Tour Highlights
Sacred Buddhist Monuments: Tour the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, revered Jokhang Temple, and historic Sera Monastery in holy Lhasa.
Cradle of Tibetan Civilization: Visit Samye Monastery (Tibet's first Buddhist monastery) and the ancient hilltop fortress of Yumbulakhang Palace in Tsedang.
Pristine Alpine Landscapes: Marvel at emerald waters at Draksum-tso Lake and the alpine meadows of Lulang Forest framed by snow-capped peaks.
Ancient Giant Cypresses: Walk among sacred, thousand-year-old trees in the secluded Giant Cypress Forest near Nyingchi.
Full Permit Assistance: Enjoy a seamless journey across Xizang (Tibet) with full Travel Permit processing and licensed private local guide service.
Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa
Day 2 Lhasa | Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
With a history of more than 1,300 years, Jokhang Template is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery nestled in the old part of Lhasa. Having housed almost all key Buddhist events, the temple is often called the “Eye of Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region”. Thanks to its extremely high status in Buddhism, the temple is frequented by pilgrims and worshiped with burning incense all year long. It is circled in a clockwise direction every day by a steady stream of believers who kneel with devotion in front of the main entrance on a stone floor imbued with the marks of the visits of the thousands of pilgrims who have come before them.
Day 3 Lhasa | Norbulingka & Sera Monastery
This monastery together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery are jointly known as the “great three monasteries of Lhasa”. This tranquil place has seen a succession of eminent monks and living Buddha give lectures about Buddhist scriptures ever since its completion in 1419. Sera Monastery is particularly known in the Tibetan region for its daily scripture debates, which remain one of its main draws. The monastery has developed its own distinctive style in terms of the level of occasion, code of gestures as well as intensity, and is a fascinating ritual to watch.
Day 4 Lhasa to Nyingchi by Private Car | Draksum-tso Lake
Day 5 Nyingchi | Giant Cypress Forest & Lulang Forest
Lulang Forest is a typical plateau-mountain-meadow, which is known as a fairyland where gods live in with scenic beauties, with breathtaking scenery in different seasons. LuLang means “a place that will make you forget your home”. Also, it is the best spot to watch the Namjagbarwa (the highest peak in Nyingchi with an elevation of 7782 meters).
Day 6 Nyingchi to Tsedang by Private Car
Day 7 TsetangDay 7 Tsedang | Samye Monastery
Day 8 Tsedang | Yumbulakhang Palace & Tradruk Temple
The Tradruk Temple is said to have been the second of Xizang's earliest great geomantric temples after the Jokhang Temple.
Xizang (Tibet) Travel Permit Guidelines & Booking Process
Essential Permit Guidelines
Mandatory Requirement: All non-Chinese passport holders require a Travel Permit in addition to a valid Chinese Visa to board flights or trains into Xizang (Tibet).
Authorized Application: Independent permit applications are not accepted; permits must be arranged through an authorized travel agency as part of a fully booked package (including licensed guide, private vehicle, and itinerary).
Application Timeline: Submit your booking and documents at least 25–30 days prior to departure to ensure smooth processing.
Fixed Itinerary: Destinations, travel dates, and traveler details are locked onto the permit once issued and cannot be altered during travel.
4-Step Easy Booking & Permit Process
Step 1: Confirm Itinerary & Book Tour Package — Select travel dates and finalize private tour arrangements with your travel consultant.
Step 2: Submit Required Travel Documents (30 Days in Advance) — Provide clear digital copies of your passport photo page and valid China Tourist Visa (L Visa).
Step 3: Agency Applies for Travel Permit — We handle all official regional documentation, government approvals, and verification.
Step 4: Receive Your Original Permit — The original permit will be delivered to our local office in your departure city for pickup. If you have booked local land services in that city, our guide will hand the permit to you in person before your departure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why does this itinerary include Tsedang (Shannan region)?
A: Tsedang is recognized as the cradle of Tibetan civilization, home to Tibet's first agricultural field, first palace (Yumbulakhang), and first Buddhist monastery (Samye Monastery).
Q: How far in advance do I need to book to get the Travel Permit?
A: Please confirm your tour booking and submit digital copies of your passport and Chinese visa at least 25 to 30 days prior to your travel date to ensure sufficient government processing time.
Q: How does altitude acclimatization work across this route?
A: The route begins in Lhasa (3,650m) and descends into oxygen-rich Nyingchi (around 3,000m) before traveling through Tsedang (3,100m), offering a comfortable and scenic acclimatization profile.
Q: How do I receive my physical permit before entering Xizang (Tibet)?
A: The original permit will be delivered to our local office in your departure city, where you can pick it up prior to boarding your flight or train. If you have booked land services with us in that departure city, our local guide will deliver the permit to you directly.
-- Private tour guide
-- Private air-conditioned coach
-- Land transfers between airport or railway station and hotel
-- Entrance tickets as listed
-- Chinese lunch as listed
-- Centrally located hotels with breakfast
-- Tibet Travel Permit
-- Service charge & government taxes
-- Flight or train ticket
-- Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, phone bills, optional activities
-- Tips for guides and drivers
-- China Visa
-- Travel insurance