Lhasa 7-Day Panoramic Pilgrimage Tour
Lhasa Full Religious & Cultural Immersion (In-depth Pilgrimage)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrive in Lhasa and acclimatize to the high altitude. Light walk near the hotel.
2
Morning visit to Potala Palace. Afternoon climb Chagpori for classic Potala photos.
Potala Palace
The Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill in the center of Lhasa, Tibet. It is a world-renowned palatial complex, a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism, and the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. It integrates palaces, castles, and monasteries, stands at an altitude of about 3700 meters, and consists of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The Potala Palace was first built in the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo of the Tubo Kingdom, and was later rebuilt in the 17th century, becoming the highest and most magnificent palace in the world. The palace houses countless treasures, murals, and Buddha statues, serving as a treasure trove for understanding Tibetan history, culture, and religious art. In 1994, the Potala Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Yaowang Mountain
Yaowang Mountain is located in Chengguan District, Lhasa City, and is one of Lhasa's famous attractions. Yaowang Mountain Park was expanded and renovated in 2008, reaching an area of 23,600 square meters. There is a large square in the center of the park, featuring a sculpture named 'Treasure of the Plateau'. Yaowang Mountain is an excellent location for photographing the Potala Palace.
3
Visit Jokhang Temple, walk Barkhor Street with pilgrims, optional visit to Ramoche Temple.
Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and a central pilgrimage destination for its followers. It was built by Songtsen Gampo, the King of the Tubo Kingdom, in 640 AD, initially to enshrine the Akshobhya Buddha statue brought by Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Later, the 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha statue brought by Princess Wencheng when she entered Tibet was also enshrined here, making it one of the most sacred temples in Tibet. The Jokhang Temple blends Tibetan, Tang, and Nepalese architectural styles, enjoys constant incense burning throughout the year, and is an extension project of the Potala Palace historical complex, a World Cultural Heritage site.
Barkhor Street Pedestrian Street, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Barkhor Street is the busiest commercial street in the heart of Lhasa's old town, and also a famous kora (pilgrimage circuit). It originated in the 7th century AD and still retains the original appearance of Lhasa's ancient city. As Lhasa's oldest street, Barkhor Street is a pilgrimage route formed around Jokhang Temple, a 'sacred path' for Tibetan Buddhist devotees to circumambulate clockwise, and an excellent place to experience local culture, shop, and taste local delicacies.
Ramoche Temple
Ramoche Temple, known in Tibetan as 'Gyada Ramoche', meaning 'Han-Tiger Shrine', was first built in the 7th century AD. It is an important Buddhist monastery in Lhasa, second only to Jokhang Temple. It was originally built to house the Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha statue, a twelve-year-old likeness of Sakyamuni, brought to Tibet from Chang'an by Princess Wencheng. The temple's architectural style blends Han Chinese and Tibetan characteristics. Later, the twelve-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni statue was moved to Jokhang Temple, and Ramoche Temple then housed the eight-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni statue brought to Tibet by Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. The temple has suffered damage multiple times throughout its history, especially during the Cultural Revolution when it was severely damaged. However, after extensive renovations in 1986, the temple is now a three-story building, featuring scripture halls and Buddha halls inside, and retaining pillars with distinctive local patterns.
4
Visit Drepung Monastery, the largest Gelug monastery, and nearby oracle Nechung Monastery.
Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery, meaning 'Rice Heap' in Tibetan, is located at the foot of Mount Gephel Utse in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school and the largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chöje Tashi Palden, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa. It served as the center of the Gelug school and the residence of the Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built. Drepung Monastery is renowned for its rigorous academic studies and is known as 'the Nalanda of Tibet,' referring to the famous Buddhist monastic university in India. Historical records indicate that Drepung Monastery once housed two centers of power: the 'Lower Palace' (Zimkhang 'og ma), associated with future Dalai Lamas, and the 'Upper Palace' (Zimkhang gong ma), associated with the descendants of Sonam Drakpa (a renowned teacher who died in 1554). The Dalai Lamas' estate within Drepung Monastery was known as Ganden Phodrang, built by the 2nd Dalai Lama Gendun Gyatso in 1518. The Tibetan government established by the 5th Dalai Lama also took its name from this estate. In 1936-37, Drepung Monastery was reported to be the largest monastery in the world, housing 7,700 monks, sometimes even as many as 10,000. In the 1950s, Drepung Monastery, along with the other two great Gelug monasteries (Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery), was re-established in Karnataka, India. Drepung and Ganden are located in Mundgod, while Sera is in Bylakuppe.
