7 Days Lhasa Travel Itinerary

7 Days Lhasa Travel Itinerary

Lhasa, the City of Sunlight, located in the central part of the Tibetan Plateau, is one of China's most renowned tourist destinations. With a long and rich history, Lhasa is a sacred center of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you can not only enjoy the beautiful high-plateau sights but also experience the unique culture, customs, and way of life of the Tibetan people. If you have seven days to explore Lhasa, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable seven-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Lhasa to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

7 Days Lhasa Itinerary for Family with Kids

Potala Palace

Day 1: Acclimatize to the plateau environment in your hotel. You can walk around Potala Palace Square, admire the palace's grand silhouette from afar. You may also interact with the pigeons, feed them corn kernels, and soak in the everyday atmosphere of Tibetan life.

Day 2: In the morning, visit the Tibet Museum to learn about Tibetan history and culture. After lunch, explore the Potala Palace, where you can learn about Tibetan Buddhism and feel the mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

Day 3: Drive to Yamdrok Lake, stopping en route at the viewing platform of the Gambala Pass to observe the turquoise lake. Upon arrival at Yamdrok, you can interact with lambs and stack Mani stones for blessings. Then detour to the Karola Glacier to admire the majestic ice tongue from afar beneath the glacial snout. In the evening, arrive in Gyantse County.

Day 4: Visit the Ancient Town of Gyantse and travel to the Pala Manor, then continue to Shigatse. In Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of Tibet's most important and famous monasteries, and the traditional seat of the successive Panchen Lamas.

Day 5: Return to Lhasa along G318 national highway, enjoying the sights along the way. After arriving, head to Lalu Wetland and find the lively waterbirds.

Day 6: Stroll along Barkhor Street, dress in traditional Tibetan attire and transform into a Drolma or Tashi, circumambulating the prayer route clockwise with pilgrims toward Jokhang Temple. After the visit, you can experience intangible cultural heritage handicrafts. In the evening, watch the performance of The Princess Wencheng.

Day 7: Stroll through Norbulingka, and enjoy a picnic on the shaded lawn beneath the trees. Then take a walk along the banks of the Lhasa River, gaze at the sunset over the golden rooftops of the Potala Palace, and look back on every moment of the journey.

7 Days Lhasa Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Jokhang Temple

Day 1: On the first day in Lhasa, Tibet, check in to your hotel and rest to acclimate to the plateau climate. Avoid any strenuous exercise or outdoor activities on this day. Staying calm and getting ample rest are the best ways to prevent altitude sickness.

Day 2: Visit Tibet's landmark, the Potala Palace. Afterward, head to the Jokhang Temple, and the famous circumambulation path surrounding the temple is the Barkhor Street. Stroll slowly along with the crowd to shop and explore, or sit at the Jokhang Temple Square to feel the devotion of Tibetan pilgrims.

Day 3: Travel to Namtso, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. Stand on Tashi Peninsula and take in the jade-like expanse of the lake, feeling the peace and tranquility it brings to the heart. Stay overnight nearby in Damxung County.

Day 4: Explore Namtso again and follow the lakeshore to the northern shore to visit the Sacred Elephant Heaven Gate. Then return to Lhasa and enjoy a good night's rest.

Day 5: Visit Drepung Monastery and Zashi Lhamo Temple. At sunset, take a stroll along the Lhasa River to enjoy the unique plateau sunset, gaze at the Potala Palace glowing in the evening light, and savor the relaxed atmosphere of the City of Sunshine.

Day 6: In the morning visit Drepung Monastery, and if it is Sho Dun Festival, you can see the magnificent Buddha Sun-drying ceremony. In the afternoon head to Sera Monastery and watch the monks debating on Buddhist texts.

Day 7: Stroll through Norbulingka, appreciate the artistry of Tibetan garden design, and enjoy a picnic on the shaded lawn beneath the trees. Then in the afternoon, head to Lalu Wetlands Park to enjoy the air of the plateau and watch the birds inhabiting there.

