How to Plan a Lhasa Tour

Lhasa is always the first station of a Tibet tour. Most travelers get to Lhasa from China's other regions. China’s top gateway cities to Lhasa include Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La, etc. Besides, some travelers also choose to travel Lhasa from Kathmandu (capital of Nepal) by flights or overland driving.

By Train: If you want a sightseeing journey on the way, taking a train to Tibet is a great option. Among the top gateway cities, there are 7 cities operating trains to Lhasa via Qinghai-Tibet Railway, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Guanghzou. Though Xian operates no trains to Lhasa, Shanghai-Lhasa trains and Guangzhou-Lhasa trains have a stop at Xian Railway Station and they can take you from Xian to Lhasa as well.

By Flight: Taking a flight the most comfortable and effective way to Lhasa. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is connected with Beijing, Chengdu, Xian, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Kunming, Shangri-La, etc. by nonstop domestic flights and Kathmandu by international flights.

By Overland Driving: Overland driving is available between Lhasa and Kathmandu. It takes longer time but offers a special way to travel more than transfer. Starting from Kathmandu, you can be driven to Gyirong Port between Nepal and Tibet. Next, have a driving journey to Mount Everest. And then, drive to Lhasa via Shigatse and Gyantse.

Read more about How to Get to Lhasa>

In the short 4 days, you are able to visit the landmarks of Lhasa City, from which you can appreciate the beauty of great architectures as well as the strong Buddhist culture.

Day 1 - Arrive in Lhasa. Lhasa is well-linked with many other cities in China. It can be reached by train from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xining and Lanzhou, by flight from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xian, Kunming, Kathmandu etc. The most popular gateway cities to Lhasa are Beijing and Chengdu, two cities operating available train and most flights.

>> Check the most updated information at Flights to Lhasa and Trains to Lhasa

Day 2 - Climb to the Potala Palace, visit Jokhang Temple and walk along with Barkhor Street. Potala Palace is the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, and even a short glimpse will leave tourists a long-lasting impression. Besides, there are many cultural heritages cherished in Potala Palace. Jokhang Temple is spiritual center of Lhasa surrounded by the devoted pilgrims. Most travelers visit Jokhang Temple to witness the life-sized statue of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. In Barkhor Street, you can find many pilgrims turning their prayer wheels and many interesting souvenirs shopping stores.

Day 3 - Go to beautiful Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Norbulingka was once the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama and now a charming garden open to public. Drepung Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and the mother school of Dalai Lama. Now, there are many monks studying here. Sera Monastery features its famous Buddhism Debating, which is a spectacular way of discussing the Buddhist knowledge.

Day 4 - Lhasa departure.

Optional Activity: Princess Wencheng Drama, a large-scale outdoor live-action show is performed during 21:30~23:00 (late April to Early October). You could go to watch it during your journey

>> 4 Days Holy City Tour

Four days is rather limited and just cover the landmarks of Lhasa, but one more day enables you to enjoy your Lhasa tour better.

● If you are a shutterbug, it is highly recommended to add Namtso Lake in your itinerary. Outstanding with shimmering turquoise-like blue water, flying colorful flags and flock of sheep or yaks, Namtso Lake is honored as the paradise of photographers. To shot the amazing sunrise and sunset in Namtso, you are suggested to spend two days there.

>> 5 Days Holy Lake Namtso Tour

● If you want to experience the local life, you could have another day to visit a local family and explore the real Tibetan life. This activity offers a great opportunity to get a immerse contact with the Tibetan family, chat with them, learn about their life and tast the food they make. For those tourists keen on Tibet food, it is also a good idea to take part in a Cooking Class to make authentic Tibetan food by yourself. The cooking class takes about 2 hours. For those travelers with kids, we could arrange Thangka Drawing as well.

>> 5 Days Tibetan Life Discovery Tour

● If you aim to step into the nature and stretch your legs, it is a good idea to spend one day on outskirts hiking. After breakfast, you will be transferred to outskirt of Lhasa City for the leisure hiking. The hiking is about 25km in length with moderate road condition and many things to do along. On the hiking journey, you will visit Qupsang Nunnery, Tashi Chöling Monastery and Pabonka Monastery. To save your energy, it is available to cut the length to 20 km.

>> 5 Days Lhasa Leisure Hiking Tour

1) With still longer travel time after Lhasa travel, extend your tour from Lhasa to some other areas in Tibet.

● For additional 2~3 days, there are various choices for you.

● Traveling to Shigatse and Gyantse is top recommended. Apart from two more imposing monasteries, you will admire charming lake and beautiful glacier.

● In spring, Nyingchi is a wonderful place to visit. Praised as Eastern Switzerland, Nyingchi offers travelers a memorable experience.

● Want to discover the Tibetan culture and history? Come to Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan Civilization, and visit the first Tibetan monastery and Tibetan palace.

2) For additional 4 days, transfer to Mt. Everest vis Shigatse. View the most impressing sunset, sunrise, starry sky and highest peak in the world.

>> Check more information at How to Plan a Tibet Tour