5 Days Lhasa Highlights & Holy Lake Namtso Tour

Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be picked up by local tour guide at Lhasa airport hall or train station, and then be escorted to check in your hotel in Lhasa city (3,650 m) in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.

Recommended Activities: 1) stroll around Lhasa city to experience the local daily life and urban development; 2) go to Jokhang Temple Square and Barkhor Food Street to taste authentic Tibetan cuisine; 3) enjoy the local nightlife at Lhasa Ever-Bright City and Tianhai Night Market.

High Altitude Acclimation Tips: 1) go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you'd better not have bath on the first day, in case of catching a cold and causing altitude sickness; 3) drink more water and have some fruit to stay hydrated to adapt to Lhasa's dry climate; 4) have a good rest on the arrival day to help adapt to the high-altitude environment and better enjoy the following itinerary.

How to Get to Lhasa: you can get to Lhasa from nearby and top gateway cities in China, including Chengdu (about 3 hours), Chongqing (about 3 hours), Beijing (about 4.5 hours), Xi'an (about 4.5 hours), Xining (about 2.5 hours), Kunming (about 3 hours), Shangri-La (about 2.5 hours), etc. by non-stop domestic flights and Kathmandu (about 1.5 hours) by non-stop international flights. Or take a train from Xining, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Lanzhou and Guanghzou. Though Xian operates no trains to Lhasa, Shanghai-Lhasa trains and Guangzhou-Lhasa trains have a stop at Xian Railway Station and they can take you from Xian to Lhasa as well.

Today, you will explore Lhasa’s city and suburban attractions accompanied by your local guide, gaining deep insight into Tibetan history and culture. Your journey will begin at the Tibet Museum, where carefully curated exhibits trace the region’s past from the Paleolithic era to the rise of early civilization. Highlights include ancient stone tools and pottery, exquisite Buddhist statues, vivid Thangka paintings, and invaluable relics such as gold seals and traditional manuscripts. Next, visit Norbulingka, the summer palace of Lhasa. This expansive garden complex, filled with rare flowers and lush greenery, is often called the “Plateau Oxygen Bar.” Beyond its elegant Tibetan-style architecture, Norbulingka is also a vibrant cultural venue, hosting major Tibetan celebrations and performances, most notably the traditional shows during the annual Shoton Festival (June 30th in the Tibetan calendar, lasting about a week).

In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery, one of Lhasa’s most renowned monasteries, famous for its daily Buddhist debating sessions. In the courtyard, monks engage in animated debates on Buddhist philosophy, using expressive gestures to sharpen understanding and deepen their studies-an unforgettable cultural experience. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city.

Optional Activity: If there is extra time, it is highly recommended to watch the outdoor live performance of Princess Wencheng at evening. Princess Wencheng Show, performed usually 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. Since the performance is outdoors and the nighttime temperatures in Lhasa are relatively low, please make sure to dress warmly in advance.

The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn't wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the monastery; 3) taking photos and videos are usually not allowed inside the monastery.

Start today's cultural heritage journey from the Potala Palace Square, where you can admire the grandeur of Potala Palace and capture classic photos of its magnificent front facade. From here, continue to the landmark - Potala Palace, an outstanding symbol of Tibetan architecture mainly composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace with many cherished cultural heritages. After entering the gate of Potala Palace, you need to walk up about 30 minutes along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the White Palace. Remember to ascend the steps slowly and take some stops for sightseeing and rest which will be helpful to reduce high altitude sickness. Then you will explore the palace in an orderly way from the White Palace to the Red Palace with explanations accompanied by your local guide. After exploring Potala Palace, enjoy a leisurely walk through Zongjiao Lukang Park, a scenic lakeside park located behind the palace. Here, you can experience authentic local life, often seeing Tibetans gathering for singing and dancing, chatting, exercising, and walking kora. On clear days, the lake also offers beautiful reflections of Potala Palace.

Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Temple, widely regarded as the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the most sacred religious site in Tibet as it enshrines the revered Jowo Rinpoche, a life-sized (about 1.5 meters / 5 feet) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha depicting him at the age of twelve. In the square before the temple, you will witness devoted pilgrims performing full-body prostrations, gradually polishing the stone flagstones beneath them-a deeply moving and unforgettable sight. The day’s exploration concludes at Barkhor Street, the bustling circular street that surrounds Jokhang Temple. The local Tibetans usually walk clockwise on the street for several circles, as part of their daily pilgrimage. Lined with lively shops and stalls, Barkhor Street is also an excellent place to browse for traditional Tibetan handicrafts and local specialties, offering a vibrant glimpse into both the spiritual and everyday life of Lhasa.

Optional Activity: If your physical strength permits, you can take a short climb to the Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform, which is precisely the location featured on the back of China's fifth series 50-yuan banknote. From this platform, you can appreciate the terraced architecture of Potala Palace ascending the mountainside.

Tips of today: 1) Potala Palace (3,700m) is situated at a higher elevation than the average city altitude (3,650m) and requires climbing many steps, so please walk slowly and take breaks as needed; 2) taking photos, videos and wearing hats are not allowed in the palace; 3) today you will be mainly outside, please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.

Today, you will take an exciting trip to the holy lake Namtso - Tibet’s most beautiful lake and the world’s highest saltwater lake with an altitude of 4,718 meters. The overwhelming beauty also makes it known as the Heavenly Lake and the Paradise of Photographer. Start from Lhasa, you will have a smooth ride along the expressway to Damxung County - the gateway to this celestial region along with the view of Mt. Nyenchen Thangla Ranges on the way. From there, wind upward along the highway to cross the iconic Nagenla Pass (5,190m), where the air thins and the world unfolds: pause at the pass to overlook the exhibition-like Namtso Lake, its turquoise expanse shimmering below like a fallen piece of sky.

You will first arrive at Namtso Lake Tourist Center, and take a short rest then take the shuttle bus for about 30 minutes to reach Tashi Peninsula Scenic Area of Namtso Lake to throw yourself into the incredible landscape of Namtso Lake. It’s quite common for tourists who are awestruck at the Namtso at the first sight. With the snowy mountains in the background, the crystal-clear dazzling blue water, Namtso is stretching to the horizon. In clear days, the lake looks like a beautiful turquoise surrounded by magnificent snow-capped Tanggula Mountains, and the lakeshore is green, wide and open, dotted with yaks and sheep of local nomads. For travelers, Namtso is the ideal place for photography and sightseeing. While for Tibetans, it is a sacred and magical lake for pilgrimage and sometimes you can even see some Tibetans walk the kora around the lake with prayer wheels.

After finishing the visit in Tashi Peninsula Scenic Area, you will take the shuttle bus back to the Tourist Center from the drop-off point or along the way. The return trip will include a short tour around the lake, taking about 40 minutes in total, then you will return to Lhasa city for accommodation after about 3 hours of driving.

Tips of Today: 1) the altitudes of Namtso Lake region is about 5, 000 meters, so you should be fully prepared for high altitude sickness. Do remember to keep warm all the time and avoid strenuous activity; 2) it is available ride a yak at Namtso lake but remember to ask for the owners’ permission and about the price in advance; 3) if you want to spend longer time and watch sunset, you can also accommodate at Damxung County for a night, which is about 1 hour's driving from Namtso Lake.

Today is free for you until your tour guide and private driver transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.

Recommended Activities: If you have extra time, you can visit Nanshan Park on the way to the airport or train station. Nanshan Park (Lhasa’s “Green Lung”), a hillside oasis that tells the story of Tibet’s ecological triumph. Pause at viewpoints to marvel at the greening project’s success: once-barren hills now burst with emerald foliage, a testament to local efforts to harmonize with nature. The most highlight part is the panoramic view of Lhasa’s skyline, where the Potala Palace rises like a golden crown against the azure sky-its whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs glowing in the sunlight, framed by distant snow-capped peaks.

Tips of today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) if your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12 PM.