4-Night Lhasa and Samye Monastery Discovery

Lhasa , China

4-Night Lhasa and Samye Monastery Discovery

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About this experience

The Samye Monastery was built in 761 when the 5th Tobu King Chisong Duosan sent envoys to Kashmir and India to invite famous lamars to teach Buddhism in Tibet. It is said that the monastery was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt three hundred years as the residence of the 6th Dalai Lamar. This 4-Night Lhasa and Samye Monastery group tour is designed for people who have interest for Tibetan architecture and Buddhism.

Note: Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advise which city office is convenient for you upon booking. TTP can also be delivered by Express Mail Service to your hotel in mainland China.

Available options

2019 4-star hotel tour

What's included

Shuttle bus to and from Lhasa airport

Climate-controlled coach for sightseeing and transfers

Chinese visa invitation letter if required

Escorted sightseeing tour with service of English-speaking tour guide

4-night accommodation and daily breakfast at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel Tibet 4

Tibet Travel Permit (TTB)

What you'll see

Day 1: Lhasa

Meet your tour guide at the Lhasa airport. The airport shuttle bus leaves Lhasa Airport at 12:30 & 16:00.

Overnight in Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel (4 star)

Day 2: Lhasa (B)

Hotel pickup at 8:00. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed

Potala Palace, a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism and home to the Dalai Lama for many centuries, You'll also explore the 1300-year-old

Jokhang Temple with its sacred golden Buddha, the spiritual epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism. Free time on

Barkhor Street.

Overnight in Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel (4 star)

Day 3: Lhasa (B)

Today's tour includes two of the “great three” Gelug sect monasteries:

Drepung Monastery and

Sera Monastery. Drepung is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, founded in the fifteenth century on a mountainside. Sera is famous for its debates.

Overnight in Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel (4 star)

Day 4: Lhasa to Samye Monastery (B)

Coach tour along the Yarlung Tsangpo River for 3 hours to see the first Buddhist Monastery in Tibetan history - Samye Monastery.

Yarlung Tsangpo River

Yarlung Tsangpo is the upper stream of Brahmaputra River that flows through its origin, Tibet, known by its Tibetan name. It is the highest major river in the world.

Samye Ferry

Samye Monastery is located in the north bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River. You need to cross the river by taking Samye Ferry with locals. Then walk about 1 mile to reach the Monastery.

Samye Monastery

Samye Monastery was first built in AD 775 by King Trisong Detsen. It was the first monastery in Tibet to worship the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

The Samye Monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mount Meru in the centre. Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of tantric Buddhist cosmology.

Overnight in Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel (4 star)

Day 5: Depart (B)

Airport shuttle bus leaves at 07:30 and 11:00 from downtown Lhasa. Pickup from your hotel lobby.

Fixed Departure Dates in 2018

Apr: 1, 4, 9, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

May: 2, 5, 8, 13, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30

Jun: 3, 6, 11, 13, 17, 20, 24, 26

Jul: 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

Oct: 24

Nov: 20, 23

Dec: 4, 7, 11, 14, 18

If your preferred tour date is not in the list, please check with local tour operator if any person has signed up the same day. A new group will be created if 5 adults sign up for the new tour date eventually (Plan A), or full refund guarantee (plan B).

What's not included

China visa

Lunch and dinner

Airfare and train ticket

Taxi fare from/to airport if you choose not to take airport shuttle

Additional single supplement for requiring single room for yourself

Extra bed for child

Over sized and excess baggage storage surcharge

Personal expense

Gratuities to tour guide and driver (recommended)

Available languages

Guide guide

Important information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required

Adult price is based on twin / triple share of a hotel room

Child price is based on child without extra bed

If you need one adult in one room, additional single supplement will be informed and charged

If you need extra bed for child, additional cost will be informed and charged

Please notice the hotel allows only maximum of 3 persons to stay overnight in one room

Please be prepare the hotel facilities and service standard in Tibet will not be as good as cities in inland China. A 4-star hotel in Tibet equals maybe the standard of a 3-star hotel in Beijing. At Rongphu Monastery Kent, hot water is only available for limited hours.

For shuttle bus between airport and hotel, each passenger (except an infant) can check-in a maximum of 2 pieces of baggage, total dimensions per bag shall not exceed 158 cm (62"). Over sized and excess baggage are subjected to the availability of storage space on coach, and surcharge will be charged.

If you do not want to wait for the airport shuttle bus, the taxi fare will be paid by yourself.

If you travel from a city in China to Lhasa, all foreign travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) in addition to a Chinese visa. TTP is inclusive in the package, the local operator in Lhasa will apply for you. China visa application is not included.

Please first obtain a Chinese visa from a Chinese Embassy on your own and then book this package at least 20 days prior of your arrival day in Tibet. If the Chinese Embassy requests an invitation letter for Chinese Visa, your local tour operator can prepare one and send it to you.

Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advice which city is convenient for you to pick up upon booking.

To apply for the TTP, please provide traveler's name (as appears on passport), nationality, age, sex, occupation, and passport number as well as photocopies of your passport and Chinese visa.

