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 Shoton Festival In Drepung and Norbulingka
Cultural highlights of Tsetang, Gyantse, Shigatse and Lhasa,
Holy Lake Nam Tso
Gandan and Tsurpu Monastery
Lhasa, the Holy City on the ?oof of the World? is 3.650 m high above sea level. Since the seventh century, it had been the center of Tibet. Many people dream to visit the splendid Potala palace, the Holy Jokhang temple with its Pilgrimage Route, the famous monasteries of Gandan, Sera, Drepung, Palkhor, Tashilunpo and Samye, and Yongbulakang the oldest palace of the first kings of Tibet. Be sure that you experience much more than what stated above during this journey. The magnificent natural landscape is so attractive that you forget the daily trifles, taking Nam Tso the biggest holy lake in Tibet for instance. During the Shoton Festival one of the largest and most important celebrations in Tibet, you enjoy the traditional Tibetan folkways and culture.
If you can adjust yourselves to the high altitude and also the varieties of China? cultural characteristics, you won? mind it is arduous or not but think it is an unforgettable experience at the end of the journey.
Experience Tibet live!
Itinerary (13 days):
Day01 25.07. Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel. Overnight at 3*Xinliang Hotel
Day02 26.07. Air Chengdu ?Tsetang (B/L)
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Tsetang (CA4401 0740/0930). Upon arrival at the Gongga airport transfer to hotel in Tsetang (90 km). Located in the southeast of Lhasa, Tsetang is 3,500 meters high. It was said the legendary ancestors of Tibetans, a monkey (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in the shape of a monkey) and his wife a Dakhini once lived on the Gongpori mountain in the east of the city. And so the city of Tsetang is regarded as the ?layground of Monkeys?and the Tibetans as the descended of the Monkey. In terms of geography, the fertile valleys of Yarlung and Chongye here are appropriate for development of Tibetan civilization; there were once numerous temples, shrines and Stupas in this area. Besides, Chonggye is the birthplace of the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682). After lunch stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now. Overnight at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel
Day03 27.07. Tsetang (B/L/D)
In the morning drive 40km westwards to visit Samye. Located in the north of Yarlung Tsangpo River and hold in the arms of mountains, it is the oldest monastery of Tibet (8th century). The stele hanging on the entrance to the main temple shows that king Trisong Detsen took Buddhism as the state religion in 779. The monastery complex consists of several buildings, whose arrangement reflects the Buddhist conception of the structure of the universe. Meru, the world mountain in the center of the universe, is represented in the building of great hall, around which are 4 halls representing the 4 continents swimming in the world sea. In the afternoon we make a trip in the Yarlung valley to visit the Yumbulakhang, a castle built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the time of the first Tibetan kings. It is far viewed that the castle is high on the rock hills and looks brightly white. The original fortress is now converted into a chapel; in the ground floor there is a shrine in honor of the early kings. The steps up are steep but it is worthy because on the top of the hill you can far view the valley and the surrounding mountain. Overnight at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel
Day04 28.07. Tsetang ?Gyantse (B/L/D)
In the morning drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5340 m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7191 m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Visit Samding Monastery by the lake. It was presided by the only female Living Buddha of Tibet. Afterwards Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Overnight at 3*Gyantse Hotel
Day05 29.07. Gyantse - Shigatse (B/L/D)
In the morning drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. On the way we have an excursion of the monastery Shalu (Xialu). It was initially built by Chetsuen Sherat Jungna in 1087 with a unique Tibetan-Han construction style in Tibet. It was said Atisha once spread Buddhist teaching in this temple. In the afternoon visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. Overnight at 3*Manasarovar Hotel
Day06 30.07. Shigatse ?Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning drive to Lhasa (3650 m; approx. 290 km), the capital of Tibet. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day07 31.07. Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day08 01.08. Lhasa - Gandan ?Lhasa (B/L/D)
Drive about one hour to Gandan Monastery. The first monastery of Gelug Sect was established in 1409 by Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Cap). Lots of cultural relics since the Ming Dynasty are preserved in the temple, including 90 odd Stupas containing the holy bodies of Tsongkapa and his successive abbots. Afterwards visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called ?he court of wild rose? Today still 200 lamas live in there. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day09 02.08. Lhasa - Nam Tso Lake (B/L/D)
In the morning drive to Nam Tso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Pass by the 5,150-meter Lhachen La and reach the Nam Tso or Tengri Nor (heaven lake in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. Nam Tso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Explore the Tashi peninsula by walking around the holy hill, the cliffs of which have eroded over the centuries. On the way piles of mani stones stand. Also visit the nomads in yak hair tents who have been living on the pastures between the holy Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla. Overnight at simple Guesthouse
Day10 03.08. Nam Tso Lake - Tsurpu - Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning take a walk by the lake and then drive toward Trurpu Monastery along the Qinghai-Tibet highway. Since 1992 the master monastery of the Karma Kagyu Sect had been presided by Urgyen Thinley Dorje the 17th Karmapa. Tsurpu was established in 1189 by Duesum Khyenpa, a pupil of Gampopa and the first Karmapa. He introduced the principle of reincarnation into Tibet. He told his disciples that he would reincarnate and pointed out the location of the second Karmapas reborn. In contrast to Yellow Caps (Gelug) the Karmapa Kagye are regarded as the Black Hat and the Karmapas the holder of this sect. The monastery was restored in 1984. In the In the individual temples are statues of the different Karmapas. The 16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) had traveled to Europe and America for spreading of Tibetan Buddhism in west after he left for Sikkim in 1958. After the visit drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day11 04.08. Lhasa (B/L/D)
The Shoton Festival takes place today (always on first day of the seventh Tibetan month). In Tibetan language Shoton means yogurt. Before the end of the 16th century, it was purely religious. In light of the monastic discipline at that time, monks stayed in retreat for dozens of days, during which they were forbidden to go out to avoid killing any insects. Afterwards, the lay people would donate yogurts to them. That was the Origin of the festival. Later on in the middle 17th century, the Tibetan opera play was gradually added as a major event, and therefore, it is also known as Tibetan Opera Festival. Since then it has been celebrated regularly, but still outside of monasteries. Until the early 18th century, the Norbulinka was inaugurated as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and also as the official venue of the annual Festival, where ordinary people were allowed access to watch the opera playing. A set of ritualized programs was thus formed. Early in the morning visit the Buddha-Image Exposure in the Drepung Monastery. Afterwards enjoy Tibetan Opera in the Norbulingka, the ?arden of Treasures? Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day12 05.08. Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon free. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Day13 06.08. Air Lhasa ?Chengdu (B)
In the morning transfer to Gongga airport (100 km) and fly back to Chengdu (CA4402 1020/1210).
Tour price, please contact us chinayak123@hotmail.com
Included:
Air tickets and airport tax: Chengdu ?Lhasa - Chengdu;
All transfers and overland tour;
All sightseeing;
12N in hotels (double rooms; single room as requested) and guesthouses (double rooms cannot be always guaranteed, partly is only multi-bed rooms available);
Full board service: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner;
English speaking guide;
Permits for Tibet tour.
Excluded:
China Visa;
Tips for guide and driver;
Personal expenses; Service not mentioned in the itinerary. | 
