Tibet Tours

Classical Central Tibet Tour from US$ 960

The mild and pleasant climate in central Tibet makes this area available for tourists year around. This route offers the epitome of Tibet with some of the most impressive visions: snow-capped mountains and holy lakes, splendid monasteries and palaces, original villages and unsophisticated people.
Tour code: CHTB-02
Destination: Lhasa, Shigatse Region
Departure: Daily
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Old Town as the spiritual heart of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, Yamdroktso Lake in Tibet, climb over the snow pass of Kambala, Nojin Kangtsang Glacier, Pala Farmland
 
Day 1  Arrive in Lhasa
 
Upon arrival at Konggar Airport, your guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel, rest and acclimatize.
 
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel or similar
 
Day 2  Lhasa (B/L)
 
Today’s sightseeing includes Lhasa’s cardinal landmark- Potala Palace and the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor- Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans.
 
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel or similar
 
Day 3  Lhasa (B/L)
 
Today you will visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, the two great Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa. Sightseeing today begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
 
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel or similar
 
Day 4  Lhasa – Yamdroktso – Gyantse (B/L)
 
Today you’ll travel to Yamdroktso (4441m above sea level), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The 110km mountain road is a little bit bumpy. After about 3 and a half hours drive, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala (5030m), the dazzling Yamdroktso just lies several hundred meters below the road. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m above sea level).
Drive across Karola, enjoying the awesome roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier you get to Gyantse. The 35m-high famous Kumbum stands there, packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, it’s an architectural wonder in Tibet.
 
Accommodation: Gyantse Hotel or similar
 
Day 5  Gyantse – Shigatse – Lhasa (B/L)
 
Drive 4km to Gyantsse to the Pala Farmland which used to belong to the slave-owner family of Pala. Then proceed to Shigatse. Pay a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery and the Old Town of Shigatse. Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid life picture of local people. Drive back Lhasa.
 
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel or similar
 
Day 6  Depart from Lhasa (B)
 
Free till being transferred to the airport and board onward plane with the help of local guide.

When in Rome, do as romance do. There are lots of things of which you could just have an idea.

1. Travel to monasteries

   a) You may be asked to take off  the hat when you enter the holy hall where the Buddha’s statue is

        located

   b) Guide may remind you of not eating onion or garlic, no short skirt or short pants

   c) You may be asked not to go in if you are a female while you visit some places

   d) You may be asked to clockwise go around monasteries or temples

   e) Please better not to point Buddha’s statue by one of your finger, should be one hand

2. During trip from the beginning to the end

   a) You may be asked not to hand out some pictures or documents to local people without guide’s

        reading first.That is to say, you could leave nothing unless your footprints

     

   b) You may be asked not to talk about the things relating to politics which you read or heard before

        you come to Tibet as you will enjoy your tour at your leisure time

   c) You’d better bring some cash on you because credit cards are not acceptable

   e) Better take good care of your passport as you will be asked to hand in it for the alien permit

        issue to

   f) Bring some small gifts like candy, chocolate, or pencils for kids if you visit a village or family 

3. Be care of the temperature

   a) Better take one more clothes while tour in Tibet due to the fast change of the temperature as it is

        much difficult to get recovery if you catch a cold

   b) Due to the very strong sun rays, better take a pair of sun-glasses, sun-blocking cream, hat

        (which you c could buy in Barchor Bazaar, lip-stick

4. If you are in a Tibetan family

   a) better drink the total yak butter tea if you do need more, otherwise the host will always fill out your

        cup.

   b) do not pat the local people on head or hold him by the shoulder

   c) do not step on the door sill if you are welcome to go in

5. Take it easy when you have some mountain sickness because you know everyone have more

     less of the sickness.

   However, you could breathe in some wet oxygen in a clinic if you could not put up with it

6. when you want to buy something, better not buy knifes because it is not allowed to take them

     to the aircraft

   even you put them into check-in luggage

1. What are the baggage regulations when flying inside China?

Carry-on baggage: The maximum carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg. First class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry on luggage. All other passengers can carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed 20×40x55cm. Carry-on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage.