Nechung Monastery
Nechung Monastery is the seat of the Nechung Oracle of Tibet, also known as the 'Demon Fortress of the Oracle King'. It is located about a 10-minute walk below Drepung Monastery and was once the residence of Pehar, the three-headed, six-armed deity (the principal protector deity of the Gelug school), and the seat of the Nechung Oracle or Nechung Kuten. It is a medium-sized monastery that once housed about one hundred monks. During the Cultural Revolution and the Chinese annexation of Tibet, Nechung Monastery was almost completely destroyed, but has now been largely restored.
5
Morning optional prayer at Zaki Temple. Afternoon watch the famous monk debates at Sera Monastery.
Zaki Temple
Zaki Temple is a Gelug school Tibetan Buddhist monastery and the only God of Wealth temple in Lhasa. It is very popular and said to be highly efficacious. The temple is located on Zaki Road in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. It is not large in scale, but it is constantly filled with incense smoke and bustling with people. The God of Wealth at Zaki Temple is known as 'Zaki Lamu' in Tibetan. It is said that she can bless all beings and grant all wishes. The temple primarily enshrines Zaki Lamu, and also has a Four-faced Buddha Hall and a Protector Hall. On the 3rd, 5th, 15th, and 25th days of each Tibetan month, pilgrims come in an endless stream. Many tourists and local residents purchase offerings such as highland barley wine and hada here to present to the God of Wealth, praying for good fortune and prosperous business.
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, located in the northern part of Lhasa. It was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The monastic complex includes the Coqen Hall (Great Assembly Hall) and the three Dratsangs (colleges): Sera Je Dratsang, Sera Me Dratsang, and Ngakpa Dratsang, which were important Buddhist academies. Sera Monastery is famous for its unique monk debate activities, attracting many tourists. During the 1959 Lhasa uprising, the monastery suffered severe damage, and a parallel Sera Monastery was later established in India.
Sera Monastery Debating Courtyard
The Sera Monastery Debating Courtyard is one of the most distinctive and attractive attractions within Sera Monastery in Lhasa. Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, renowned for its unique monk debate activities. Every afternoon, monks here engage in lively Buddhist debates in the debating courtyard. They explore Buddhist philosophy through exaggerated gestures, loud questions, and witty answers, creating a vibrant scene full of wisdom and power. It is an important window into understanding Tibetan Buddhist culture and the monastic life of monks. The debates are a major highlight of Sera Monastery, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists.
6
Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace. Afternoon at Tibet Museum.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka, meaning "Jewel Park" in Tibetan, was built in 1755. It is a palace and its surrounding park located in Lhasa, Tibet, China. It served as the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas from the 1780s until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. Norbulingka is part of the "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace," recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and was inscribed on the list in 2001 as an extension of that historic ensemble. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama, it served as both an administrative and religious center and is a unique representative of Tibetan palace architecture. Norbulingka Palace is located in the western part of Lhasa, not far southwest of the Potala Palace, covering an area of approximately 36 hectares (89 acres), and is considered the largest man-made garden in Tibet.
Tibet Museum
The Tibet Museum is the only modern comprehensive museum in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, officially opened on October 5, 1999. Its architecture blends traditional Tibetan and modern styles, housing over 520,000 cultural relics, including pottery, jade, and Buddhist statues. Approximately 1,000 artifacts are on permanent display, covering Tibet's cultural history, art, and architectural design.
7
Relax at Zongjiao Lukang Park or explore Chongsaikang Market for local life, then prepare to depart Lhasa.
Zongjuelukang Park
Zongjuelukang Park, also known as Longwangtan Park, is located at No. 9 Niangre South Road, Jibenggang Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet, adjacent to the back of the Potala Palace. It is a park that integrates natural scenery and historical culture, and is an important place for recreation and entertainment for Lhasa citizens.
Chongsaikang Market
Chongsaikang Market is a famous comprehensive market in Lhasa, gathering various goods. It is an important place for local residents to shop and for tourists to experience Lhasa's local life. Here you can find a variety of goods such as clothing, daily necessities, snacks, and handicrafts, full of strong ethnic characteristics and a lively atmosphere.
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