Upon your arrival in Lhasa Gonggar Airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit holding a signboard with your name on it, and then transfer you to a luxury hotel for a good rest. The rest of the day is free time for your acclimatization to this highland with an average altitude of 3,650 meters. A relaxing walking may help relieve the altitude sickness. Besides, the temperature difference is great in Lhasa between day and night, so you are suggested to wear layers to keep warm. Please do not take a shower to avoid getting a cold in the first two days.

Today's exploration starts with a visit to the majestic Potala Palace, the landmark and symbol of Tibet. As the winter residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, Potala Palace is the largest and best preserved Tibetan palace complex in the world. You will walk up the steps to be amazed at its splendor at a close distance, and get captivated by abundant frescos, engravings and Buddhist scriptures as well as artworks that showcase the glorious civilization and culture of ancient Tibetan race.

Afterwards, proceed to Jokhang Monastery, one of the three holiest temples in Tibet where enshrines a life-sized Buddha statue of 12-year-old Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. As the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, you will witness crowds of pilgrims worshiping the Buddha by prostrating down every three steps to cover the long pilgrimage.

At last, take a few minutes’ walk to the bustling Barkhor Street lined with restaurants and artwork stalls, where you could not only savor the local snacks and purchase souvenirs, but also delve into local Tibetan's customs and lifestyle. At the end, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

The spectacular and holy Potala Palace

Today, you will be transferred to explore a natural stunner of Tibet, the Yamdrok Lake. As one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok resembles a lost giant sapphire eardrop of the goodness inlaid in the alpine mountains. The mirror-like lake creates a fairy-tale world by embracing the snow-caped mountains, highland pastures and clusters of islets, with azure sky and floating clouds casting reflections on it. During the drive approaching to the lake, there are a lot of viewing decks on the way for you to capture the stunning views of the picturesque lake, as it is more gorgeous by seen from a distance. However, by the shore of the lake you would totally indulge in her purity and calmness. At last, you will be driven back to your downtown hotel. 

The first stop of today's exploration goes to the stunning Norbulingka that used to be the summer residence for generations of Dalai Lamas. It is a large manmade garden with luxury residence quarter where you could take in exquisite Tibetan-styled architecture, and with charming gardens where you might discover various kinds of precious flowers and plants. During the significant Shoton Festival, you could witness some local families gathering in the park for picnics and singing as well as dancing.

Afterwards, drop by the time-honored Drepung Monastery. It was once the largest and most influential Tibetan Buddhism monastery that served as the residence place of Dalai Lamas before Potala Palace was built. The monastery features the site of the annual Shoton Festival, with its dramatic unfolding of a giant thangka painting on the hillside.

At the end, make your way to the renowned Sera Monastery famous for the Tibetan Buddhism debating. The monks sit on the ground to debate with each other in order to practice and test their mastery of Buddhism, which would give you some enlightenments and insights into the profound Tibetan Buddhism. At last, return to you hotel, and get packed for your tomorrow's departure flight. 

Your lifetime Tibet exploration draws to a close today. Our driver and guide will see you off at the Gonggar airport for your departure flight. Wish you a nice journey home!

Tips: 

From Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you could connect flights to Beijing and Shanghai, and then transfer to international flights home. For further exploration of China, there are domestic flights available to Chengdu, Xian and Kunming.