Check-in Baggage: Adult and children are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, for first class, 30kg, for business class, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. No free baggage allowance is granted to infants.

Groups traveling together are able to combine their baggage allowance if they check in together

Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited and cannot be carried in checked or carry-on luggage: Flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, radioactive, polymerizable and magnetized materials. Passengers are forbidden to carry arms, sharp or lethal weapons during flight.

2. Can you help buy the domestic flight ticket in China？

Yes, we can help buy all domestic flight tickets within China.

A Full Flight Timetable in and out of Lhasa

3. Can you buy e-ticket for me?

Yes. Right now, many air companies in China are selling e-ticket for travelers. It is very convenient to use. Your travel advisor could help you buy the ticket from the ticket office but you do not need to hold the paper ticket, all you have to do is to bear your passport and remember the flight number which will be told after your travel advisor bought the e-ticket.

4. Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Tibet now?

The popularity of train travel to Tibet has resulted in the huge demand for Tibet train tickets among visitors. It’s very difficult for individual travelers to get a ticket on their own. Reliable travel agencies can NOT guarantee successful booking. Access Tibet Tour recommends you fly into Tibet and return by a train.

5. Do I need a heath report when I travel by train to Tibet?

All travelers are required to complete a heath report on the train to Tibet.

Timetable and Ticket Prices for Trains of Qinghai-Tibet Railway

6. What vehicle do you use in Tibet?

If the tour is mainly around Lhasa, you are suggested to use minivan as the road condition around Lhasa is pretty good, and the minivan cost less as well. If the tour is covering some places with bad road condition and long distance to reach, we are offering 4WD off road vehicles.

1. What are the hotels like in Tibet?

Tourism is Tibet is in its infancy and the number of 4 Star hotels is quite limited. The newer hotels have been built away from the city center in order to protect the city history and environment. These hotels have central heating which is used in winter but no cooling is available in summer. We would still warn that the facilities and service standard may not be as you would expect from a hotel with this rating in other parts of the world. Older hotels located in the city have a good location but will not provide the level of comfort of the newer hotels and may not have any central heating. The level of service and facilities may be quite basic. Staff will probably not speak much English. Hotels in small cities and the Everest Base camp are very basic. They will usually have a public bathroom with squat toilet.

2. Can explain what the budget guesthouse, comfortable hotel and best available hotel are?

One thing you should bury in mind is that hotels in Tibet concerning its facility and service are not what you imagine. Not like hotels in big cities in China and other cities abroad.

Budget guesthouse has a few kinds. One is the twin room with or without the bathroom in it. The other is triple, four-bed rooms, and more beds rooms named dormitory which all have no private bathroom in them. Former one can be easily found in Lhasa and Shigatse, while later one is often the choice in remote area in Tibet.

Comfortable hotels on our website refer to middle class hotels, or standard hotels regarding to its location, or price, or comprehensive service ability. They are usually three star hotels, or comparatively good 2 star hotels.

The best available hotels are the 4 star hotels. 4 star hotels can only be reached in Lhasa. The best available hotels in the region out of Lhasa are generally 3 star hotels, and in some places hotels with no star, but comparatively of good condition.

3. What are the hotel rooms like in hotels in Tibet?

Often, in a room, there are two beds which we call twin-sharing room. Some hotels have queen bed room and some even have triple room. But the number of queen bed room and triple is very limited. Twin-sharing room with two beds inside is commonly used in Tibet.

4. Does the hotel room have access to internet?

Some hotel rooms, not all, in Lhasa have access to internet, so you should inquiry your travel advisor for accurate information before making decision. But some hotel has business center where you can use internet service.

5. Is there 24-hour hot water running?

Due to basic condition in Tibet, sometimes with the poor pressure, the water flow may small and water sometime is not hot but just warm. In remote area, the condition can be even worse.

6. What can I eat in Tibet?

In Lhasa, you can choose Chinese food, western food, Nepali food and Tibetan food as well. But in remote towns and areas, choice is limited, Chinese food or Sichuan cuisine is the best choice.

