5 Days Feel the Tibetan Festival Atmosphere

Shoton means yogurt banquet in Tibetan. It is also called Buddha Exhibition Festival or Tibetan Opera Festival. During this tour, you will see the Buddha exhibition, Tibetan opera performance and the gathering of Tibetans to Eat Yoghurt (similar to picnic of Han People). It is a great chance for you to feel the holiday atmosphere as well as get a closer view of Tibetan culture.

Trip Highlights

  • Watch the Thangka and Buddha exhibition at Drepung Monastery
  • Taste the local Tibetan yogurt with the locals
  • Enjoy the Tibetan opera performance
  • Take in a prayer meeting or some monk debating at Sera, one of the largest and most intact of Tibet’s great monasteries

Customizable Tour Itinerary

Welcome to the roof of the world, Tibet. Your Tibet journey starts with a warm Tibetan style greeting from your local tour guide who will present you with Hada (traditional Tibetan scarves). Then be transferred directly to the hotel for the check-in and some rest.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

Notes:

  • Slow down your movement, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid mountain sickness.
  • The first two days arriving in Tibet, we suggest visitors keep warm, not take a bath, smokers smoke as little as possible, and do not drink alcohol.
  • Hotels: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa
Potala PalacePotala Palace

After a night rest, appreciate the Tibetan architectures, splendid artworks and religious treasure at the world’s highest palace - Potala Palace. It is not only a splendid palace, but also a treasure house where you can see precious arts and learn Tibetan culture and history.

Following is the tour to Jokhang Temple, the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims. It was constructed by Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo in the 7th century to house the sacred image of the Buddha-Jowo Rinpoche.

At last, walk around Barkhor Street, which was built along with the Jokhang Temple. Pilgrims hold the prayer wheels to walk clockwise there from dawn to dark and some of them perform the body-long kowtows along the road.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Barkhor StreetBarkhor Street

The Buddha Thangka exhibition in Drepung Monastery is, by all means, the most magnificent event marking the beginning of the Shoton Festival. The main contents of the festival include Tibetan operas and gala parties, as well as wonderful yak racing and horsemanship display. Monks chant as the sounds of bells and horns are heard in the misty sunrise.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery. It was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe and was part of the Gelgupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Buddha Thangka exhibitionBuddha Thangka exhibition

Except for the Buddha exhibition, there are Tibetan Opera performances in Norbulingka. Actors dressed in colourful costumes and various masks gather at Norbulingka for the week's performance. Besides, local people always go out with the whole family to have a picnic in the Norbulingka. They set up tents where there is water and trees, spread mats, place some Qingke wine and buttered tea, and circle around singing, dancing and having fun.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Tibetan Opera performance in NorbulingkaTibetan Opera performance in Norbulingka

Today, tour ends. Along with your guide and driver, you will go to the airport for your departure flight. See you next time.

  • Meals: Breakfast,
LhasaLhasa

Price Includes

  • In-country transportationas noted in the itinerary.
  • Admission fees and activity expenses as noted in the itinerary.
  • Luxury or boutique hotels centrally located.
  • Meals in local restaurants as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water.
  • Your own English-speaking guide service.
  • Your own chauffeur and vehicle service.

Price Excludes

  • International transportation.
  • Chinese tourist visa. (which enquired for most foreign passport holders)
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Meals, snacks, alcohol, etc. apart from those included in the itinerary.
  • Excess baggage charges.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Sights, excursions and activities not included in the itinerary.
  • Gratuities to guide and driver.

ANY QUESTIONS?

This tour is tailor-made and we can tailor to meet your reqeusts. Your personal travel consultant will contact you within 24 working hours!

GREAT FAMILY CHINA TOUR

JULY 2024 We wanted to thank Grace at China Culture tour for organizing a great tour of China. We enjoyed our Beijing - Xian-Chengdu -Guilin -Yangshuo - Shanghai trip. Our local guides Bruce in Beijing, Susan in Xian, Jane in Chengdu, Mike in Guilin and Mary in Shanghai took care of us…read more details »

Teng Han L from SINGAPORE

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