7 Days Lhasa Itinerary for Young Travelers

Mount Everest

Day 1: Depart from Lhasa, cross Lhasa River, and traverse over Mount Gambala, where you will encounter the pristine waters of Yamdrok Lake. Next, explore the magnificent Karola Glacier, then continue to the tranquil Manla Reservoir, and finally arrive at Shigatse.

Day 2: Cross the Gyatso La Pass and enter the Everest scenic area to feel the grandeur of nature. At night, set up camp at Everest Base Camp. You can also visit the nearby Rongbuk Monastery to experience a sense of tranquility and mystery.

Day 3: Cross over Mount Gawula and Mount Makalu, gaze from afar at Lhotse, and reach the foot of Mount Everest. Continue to Cho Oyu to feel the magnificence of the mountain ranges, then along G318 you will arrive in Shigatse, and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Day 4: Return to Lhasa and head to the Heavenly Grassland, seeing the Potala Palace in the distance. Then visit the Tibet Cultural and Creative Park, take a helicopter ride to enjoy aerial views of the Lhasa River, the golden roof of Jokhang Temple, and other city sights. In the evening, stroll along Barkhor Street to enjoy the local cuisine.

Day 5: Drive to Namtso, one of three great sacred lakes in Tibet, known as the Heavenly Lake in Tibetan. Along the way, you can enjoy distant views of the main peak of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. In the evening, you can stay overnight at Damxung.

Day 6: Visit the vast Northern Tibetan Grasslands, seeing herds of cattle and sheep, and experiencing the grandeur of the plateau grasslands. Then return to Lhasa, passing through Yangbajing on the way, where you can enjoy a hot spring soak.

Day 7: Visit Nanshan Park and follow the walking trail up to the summit, where you can take in sweeping views of the entire city of Lhasa. Then, at 3:00 p.m., head to Sera Monastery to watch the fascinating monk debate sessions, which are both lively and engaging.

7 Days Lhasa cultural Immersion Itinerary

Drepung Monastery

Day 1: Check in your hotel first and take a rest. Then take a leisurely walk along Barkhor Street, flowing with local pilgrims and tourists alike toward Jokhang Temple. Sit down at the square in front of the temple to feel the devotion of the Tibetan people.

Day 2: In the morning, visit the majestic Potala Palace. At lunch time, head to the Nyainre Folk Custom Park for sightseeing and to sample authentic Tibetan cuisine. Before 3:00 p.m., make your way to Sera Monastery to watch the traditional Tibetan-style Buddhist scripture debate, and continue touring the monastery afterward.

Day 3: Drive to Namtso, with a distant view from the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. Then continue along the lakeshore, listening to the prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Finally arrive at the Sacred Elephant Heaven Gate and feel the serenity as if you were in paradise.

Day 4: In the morning, visit the Tibet Museum to gain insight into and learn about Tibet. In the afternoon, head to the cultural experience hall at Lukhang Park to live a day as a Tibetan. In the evening, watch the performance of The Princess Wencheng.

Day 5: Drive to Tsetang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization and history. Visit Yumbulagang, Tibet's first palace, older in history than the Potala Palace. Nearby lies Tradruk Temple, where, according to legend, Princess Wencheng once practiced meditation.

Day 6: Head to Chimpu Hermitage in the morning, a sacred retreat site where many high monks and tulkus once practiced, and which still draws streams of devoted pilgrims today. After lunch, visit Samye Monastery. You can also hike up the nearby mountain for a panoramic view of the entire complex. Afterward, return to Lhasa.

Day 7: Visit Drepung Monastery. If you travel during the Sho Dun Festival, you will witness the most magnificent Buddha-unveiling thangka display ceremony. In the afternoon, find a Tibetan culture experience hall on Barkhor Street to try traditional Tibetan handicrafts.

Customize Your Unique Lhasa Tour

If you are interested in one of the Lhasa itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Lhasa Tour, please visit our Lhasa Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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