1. Do you offer join-in tour or can I join a group?

Right now we only operate private tours in Tibet. There is no group to join in. You may check our website in the near future. If you do not wan to travel alone, you may invite people to join you by posting messages on some travel forums.

2. What is private tour?

Private tour means that you will have a tailor-made tour itinerary, a private vehicle, a driver and a guide. During the tour, there will be no other tourists with you, but only your family members, or close friends.

3. How can I make a tour itinerary?

You can choose the pre-made Tibet tour itinerary from our website and send your requirement to us. We will have our travel advisor help you with the further discussion. You can also pop up your own itinerary but have to consult our advisor to see if your proposition is feasible and doable.

4. What does your tour cost?

Tour cost varies because tour itinerary might be different, group size might be different, and also many other aspects might affect the tour cost, like travel time, hotel standard.

5. I want an independent/private tour, but I do not want to do shopping, can you manage it?

Yes, we can manage that. We offer high quality of the ground service including shopping. But if you do not like shopping, we assure you that you are not led to any shops. But it is our guides’ responsibility to show you the essence of local product (specialties). If you are not interested in any products at all, please specify this point with your travel advisor when making a reservation.

6. Besides your sightseeing tours, do you have any other special tours like trekking, hiking, rafting, horse riding, etc?

Yes, we do provide all the above special tours you mentioned, and the mixture of different kinds. We offer the trekking tour, long time adventure tour, hiking during the sightseeing tour, and even rafting. As for the rafting, we have two kinds, one is mild for elder people and you can see the view that you cannot see in the sightseeing tour. The other kind is the exciting rafting which will cost a few hours covering 30 km. By the way, if you want to do trekking tour, it needs at least 8 days plus the sightseeing tour in cities or monasteries. During the trekking, you will have yaks and yak man, a chef to serve you besides our guide.

7. What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept major three ways of payment,

1). Wire transfer [we will send you our company bank account info via email];
2). Credit card [we will send you a credit card authorization letter via email];
3). Paypal [we will send you the Paypal payment link via email].

8. How can I pay the balance?

You can pay the balance either by cash or by credit card upon your arrival in Lhasa.

9. Why is the money you charged to my credit card more than that you claimed to me?

The rules of Tibet (China) Government do not allow us to charge in foreign currencies. Credit card payments charged in CNY (RMB) are based upon the prevailing rates in China. Your card issuing bank will debit you in local currency and Access Tibet Tour will have no control on the rate of conversion used by your card company. The result is that the amount charged from your credit card might be slightly different from the amount on the credit card authorization form.

ATT Answers:
1. What documents do I need if I am planning to travel to Tibet?

You need to have a valid passport, a valid China visa and a Tibet travel permit (sometimes people call it Entry permit or TTB, or Tibet visa).

 2. Do I need Visa for China?

All visitors traveling to mainland China, whether for business or pleasure, require a visa. No Visa is required prior to enter Hong Kong, a Visa will be issued upon arrival. If you travel beyond Hong Kong, even for a few hours, you will need a China visa to enter China.

3. What should I be aware of when apply for the China Visa?

Access Tibet Tour recommends that you obtain your visa before leaving the country where you live. When you are applying for the China visa, ATT advises you try not to mention Tibet or to write anything about Tibet on the application form. It is advisable to refer to other places in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, etc. otherwise, visa officer may reject your application and you won’t get the visa to China.

4. How can I get China visa in Chengdu?

It is usually very easy to apply for a China visa in Chengdu. You can get a visa yourself at:

Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

6th Floor, Lower Block
26 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (0086)28-66218093 or 0086(0)13880379428

Please Note:

1) You need to go there Monday to Friday during business hours.
2) ‘Fast Process’ means: the visa should be processed the same day.

Requirements to obtain a Visa in Chengdu

A. One recent passport photo.
B. Passport which needs to be valid at least more than 3 months.
C. Call the office before your visit.
D. China Tourist and Business (F) Visa can be obtained easily in ChengDu. It can be obtained with the help of a travel agent but at least 3 full working days should be allowed for this procedure.

