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5 Days Tibet Shoton Festival Tour for Thangka Unveiling Ceremony

  • TD-TTB-029
  • 5 Days
  • Tibet Festival Tours, Tibet Private Tours

Expedition Overview

Take 5 Days Tibet Shoton Festival Tour to enjoy Shoton Festival at Lhasa via visiting Drepung Monastery, Norbulinka, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, 5 Days Lhasa Shoton Festival Tour at best price & service.

Visit Drepung Monastery for the Thangka Unveiling Ceremony of Shoton Festival. Drepung Monastery was the largest Tibetan monastery which used to be Dalai Lama’s palace before he moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century

Explore Norbulinka, the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama, to enjoy the Tibetan Opera of Shoton Festival or Yoghurt Festival. You can even join local Tibetan’s Picnic. Don’t forget to try Tibetan Yoghurt

Come to the Sunlight City to marvel at the world famous holy center – Potala Palace comprising the White and Red Palaces built on the Red Mountain

Give yourself some quiet moments to view in front of the “spiritual heart of the city” and see the numerous local Tibetan Buddhists and pilgrimages worshiping devoutly in front of Jokhang Temple

Travel outside of Lhasa city to one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet – Sera Monastery to explore exceptional Buddhist religious complex and see the famous debate among monks on the Buddhist doctrines

Find the reasons why Barkhor Street is a true reflection of Tibetan culture and spirituality and join in the pilgrims along the lively street walking clockwise while spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras

Itinerary

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa (100km, about 1.5 hours’ drive) . You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.

Arrival Ideas: Lhasa is located in the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau and southwestern China. Traveling to Tibet is convenient by air, railway, or road. There are five airports in Tibet, with Lhasa Gonggar Airport being the most popular for flights from Chengdu (which is also popular), Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, Shangri-La, and other cities. One international airline even connects Lhasa and Kathmandu. Moreover, travelers can take the train to Lhasa from Xining (21 hours, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway), Lanzhou (24.5 hours), Chongqing (35.5 hours), Chengdu (36.5 hours), Xian (31 hours), Beijing (40.5 hours), Shanghai (47 hours), Guangzhou (52.5 hours), Shigatse (2.5 hours), Nyingzhi (4 hours), and other cities.

Kind Reminds:
1. It is good to avoid altitude sickness by slowing down, keeping warm, drinking water frequently, avoiding showers for the first one or two days, taking it easy, and sleeping well.
2. You should always follow your doctor’s advice regarding altitude based on your health condition.
3. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and are good at dealing with altitude sickness.

Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk up to the Potala Palace to explore. Not only is it the landmark of Tibet, but it is also the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). After climbing 365 steps from the gate of the Potala Palace to reach the Red Palace, you will arrive at the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m, where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Lhasa city. As you explore the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be amazed and moved by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace, you will meet many Tibetan pilgrims who come from afar to pray at this sacred site, making it a lifetime destination for them. You can also ask your guide to provide more stories about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first built the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty.

Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the visiting time specified on your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors are required to visit the palace with a tour group and remain inside for one hour. Please be advised that photography is prohibited inside the palace.

After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo’s two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. “Jokhang” means “House of Buddha”, it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.

Afterward, take a walk on busy Barkhor Street near the Jokhang Monastery, which was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) in ancient times. Nowadays, it has become a thriving local market where you can drink a pot of yak butter tea, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

Today you will enjoy the culture tour of Lhasa via a visit to two of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

In the morning, drive about 35min (12km) to visit Drepung Monastery which was the largest Tibetan monastery (Gelug Sect, Yellow Hat) in Lhasa. It used to be Dalai Lama’s palace before he moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century. Now it is famous for Drepung Shoton Festival held each August, people come to offer yogurt to the monks who finished the 100 days’ meditation while enjoying the grandest Buddha (Thangka) Unfolding Ceremony. Besides the unique architecture and amazing buildings, you can watch monks debating in Tibetan Buddhism vibrant and active with expansive gestures, clapping, and stamping. After Drepung Temple, you will have about a 2-hour Tibetan culture tour, which includes an introduction, Tibetan incense making, and block printing.

In the afternoon, drive another 40min (14km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 – 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive.

After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.

This morning, your guide and driver will take you to Norbulingka Summer Palace to appreciate the Tibetan Opera of Shoton Festival or Yoghurt Festival and its amazing natural landscapes. Don’t forget to try the Tibetan Yoghurt and have a relaxing day in Norbulingka Park like the local Tibetan people.

Norbulingka, also named the Jeweled Park, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755, it was the summer palace for all Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka has three parts: the courtyard before the palace, the palace itself, and the surrounding forest. With over 400 rooms of various sizes, Norbulingka is the biggest, most magnificent, and most representative large-scale palace garden in Tibet. Norbulingka combines gardening with architecture and sculpture arts from Tibetan, Han, and many other ethnic groups. The well-preserved murals, superb mandalas, and frescoes are fascinating sights not to be missed.

