How to Spend 3 Days in Lhasa - Lhasa 3 Days Itinerary Plans 2025/2026

Where to go if you have 3 days in Lhasa? Three days are enough to cover the most of attractions in Lhasa city, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Norbulingka, etc., and you can leave one day to explore the daily life of local Tibetans. If you are a nature lover, you can take a day round-trip to surrounding Namtso or Yamdrok Lake, which not include the days of arrival and departure from Lhasa. If you want to fully experience the highlights of Lhasa in a limited time, then here are some suggestions to help you make most of your 3-day Lhasa trip. With decades of experience in Tibet, we have extensive exploration knowledge and a comprehensive service system in Lhasa and the surrounding areas, allowing us to offer you a uniquely customized travel experience.

3 Days Lhasa City with Namtso/Yamdrok Natural Exploration Tour

If you have three days in Lhasa, in addition to spending about two days visiting the main attractions within the city, it is recommended to set aside one day to visit the surrounding Namtso or Yamdrok Lake to enjoy the stunning highland natural scenery (not including arrival and departure times in Lhasa).

Day 1: Tibet Museum - Norbulingka - Sera Monastery

Visit Tibet Museum, appreciate beautiful Norbulingka and take a visit to Sera Monastery in day 1. Tibet Museum, as the first modern museum in Tibet, has rich collections of statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in various genres and shapes, colorful Thangka paintings, distinctive ethnic handicrafts, etc., where is your comprehensive window to understand the history and culture of Lhasa and Tibet. Norbulingka, means "Park of Treasure" in Tibetan and is a charming garden reputed as the summer palace of Lhasa with traditional Tibetan-style architecture. As one part of the historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, it was added to World Heritage Sites in 2001. Sera Monastery one of the three main temples in Lhasa, along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, is a representative of Gelug temples, featuring its famous Buddhism Debating, which is a spectacular way to discuss the Buddhist knowledge. If there is extra time, it is highly recommended to watch the outdoor live performance of Princess Wencheng during your Lhasa journey. Princess Wencheng Show, performed during 21:30~23:00 (late April to Early October), presents the Chinese and Tibetan history and culture through the story that Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty married Songtsen Gambo 1,300 year ago.

Day 2: Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street

In day 2, climb to the Potala Palace, visit Jokhang Temple and walk along with Barkhor Street. Since the Potala Palace is at a higher elevation (3700m) than other attractions in the city (3650m) and requires climbing a large number of steps, it is recommended to visit the Potala Palace on the second day. Potala Palace, regarded as landmark and the symbol of Tibet, is a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture with many precious cultural heritages. It is the dream destination for both pilgrims and travelers from all over the world and even a short glimpse will leave tourists a long-lasting impression. Jokhang Temple is spiritual center of Lhasa surrounded by the devoted pilgrims. It was also listed in the World Cultural Heritages with Potala Palace and Norbulingka. Most travelers visit Jokhang Temple to witness the life-sized statue of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. Barkhor Street, as a public square around Jokhang Temple, is a popular circumambulation for pilgrims and commercial center. You can find many pilgrims turning their prayer wheels and many interesting souvenirs shopping stores here.

Day 3: Namtso/Yamdrok Lake Round-trip from Lhasa

Take a Day-trip to Namtso/Yamdrok Lake from Lhasa in day 3. Namtso and Yamdrok are two of Tibet's sacred lakes, located 190 kilometers (about 3 hours by car) and 110 kilometers (about 2 hours by car) from Lhasa, respectively. It is possible to make a round trip from Lhasa in a single day, so it is highly recommended to include one of them in your itinerary. Namtso means Heavenly Lake in Tibetan, so it is considered as one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, together with Yamdrok Lake and Lake Manasarovar. Outstanding with shimmering turquoise-like blue water, flying colorful flags and flock of sheep or yaks, Namtso Lake is honored as the paradise of photographers. Yamdrok Lake, situated at the south of Yarlong Tsangpo River in Shannan city, is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains with jaspideous colors. By standing the hilltop around, you can have a far view of the fresh water under the sunshine reflected different colors of blue and the diverse lakeside grass and plants with yaks and birds dotted with. Since both Namtso (4718m) and Yamdrok Lake (4441m) are at high altitudes, it is recommended to rest well the day before the trip and arrive in Lhasa at least two days in advance to help adapt to the high-altitude environment.