5. Do I need double/multi-entry visa if I come to Tibet from China mainland and return China mainland after the trip?

No, because Tibet is a part of China, if enter Tibet from other cities in China mainland and after the trip in Tibet, get back to China mainland again, only a single entry visa is required.

For example:

BeijingàTibetàSiChuan

For this, a single entry visa is okay.

6. If I travel via Nepal to Tibet, are there any special requirements on China visa?

Before you are coming to Lhasa from Katmandu, you must get China visa from Katmandu because no matter you’ve already got the visa in your country or not, you must get a visa in Katmandu, which is regulated in an official memo between China and Nepal. The fastest way is that we send the Invitation Letter to Katmandu at least one day prior to your arrival in Katmandu, then you can apply for China Visa in the second day easily, which will cost around 1-2 days. Chinese Visa fees: US$ 50.00 payable in cash upon arrival in Katmandu [US$ 70.00 for US Citizens].

The Chinese embassy in Katmandu only opens for visa application on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to 11:30am. The application will take at least one working day, please confirm your schedule to fit the visa application.

7. What’s the procedure to get China visa in Katmandu?

Step 1: After you book the tour from us, provide me your copy passport information and copies of your passport

Step 2: We will apply the ‘Visa Invitation Letter’ from Tibet Tourism Bureau, after we get, we will fax it to our Nepal business partner before you arrive in Katmandu

Step 3: After your arrival in Katmandu, our Nepal business partner will try to find you in your hotel, then go to the Chinese Embassy together to apply the Chinese Visa. With the ‘Visa Invitation Letter’, you can get your Chinese Visa very easily.

8. What is Tibet Travel Permit?

Tibet Travel Permit is the official document that allow foreign traveler to enter Tibet. It is granted by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Tibet Travel Permit sometimes is also called Tibet Entry Permit or TTB permit.

>>> More about Tibet travel permit

9. What do I need to do to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit?

You need provide us with the high quality scanned copies of your passport and China visa, and the following information as well. Then we can hold these things to help you get the Tibet Travel Permit.

1) Full name
2) Gender
3) Date of birth
4) Passport number
5) Nationality

10. Can I get the Tibet Travel Permit easily?

Travelers can get the Tibet Travel Permit easily through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

11. When do I need to apply for the Tibet travel Permit?

You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date, which means you should prepare all the information and documents in hand before this period of time.

12. With this Tibet Travel Permit, where can I go in Tibet?

Tibet Travel Permit (or TTB) only endorses you to enter Tibet, to stay in Lhasa area and two another major towns of Tibet like Gyantse and Shigatse. If you are planning to travel beyond and farther, you are required to prepare the PSB Permit for which Access Tibet Tour could help you to apply.

13. How can you send the Permit to me, or how can I receive it?

a. If your last stop before entering Tibet is in China mainland, we can mail express the travel permit to the place you will be staying, e.g. your home address, postal code if you work and live in China, or the hotel name, address, postal code if you are travel in China. You will be receiving an EMS (Express Mail Service) envelope in which the permit is put.

b. If you only have a flight connection in one certain city, we have some one come to the airport to pass you the permit in person.

General Travel Information:
ATT Answers:  
1. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The best time to visit Tibet is from early May to late October. Because first of all the Tibet weather would be not harsh, and secondly it is best time to visit Mt. Everest Base Camp (if you have plan to get there).

2. What’s the weather like in Tibet?

Lhasa – Shigatse – Lhatse – Tingri – Nylam: Along the Friendship highway is basically in good conditions year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble. Try to avoid August – landslide could happen in the rainy season.

Mt.Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visitMt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to seeMt. Everest’s true face (if you are lucky). From December to February, you’d better not to go to this area because it is too cold – except you are real Great Adventure People.

Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.

Eastern Tibet: Don’t go to this area in July or August (the rainy season) because the rain could ruin the road, and make terrible landslides. In winter, the road could be frozen.

Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

>>> Tibet weather forcast – real-time weather report

3. What do you suggest we bring with us if we travel to Tibet?

For the clothing, we suggest casual attire style and layered clothing. In day time you may need only a T-shirt or at most a jacket, but at night you may need a coat. Down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, the Everest Camp or further to Mt.Kailash.

Sun glasses, sun blocking cream, moisture scream are very necessary to be in your packing list.

4. What is high season? What is the definition for high season, shoulder season and low season?

High season marks the most popular times of the year for travel in Tibet, due to the weather, holiday periods or other reasons. Therefore hotels, airlines and travel agencies are heavily booked, and prices are higher than at other times.

The seasons are usually defined as follows:
High season: July 1 to October 15.
Shoulder season: May 1 to June 30.
Low season: October 16 to April 30.

Travelers should also be aware that the peak holiday periods: first week in May, first week in October, and Chinese Spring Festival (often takes place in late January or early February) are particularly busy. Prices and bookings will be even higher than usual.

Access Tibet Tour reserves the right to vary prices as a result of seasonal charges being imposed.

5. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The legal tender in Tibet is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly. Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange marker on the day.

The Bank of China in Tibet is the bank which specializes in handing money exchange.

6. Is it easy to find an ATM in Tibet?

You won’t have any problems finding an ATM in Lhasa and Shigatse, although you probably won’t be able to find one in remote areas or the smaller towns. However, this situation is changing, and ATMs are gradually spreading out across the land.

7. What credit cards are accepted in Tibet?

Actually it is often accepted in big cities in Tibet, like Lhasa and Shigatse. Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in Lhasa. They include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner’s club, and the JCB card of Japan. Credit cards are accepted only in large shopping stores. Credit card symbols are displayed in the visible place in shops and hotels indicating credit cards are accepted.

Tangka is a kind of scroll painting mounted on silk. It has distinctive ethnic features and a strong religious flavor. Its unique artistic style is highly prized by the Tibetan people.

The origin of tangka can be traced back to the early Tubo Kingdom. During the 7th century, King Songtsan Gambo united Tibet. To strengthen political, economic and cultural exchanges with Tibet’s neighbors, he married Princess Chizun of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. Around this period he ordered the construction of Potala Palace and some other grand edifices. To decorate them, he drafted a large number of people to paint murals. This greatly promoted Tibet’s art of painting. According to the Catalogue of Jokhang Monastery written by the Fifth Dalai Lama, “The King (Songtsan Gambo) used the blood from his nose to paint a portrait of the White Lhamo. Later, while a statue of the White Lhamo was being sculpted, the portrait was hidden in the abdomen of the statue.” This is the earliest record of a tangka painting. This tangka has been lost, but we can conclude that tangka was a new Tibetan art form which flourished during the reign of Songtsan Gambo.

Following the spread of Buddhism, Buddhist art also flourished. Since tangkas are easy to make, not limited by the variety of buildings, and easy to hang and store, they were used as a means to spread Buddhism. From then on, tangkas and murals developed side by side, becoming two bright pearls in the history of Tibetan painting.

Tangkas depict a wide range of themes. A considerable number of ancient tangkas have been preserved. However, few tangkas dating from the Tang and Song dynasties remain. The Sakya Monastery houses a tangka entitled Sanggyai Dongsha, which contains 35 Buddhist images. Its style is similar to the murals found in the Dunhuang Grottoes. It is said to have been completed during the Tubo Kingdom, and is a rare treasure. The Potala Palace houses three Song Dynasty tangkas, two of which are kesi (a type of weaving done in fine silks and gold thread by the tapestry method). A portrait of Palma Toinyoi Chuba has a caption written in Tibetan at the bottom of the tangka saying that it was made at the order of Gyaincain Zhading as a gift for his teacher Chagba Gyaincain. A tangka with a portrait of Kungtang Lama (1123-1194) was made in the late Song Dynasty. Another tangka, depicting the life of Mila Rigba, describes Mila Rigba’s self-cultivation. Experts have concluded that it was made in the Tang Dynasty.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, to strengthen its rule over Tibet, the central government conferred honorific titles on religious leaders in Tibet. In the Ming Dynasty eight religious leaders received the title of prince, and in the Qing Dynasty the titles of Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama were conferred. These measures were favorable to Tibet’s social order, and social and cultural development. In this period, the art of tangka also scaled a new height. The number of tangkas saw a remarkable increase, and different schools emerged. In general, the tangkas of Eestern Tibet are noted for fine brushwork, expertly depicting the inner world of man; the tangkas of Western Tibet are similar to gongbi (traditional Chinese realistic painting characterized by fine brushwork and close attention to detail) paintings with their bright colors.

