拉薩6日

今天您將探索拉薩輝煌的建築、文化與歷史，隨後與當地人一同漫步於著名的八廓街，體驗藏民日常的轉經生活。

早晨，您可以步行前往布達拉宮參觀。它不僅是西藏的地標，也是達賴喇嘛的傳統居所與冬宮（1649-1959年）。從布達拉宮大門攀登365級台階抵達紅宮後，您將來到海拔3,700公尺的世界最高宮殿，在那裡可以欣賞拉薩市絕佳的全景。當您探索紅宮內歷代達賴喇嘛的主要殿堂、禮拜堂與神龕時，您將會被其非凡的繪畫、華麗的珠寶工藝、精湛的雕刻、色彩繽紛的裝飾以及寶藏背後的神秘故事所震撼與感動。在布達拉宮內，您會遇見許多從遠方前來朝聖的藏民，對他們而言，這裡是終生的朝聖目的地。您也可以請導遊講述更多關於西藏第33任贊普松贊干布的故事，他在7世紀為了迎娶唐朝文成公主而首次建造了布達拉宮。

請注意，參觀順序可能會根據您布達拉宮門票上指定的參觀時間進行調整。所有遊客都必須隨旅遊團進入宮殿，並在內停留1小時。請注意，宮殿內禁止攝影。

探索布達拉宮博物館後，前往擁有1300年歷史的大昭寺，這裡是西藏的精神中心與世界文化遺產。據說大昭寺是為松贊干布的兩位新娘：唐朝文成公主與尼泊爾尺尊公主所建。「大昭」意為「佛的居所」，寺內供奉著釋迦牟尼12歲等身像，這是佛教界的珍寶。這就是為什麼佛教朝聖者將其視為最神聖的目的地。當您看著他們日夜在寺前祈禱時，時間彷彿靜止了。

隨後，漫步於大昭寺附近繁忙的八廓街，這裡是古代佛教徒進行轉經（朝聖環線）的地方。如今，它已成為一個繁榮的當地市場，您可以在此喝一壺酥油茶、穿上藏服拍照，並挑選一些當地的西藏、尼泊爾與印度手工藝品及紀念品。

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, get your bicycle ready and start your Tibet biking tour from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery, covering a distance of approximately 56km (3-4 hours) via the renowned G318 Road. The route includes a 10km zigzag mountain road (today's highlight and challenge) from the foot of Mt. Wangbur (旺波日山) leading to Ganden Monastery.

Depart Lhasa, you will bike to the left at the Lhasa Bridge (拉萨大桥) and join the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (川藏公路; part of National Highway 318/G318). G318 starts from Shanghai and ends at Zhangmu in Tibet (China Nepal Border). Cycling enthusiasts acclaim it as the "most beautiful national highway in China" and a route many cyclists aspire to ride at least once. Along the journey on G318, you will encounter numerous fellow cyclists heading to Tibet or local Tibetans making the pilgrimage, and exchanging greetings will surely receive warm responses and encouragement. You can take a rest near the Dazi Bridge (达孜大桥; not accessible by vehicles ), adorned with prayer flags, and may chance upon local stray dogs basking in the sun. Continuing the ride, you can enjoy the scenic view of the Lhasa River (拉萨河). The Lhasa River, known as the "River of Happiness" in Tibetan, is the mother river of Lhasa. It originates from the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains (念青唐古拉山) and flows through Lhasa before joining the Yarlung Tsangpo River (雅鲁藏布江). The peaks along the banks of the Lhasa River range from 3,600 to 5,500 meters, making it one of the highest rivers in the world. Riding through the Lhasa River valley (拉萨河谷), you can witness the riverbed, yaks grazing on the banks, poplar forests, villages, and stupas. If you visit during autumn, the colors will be even more vibrant. When you reach the foot of Mount Wangbur (旺波日山), you will see the picturesque Taji Village (塔吉村) nestled against the mountains and water. Although you won't be able to see Ganden Monastery from the foot of the mountain, you can reach it by ascending the winding mountain road of nearly 10 kilometers. As you wind your way up the scenic road, the grand white complex of Ganden Monastery emerges into view, a dazzling sight that will leave you breathless.

After completing the challenging 10 km ride (the most difficult uphill stretch for the day), you will arrive at Ganden Monastery. Founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa (宗喀巴), the visionary founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, Ganden Monastery was the first monastery of the Gelug tradition. Take your time to fully explore the Main Prayer Hall, where you will discover a treasure trove of thousands of Buddha statues, murals, and religious artifacts. Observe the monks praying, chanting, and performing rituals. And don't forget to marvel at the remarkable statues of Tsongkhapa, including a famous sculpture depicting him at the tender age of 8. After the tour, Overnight in Ganden and have a good rest.

Optional Experience: A kora around Ganden Monastery (1-2 hours) If physical condition permits and weather allows, hike with guide around the Ganden Kora, enjoy the view of wide Kychi valley. It is divided into high kora and low kora. The Ganden High Kora is a longer walk around the monastery area, climbing above the monastery to the Wangpori ridgeline, while the lower kora circles the complex and leads to Tsongkhapa's meditation cave. Tell us your interests.

This morning, you can choose to have a kora around Ganden Monastery. During the kora, you may come across numerous local Tibetans and monks engaged in prayer, rubbing holy rocks, and prostrating themselves along the path. On a clear day, you can enjoy stunning views of the peak of Nyenchen Thangla and the Kyi-chu valley below. Or you can just cycle back to Lhasa using the same road as the previous day. The journey from Ganden Monastery to Taji Village may take less than 0.5 hours (10km down). If you are interested, you can visit a local Tibetan family for a cup of yak butter tea while experiencing their traditional way of life, and chat with them.

Taji Village, nestled against the mountains and water, is a picturesque village. A stream flows in front of the village, its clear waters revealing swaying aquatic plants and groups of round and slender fish. The local Tibetans here do not eat fish and do not allow others to fish. Along the banks of the stream, the grass is green and untouched, while leisurely cows roam freely without any supervision. In front of each white-walled house, there are fields of green barley. Prayer flags fluttering on the rooftops and prayer flags surrounding the stupas create a vibrant atmosphere as if cheering on the cyclists. On your way cycling back to Lhasa, you will also encounter many brave biking warriors (covering over 2,100 km) who set off from Chengdu to cycle to Lhasa (Sichuan-Tibet Highway). There is an unwritten spontaneous behavior on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway - whenever cyclists meet, whether they know each other or not, they shout out to each other as they pass by, saying, "Keep going!" After the biking back to Lhasa, have a good rest and overnight in Lhasa.

It is time to end 6 Days Tibet Biking Tour. Your guide will 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.

Safe journey!