Lhasa

At 11,450 feet (roughly 3,489 meters) above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities on the planet. Long a location of great strategic and economic importance, Lhasa has served as the capital of Tibet for many centuries, first of various Tibetan kingdoms and empires, and later of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Lhasa is also the spiritual and cultural heart of Tibet, as its walls contain a large number of palaces, temples, and monasteries - some of which, like the Potala Palace, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In recent years, while development of the city has increased, Tibetans have nonetheless managed to preserve their heritage and landmarks.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Barkhor Square

Explore the vibrant street market of Barkhor Square, where you can haggle with local vendors for goods such as prayer flags, block prints of the holy scriptures, jewelry, and Tibetan boots and incense. Watch as devout Tibetans circle the streets around you, going about their holy pilgrimages.

Braille Without Borders

Meet with students from Braille Without Borders, a local school started by German expatriate Sabriye Tenberken, who lost her sight while still a teen. She is featured in the documentary “Blindsight,” an inspirational film about a mountaineering expedition to Mount Everest led by Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to reach the summit.

Drepung Monastery

See Drepung, another 15th-century monastery – and once the largest monastic institution in the world. Here, you can participate in debate sessions and prayer incantations, or sample yak-butter tea with tsampa, or roast barley. Be sure to visit the Maitreya, a two-story statue of the future Buddha, said to reappear in the world at a later point.

Jokhang Temple

Make a pilgrimage to the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest temple and host to thousands of devout Tibetan pilgrims from all over Tibet and China. Walk a clockwise kora, or religious path, around the periphery of the temple, and admire the Jowo Rimpoche, a giant, solid-gold statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Have a private blessing with one of the senior monks and, if you wish, chat with him about his life and beliefs.

Norbulingka Park

Explore Norbulingka, a park founded in 1755 by the seventh Dalai Lama and home to the summer residence of the Lama lineage. Take a private tour of the Summer Palace, whose meditation chamber and bedroom remain in the exact same condition as 1959, when the present Dalai Lama fled to India.

Potala Palace

Visit the phenomenal Potala Palace. Once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, this architectural wonder is now a museum and treasure trove of Tibetan history, housing magnificent pearls, jewels and antiques.

Sera Monastery

Visit Sera, a 15th-century monastery that was once home to 5,000 monks of the Gelugpa sect, for an interesting glimpse into Tibetan Buddhism. The temple is famous for its lively debate sessions, held every afternoon, over the finer points of Buddhist philosophy.

Thangka Silk Painting

Learn the art of painting thangkas – Tibetan Buddhist devotional artworks painted on cloth or silk using rich pigments and intricate, perfectly balanced compositions – from a master artist.

Tibetan Village Project

Located just outside of Lhasa, TVP is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. Most of their projects are small-scale initiatives that work directly with Tibetan villagers and with local government. Meet with a representative from the foundation to learn about their projects, and if you wish, discuss ways in which you can help.

Tibet Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Lhasa Itineraries

Classic Tibet

Feel a sense of peace on this 7-day Tibetan adventure. Venture into the country’s stunning nature as you walk around Yamdrok Tso Lake. Examine authentic goods in Barkhor Square, visit several old-world monasteries and learn the art of meditation, and get more in-tuned with this peaceful Himalayan region.

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $6,000
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A Journey Across the Rooftop of the World: Beijing to Lhasa by Train

Stroll along one of the world’s wonders, the Great Wall of China, when you embark on this 8-day luxury train journey through Beijing and Lhasa. It’s a step back in time with ancient sites and breathtaking natural features, and a thrilling trip along the world’s highest train journey to the Tibetan Plateau.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $6,800
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A Spiritual Journey to Mt Everest Base Camp

This trekking journey to Everest Base Camp is the experience of a lifetime. Trek through stunning mountain panoramas and alongside Tibet’s Yamdrok Lake. Feel a sense of accomplishment unlike any other when you reach the base camp. You’ll switch between rustic lodges and luxury hotels like the St. Regis Lhasa.

Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
From $4,900
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Exploring Tibet's Untouched Holy Land

This eleven-day guided tour takes you on a journey of enlightenment through one of the world’s most mysterious places: Tibet. Starting from the capital, Lhasa, you’ll pass over breathtaking mountain roads, explore spiritual monasteries and witness quaint, untouched village life that has barely changed over hundreds of years.

