[Enjoy Tibet] Lhasa Nyingchi Yamdrok Lake Shigatse 9-Day Tour - Tibet 9-Day Group Tour Itinerary and Prices

After landing, our staff will welcome you with the warmest smiles on the plateau and that touch of plateau red. Having just arrived at the plateau, what you need most is to slow down and relax. We will transfer you to the hotel for a good rest, allowing your body to gradually adapt to the plateau atmosphere. Tashi Delek!! Lhasa, meaning "Holy Land" or "Land of Buddha" in Tibetan, is the sacred city in the hearts of Tibetans and a paradise in the hearts of travelers. With the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Lhasa is no longer out of reach. Bustle and crowds are not Lhasa's true face; let us explore its mysterious charm together. [Warm Tips] 1) Transfers: Since all train/flight pickups in Tibet are arranged by local professional transfer centers, staff will contact you in advance. Please keep your phone accessible. For visitors from outside the mainland, a guide is required for pickup; for Chinese nationals, the pickup driver will take you directly to the hotel for check-in. The travel agency will inform you in advance how to get your room key at the hotel, so you can check in and rest directly. If you do not receive notification, please contact the travel agency staff promptly (see the tour departure notice) for assistance. The guide will notify you of the next day's meeting time by phone or text before 22:00. 2) Altitude sickness: On the day of arrival in Lhasa, do not engage in strenuous exercise, and do not take a shower that night to prevent catching a cold. Do not drink alcohol. Drink plenty of water and eat fruit; do not overeat. Rest more. You may bring American ginseng lozenges or health supplements such as Rhodiola and Gao Yuan An to alleviate altitude sickness. Follow the arrangements of the travel agency staff and guide, try not to go out for activities, and maintaining a calm mindset and adequate rest is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. If you feel unwell, seek treatment at a hospital promptly.

In the morning, head to Nyingchi, praised as the "Jiangnan of Tibet," driving on the upgraded 318 National Highway "Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway," heading south all the way along the beautiful Nyang River. 【Kadinggou】--Heaven on Earth (about 1 hour visit) Kadinggou is known as "Heaven on Earth." Walking into the canyon, the ravine is narrow and deep, and with the murmuring sound of water from far to near, it feels as if you have entered a primeval forest. Here the mountains are high and the valleys deep, with grotesque peaks and strange rocks, ancient towering trees, and even bamboo groves. 【Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway】--China's Most Beautiful Expressway As part of the Sichuan-Tibet Advanced Highway and the Yunnan-Tibet Advanced Highway, relying on the magnificent natural landscapes of the snowy plateau, the scenery along the way includes snow mountains, forests, and grasslands. Drive slowly along the route and photograph the scenery!

[Sejila Mountain] Located east of Nyingchi County, part of the Nyainqentanglha Range, at an elevation of 4,728 meters. Standing at the pass, you can enjoy the sea of clouds and the sea of forests, and gaze at the 7,782-meter Namcha Barwa, which was named "China's Most Beautiful Peak" by Chinese National Geography in 2005. [Lulang Forest] A forest shrouded in clouds and mist, known as "the place that makes you not want to go home." The entire scenic area is picturesque, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with lush forests in the valley and meadows as neat as if trimmed by hand. [Biri Shenshan] Biri Shenshan means "Monkey Mountain" in Tibetan and is a renowned sacred mountain in the Nyingchi area. Legend says it was bestowed by Padmasambhava. It includes the Sacred Mountain Ecological Plaza, the Stream Scenic Area, the Tangcheng Monastery Scenic Area, the prayer flag array, and ancient ruins. Every year, countless pilgrims come to circumambulate the mountain. The Nyingchi Natural Ecology Museum is now located within the mountain, displaying 586 species of animal and plant specimens, vividly showcasing the diverse primitive ecological landscapes of the Nyingchi area. From the mountainside, you can overlook the panorama of Bayi Town. At the summit, prayer flags flutter in the clouds — these were hung by Tibetans, each flag representing their prayers and blessings, expressing their reverence for the sacred mountain. [Specialty Cuisine — Stone Pot Chicken] A famous delicacy of the Nyingchi area in Tibet. Made with hand ginseng and free-range chicken, slowly stewed in a stone pot, Lulang Stone Pot Chicken has a very unique flavor. The soup has a subtle herbal fragrance, and the chicken is tender yet springy. The stone pot used for stewing is carved from a mica stone called "soapstone," which is found only in Medog. Porters must carry the raw stone out of Medog, and then the Monba people carefully hand-carve it from a single block. The carving requires even pressure — if you rush, the soapstone will crack immediately, which is why these stone pots are very expensive. The dark green mica stone pot has excellent heat retention and is said to be rich in 17 mineral trace elements including magnesium and iron. [Warm Tips] Due to the limited capacity of Basum Tso scenic area, if the hotels within the scenic area are fully booked or closed, the itinerary will be adjusted to stay in Nyingchi city proper, with no refund for the price difference. Please understand. The cost remains the same, and the itinerary attractions are unaffected. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Wake up in the morning amid the lake and mountain scenery of [Basum Lake] Scenic Area (sightseeing time about 1 hour). Basum Lake Scenic Area combines snow mountains, lakes, forests, waterfall pastures and famous ancient temples. The scenery is extraordinary and differs in all four seasons. It is a national-level forest park and a 5A scenic area. 【Lake Heart Island】—A Private Island of the Monastery Walk clockwise around Lake Heart Island, and you can see the peach embracing the pine, the former water burial platform, the "alphabet tree" whose leaves naturally bear Tibetan letters, the sacred spring where Padmasambhava washed his face, and the distant mountains blending with the lake. On the island stands an ancient [Tsozong Gongba Monastery], where you can see another side of Tibetan religion—phallic worship. They are placed on either side of the temple's stone steps, male on the left and female on the right, also symbolizing respect for life. 【Jieba Village】 Storybook-like Jieba Village is the best spot to view Basum Lake and the two surrounding snow mountains, "King's Throne" and "Burning Flame." It has not been developed and has no commercial atmosphere; everything we see is bestowed by nature. A clear small river, surrounded by mountains, flows gently; on the meadows, horses, cattle and sheep dotted like stars graze and stroll leisurely.

