9 Days Jakarta Shanghai Lhasa Namtso Lake Tour

Today, you’ll board the non-stop flight from Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The international flight takes 6hr10min. Please keep an eye on the flight times and make sure to prepare your travel documents in advance.

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

Travel Options:
After checking in at the hotel, you can roam over the Former French Concession, exotic streets lined with charming European-style buildings and large plane trees, reminding you of Shanghai's colonial past. It’s a great place to explored, with many chic restaurants, cafés, boutiques, etc. At night, enjoy the lively nightlife with bars and clubs in Xintiandi.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Today we are about to visit some of the highlights of highlights of Shanghai Tour. After breakfast, start with fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.

Next comes the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.

In the evening, we will visit the most iconic building of Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will get amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and dazzling light from buildings of Pudong.

Alternatively, you can book Huangpu River Cruise program (11am–9:30pm available) and board the tourist boat at Shiliupu Wharf near the Bund for 15-30min boating to view the dazzling Bund at night.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

• Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the most iconic architecture of Shanghai.
• Enchanting ancient Yu Garden offers a respite from bustling metropolis.

In the morning, after breakfast, we are expected to visit the picturesque Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, also known as the "Venice of China". It’s about 1 hour drive from downtown Shanghai. The ancient town dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

It’s highly recommended to enjoy the boat ride from one end of the waterway to the other. Ke Zhi Garden, and multiple shops and bridges, and street vendors selling handicrafts and goldfish and turtles provide a respite from a boisterous metropolitan city.

In the afternoon, we would head to the renowned pedestrian precinct Nanjing Road to take a nice stroll. From small boutiques selling handicrafts and other souvenirs to high-end fashion shops, you can shop to your heart’s content. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the local snacks and a great number of distinctive architecture.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

• Typical rowing boat travelling in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, pretty similar to Gondola in Venice
• Peaceful Ke Zhi Garden is free from hustle and bustle, with exquisite ancient Chinese garden design.

Have an early rise for breakfast and get transferred to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Board the non-stop flight from Shanghai to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The flight takes about 4h20min.

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

In the morning, after breakfast, heading north from Lhasa, you’ll pass through the vast prairie in Damxung, where you can see the closest nomads area to Lhasa, with herds of yaks and sheep. Besides, you can also enjoy the view of the Qinghai-Tibet railway against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

While crossing the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Rainges, pause at the renowned Lagenla Pass (5190m) to marvel at the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake from a distance. Descend the road to reach today’s destination, Namtso Lake, one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet.

Upon reaching the lake, you can enjoy your time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. For a panoramic view of Namtso Lake, climb to the top of the hill on Tashi Dor Island, where the circular lake resembles a boundless blue sea surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Marvel at the magical stone pillars and peaks, and explore meditation caves and Buddhist holy sites on the island with your travel guide.

After visiting Namtso Lake, you will return to Damxung via the mountain pass.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

• Meditate at the shore of Lake Namtso
• Shooting the splendid Namtso Lake at the mountain on Tashi Island.

After breakfast, you will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery), the largest nunnery near Lhasa. Roam over the peaceful nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then, head to Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism and is also the birthplace of the system of reincarnated living Buddhas in Tibet. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats', the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

During the summertime (June to September), you have the option of enjoying a 'Linka outing' (Tibetan-style picnic) for lunch in the small village at the foot of the hill of Tsurphu Monastery. Alternatively, you can have lunch at the restaurant of Tsurphu Monastery.

At the end of the day, return to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• The nun preparing the butter lamp at Chimelong Nunnery
• Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

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.