3 Days Lhasa City with Tibetan Life Discovery Tour

If you are more interested in exploring the local culture, it is recommended that, in addition to the classic two-day city tour, you spend one day immersing yourself in the daily life of the local Tibetan people (not including arrival and departure times in Lhasa).

Day 1: Tibet Museum - Norbulingka - Sera Monastery

Visit Tibet Museum, appreciate beautiful Norbulingka and take a visit to Sera Monastery in day 1. Tibet Museum, as the first modern museum in Tibet, has rich collections of statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in various genres and shapes, colorful Thangka paintings, distinctive ethnic handicrafts, etc., where is your comprehensive window to understand the history and culture of Lhasa and Tibet. Norbulingka, means "Park of Treasure" in Tibetan and is a charming garden reputed as the summer palace of Lhasa with traditional Tibetan-style architecture. As one part of the historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, it was added to World Heritage Sites in 2001. Sera Monastery one of the three main temples in Lhasa, along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, is a representative of Gelug temples, featuring its famous Buddhism Debating, which is a spectacular way to discuss the Buddhist knowledge. If there is extra time, it is highly recommended to watch the outdoor live performance of Princess Wencheng during your Lhasa journey. Princess Wencheng Show, performed during 21:30~23:00 (late April to Early October), presents the Chinese and Tibetan history and culture through the story that Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty married Songtsen Gambo 1,300 year ago.

Day 2: Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street

In day 2, climb to the Potala Palace, visit Jokhang Temple and walk along with Barkhor Street. Since the Potala Palace is at a higher elevation (3700m) than other attractions in the city (3650m) and requires climbing a large number of steps, it is recommended to visit the Potala Palace on the second day. Potala Palace, regarded as landmark and the symbol of Tibet, is a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture with many precious cultural heritages. It is the dream destination for both pilgrims and travelers from all over the world and even a short glimpse will leave tourists a long-lasting impression. Jokhang Temple is spiritual center of Lhasa surrounded by the devoted pilgrims. It was also listed in the World Cultural Heritages with Potala Palace and Norbulingka. Most travelers visit Jokhang Temple to witness the life-sized statue of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. Barkhor Street, as a public square around Jokhang Temple, is a popular circumambulation for pilgrims and commercial center. You can find many pilgrims turning their prayer wheels and many interesting souvenirs shopping stores here.

Day 3: Local Tibetan Life Discovery

Take one day to explore the local life of Tibetan people in day 3. If you want to experience the local life, you could have another day to visit a local family and explore the real Tibetan life. This activity offers a great opportunity to get a immerse contact with the Tibetan family, chat with the friendly and hospitable hosts, taste home-made buttered tea, enjoy a home welcome lunch... For those tourists keen on Tibet food, it is also a good idea to take part in a Cooking Class to make authentic Tibetan cuisine by yourself. Tibetan Family Kitchen as one of the most recommended Lhasa restaurants, provides real and authentic taste of Tibet as well as Tibet cooking class, which will take about 2 hours. For those travelers with kids and interested in Thangka, which is an exquisite Tibetan scroll, most of which focuses on the motifs of Tibetan Buddhism, such as depicting a Buddhist deity and describing historical Buddhist events, you can take some time on Thangka Drawing as well.

How to Plan A Tibet Tour

Top Recommended Lhasa Private Tours 2025

Lhasa, as the gateway to Tibet, is the starting point and transit hub of a Tibet tour. Travelers usually spend 3~4 days on traveling in and around Lhasa, including the arrival and departure days, and take more 1~2 days to surrounding Namtso or Yamdrok Lake. Most tourists also set Mount Everest, located in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, as their trip goal, extending their journey to 8~10 days. Here we have selected the 3 best Lhasa tours below for your reference, and you can also contact us to create a Lhasa trip that tailored to your personal interests and needs.

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  Lhasa

  4 Days Lhasa City Private Tour - Heart of Tibet

  Highlights: Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, Monk Debate

  $619 / Details

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  Lhasa / Shigatse / Mount Everest / Namtso Lake / Lhasa

  9 Days Tibet Discovery Tour plus Everest and Namtso Expedition

  Highlights: Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Mt. Everest, Namtso Lake

  $1,809 / Details

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  Lhasa / Yamdrok Lake / Lhasa

  5 Days Best of Lhasa & Beautiful Yamdrok Lake Tour

  Highlights: Highlights: Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Yamdrok Lake

  $829 / Details