Now, Norbulingka Park has become a hub of entertainment with dancing, singing, music, and festivities, especially during the annual Shoton Festival or Yoghurt Festival. During the Shoton Festival, you can enjoy the Tibetan Opera here. You can have Picnic Lunch inside Norbulinka and even join the local Tibetans’ picnic. 

If time permits, you can visit Tibet Museum (Closed on Mondays; Optional) to get more idea about Tibet Opera. Located in the southeast corner of Norbulingka Summer Palace (1km away), Tibet Museum is the first large, modern museum and the only national first class museum in Tibet. It has a collection of more than 520,000 artifacts, including pottery, Buddha statues, imperial jade seals, gold albums, gifts granted by emperors, colorful Thangkas, and various printed Sanskrit and Tibetan scriptures… On the first floor are two exhibition halls which shows the splendid history and natural resources of Tibet; on the second floor are 5 small exhibition halls displaying Tibetan religion, folk custom, treasures, and arts and crafts.

It is time to end your 5-day Tibet Lhasa Shoton Festival Tour. You will have some free time in Lhasa and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or train to your next destination.

Extension Ideas: If you prefer to travel longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to other highlighted parts of Tibet, including Shigatse, Gyantse, Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!

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What’s Included

  • Professional licensed English-speaking local guide
  • Private Vehicle: Experienced drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfasts (3-star standard)
  • Meals: Breakfasts plus featured meals – Tibetan welcome banquet in Lhasa & The world’s highest altitude hot pot experience at EBC (if you take the tour to EBC).
  • Admission tickets, activities listed in the itinerary
  • Tibet Permits: Tibet Entry Permit, Alien Travel Permit, Border Pass, etc.
  • Pick up and Drop off Service: The pick up and drop off service are free from 7:00am to 22:00pm on the pick up and drop off date.
  • Oxygen and Water: A container of Oxygen per person for emergency use; 2 bottles of drinking water per person per day (300ml); 4L Medical oxygen cylinder with car
  • Our service from tour planning, handling, operational and finishing your trip

What’s Not Included

  • International airfares
  • Entry visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Single room supplement
  • Recommended optional activities
  • Arrival/departure flights or train on the first and last day
  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

Accommodation & Hotel Condition for Your Tibet Tour

Have a good sleep everyday is very important during your China tour. In a private tour, you can decide on your own which hotel class you want – luxury 5 star, comfortable 4-star or economic 3-star.
All the hotels in each destination we selected are at good location, close to commercial street or tourist attractions. And, all the hotels we use have a business relationship for many years and they have windows, air-conditioners, hot water, showers, wifi… (except for basic accommodation condition when travel to Mount Everest) to ensure you luxury and comfortable sleep experience. The staff can speak English and they will provide you the high quality service. If you have any requirements, you can ask them to help.

  • Tibet group tour hotel room style
  • Tibet group tour hotel room
  • Tibet group tour hotel

Important Trip Notes

All foreign travelers are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet. The permit can only be applied for through a registered travel agency in Tibet (we are local based Tibet travel agency with office setting in Lhasa) and is required to purchase flight or train tickets to Tibet. The permit is necessary to enter Tibet and visit certain areas within the region, including Lhasa and Mount Everest Base Camp. Travelers should plan ahead and allow sufficient time for the permit application process, as it can take one to two weeks to obtain the necessary permits.
All foreign travelers are advised to make their bookings at least one week in advance and send the necessary documents to us for obtaining the permits. However, if you plan to visit Mount Kailash, it is recommended to book at least two weeks in advance, as it may take longer to obtain the necessary permits.

Typically, small group tours in Tibet will have 1-16 travelers, and you will have the opportunity to meet and travel with tourists from different parts of the world. This can be a great chance to make new friends and connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Yes, if you are traveling with a group of friends or with your family, you can customize your own group tour. Please contact your professional travel consultant to discuss and arrange a customized group tour that meets your needs and preferences.

 
•  “B” stands for breakfast. You will have it at your hotel in the morning.
 
•  “L” stands for lunch. The restaurants we will arrange for you are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. All are in good sanitary conditions. Lunches are usually included if you have a full day tour in one destination. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes. If you will travel from one city to another, lunches are excluded and you can ask the guide for some suggestions about where and what to eat.
 
•  “D” means dinner. All dinners are excluded in the itinerary. You have the chance to taste some authentic Chinese food and local snacks.
 
•  If you have special dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free), please let us know before your booking. We will try our best to take care of you.

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Slow travel in high-altitude comfort. We prioritize both your safety and your experience. Our itineraries are masterfully paced for high-altitude acclimatization, blending iconic ‘big wow’ landmarks with secret, hidden gems, allowing you to breathe in the plateau’s serenity without ever feeling rushed.

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