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
From $10,000
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Following Buddha's Footsteps Across the Himalayas

This 19-day itinerary promises to immerse you deep into the local culture and religious beliefs throughout the Himalayas by exploring beautiful ancient religious monuments and sacred sites of worship. Follow in the footsteps of the revered Buddha, from his birthplace, to where he was believed to have gained enlightenment, and the site of his death.

Duration
19 days / 18 nights
Price Per Person
From $15,600
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Unlocking Tibetan Spiritual Secrets: A Journey to Nam Tso Lake and Tidrum

Open the doors to your spirituality as you explore Tibet’s religious past and present on this insightful 8-day journey. You’ll visit important Buddhist sites like Potala Palace and the important Jokhang Temple, visit the spiritual Namtso Lake, and witness the plethora of prayer flags in the Tidrum Valley.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $5,000
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An Intimate Himalayan Adventure: Through China, Nepal, Bhutan and India

Explore the world’s most majestic peaks on this 22-day Himalayan adventure. You’ll trek through China, Nepal, Bhutan and India, staying at luxury hotels and lodges like the Amankora or Uma by COMO. You’ll walk along the Great Wall of China, visit the ancient Potala Palace, and search for Bengal Tigers in Chitwan.

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $21,500
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Trekking Tibet: From Mount Kailash to Guge Kingdom

Uncover hidden Tibet over the course of 12 memorable days, including an exploration of the capital, as well as an epic three-day overland journey through the Himalayas and another three-days of trekking over spectacular mountains, through remote towns and staying in spectacular hillside monasteries.

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $14,000
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Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa

Lhasa, Tibet

Opened in April 2014, this luxury property is a fitting new addition to the Lhasa hospitality scene. Shangri-La is, after all, the mythical kingdom believed to inhabit the Tibetan plateaus. Located in the city center, this stylish urban retreat allows guests to experience time-honored Tibetan customs - being welcomed with a local drink called chima, for instance, and being presented with a ceremonial khata scarf. Visitors at the Shangri-La Lhasa can enjoy being within strolling distance of this historic city's...
Songtsam Linka Lhasa
Preferred Hotel

Songtsam Linka Lhasa

Lhasa, Tibet

When people close their eyes and imagine Tibet, the iconic Potala Palace may come to mind, and the Songtsam Linka Lhasa positions its guests just a stone’s throw from the famed structure. The palace is located a mere three miles away and is directly visible from the windows and balconies of several of the hotel’s rooms. The hotel itself features slaked lime walls, indigo-carved windows, and a fish-fin-shaped facade – all nods to traditional Tibetan artisans and culture – and...
St. Regis Lhasa
Preferred Hotel

St. Regis Lhasa

Lhasa, Tibet

Opened in November 2010, the St. Regis Resort in Lhasa stands on eight acres of land at “the roof of the world," with sweeping views of the Potala Palace. The spacious 162 rooms and villas with marble baths are decorated with carefully sourced artifacts that reflect the richness of Tibetan culture. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, including the intimate private wine club Decanter by Haut-Brisson and Si Zi Kang, which serves traditional Tibetan cuisine. The health...
House of Shambhala

House of Shambhala

Lhasa, Tibet

Located in a quiet, traditional Tibetan courtyard in the heart of old Lhasa, this boutique hotel is dedicated to architectural preservation and the sustainable development of Tibetan culture. It has six suites and two rooms, all fitted with Tibetan textiles and furnishings and elegant four-poster beds. Enjoy fine Himalayan cuisine in the intimate dining room, tea on the meditation terraces or a meal on the rooftop veranda that has striking views of the Potala Palace and mountains. The House of Shambhala Spa offers massage therapy based on Tibetan Mandala techniques focused on bringing the body into contact with the non-physical world. There is no business center, fitness center or pool. House of Shambhala is about a 90-minute drive from Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA).

Brahmaputra Grand

Brahmaputra Grand

Lhasa, Tibet

The Brahmaputra Grand is an executive hotel of 187 rooms situated in Yangcheng Square, south of holy Lhasa, on the northeastern banks of the Lhasa River. The architecture is Tibetan, though the furnishings are modern, and most rooms have excellent views. Dining at the hotel includes both Chinese and Western restaurants. Facilities available at the Brahmaputra include sauna, business center, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and a fitness center. The hotel is approximately a 90-minute drive from Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA).

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