spring bath in here. (Please prepare your own swimming suit.) The famous Yangpachen lies on the southern slope of the Nyenchen Tangula Mountains and is famous for its geothermal scenery. Every year, Yangpachen Hot Spring emits heat equal to that of 4.7 million tons of standard coal. Lying in a plateau basin, Yangpachen’s geothermal field covers 40 square km. To take advantage of geothermal field, resorts were built in here, giving tourists a chance to enjoy the outdoor natural hot spring spa. After having thoroughly relaxed in the spa, we head back to Lhasa. On the way, we will visit Chimelong Nunnery.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Stay in Lhasa 3-star or 4-star Hotel (Option)
Day 8: Lhasa Departure (B)
Pass By: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