[Tibetan Culture Experience] Now that you are in Lhasa, you can still experience traditional Tibetan handicrafts. The guide will lead visitors to a Tibetan culture experience center to learn how the refreshing Tibetan incense is made, and you can also participate in making it yourself, which is entirely different from buying Tibetan incense. A teacher will teach you to write your name in Tibetan script and do woodblock printing. The handmade Tibetan incense and printed text can be taken home as souvenirs of this Tibet trip. [Sera Monastery] As one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, it is also known as one of the three great monasteries of Lhasa along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery. The monastery preserves tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues, among which the most famous statue, the "Hayagriva" Vajra, is located in the protector deity hall of the Gyi Zha Cang. Locals will stick their heads into a small shrine and touch the base of the statue with their heads. Besides the solemnity of the monastery, Sera Monastery has another major feature: the monks' debate activities. In the center of the debate courtyard, monks are debating knowledge; some urge the other's answer with forceful clapping, while others pull prayer beads to gain the power of the beads to defeat the opponent. Standing in the debate courtyard, you are immersed in the lively sounds. Although visitors cannot understand their Zen meaning, they can truly feel the faith and power of Tibetan Buddhism. The debate usually starts at 15:00. On Sundays, or when the monastery temporarily holds Dharma assemblies or receives special guests, the debate activities may be canceled. Thank you for your understanding!!!

【Potala Palace】(visit limit: 1 hour) Songtsen Gampo spent half of his life conquering Tubo and the other half building magnificent palaces and temples. Wandering among the golden Buddhist halls, stupas, sleeping quarters, and corridors, with dim lights, low-hanging curtains, and the scent of butter filling the air, it feels as if you have fallen into an ancient dream, involuntarily losing yourself among scriptures, Buddha statues, murals, and distant legends. 【Potala Palace Ticket Booking Instructions】 1. Potala Palace tickets use a real-name reservation system. Valid identification (ID card, household register, or passport) must be provided for the reservation. After a successful reservation, tickets cannot be reserved again within 7 days from the visit date. If tourists cannot enter the Potala Palace due to incorrect information provided by themselves, the travel agency bears no responsibility or consequences. Before the visit, tourists must carry the original valid identification. If the name or ID number does not match the actual document used, entry for the visit will not be possible, and the ticket purchase fee, having already been incurred, cannot be refunded. Please understand! 2. The visit time for the Potala Palace is randomly issued by the Potala Palace Management Office's unified computer system, and the visit time cannot be specified. Please understand. At the same time, the actual tour route order may differ from the reference itinerary provided. 3. During peak season, visits to the Potala Palace are restricted. Travel agencies in Tibet have only a limited number of group reservation quotas each day. To ensure tourists' smooth visits, travel agencies will solve the problem through different channels. Due to the special ticket purchase requirements of different channels, please follow the guide's arrangements. The following situations are all normal arrangements: 1) Each group may be split into multiple smaller groups (it may be necessary to separate the group or tourists who booked together, and there may be situations where they join unfamiliar group members to enter for the visit). 2) Each smaller group visits at different times/dates. 3) Each smaller group enters with a different guide. 【Jokhang Temple】(about 1 hour visit) Jokhang Temple integrates Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural styles, becoming an enduring classic of Tibetan religious architecture. In front of the temple, incense smoke curls all day long, and the devout prostrations of believers have left deep imprints of full-body-length kowtows on the bluestone floor before the gate. Ten thousand butter lamps burn continuously, leaving traces of time and pilgrims. Here, worship of the gods continues day and night. 【Jokhang Temple Ticket Booking Instructions】 1. Jokhang Temple tickets require real-name reservation. Every day from 7:00 to 23:59, next-day visit tickets are released on the mini program "Jokhang Temple Reservation," until the reservation quota is full. Therefore, tickets need to be reserved 1 day in advance. Please make the reservation under the guide's guidance. 2. Jokhang Temple is a religious temple rather than a purely tourist attraction. If special circumstances such as important religious activities make it unavailable for visits, please understand.