Very few tangkas bear the names of their painters, but some of the most famous painters of tangka, such as Lozhag Dainzin Norbu of Eastern Tibet, and Qoiying Gyaco and Jamyang Wangbu of Western Tibet, were master painters of the 17th century. Some tangkas were painted by talented lamas. In the past, monasteries were places of learning. Many senior monks were not only masters of Buddhist theory, but also excellent painters. Atisa, who entered Tibet to spread Buddhism during the 11th century, was a master painter of Buddhist portraits. It is said that he painted two tangkas. One is kept in the Razheng Monastery, and the other, a portrait of Vajra-Buddha, is kept in the Nietang Temple, which also houses a self-portrait of Atisa. Gunga Gyaincain of the Sakya Monastery painted a portrait of Manjusri Bodhisattva for the North Sakya Monastery. Tsongkapa, founder of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, was also good at painting. It is said that he once painted a self-portrait for his mother living in what is now Qinghai Province. Religious leaders of later generations, such as Ngaming Losang Gyaco, also painted tangkas for monasteries.

Most tangkas are painted on cloth, silk or paper, but there are also tangkas of embroidery, brocade and applique. Embroidery tangka is done with silk thread of different colors, depicting landscapes, figures, flowers, feathers, pavilions and towers. Brocade tangkas are woven on jacquard looms, with warp-and-weft patterns. Applique tangkas are made by pasting figures and patterns of colored silk on a background material; and kesi tangkas are like relief sculpture, with a three-dimensional effect, something like a special handicraft combining the art of painting with silk weaving. These fabric tangkas have compact compositions, fine patterns and bright colors. They are of close texture and very decorative. Some tangkas are inlaid with pearls and precious stones. At first, most fabrics used for making tangkas were made in the interior. Later, Tibet developed embroidery and applique tangkas. There are also tangkas made from woodblock prints, the working procedures including painting the original design, engraving the block, printing, color application and mounting.

Tangkas depict a wide range of themes taken from Tibetan history, social life, folk customs, astronomy, the calendar and traditional Tibetan medicine. Using paintings to reflect history is a remarkable characteristic of tangkas. Tangkas depicting the general history of Tibet are composed of scenes of important events at various stages of Tibetan history, together with captions. Tangkas depicting dynastic history portray scenes of historical periods, reflecting relevant historical events. There is another kind of tangkas portraying the life stories of certain personages (including religious figures). Potala Palace houses a tangka of an atlas of celestial bodies. Each planet is in the form of an animal, symbolizing one of the 12 heavenly bodies moving in its own orbit. It is an important cultural relic for the study of ancient astronomy and the Tibetan calendar. Norbu Lingka houses a complete set of medical tangkas, totaling 62 paintings and showing medical principles, the structure of the human body, acupoints on the channels and collaterals of the body, medical apparatus and pharmaceuticals. In the 17th century, during the reign of Sanggyai Gyaco, famous painters from various parts of Tibet were summoned to make a complete set of tangkas illustrating the corpus of Tibetan medicine.

The main theme of tangka is religion, such as portraits of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, scenes of saints expounding the sutras, temples, religious personages, and religious stories. Such pictures make up more than 80 percent. Even tangkas depicting Tibetan history and science have a strong religious flavor. In general, a tangka depicting a religious theme is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower, representing heaven, earth and the underworld, respectively. The middle part shows Buddhas, such as Sakyamuni; the upper part shows Bodhisattvas; and the lower part has pictures of monks and guardian deities.

