Chengdu Tibet Pilgrimage Tour

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Transfer to Lhasa

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

  
  

In the morning, you will go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This is not only a scientific research base for pandas around the world, but also a cozy home for more than a hundred of pandas. You will be able to observe pandas of all ages eating, playing, rolling on the ground and climbing trees.

Also, we can learn how to feed them, even we can watch female pandas nursing their cubs . And more importantly, we can further our understanding of how to protect these beautiful but endangered creatures.

In the afternoon, you will go to airport and take a flight to Lhasa. Your Lhasa tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Tips:

After arrive in Lhasa, you are advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise as this may cause altitude sickness and affect your travel experience and health.

• The Potala Palace--Jokhang Temple--Barkhor Street

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, depart from the hotel and head to Potala Palace, the most famous landmark of Lhasa and one of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism. Accompanied by a guide, you will visit the main hall, Buddha halls, treasure rooms, and learn about the palace’s rich history and profound cultural heritage. The architecture and murals of Potala Palace are treasures of Tibetan culture, and the visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

After lunch, head to Jokhang Temple, one of the most historically significant temples in Tibet and a major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. The temple houses a golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and is an important destination for Tibetan worshippers. With the guidance of your tour guide, you will explore the various Buddha halls, admire the ancient murals, statues, and religious art within the temple.

After visiting Jokhang Temple, you will walk to the nearby Barkhor Street, one of the oldest streets in Lhasa, which surrounds Jokhang Temple. It is a pilgrimage route for local Tibetan Buddhists and an ideal place for visitors to experience traditional Tibetan culture. Here, you can stroll along the ancient stone-paved streets, admire the Tibetan-style buildings lining the road, and explore shops selling Tibetan jewelry, thangka paintings, Buddha statues, and other handicrafts, immersing yourself in the authentic Tibetan atmosphere.

• Norbulingka Park--Drepung Monastery

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, depart from the hotel and head to Norbulingka Park. This park is one of Tibet's historical sites and served as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, earning the nickname "The Summer Palace of Tibet." The park is filled with lush greenery and scattered lakes, creating a tranquil paradise.

With the guidance of your tour guide, you will explore the palaces and gardens within Norbulingka, where you can admire the unique Tibetan architectural style and landscaping. The architecture here blends Han and Tibetan features, showcasing the essence of traditional Tibetan culture. Visitors can also learn about the daily life of the Dalai Lama in history and the royal history of the Tibetan court.

After lunch, head to Drepung Monastery, one of the four major monasteries of Tibet and also one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. Located on the western outskirts of Lhasa, Drepung Monastery is one of the birthplaces of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Accompanied by a guide, you will visit the monastery's main hall, the monk residences, and admire the Buddha statues and murals inside, gaining an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism. Drepung Monastery has a rich history and cultural heritage, making it an ideal place to explore Tibetan religious life.

If you're interested, you can also experience the daily practices of the monks nearby and listen to explanations about Buddhist teachings.

• Lhasa--Yamdrok Lake--Yamdrok Lake Scenic Viewpoint 1 or Scenic Viewpoint 3-- Xiazhulin Temple--Lhasa

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, depart from Lhasa and drive to Yamdrok Lake (125km, about 3 hours). Yamdrok Lake is one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet, with clear waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making it a peaceful and sacred place. During the journey, you will enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Tibetan Plateau, where distant snow peaks and grasslands blend together to create a beautiful landscape.

Upon arrival at Yamdrok Lake, you will have time to stroll along the lakeside and admire the beauty of the lake. The water of the lake changes colors with the sunlight, ranging from azure to emerald green, creating a mesmerizing scene. This is a perfect spot to capture panoramic photos and experience the tranquility and holiness of nature.

Next, head to the Yamdrok Lake Scenic Viewpoint 1 or Scenic Viewpoint 3, which offer the best vantage points for a bird’s-eye view of the entire lake. From the platforms, you can overlook the lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains, with expansive views that are truly spectacular. This is an ideal place for taking photos and creating lasting memories.

In the afternoon, visit Xiazhulin Temple, located 15 kilometers from Lhasa Airport at an altitude of 3,200 meters. Belonging to the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the temple offers an ideal spot for viewing the Yarlung Zangbo River. It is also renowned for housing the sacred body of the auspicious goddess, said to be the incarnation of Green Tara. After her passing, her body naturally shrank to just one cubit in height, with one eye slightly open, as if in a semi-sleeping state. The temple's serene atmosphere is complemented by friendly Lamas who are eager to answer visitors' questions and explain the murals within.

In the evening, return to Lhasa, concluding this exciting day of exploration.

Travel Tip:

As Yamdrok Lake is located at a high altitude, it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing, bring sunscreen and water, and take time to acclimate to the plateau environment.

• Lhasa--Flight to Chengdu
  

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will start from the snowy plateau of Lhasa and cross the cloudy peaks of the sky to Chengdu. This is the end of our journey here. We hope you have a wonderful memory of this tour and look forward to seeing you again.