After departure, the route follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, offering a bird's-eye view of the Yarlung Tsangpo. The Yarlung Tsangpo along Provincial Road 101 is the widest river surface near Lhasa. Following the Yarlung River valley onto Provincial Road 307 and driving to the mountainside, you can overlook the Yarlung Tsangpo with a vast, magnificent view. [Gampala Pass] The best vantage point to see the most beautiful side of Yamdrok Lake — the bluest sky and the bluest lake are all here. Here, you will understand the meaning of "angels' tears in heaven, Yamdrok's blue on earth," but many photographers also say: "No matter how many times you photograph Yamdrok Lake, you can never capture her beauty..." Many Tibetans at Gampala Pass offer yak photos; please agree on the price first to avoid unnecessary trouble. [Yamdrok Lake] A freshwater lake and one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet. The water is as clear as mutton fat and sweet enough to drink. The deep blue water merges with the distant snow-capped mountains, along with the colorful mountain ranges on both banks, distinctive Tibetan villages, and herds of cattle and sheep everywhere — the entire journey is refreshing and delightful. Yamdrok Lake covers an area of 638 square kilometers, with a surface elevation of 4,441 meters and a shoreline of 250 kilometers. This lake is also considered a turquoise earring dropped to the mortal world by a goddess. Standing at the 4,950-meter Gampala Pass and gazing southward, Yamdrok Lake looks like a sapphire set among the peaks, its blue waters smooth as a mirror, reflecting the bright blue sky. [Karo La Glacier] One of the three major continental glaciers in Tibet. The glacier is backed by Mount Noijin Kangsang, one of the four highest peaks in Tibet. The massive glacier extends from the misty summit all the way down to the roadside, just a few hundred meters from the highway. Although the glacier shows a black-and-white layered appearance due to years of exposure to highway dust, the upper half of the glacier shines brilliantly in the sunlight like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall. It gained fame because the films "Red River Valley," "The Battle of Gyantse," and "The Road Home" were shot here. Tonight you will stay in Shigatse. In Tibetan, Shigatse means "the best manor" and is one of the "granaries of Tibet." It was historically the political, religious, and cultural center of rear Tibet and the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. With over 500 years of history, it is currently the second-largest city in Tibet.

【Tashilhunpo Monastery】 Tashilhunpo Monastery, also known as "Auspicious Sumeru Monastery," is the largest monastery in the Shigatse region. Along with Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, as well as Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai and Labrang Monastery in Gansu, it is listed as one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school. It was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama and a disciple of Tsongkhapa. At its height, Tashilhunpo Monastery had as many as 3,000 rooms, more than 5,000 monks, over 50 subordinate monasteries, and more than 30 manors and pastures. From the Fourth Panchen Lama onward, successive Panchen Lamas made this monastery their seat. Today, Tashilhunpo Monastery has: 4 colleges, 56 assembly halls, more than 3,600 rooms, over 800 monks, and a total area of 300,000 square meters. Highlights 1. Known as the supreme monastery of Tsang, it is the seat of successive Panchen Lamas and the largest monastery in the Tsang region. Together with the three great monasteries of Lhasa, it is called one of the four great monasteries of Tibet. 2. The Maitreya Buddha Hall enshrines a bronze statue, using 231,400 jin of brass and 6,700 taels of gold. For the inlay on just the Buddha's eyebrows, more than 1,400 diamonds, pearls and other gems were used. 3. The monastery enshrines exquisitely shaped Panchen stupas, using countless materials including gold, silver, copper, silk, coral, pearls, agate and turquoise. 【Warm Tips】 On that day, the return from Shigatse to Lhasa will be by tour vehicle or by train, depending on the travel agency's specific arrangements. Specific requests cannot be accepted. Thank you for your understanding.

After breakfast, arrange airport or station drop-off according to flight time, ending the pleasant journey. The city center is about a 1-hour drive from the airport. It is recommended to arrange a flight after 10:00.