Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Arrive in Lhasa
Fly to the holy city of Lhasa, capital of the mystical Buddhist Kingdom of Tibet. You are greeted by tour guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure for you to relax and adjust to the high altitude.
Day 2 Lhasa one day tour
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhore Street
Tour starts from the religious Potala Palace (3700 m )built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king-Songtzen Gampo. The present one was built by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. It became known as the “Winter Palace” by the 1750, when the 7th Dalai Lama built the Norbulingka Park as his summer residence. After lunch, you will visit Jokhang Temple, situated in the old section of Lhasa. King Songtzen Gampo built this temple in the mid-7th century A.D. Now it is the most sacred place in Tibet. Pilgrims come here to pay homage from all over Tibet. Visit Barkhore Street in the evening.
Day 3 Lhasa one day tour
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today’s Activities: Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka
Full day sightseeing takes you to Drepung Monastery which is the largest of the monastery of the Gelug Sect in Tibet. After that, you will visit Norbulingka Park. In 1752, the 7th Dalai Lama built the first palace here for successive Dalai Lamas to carry out their political and religious activities during the summer season. Then, our guide will take you to visit a local Tibetan family and Tibetan carpet workshop for free.
Day 4 Exit Lhasa
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today’s Activities: End the trip
Morning Airport dropping off, end the trip.
Norbulingka park
History
Situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbulingka Park was built in the middle of the 18th century during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama and served as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas where they handle political affairs, practiced religious activities and spent holidays. Traditionally the Dalai Lamas would leave the Potala Palace every spring and spend the summer in Norbulingka.
In December 2001, Norbulingka Park was entered into the World Heritage List as a part of the historical assemblage of Potala Palace.
Culture
Lingka in Tibetan means a beautiful place with trees and lawns, and Norbu means treasure. In addition to its beautiful environment, Norbulingka boasts many palaces, pavilions, various kinds of flowers as well as a lake and a zoo. In the past, Norbulingka was heavily guarded, with access allowed only to a few with special permission. Now it is open to the public and attract thousands of Tibet tourists. During the Shoton Festival (yogurt festival) which starts on July 1 of the Tibetan calendar, the park is crowded with people who come to sing, dance and picnic for the celebration.
