Lhasa-7-day-itinerary

August 5, 2024

7-Day Itinerary for Travelling in Lhasa

Morning: Arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Take a taxi or bus to your hotel.
Afternoon: Rest and acclimate to the high altitude (11,975 ft). Visit the nearby Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama.
- Places to visit:
  - Potala Palace
- Activities:
  - Explore the palace’s opulent rooms and chapels.
  - See the stunning views of Lhasa from the palace’s courtyards.
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant, such as:
- Dining:
  - Namtso Restaurant ( Tibetan cuisine)
Accommodation:
- Hotel:
  - Hotel Drolma (comfortable and centrally located)

Morning: Visit the Barkhor Street, a lively marketplace with shops selling traditional crafts and local produce.
- Places to visit:
  - Barkhor Street
  - Jokhang Temple (one of Tibet’s most sacred sites)
- Activities:
  - Explore the temple’s courtyards and chapels.
  - See the pilgrims making their way around the street in a clockwise direction, paying homage to the Jokhang Temple.
Afternoon: Visit the nearby Ganden Monastery, one of the largest and most important Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet.
- Places to visit:
  - Ganden Monastery
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant.

Morning: Drive to Lake Namtso (approximately 2.5 hours), a stunning saltwater lake surrounded by mountains and scenic trails.
- Places to visit:
  - Lake Namtso
- Activities:
  - Take in the breathtaking views of the lake from its shores or on a nearby hill.
  - Explore the nearby nomadic herder camps.
Afternoon: Visit the nearby Tashi Dorje Monastery, known for its sacred thangkas (Buddhist paintings).
- Places to visit:
  - Tashi Dorje Monastery
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant.

Morning: Visit the Namtso Lake’s surrounding mountains and scenic trails.
- Activities:
  - Take in the stunning views of the lake from its shores or on a nearby hill.
  - Hike to the nearby peaks for panoramic views.
Afternoon: Drive back to Lhasa (approximately 2.5 hours) and visit the Norbulingka Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama’s family.
- Places to visit:
  - Norbulingka Palace
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant.

Morning: Visit the nearby mountains and scenic trails around Lhasa.
- Activities:
  - Take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from its shores or on a nearby hill.
  - Hike to the nearby peaks for panoramic views.
Afternoon: Visit the nearby Samye Monastery, one of Tibet’s most important monasteries and a major pilgrimage site.
- Places to visit:
  - Samye Monastery
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant.

Morning: Spend some time shopping for souvenirs or exploring the markets in Lhasa.
- Dining:
  - Try some of Lhasa’s famous street food, such as tsampa (roasted barley flour).
Afternoon: Relax at your hotel or take a nap to acclimate to the high altitude.

Morning: Check out of your hotel and head back to the airport for your departure flight.
- Transportation:
  - Take a taxi or bus from your hotel to the airport.

Things to Know

Altitude sickness: Be aware that high altitude can cause health problems, such as headaches and nausea. Drink plenty of water and take breaks if you need to acclimate.
Respect local customs: Dress modestly when visiting temples or monasteries, and avoid taking pictures of locals without permission.

Tips

Bargaining: Haggling is a part of the shopping culture in Tibet. Be prepared to negotiate prices at markets and from vendors.
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly. Lhasa can be quite cold, especially at night.

Other Information

Money: The official currency in Tibet is the Chinese yuan (RMB), but US dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards are not commonly used.
Language: Tibetan language is spoken by locals, but Mandarin Chinese is also widely understood. English is not as common, so it’s a good idea to learn some basic phrases.

Have a wonderful trip to Lhasa!