The following travelers can not get a TTP issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau: diplomats, journalists, professional media photographers, and government officials. These travelers need to apply directly to the Foreign Affairs Office at Lhasa City Hall: your local tour operator is unable to help.

Highly recommend you NOT to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa as getting TIBET GROUP VISA there is extremely inconvenient.

If your travel date is not on our fixed depart list, please choose a random departure date we already have, state your ideal travel date and submit. The local operator in Lhasa will check the availability and come back to you with a final answer: You will be inform if it is OK to form a new group, or 100% refund will be issued

Important notes

• Your local tour operator will apply for a TTP for you (minimum 15 days lead time) and send it to one of the local offices for you to collect. Office locations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Changsha, Nanning and Macau. Please advise which city office is convenient for you upon booking. TTP can also be delivered by Express Mail Service to your hotel in mainland China.
• Please confirm with your local tour operator for actual tour departure time from Lhasa Airport.
• For shuttle bus between airport and hotel, each passenger (except an infant) can check-in a maximum of 2 pieces of baggage, total dimensions per bag shall not exceed 158 cm (62") . Over sized and excess baggage are subjected to the availability of storage space on coach, and surcharge will be charged.
• Highly recommend you NOT to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa as getting TIBET GROUP VISA there is extremely inconvenient.
• If your travel date is not on our fixed depart list, please choose a random departure date we already have, state your ideal travel date and submit. The local operator in Lhasa will check the availability and come back to you with a final answer: You will be inform if it is OK to form a new group, or 100% refund will be issued
• The listed price does not include a $X parking fee, payable at the time of tour check-in.

About Lhasa

Lhasa, the spiritual and cultural heart of Tibet, is renowned for its ancient Buddhist monasteries and vibrant Tibetan culture. Nestled in a valley at an elevation of 3,650 meters, it offers a unique blend of history, spirituality, and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.

Top Attractions

Potala Palace

The iconic Potala Palace was the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

Historical/Religious 2-3 hours ¥100 (includes White Palace and part of Red Palace), ¥200 (includes all areas)

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and a pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. It houses a life-sized statue of Buddha Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th century.

Religious 1-2 hours Free (¥25 for photography)

Barkhor Street

Barkhor Street is a bustling market street surrounding the Jokhang Temple. It's a popular place for pilgrims, locals, and tourists to shop for traditional Tibetan items and souvenirs.

Cultural/Shopping 1-2 hours Varies by purchase

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Tibet. It was once home to over 10,000 monks and is known for its grand architecture and religious significance.

Religious 2-3 hours ¥55

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is famous for its lively debates among monks, which take place daily in the monastery's courtyard. It is one of the three main monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Religious 1-2 hours ¥55

Must-Try Local Dishes

Momos

Steamed or fried dumplings filled with yak meat, vegetables, or cheese. They are a popular street food and a must-try in Lhasa.

Snack/Dinner Can be vegetarian or vegan

Thenthuk

A hearty noodle soup with vegetables, meat, and sometimes cheese. It's a popular dish in Tibetan households and restaurants.

Soup/Dinner Can be vegetarian or vegan

Yak Butter Tea

A traditional Tibetan beverage made with butter, salt, and tea. It's an acquired taste but a cultural experience.

Drink Contains dairy

Balep Khabsey

Tibetan fried bread or cookies, often flavored with butter and sugar. They are a popular snack and can be found in most bakeries.

Snack/Dessert Contains dairy

Popular Activities

Hiking Mountain biking Trekking Tea house visits Meditation Yoga Monastic tours Traditional dance performances

Best Time to Visit

May to October

This period offers the most pleasant weather with warm days and cool nights. It's ideal for exploring the city's attractions and enjoying the vibrant cultural scene.

10°C to 25°C 50°F to 77°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Tibetan, Chinese
Widely spoken: Chinese, English (limited)
English: Limited

Currency

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Time Zone

GMT+8

Electricity

220VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Exercise caution

Lhasa is generally safe for travelers, but altitude sickness and limited medical facilities can be concerns. Petty crime is rare, but always be aware of your surroundings.

Important Precautions:

• Be cautious of altitude sickness
• Stay hydrated and rest when needed
• Avoid political discussions

Getting there

By air

Lhasa Gonggar Airport • 60 km from city center

By train

Lhasa Railway Station

By bus

Lhasa Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Buses are the primary mode of public transport in Lhasa. They are affordable but can be crowded during peak hours.

Taxis

Available • Apps: DiDi (limited availability)

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Barkhor Lhasa Old Town Doilungdêqên District

Day trips

Yamdrok Lake

100 km from Lhasa • Full day

Yamdrok Lake is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet and is known for its turquoise waters and stunning mountain surroundings. It's a popular destination for pilgrims and nature lovers.

Ganden Monastery

50 km from Lhasa • Full day

Ganden Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet and the seat of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Namtso Lake

120 km from Lhasa • Full day

Namtso Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world and is known for its breathtaking beauty and spiritual significance. It's a popular destination for pilgrims and nature enthusiasts.

Festivals

Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo) • February/March (lunar calendar) Saga Dawa Festival • June/July (lunar calendar) Losar (Tibetan New Year) • February/March (lunar calendar)