A Solo Travel Story from Lhasa to Shigatse

Written by Anna Zanellato from Italy 0 COMMENTS

When people think about Tibet, they rarely have a clear idea of what this place truly represents. It’s not talked about much, very few people have been there, and so an almost mystical image of this sacred land exists. You search for it online and immediately read: “one of the hardest places to reach”, and panic starts to take over.

I contacted a couple of local agencies looking for help and, most importantly, reassurance — and that’s when Mary from Tibet Vista entered my heart. She reassured me, answered every single one of my questions, and helped me in every possible way to make my wishes come true, adapting the itinerary so I could experience exactly the journey I was looking for.

And then, the big day finally arrived.

6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes.

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse- Lhasa

Price from USD799 p.p

Explore the cultural heart of Tibet on an unforgettable journey from Lhasa to Shigatse.

Arrival in Lhasa: First Impression of the Holy City

I landed in Tibet alone. My guide was waiting for me outside the airport, bought me a ticket, and put me on a bus — and just like that, my first adventure began.

Lhasa, the capital, left me a little uncertain at first. It wasn’t exactly how I had imagined it. But the following day, the group came together, our guide joined us, and our small group tour through Tibet officially began. The moments and emotions I experienced over the next five days were so intense that they completely transformed me.

Met my lovely group members and had dinner together.

Day 1: My First Day in Lhasa with Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Kora and the Potala Palace

But let’s start with DAY 1, when, under heavy rain, we visited the Jokhang Temple, the most important Buddhist temple in Lhasa. We let ourselves be overwhelmed by the temple’s colors and completed our very first KORA along the Barkhor Street, following the prayer wheels… I was beyond emotional.

The area surrounding Jokhang Temple is spectacular. It represents the Buddhist soul of Lhasa, and there you can truly feel the faith of the pilgrims who visit the temple every day.

It was right there, during a KORA around a huge prayer wheel, that I experienced one of the moments that touched me the most. I entered a small shrine and stood quietly in a corner, watching devotees spin the giant wheel while praying.

A woman noticed me, stopped, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into that moment of pure magic and faith. I still cannot explain why she decided to interrupt such a personal spiritual moment to include a foreigner who clearly didn’t share her religion. And yet, she did. And I completely surrendered myself to the power of that moment.

In the afternoon, we visited the Potala Palace — absolutely stunning, both inside and out.

Visited the iconic Potala Palace with my fellow travelers.

Day 2: Visiting Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery in Lhasa

On DAY 2, we explored the surroundings of Lhasa, starting with Drepung Monastery, where I crossed paths with an elderly woman completing her KORA with the help of a young man who may have been her grandson. I was taking a photo because the scene was so beautiful, and she gently stopped, posed for the picture, and smiled at me.

In the afternoon, we visited Sera Monastery, where we also witnessed the Tibetan monk debate — a fascinating and surprisingly entertaining ritual to watch.

Prayer wheels at Drepung Monastery Tibet

Spinning the ancient prayer wheels at Drepung Monastery felt like touching Tibet’s living heritage.

We watched the unique monk debate at Sera Monastery.

Day 3: A Long Scenic Road Journey from Lhasa to Shigatse

But it was on DAY 3 that the real exploration of Tibet began. We set off on an epic road trip across Tibet: from Lhasa to Shigatse, a 360 km journey that took us 12 hours.

We left Lhasa, already sitting at an altitude of 3,650 meters, crossed our first mountain pass at nearly 4,000 meters, and arrived at the sacred Yamdrok Lake at 4,441 meters . It is a place of indescribable beauty, made even more magical by the Tibetan prayer flags creating such a unique atmosphere.

From there, we continued toward the second pass, reaching an altitude of 5,100 meters. Here, the landscape changed dramatically. The green mountains disappeared, replaced by rough and majestic formations leading all the way to the glaciers. And then we reached the Karola Glacier … a truly breathtaking sight.

Our final pass was the Manak Dam at 4,280 meters, which eventually led us to our destination: Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Shigatse is different. It feels authentic and simple. The beauty of the people who live there surrounds you and surprises you. This is where you truly breathe Tibet.

At this point, my group and I split up. They continued their journey to Everest Base Camp, while I joined two other travelers to explore Shigatse before returning to Lhasa by train.

Yamdrok Lake scenic view on the way to Shigatse Tibet

Enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and scenery of Yamdrok Lake on the way to Shigatse.

Day 4: An Unexpected Kora Around Tashilhunpo Monastery

So on DAY 4, we visited Tashilhunpo Monastery. For me, it was the most beautiful temple we had visited so far, especially because something truly extraordinary happened there.

At the end of the visit, as we were leaving the monastery, I noticed a KORA path above us. I asked our guide if we could go see it, imagining we would simply climb a few stairs to reach the visible section of the path.

Instead, after asking around, our guide led us to what I later discovered was the actual beginning of the KORA. And we completed the entire thing.

One full hour of KORA around Tashilhunpo Monastery, up and down the mountain, alongside the pilgrims. The atmosphere was filled with prayers and faith, and there I was, lost in my deepest thoughts, overwhelmed with emotion.

I will never forget the power of that moment and what it meant to me.

Tibetan pilgrims walking kora path in Tibet

It was an unforgettable experience to join the kora alongside local pilgrims.

Final Thoughts: How Tibet Stayed With Me Long After the Journey Ended

Tibet changes you. It enters your soul and turns your world upside down before you even realize it. Tibet surprised me and gifted me one emotion after another until the very last minute I spent there.

The Tibetan people welcomed me as one of their own and reminded me of the importance of small gestures and small moments.

Today, almost a year later, as I write these memories down, I still get emotional.

I recommend a journey to Tibe to everyone — a trip that must be approached with an open mind and a heart ready both to give and to receive.

Thank you to Tibet Vista for making this experience possible and unforgettable!