Day02 05.08. Thu Lhasa B/L
In the morning visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. In the afternoon visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel

Day03 06.08. Fri Lhasa - Tsetang B/L
After breakfast, transfer to Tsetang and visit monastery Samye. Located in the north of Yarlung Tsangpo River and hold in the arms of mountains, it is the oldest monastery of Tibet (8th century). The stele hanging on the entrance to the main temple shows that king Trisong Detsen took Buddhism as the state religion in 779. The monastery complex consists of several buildings, whose arrangement reflects the Buddhist conception of the structure of the universe. Overnight at 3*Yulong Holiday Hotel

Day04 07.08. Sat Tsetang - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse B/L
In the morning, we make a trip to visit the Yumbulakhang, a castle built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the time of the first Tibetan kings. It is far viewed that the castle is high on the rock hills and looks brightly white. The original fortress is now converted into a chapel; in the ground floor there is a shrine in honor of the early kings. The steps up are steep but it is worthy because on the top of the hill you can far view the valley and the surrounding mountain. Then we drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340 m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7191 m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. On arriving, check in the hotel. Overnight at 3*Gyantse Hotel

Day05 08.08. Sun Gyantse - Shalu Monastery – Shigatse B/L
Today visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Transfer to visit Shalu monastery, situated 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Shigatse, is a perfect combination of Han and Tibet architectural styles. It was built in 1087 by Jigzun Xerab Qoinnyai. Then drive to Shigatse (3,880 m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. Overnight at 3*Manasarovar Hotel

Day06 09.08. Mon Shigatse - Lhasa B/L
Transfer to visit Tashihunpo Monastery which is the official seat of the Panchen Lama. Main structure consists of the Maitreya Chapel, the Panchen Lama's Palace, and the Kelsang Temple. Inside is a sitting Buddha stands over 25 meters high and decorated with gold, silver, pearl, and many other precious metals. The Kelsang Temple is a place for lamas to learn the sutra, listen to the Panchen Lama's sermon, practice and debate. After that, drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel

Day07 10.08. Lhasa B/L
The Shoton Festival takes place today (always on first day of the seventh Tibetan month). In Tibetan language Shoton means yogurt. Before the end of the 16th century, it was purely religious. In light of the monastic discipline at that time, monks stayed in retreat for dozens of days, during which they were forbidden to go out to avoid killing any insects. Afterwards, the lay people would donate yogurts to them. That was the Origin of the festival. Later on in the middle 17th century, the Tibetan opera play was gradually added as a major event, and therefore, it is also known as Tibetan Opera Festival. Since then it has been celebrated regularly, but still outside of monasteries. Until the early 18th century, the Norbulinka was inaugurated as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and also as the official venue of the annual Festival, where ordinary people were allowed access to watch the opera playing. A set of ritualized programs was thus formed. Early in the morning visit the Buddha-Image Exposure in the Drepung Monastery. Afterwards enjoy Tibetan Opera in the Norbulingka, the "Garden of Treasures". In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel

Day08 11.08. Wed Lhasa – Namtso - Damxung B/L
In the morning drive to Namtso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Pass by the 5,150-meter Lhachen La and reach the Namtso or Tengri Nor (heaven lake in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. Namtso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Explore the Tashi peninsula by walking around the holy hill, the cliffs of which have eroded over the centuries. On the way piles of mani stones stand. Also visit the nomads in yak hair tents who have been living on the pastures between the holy Namtso and Nyenchentangla. Drive to Damxung. Overnight at 2*Jinzhu Hotel

Day09 12.08. Thu Damxung – Naqu (Horse Racing Festival) – Damxung B/L
Today is the famous festival in Naqu- the annual Naqu horse racing festival, held every August, is quite an occasion to admire the natural landscape and folk customs of the grassland of northern Tibet. It starts on every July 10th of Tibetan calendar, takes three days, and lasts for more than one month. In fact, the Festival is done for the good harvest, the commodity fair and the entertainment. Gradually, Lama Culture and politics permeate the Festival. Overnight at 2*Jinzhu Hotel

Day10 13.08. Fri Damxung – Lhasa B/L
After breakfast, transfer to Lhasa. In the afternoon visit a famous nunnery in Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel

Day11 14.08. Sat Leave Lhasa B
Transfer to Gongga airport or Lhasa railway station, leave Tibet.