8 Days Best Shanghai Tibet Adventure Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival ( no meal )

   Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai
   Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai Museum, People Square, Former French Concession, Nanjing Road, the Bund, Huangpu River Cruise ( B )

   AM: At 08:30, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the downtown hotel. Your exploration in Shanghai begins with the famous Yuyuan Garden, which is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. It was originally built by Pan Yunduan in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty for his parents to enjoy their old age in peace. The garden has gone through a lot in the over 400 years’ history. It was once deserted at the death of Pan Yunduan, restored by new owners, badly damaged during the Opium War, and reopened in 1961 after a lot of repairs.

   Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market, wonder around here you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chop with rice cakes. Don’t forget to haggle for a better price.

   After that, move on your visit to Shanghai Museum( closed on every Monday ). The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings and calligraphy works.  Finish the exploration of history, stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square now is most famous for its match-making corner where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   PM: Next, come to the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. From 1849 to 1943, this area was ruled by France for almost a century. Here your tour guide will reveal a history of humiliation and you will see many old beautiful European style buildings which look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

   Afterwards, come to the earliest shopping street in Shanghai-Nanjing Road. Your tour guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong’an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

   Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into British settlement and Shanghai’s financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of amazing skyline. Make sure to bring your camera!

   Huangpu River Cruise would be a not-to-miss activity for travelers to Shanghai! The river separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai - Lhasa by Flight ( B )

   Free and easy on your own in the morning.

   In the afternoon, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival, our local English speaking guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

4. Day 4: Lhasa
   Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street ( B )

   AM: The imposing Potala Palace is the highlight of any trip to Tibet. Today you are going to visit this majestic architectural treasure of Lhasa, over 3,700 meters above sea level. The whole architectural complex includes two parts, the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace is the place where the Dalai Lamas lived and handled political affairs, while the Red Palace mainly houses the stupas of the Dalai Lamas. Your tour guide will share a wealth of information with you to help you understand its history and Tibetan Buddhism.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   After that, continue to explore the holy Jokhang Temple which has a history of over 1300 years. The temple is a mixture of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural styles and has become an example of Tibetan religious architecture. The interior is so impressive with plenty of statues, colorful murals, and rows of butter lamps. It’s not allowed to take photos at most parts, but you will have opportunity to take some on the rooftop.

   After coming out of the sacred Jokhang Temple, you will follow your tour guide threading your way through the throngs of pilgrims and other travelers in the mesmerizing Barkhor Street. This old street will give you a taste of Tibetan people's life and their faith. You can casually walk around and do some shopping.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

5. Day 5: Lhasa
   Drak Yerpa Monastery, Sera Monastery, Tibetan family ( B )

   AM: After hotel breakfast, drive around 16km from Lhasa to visit Drak Yerpa Monastery, one of the Four Greatest Hermitages in Tibet, originally built in the 7^th century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo for his concubine, Nepal’s Princess Bhrukuti. Although it has no as big fame as Potala Palace and Jokhang Monastery, it does fascinate travelers with its unique features. The Monastery has been embedded in cracks of cliffs, built on the base of the caves there, showing a miraculous harmony between human and nature.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   PM: Next, continue the Buddhism trip to Sera Monastery which is the second largest monastery in Tibet. Sera Monastery was built in the Ming Dynasty by the famous Sagya Yeshes who was one of the eight disciples of Zongkapa and given the title of the Great Mercy Dharma by Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty after he had an audience with the Emperor in 1409 and 1414. The debate about Buddhism of Sera Monastery earns its fame in the Tibetan region, which is always taken a necessary activity to see for travelers from the whole world.

   Last, come to visit a local Tibetan family to learn more about the real local culture and people’s daily life.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

6. Day 6: Lhasa- Gyantse - Shigatse by Car, 360km, Approx 6hrs
   Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier, Manla Reservoir, Penchor Chode Monastery, Penchor Chode Pagoda ( B )

   AM: Today’s first stop will be the charming Yamdroktso Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is famed as “the Most Beautiful Lake in the World”. When looking at it from a map or sky, you will be surprised to see the lake embedded in this land, glittering like an earring under the sunshine at different times.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   PM: After that, drive to the Karola Glacier with an elevation of 5400 meters above sea level. Getting off the car, the magnificent glacier jumps into your eyes with its shinning body soaked in the gentle sunshine. You are worry-free from people or cars intruding into your shot and disturbing your selfies with the stunning sights as it’s usually off the beaten track.

   Stop by Manla Reservoir, which is the unique scenery line around the mountains with an average elevation of 4330 meters above sea level. Embedded onto the awe-inspiring mountain, the Reservoir is glittering in its transparent green water, showing a distinct beauty with the blue water of Yambork Lake.

   Afterwards, come to the most important site in Gyantse - Penchor Chode Monastery, located in Gyangze Country, Shigatse area, surrounded by hills, this Monastery is a typical Tibetan Buddhist structure with a harmonious fusion of pagodas and temples, fully representing the architectural style of monasteries in Shigatse from late of 13^th century to the middle of 15^th century. Besides, you’ll also have a chance to see the notable Penchor Chode Pagoda (its official name is Bodhi Monastery) injecting a more special charm of this place. It has 9 tiers, 77 chapels and 108 doors, shrines and so on, housing hundreds of thousands of Buddha Images, hence the name “Hundreds of Thousands of Pagodas”.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse

   

7. Day 7: Shigatse - Lhasa by Car, 300km, Approx 5hrs
   Tashilhunpo Monastery ( B )

   AM: After hotel breakfast, follow your guide to explore Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest one in Shigatse with a location at the foot of a hill, titled as one of the “Four Greatest Monasteries of Tibetan Gelug Sect together with Gandan Monastery, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. The Monastery of sparkling yellow roofs and red walls houses those devout monks and visitors, describing the beautiful moments about human and their holy religious belief.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   PM: Later, drive around 5 hours back to Lhasa. On the way, you can enjoy the river view of Yarlung Zangbo River.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

   

8. Day 8: Lhasa Departure ( B )

   Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Lhasa airport/train station to see you off. Your 8-day Shanghai and Tibet tour will end here.

   Accommodation: N/A