All big monasteries in Tibet house a considerable number of tangkas. At Potala Palace a two-story building was built as a warehouse for storing tangkas. On the 30th day of the second month by the Tibetan calendar a prayer ceremony is held. Several thousand lamas from Zhebung Monastery and other temples gather at Potala to hold religious rites and various other ceremonies. Two huge tangkas with portraits of Buddha are hung on the terrace. This is called “sunning the Buddha.”

Tibet’s murals and tangkas, while preserving the fine traditions of Tibetan painting, have also absorbed techniques from the interior of China as well as neighboring countries such as India and Nepal, to form a style of their own. Over a long period of time, different schools have appeared, the most famous being the “Maintang” and “Qingzi.” The former features compact composition and elegance, represented by the murals in Jokhang Monastery and Potala Palace; the latter features boldness and liveliness, represented by murals and tangkas in Xialu, Baiqoi and Toding monasteries.

Numerous Buddhist Acts emerged after the mid-11th century, including the Nyingma, Gatang, Sagya, Gagyu, Zhigyed, Gyoyul, Gyonang, Kodrag and Xalhu sects. The latter five were rather weak owing to the lack of political support. They were thus forced to join force or were otherwise annexed by other sects, and as individual entities fell into the oblivion of the long flow of history. The following five sects enjoyed impressive popularity:

Nyingma Sect :
 The sect, founded in the 11th century, is also known as the Red Sect and is the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The sect paid great attention to absorbing the fine points of the Bon religion and, at the same time, did its best to locate Buddhist sutras secreted away when Darma moved to suppress Buddhism. Based on its practice of Buddhism deeply rooted in the Tubo Kingdom of the 8th century, the sect called itself Nyingma, a word meaning ancient and old in the Tibetan language. Monks of the Nyingma Sect wore red hats, hence the name the Red Sect. The Red Sect mainly advocates the study of Tantrism. Its theory was strongly influenced by Han Chine language Buddhism, and is quite similar with the theory of Ch’an School of Buddhism in China’s hinterland. Today, the Red Sect is not only active in Tibetaninhabited areas in Ghina, but also in India, Bhuttan, Nepal, Belgium, Greece and France, as well as in the Unite States.

Gatang Sect :
 The Gatang Sect, founded in 1056, primarily advocated the study of Exoteric teachings, with later emphasis on Tantrism. In the Tibetan language, Ga refers to the teachings of Buddha, with tang meaning instruction. The combination Gatang thus refers to advising people to accept Buddhism based on the teachings of Buddha. Its doctrines were promoted far and wide and thus exerted great influence on various Tibetan Buddhist sects. However, along with the rise of the Gelug Sect in the 15th century, the Gatang Sect dissolved with its monks and monasteries merging with the former.

Sagya Sect :
 Sagya means “white land” in the Tibetan language. The Sagya Sect, founded in 1703, derived its name from the fact that the Sagya Monastery, the sect’s most important monastery, is grayish white in color. Enclosures in the sect’s monasteries are painted with red, white and black stripes, which respectively symbolize the Wisdom Buddha, the Goddess of Mercy and the Diamond Hand Buddha. Hence, the sect is also known as the Stripe Sect. The ever increasing influence of the sect and the expansion of feudal forces throughout its formation led to the increasing fame of the “five Sagya Sect Forefathers”. The Fourth Forefather Sapan Gonggar Gyaincain was summoned to Liangzhou in 1247 by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) ruler to dialup matters concerning Tibet pledging allegiance to the Yuan Dynasty. This was followed by Sapan bringing various feudal forces in Tibet under control of the Mongols. Following the death of Sapan, Pagan, the Fifth Forefather of the Sagya Sect, emerged as a high-ranking official in the Yuan court. Pagba Was granted honorary titles such as “State Tutor”, ”Imperial Tutor” and ”Great Treasure Prince of Dharma.” Thereafter, the Sagya Sect emerged as the Yuan Dynasty representative in Tibet. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) , Gonggar Zhaxi, an eminent monk with the Sagya Sect, journeyed to Nanjing, capital of the Ming Dynasty, to pay homage to Emperor Yongle. Gongar was granted an honorary title as the “Mahayana Prince of Dharma”, one of the three Princes of Dharma.

