Explore the route, then refine the details.
A China Adventure Club route through western China’s varied heritage and scenery. Explore the operator’s itinerary outline, then refine its pace and arrangements for your dates.
Adapted from China Adventure Club’s original regional and national collection. The outline below describes the source route; your written proposal establishes the current order, overnight stops and service arrangements.
Itinerary outline
Tashi delek! This four-day Lhasa itinerary introduces Tibet’s cultural and religious heritage. Enjoy local food and tea, observe pilgrims on the Barkhor kora, visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, watch the monks’ debate at Sera Monastery, and take a leisurely hike near Drak Yerpa.
As the most celebrated local Tibet travel agency in Lhasa, we offer you the widest range of choices for the hotels to suit all the pockets and tastes. You have greater flexibility in upgrading your service. Our multilingual and dedicated Tibetan guides will keep you entertained in high spirits and show you the door to the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Since we are the only Tibet travel agency with offices in Lhasa, Kathmandu, and Chengdu, we can easily help you get Tibet Permit (for free) for Tibet entry from all directions and offer viable plans for the extended tours to Nepal and other parts of inland Chinese cities.
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Select a route section to explore the map. Tap a stop for its location or use the directions link for the next leg. Flights, trains, cruises and hiking arrangements follow your itinerary.
1 Lhasa Directions to Potala Palace
2 Potala Palace Directions to Jokhang Temple
3 Jokhang Temple Directions to Barkhor Street
4 Barkhor Street Directions to Drepung Monastery
5 Drepung Monastery Directions to Sera Monastery
6 Sera Monastery Directions to Lhasa
7 Lhasa
detailed Itinerary
Tour Day-by-day
DAY 1: Arrive in Lhasa
Your guide will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. Along the way, enjoy views of the Yarlung Tsangpo, also known as the Brahmaputra, and the Lhasa River. Rest and allow time to adjust to the altitude. If you feel comfortable going out, visit Potala Square for views of the palace.
For the newcomers, please first get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Rest in your hotel. There is no rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
DAY2: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B, D)
Begin at the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Its history is associated with Tibet’s seventh-century king. Highlights include the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave connected with the king.
After lunch, visit Jokhang Temple, founded in the seventh century. Inside, see the revered statue of the twelve-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Outside, observe pilgrims prostrating before the temple. Explore the market along Barkhor Street and watch pilgrims following the kora, the religious circuit around the temple.
Enjoy Tibetan tea with local residents at a teahouse. A welcome dinner will also be arranged.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
DAY 3: Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery (B)
Visit Drepung Monastery, one of Tibet’s major Gelug monastic centers, founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Explore the monastery kitchen and the Buddhist sculpture workshop nearby.
In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s three major Gelug monasteries. Watch the monks’ debate, generally held between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., and explore the scripture-printing house, sand mandalas, and colorful paintings of the Buddha.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
DAY 4: Departure from Lhasa(B)
The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.
What to refine before booking
Protect the travel days
Review the full hotel-to-hotel transfer for every intercity leg. Avoid relying on a flight or train arriving early enough for a tightly timed major attraction unless the final schedule supports it.
Choose a comfortable pace
Confirm stairs, slopes and time on foot. Ask which optional visits can be shortened or removed, and where an additional night would make the biggest difference.
Make inclusions explicit
Request the actual hotel and room choices, guide language, vehicle arrangements, admission coverage, meals and any activity-specific support in the written quotation.
Current permits, access, elevation and a realistic arrival schedule must be reviewed before booking. This outline does not confirm present border operation, permit approval or suitability for every traveler.
Compare another approach
For a more spacious route, explore the original journey briefs in our national and regional collections. These show overnight allocations, transfer days and the tradeoffs behind each route.