Lhasa Tour to Namtso Lake
Overview
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After breakfast, we will set out for today’s exciting tour. The tour will start from the splendid Potala Palace, which is the first must-visit attraction for every visitor to Lhasa. Standing in the center of Lhasa, Potala Palace is not only an iconic landmark of the city, but also a symbol of the snowy Tibetan Plateau and a museum of Tibetan culture. It covers an area of 360,000 square meters, with over 2,000 rooms and 34 Buddha halls. The general layout of Potala Palace includes the White Palace for the living quarters of the Dalai Lama and the Red Palace for religious functions.
After lunch, we will move on to visit the nearby Norbulingka Park. It used to be the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. Encompassing 360,000 square meters, the pleasant park consists of small palaces, chapels and a zoo. Afterwards, we visit the nearby Tibet Museum, southeast of Norbulingka. Tibet Museum is the first museum in Tibet with modern function (it was closed for renovation since Dec 1st 2016, the main project construction is expected to be completed and reopen in the year of 2020). The museum is rich in collection, showing us the splendid culture and long history of the Tibetan people in terms of Tibet’s history, culture, art, religion and folk customs.
Later, you can learn to prepare Tibetan food at a local restaurant. Before that, our guide will escort you to visit a vegetable and meat market to buy some raw material. After the cooking course, enjoy Tibetan food that is cooked by yourselves.
Meal: B, L
In the afternoon, we come to Jokhang Temple, which is 1300 years old and one of Tibet’s holiest shrines. It is Jokhang Temple that makes Lhasa the holy city. Located in the center of the old town of Lhasa, the temple was built by the contribution of the craftsmen from Tibet, Nepal and inland China, which makes the different architectural styles of the temple. Outside Jokhang Temple is the famous bazaar of Barkhor Street. With a history of more than 1,300 years, the Barkhor is essentially a pilgrim circuit, which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang.
In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery, around 4 kilometers north of Lhasa. It is famous for the excellent Buddhist debating among lamas. The debating takes place from 3:00 pm everyday in a garden next to the central assembly in the center of the monastery. It would be a great fun to see lamas debating.
Meal: B, L
This morning drive from Lhasa to Namtso Lake. Located about 220km from Lhasa city (around 4 hours drive), it is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. In Tibetan, Namsto means “Heavenly Lake”. Any tour to Tibet without visiting Namtso lake is incomplete. Occupying a surface area of 1920 square kilometers, this salt lake is 4718 meters above sea level. On the way, you can see the prairie scenery in northern Tibet, snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and crows of yaks and sheep grazing. Pass the Nagenla Mountain at an altitude of over 5000 meters, overlooking Namtso Lake. After get to the Lake, take a rest along the lakeside in the evening and enjoy the sunset and the peace of nature (Accommodation conditions are limited here, you can choose to live in a tent or local guesthouse).
Meal: B, L
Get up early to view the beautiful sunrise at Namtso Lake. After that, have some free time to explore the lake. You may trek along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation cave, or take a leisure stroll along the lakefront. Have lunch at Dumxung County and then transfer back to Lhasa. On the way returning to Lhasa, we will pass the famous hot spring - Yampanchen, if you are interested in it, we can stop over for a while and have a bath (optional activity, it cost around US$25 per person). Snow Mountains can be seen in the distance around Yampanchen, take a hot spring bath in a such environment is indeed a kind of enjoyment, especially in winter. Jump into the hot spring to see the flying snow, what a romantic experience!
Meal: B, L
Today is free for your own exploration in Lhasa until transferred to airport or train station. Move to your next destination. End of your Lhasa and Namtso Lake tour.
Meal: B, L
