10 Days Jakarta Guangzhou Xi’an Lhasa Shigatse Cultural Tour

Today, you’ll board the non-stop flight from Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Currently, Garuda Indonesia and TransNusa offer non-stop flights. The international flight takes 5hr30min. Please keep an eye on the flight times and make sure to prepare your travel documents in advance.

After you land in Guangzhou, our local travel expert will be expecting you at the exit gate of the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and whisk you off to the hotel in downtown Guangzhou.

Travel Options:
If you arrive early in the morning and have some time to kill, you may consider enjoying the spectacular night view of Guangzhou City from Canton Tower, a must-visit for first-timers to Guangzhou.

Canton Tower is the second-highest tower in the world. And it features the world’s highest bubble tram and longest spiral staircase, and jaw-dropping sky drop.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou.

• Stunning panoramic view of Canon Tower at twilight
• bubble tram

After breakfast, we will head to Chimelong Safari Park, which is the perfect place for families with kids to have fun in an entire day. You can see a huge group of flamingos, swans, elephants and giraffes, and many more animals. They are mostly out in the open, not penned up. Animals seemed very happy and well taken care of. The trolley ride through the open enclosures was great. Walking through the park is an all-day event.

At night, all of us will enjoy the world-class performance by Chimelong International Circus. You will definitely be blown away by non-stop mesmerizing entertainment. From jaw dropping stunts to the shows of the adorable animals, it’s worth every penny spent on it. Get transferred back to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou

• Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park
• Chimelong International Circus

Have an early rise for breakfast and get transferred to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Board the direct flight from Guangzhou to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. The flight takes 2hr 30mins.

After you land in Xi’an, our local travel expert will be expecting you at the exit gate of the Xi’an Airport and whisk you off to the hotel in downtown Xi’an.

In the late afternoon, we will enjoy wonderful cycling on the top of the Ancient City Wall. The wall around the city center of Xi'an is a massive construction, about 14 kilometers in the perimeter. With 98 defensive ramparts, four main gates, and a moat around it, the ancient city wall is a wonderful example of an ancient defensive building. Near its center are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

Later, we will travel to the Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an. It’s the perfect place to have close chat with street vendors of Muslims and buy exquisite handicrafts and enjoy various local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

• You can take a bike ride on the Ancient Wall.
• gonlung jampaling

After breakfast, we are about to visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. You will not only be attracted by the life-sized warrior figures and horses, each of which has distinct facial expressions and positions but also be astonished by various kinds of ancient weapons that reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago.

Afterward, we will head to tour another must-see attraction in Xi’an Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 during the Tang dynasty, the Pagoda is known for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang, one of the most renowned Chinese monks. The whole place is one of the most visited destinations by international tourists in Xi’an.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

• Xi'an Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of you must-see attractions in Xi’an

After breakfast, get transferred to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport for the non-stop flight to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Board the direct flight from Xi’an to Lhasa. The flight takes 3hr 35mins.

Our welcoming local Tibetan guide will be expecting you with auspicious white Hada at Lhasa Gonggar Airport and later whisk you off to the hotel in downtown Lhasa.

En route, you may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the longest and largest river in Tibet, and the Lhasa River. After check-in, have a good sleep to acclimate to the altitude and unwind in your hotel.

If you need any help or specific needs, feel free to visit our service center at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa 

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Lhasa River

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

After breakfast, start your day with a visit to the fortress-like Potala Palace, an architectural marvel, and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas.

You can explore the Dalai Lama’s living quarters, and ceremonial hall, and marvel at gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, and jewel-encrusted tombs of generations of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa city atop Red Palace.

Next, roam over the Zhongjiao Lukang Park nearby and view the Potala Palace from behind where you can take a glimpse of how locals spend their day lives, such as enjoying Guozhuang/circle dance, paddle boat in the pool, etc.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous Barkhor circuit/kora and unwind in a local teahouse to savor local obsessions,i.g. sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan momos, Sha Phaley, or roam over the backstreet of Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

After breakfast, we will drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa. Continue to explore the lakeshore from various viewpoints, and at the end of the lake, you could visit a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, we will arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.
• Hanging prayer flags in Tibet

In the morning, after breakfast, you will explore the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.

After lunch, you’ll visit the most distinctive Samzhubze Old Market, where you can experience the daily activities of the local residents.

Then, you will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Options:
You also have the option to take a train from Shigatse to Lhasa instead of driving. If you choose this option, please inform your travel consultant. The cost of train tickets requires an additional payment.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Yarlung Tsangpo River

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.