7 Days Classic Shanghai and Tibet Tour with Yamdrok Lake

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

   So happy to see you on our 7-day Shanghai to Lhasa tour! When you arrive at the airport in Shanghai, a local driver will pick you up at the exit with a sign showing your name. Then drive you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, you’re free to relax on your own for the rest of the day.

   Shanghai is a world-renowned international metropolis and the most influential financial, economic, and international trade center. Skyscrapers and the distinctive residential building Shikumen, which has a history of over 100 years, together create the skyline of this city. If you have plenty of time, you can explore on your own.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Highlights in Shanghai
   Step into China’s Past and Feel the Modern Beat of Shanghai

   Meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby around 8:30 in the morning. He / she will first take you to visit the Shanghai Museum located in People's Square. The museum is rich in cultural relics, including ceramics, sculptures, bronze, oracle bones, calligraphy and painting, currency, jade, weaving and embroidery, lacquerware, and ethnic minority cultural relics. With a total of 4 floors, this museum has the most complete collection of ancient Chinese art in the world, boasting collection of over 1.02 million pieces (sets) and nearly 145000 precious cultural relics (sets). You will definitely have an overview of Chinese history through this visit and the guide's explanation.

   After that, we transfer to Yuyuan Garden. Built in the Ming Dynasty, it has a history of over 450 years and ranks first among the five classical gardens in Shanghai. Yu Garden, originally a private garden, has a typical Jiangnan garden style - quiet, beautiful and exquisite. In addition to architecture, plants, and ponds, you can also see cultural treasures such as Ming and Qing furniture, celebrity calligraphy and paintings, clay sculptures and brick carvings here. The nearby Yuyuan Market is also worth visiting, where you can taste some authentic Shanghai snacks.

   In the afternoon, you will be led up to Jinmao Tower, the third tallest building in Shanghai (420.5 meters), with a total of 88 floors. On the top floor, you can experience the breathtaking glass walkway, where you can have a magnificent view of the Huangpu River.

   After that, stroll along China’s No.1 shopping street - Nanjing Road - which can be traced back to 1848. About 1.5 kilometers, the pedestrian street blends old stores such as Yong'an Department Store with modern brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. You can also try famous food here: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Meat Mooncakes...

   After that, walk to the Bund. Here, you'll see 52 old buildings along the river, facing the tall towers of Lujiazui on the other side. A cruise on the Huangpu River (optional) will give you a special view of Shanghai’s history and modern life.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Fly to Lhasa from Shanghai

   After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at the confirmed time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Lhasa (about 7 hours). Upon arrival, the local driver in Lhasa will meet you from the exit gate by holding a welcome board. Then you will be escorted to a comfortable hotel in the city center for checking in. Have a good rest for tomorrow.

   Health Tips:

   1. After you get there, take it easy and avoid heavy activity so you can acclimatized to the height (the average altitude of Lhasa is 3650 meters).
   2. Skip showering on the arrival day so you don’t catch a cold.
   3. Drink more water and get enough sleep to feel better.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

4. Day 4: The Essence of Lhasa
   Walk up the Tallest Palace in the World and Join Devoted Pilgrims

   Your first stop today is the Potala Palace (located at an altitude of 3750 meters, with a total of 13 floors), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour guide will take you to explore the two main parts of the awe-inspiring architecture. White Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, was once the location of the administrative office of the local government of Tiebt. The other is the Red Palace. Inside, you can appreciate beautiful murals, colorful thangkas (Tibetan scroll paintings) and ancient Buddha statues. From this palace, you can have a panoramic view of the entire city.

   In the afternoon, we’ll head to Jokhang Temple, a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists. Inside, you’ll find a special statue of Shakyamuni Buddha that Princess Wencheng brought to Tibet. You can quietly watch the worshippers, but taking photos inside isn’t allowed. Later, take a walk around Barkhor Street, which goes around the Jokhang Temple. You can follow the locals as they circle the temple and experience the strong local culture. The street is lined with small shops selling handmade goods, clothes, jewelry, and so on - perfect for purchasing gifts or souvenirs.

   After the day tour, the guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

5. Day 5: Lhasa’s Temples
   Watch Monks Debate with Energy and Passion

   Today's Lhasa trip will drive you half an hour to Dalai Lama's Summer Palace - Norbulingka Park. It is a typical Tibetan style garden, constructed in the 1840s. After growing for over 200 years, Norbulingka now has more than 100 types of plants and is the biggest garden built by people in Tibet. Entering the park, you can see towering ancient trees and the elegant pavilions, which blends the exquisite design of Tibetan architecture and Chinese gardens.

   Next, we transfer to Drepung Monastery, the largest temple of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. Built along the mountain, it looks like a huge rice barn. The name of the temple means 'rice pile' in Tibetan. The white buildings, stacked one above another, hold many beautiful things like detailed wall paintings, colorful embroidered thangkas, and shiny golden Buddha statues.

   After that, on the way back to city center, we will have a visit to Sera Monastery, one of Lhasa’s three great temples. Here, you’ll get to watch monks practicing debates, a special part of their learning. The monastery also holds many Buddha statues - most made in Tibet, and some brought from India. Don’t miss the bright and detailed wall paintings all around the temple. (At present, tourists are only allowed to use mobile phones for photography, and cameras are prohibited from being carried.)

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

6. Day 6: Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake
   Take in the Wide, Stunning View of Yamdrok Lake from Above

   After breakfast, we depart from Lhasa city and drive south along National Highway 318. In about 2.5 hours, arrive at Ganbala Pass (altitude 4998 meters), which is the best location to overlook the panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake. The deep blue lake and snow-capped mountains complement each other, like sapphires embedded in the mountains. Yamdrok Tso means "Jasper Lake" in Tibetan, and it is called the three holy lakes in Tibet together with Namtso Lake and Lake Manasarovar.

   One hundred million years ago, glacial mudslides blocked the river channel, forming what is now known as Yamdrok Lake, which is the largest enclosed inland lake in the southern part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. This attraction integrates various landscapes such as plateau lakes, islands, pastures, hot springs, snow peaks, wildlife and plants, temples, etc. During your exploration, you will be surprised to find that the lake shines like an earring in the sunlight.

   After that, you’ll visit a Tibetan family and get a taste of local life. The family will welcome you with a cup of traditional tea. Your guide will explain how they live day to day. Last, we drive 2.5-3 hours back to Lhasa city.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

7. Day 7: Departure from Lhasa

   Today is the end of your 7-day Shanghai to Lhasa tour. Please prepare your belongings in advance. At the agreed time, you driver will send you to Lhasa Konggar International Airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A