The Majestic Tibet

Beijing, Lhasa, Gyangze, Shigatse, and Shanghai

Locked away in its mountain fortress of the Himalayas, Tibet, known as Xizang Autonomous Region in China, has always been exercised a unique hold on the imagination of the outside world. Despite its increased exposure to modernity, the magical Buddhist kingdom seems to exist in another dimension, and still retains much of the mystery that entranced early travelers to the region.

In Tibet, all roads lead to the holy city of Lhasa, “The Abode of The Gods”, and in Lhasa, all eyes turn toward the Potala Palace, “The Abode on The Living Buddha”. On a sunny day, the blaze of the golden roof of Potala can be seen for miles around.

In the old days, from the high terrace of the Potala Palace, the “all-seeing” Dalai Lama could observe the Lhasa valley surrounded by the snow-sprinkled Tanggula Mountains and watch a glistening blue river named “Waters of Pleasure” running through the holy city. Eastward, in the heart of Lhasa, marking the spiritual center of all Tibet, lie the shimmering shrines of this land, the thirteen-hundred-year-old Jokhang Temple. Its original name meant “House of Wisdom”, now called “Temple of the Precious One”.

In the opposite direction, clinging to a distant hillside, are the tiered white walls of the Drepung Monastery, once a central pillar of the Dalai Lama’s theocratic government and home to thousands of crimson-robed lamas. It is known in Tibet as “The Rice Heap”. Looking north, it is the charming Sera Monastery founded in 1419 with three Buddhist colleges within its compound. Even today, you can still see student monks practicing debating skills in the shady courtyard.

The spiritual life of Tibet is still centered on a unique type of Buddhism that incorporates elements of the region’s indigenous Bon Shamanistic religion as well as esoteric practices of Tantric Buddhism from India. These days, Tibet draws many different kinds of visitors, from sightseers to mountaineers, scholars to trekkers. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, and Zhalu Monastery house the sacred treasures of Lhasa, some of which date back to the 15th century AD.

You will also venture out of Lhasa and over high mountain passes to travel to Gyangze and Shigatse. Exploring some of the most important historic and religious sites in the three cities such as the marvelous Zhalu Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery, and Gyangze Dzong.

On this tour, you will also visit major attractions in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, gaining a first-hand experience of the changes now going on in China. This tour starts in Beijing and ends in Shanghai.

click here for a day to day itinerary.