Gagyu Sect :
 The Gagyu Sect, founded in the 11th century, stresses the study of Tantrism and advocates that Tantrist tenets be passed down orally from one generation to another. Hence the name Gagyu, which in the Tibetan language means “passing down orally.” Marba and Milha Riba, the founders of the Gagyu Sect, wore white monk robes when practicing Buddhism , leading to the name White Sect. In the early years, the White Sect was divided into the Xangba Gagyu which declined in the 14th and to 15th centuries, and the Tabo Gagyu. The Tabo Gagyu was powerful and its branch sects were either in power in their respective localities or otherwise dominant amongst feudal forces.

Gelug Sect :
 The Gelug Sect, founded in 1409, was the most famous Buddhist sect in Tibetan history dating to the 15th century. The sect was founded during the reform of Tibetan Buddhism initiated by Zongkapa. Zongkapa himself was born at a time when the Pagmo Zhuba replaced the Sagya Regime in power. At that time, upper-class monks involved in political and economic power struggle led a decadent life, and rapidly lost popularity with society. Faced with this situation, Zongkapa called for efforts to follow Buddhist tenets. He proceeded to undertake lecture tours in many areas and wrote books accusing decadent monks of failing to abide by Buddhist tenets. Zongkapa spared no effort to press ahead with Buddhist reform. For example, in the first month of 1409 according to Tibetan calendar, Zongkapa initiated the Grand Summons Ceremony in Lhasa’s Jokhang Monastery. The ceremony remains in practice even today. This effort was closely followed by the construction of the famous Gandain Monastery and the founding of the Gelug Sect which was famous for its strict adherence to commandments. The Tibetan language meaning of Gelug is “commandments”. Zongkapa and his followers wore yellow hats, and thus the Gelug Sect is also known as the Yellow Sect. Since its founding, the Yellow Sect has built the Zhaibung, Sera, Tashilhungpo, Tar and Labrang monasteries, which join the Gandain Monastery as the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect. The Yellow Sect is also known for formation of the two largest Living Buddha reincarnation systems – the Dalai and Bainqen systems.

Day 1
Entry Lhasa
Be met & transferred to airport, take the flight to Lhasa Transfers from the airport to the hotel.
Arriving at Lhasa Gongar Airport , be met and transferred to your hotel. Take a rest to acclimatize yourself to the high latitude.

Day 2 (B, L )
Lhasa
Visit Potala Palace , Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

The Potala Palace : Perched upon the Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in.
 
The Jokhang Temple : It is the spiritual center of.

The Barkhor Street : The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble.

Day 3 (B, L, )
Lhasa
Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery,Norbulingka and Tibetan Family.

The Drepung Monastery: It is one of the biggest monasteries in .

The Norbulingka Park : Norbulingka means ” Jeweled Garden “. It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served as the whole governmental administration.

The Tibetan Family: Common Tibetan people welcome you to their homes, greet you in their traditional way and entertain you with their typical food.

Day 4(B, L, )
Lhasa
Visit the Yamdrok Lake and Ganden Monastery.

The Yamdrok Lake: Lamdrok It is 150km far from Tsedang yumtso,meaning dark blue lake looks like jasper,located in Nhagartse county en route to Gyantse.With an altitude of 4480 metres and a coverage of 638 square kilometres,its shore is as long as 250 kilometres.

Ganden Monastery : Gandan Monastery is one of the three great monasteries of the Yellow Sect. It is located in the pass of the Wangguer Hill in Dagze County. It was built in 1409 by Zonggaba, the ancestor of the Yellow Sect, and is one of the birthplaces of the Yellow Sect. Gandan Monastery is an important cultural site under the state protection.