The fascination of TIBET and its ever-smiling people have lured travelers for centuries, yet few have been able to make it. Remote and isolated by the most formidable mountain ranges in the World, LHASA – the ultimate Travel destination – is now within your reach.

Major Place of Interests for sightseeing

Potala Palace:
The dominant landmark of Lhasa 117 metres above the city below construction started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 storeys high with walls 3 metres thick Containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues it was both residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former Heads of state. The entire building is made of stone and wood and covers an area of 130,000 square metres. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories.

Norbulingka – Summerpalace:
On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled park known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park. Covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally laid out in the 1750s. There are fountains, pavilions, terraces and stone tablets where visitors may rest amidst the numerous kinds of flowers and various colours.

The whole park consists of two main parts – Norbulingka at the Eastern area and Jianselingka at the Western area.

Norbulingka is also the site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8 th to 14 th). The small palace of the 13 th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia, such as a Philips radiogram and Victorian bathroom fittings! At Norbulingka you will also find the one and only zoo in Tibet.

Jokhang Temple + Barkhor Bazaar:
The foremost monastery in Tibet, built in the 7 th century AD and now housing the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is topped with golden roofs found nowhere else except in Tibet. Watch the many worshippers pay their respects and prostrating themselves at the main gate. The monastery is encircled with the Barkhor Bazaar a sacred pilgrim path, but also a lively & colourful market where you can bargain over such treasures as ornate long-bladed knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewellery.

Sera Monastery:
Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa ‘Universities’ – once housing more than 5500 monks. Here one can see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their Master. Sera is also the birthplace of Tibetan medicine.

Drepung Monastery:
Drepung monastery is situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. Formerly the largest and richest monastery in the world with 10,000 monks (now 400). It is the size of a small town and lies sprawled over the side of a mountain 8 km from Lhasa. Of particular interest is the medieval monk’s kitchen with its great cauldrons of steaming barley ‘tsampa’ sitting on top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron-robed monks wielding massive ladles….

From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley to one’s heart content.

Tsurpu:
Tsurpu monastery is built on the north side of the river in the Dowo Lung Valley. This is the home of Karmapa. Karmapa is the true ‘living little Buddha’ – the new reincarnated leader of the black hat sect. He is the only spiritual leader actually living in Tibet. The recent recognised 17 th Karmapa can be visited by all visitors. Tsurpu monastery was built in 12 th century. Tsurpu is the richest monastery in Tibet.

Gyantse:
Once Tibet’s third most important city, lying in the Nyangchu valley along the main routes from India and Nepal to Lhasa. In former times it was a fort, the centre of Tibet’s wool trade and a gateway to the outside world. Other spots of interest: Palcho Monastery and Kumbum Pagoda.

Shigatse:
Shigatse is Tibet’s second largest city. It is the administrative centre for 18 countries in southern and western Tibet. Besides its rich cultural heritage, Shigatse has an abundance of native fruits and products. At the bazaar, there are more than 300 stalls selling local produce as well as colourful and elaborate handicraft, accessories, antiques and porcelains. In Shigatse one can also find Tashilumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. The Monastery, built in 1447 by a nephew of Tsong Khapa once housed over 4000 Monks, but now there are only 600.

Climate:
With more than 3000 hours of sunshine annually, Lhasa is famed as ‘the city of sunshine’. Sunlight is extremely intense. Sunscreen lotion, a salve for lips and sunglasses are a must. Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as temperatures vary during the day. In winter, a warm windbreaker and stout, comfortable shoes are especially recommended.

Contrary to popular belief, wintertime is the perfect season to visit Lhasa as the summer rains have passed and we have and average 10 hours of sunshine every day!

Booking Tibet Tour

Tibet Tour Booking:
As you are well aware, Tibet is a difficult place to reach by telecommunication compared to other places and still feel standard of Tourism by all means has still not yet reached to the required level. But definitely it is in the progress. In this context, the co-operation from all will be appreciated to make Tibet tour a wholesome befitting tour.

Kindly note the following points:

1. You are requested to send booking to us for Tibet well in advance and Name list of clients at least 30 days ahead of commencement of tour. This will enable us to make booking of hotels in Lhasa/Tibet at the right time and avoid disappointment of late booking.
2. You are advised to pinpoint clearly in your booking to specific requests like arrangement of Particular language Speaking Guide, or if to host special dinner with folk dance, kind of vehicle etc. Meal plan and means of transport (fly in-drive out or fly in -fly out etc.)

Tibet/Chinese Visa

1. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Thrice a week). Passport must be submitted at least one day before working day of Chinese Embassy.
2. In order to avoid Emergency visa fee in addition to normal visa fee. We have to deposit clients’ passports well in advance to i.e. four days prior to the Date of issuing visa. So that we can save emergency fee.
3. Visa fee varies according to Nationality of client, so we suggest you to calculate visa fee accordingly.

If the clients are scheduled to arrive Kathmandu very late and departing to Lhasa the very next day, in such cases, you are advised to obtain their Tibet Visa in their Home country. We with the help of our Tibet Agent will do maximum to help.