Shoton Festival Tour

Tibet is quite noted for its long history and splendid culture. Unique Tibetan civilization has been formed in the long history. The mysterious and unique Tibetan culture will be totally presented during Tibetan festivals. Tibet festival tours let you experience the local customs and traditions of the Tibetans from various festivals directly.

Join in 7-Day Shoton Festival Tour to experience the most important festival for Tibetans-Shoton Festival. You could enjoy the most solemn Buddha exhibition, the most exultant Tibetan opera, singing and dancing, the yak racing and horse racing during the festival.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Palkhor Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake 

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (70 km):

We will arrive in Lhasa around 16:00. Our local guide will greet you at the railway station and present you a Hada (presenting Hada is a special ceremony of Tibetan for greeting their guests). Then we will set out for the Holy City – Lhasa which is 3658 meters above the sea level. You could take a rest and adapt yourself to the plateau environment after we arrived at our hotel.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals:None

Day 02: Potala Palace – Jokhang Monastery – Barkhor Street:

We will make a visit to the highest ancient castle style architectural complex above the sea level – Potala Palace (1hour). It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas, as well as the political, educational and religious center of Tibet. It was built in the 7th century during the regime of Songtsan Gampo. Potala Palace is composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The main constructions of the Red Palace are the Buddhism stupas and chapels while the White Palace acted as the residence of Dalai Lamas.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Jokhang Monastery (1 hour) which was widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) brought to Tibet by Princess of Chinese Tang Dynasty and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery. There are also exquisite murals which present the history and culture of Tibet collected in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street (half an hour) which around the Jokhang Monastery. There we could experience the traditional culture and daily life of Tibetan.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals:B

Day 03: Buddha Exhibition in Drepung Monastery – Tibet Museum:

We will climb up to Drepung Monastery to look the Buddha exhibition. The Buddha exhibition in Drepung Monastery tops in Tibet. It is really magnificent since thousands of people would collect here to show their respects to the Buddha. Shoton Festival also named Buddha Exhibition Festival and Yogurt Festival. It is the most important festival in Tibet; thousands of Buddhism followers would rush to Lhasa and show their respect to the Buddha. The Buddhists would cultivate themselves on the mountain. Their family members would come to greet them with yogurts after they finished the cultivation. You could enjoy the most solemn Buddha exhibition, the most exultant Tibetan opera, the yak racing, singing and dancing during the Shoton Festival. Then we will make a visit to Tibet Museum to learn more history and culture of Tibet.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals:B

Day 04: Tibetan Opera in Norbu Lingka – Lhasa – Damgxung:

We will make a visit to Norbu Lingka in the morning. There is Tibetan Opera performance in Norbu Lingka during the Shoton Festival. You can enjoy a series of traditional custom here, including some traditional dances and ceremonies. The main sects of Tibetan Opera would collect at Norbu Lingka and give their performance. The mystical marks, solemn clothes and graceful dance are very impressive. We will drive to Damgxung in the afternoon.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals:B

Day 05: Damgxung Horse Racing Festival:

We will watch and experience the traditional Horse Racing Festival all the day. Horse racing is a traditional sport in Tibet As one of the most important traditional festivals in Damgxung, the Horse Racing Festival lasts 7 days and integrates horse-racing, trading and art. It has been further developed in recent years. The Tibetan weight lifting and push-and-pull were added in the festival except the traditional horse racing, archery and the horsemanship performance.

Accommodation:3-star Standard HotelMeals:B

Day 06: Damgxung - Lake Nam Co – Lhasa:

We will leave Damgxung for Lake Nam Co in the morning. It is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and is highly respected by the Tibetan Buddhism followers. It covers an area of more than 1900 square kilometers. It is the second largest salt water lake in China and the highest salt water lake above the sea level in the world. Then we will back to Lhasa.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals:B

Day 07: Leave Lhasa:

We will transfer you to the airport after breakfast.

Accommodation:NoneMeals:B

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

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• Transfers between airport/train station, hotels and Scenic Spots while the whole sightseeing by air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide.

Guide: 

• English-speaking local tour guide, your kindly friend in Tibet
• Entrance fees listed in the itinerary

Accommodation:

• 3 to 4 star hotel in Lhasa according to your request, guesthouse or tent in other areas according to the specific condition

Travel Permits:

• All Tibet traveling permits
• Travel Insurance

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

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• Transportation to and from Tibet
• Meals
• Single Room Supplement
• Personal Expenses like beverages, mini bar, laundry, telephone cost, etc
• Tips to driver and tour guide as your wish.

NOTES FOR YOUR TIBET TOURS:

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Before you go

Permits: 

• Passport, Tibet Entry Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Allowance.

Health Care: 

• Tourists should take care of your body before you enter into Tibet. People who caught a severe cold, respiratory system diseases, heart diseases, hypertension or asthma are not advised to tour to Tibet.

Personal Belongings:

• Portable and practical. Forbidden objects and dangerous goods are banned. Flashlight is rather needed since sometimes you have to set off early in the morning and back to your hotel till late at night. You should also bring some daily necessities with you since the accommodation conditions might be pretty poor. Multifunctional Cross-shaped Knife could be used to peel the fruits, open the drinks and canned food.

Enough Cash: 

• There are only few banks in Lhasa and Shigatse such as Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China due to the limited conditions. Thus tourists are suggested to take enough cash instead of credit card. You can exchange for cash in such banks but foreign currency exchanging service only offered by Bank of China and a few hotels. It’s not convenient to withdraw money in other area of Tibet and even only cash can be accepted. 

While in travel

High Altitude Sickness: 

• The high altitude sickness is a normal phenomenon on plateau, and you shouldn’t be too worried about it. Generally, these symptoms would disappear in one or two days after you adapt to the plateau environment. You should sleep enough and drink much water. During the adjustment period, you should not do some violent activities; appropriate clothes should be worn so as to prevent yourself from the cold.

Political Issues: 

• Political issues are very sensitive in Tibet. It is not advisable to discuss the Tibet issue with the local Tibetans.

Not Do in Photography: 

• You should also realize that not all the Tibetans would like to be photographed, especially the Tibetan women. You’d better ask for their permission before you take pictures.

Traditions and Customs: 

• Tour guide will detail the folk customs and taboos of Tibetan nationality and the Hui nationally, which we couldn’t violate.