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Shoton Festival Tour

Price on Request

Must Visit City
Lhasa
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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 . .
Country: Tibet
City: Lhasa
Duration: 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s)
Tour Category: Festival Tours
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99
Package Itinerary

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 the 7-Day Shoton Festival Tour to experience the most important festival for the 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 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 sea level – Potala Palace (1 hour). 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 Buddhist 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) was brought to Tibet by the Princess of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery.

There are also exquisite murals that present the history and culture of Tibet collected in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street (half an hour) which is around the Jokhang Monastery. There we could experience the traditional culture and daily life of Tibetans.

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 at 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 Buddhist 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 the 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 a Tibetan Opera performance in Norbu Lingka during the Shoton Festival. You can enjoy a series of traditional customs 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 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. Tibetan weight lifting and push-and-pull were added to the festival except the traditional horse racing, archery, and 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 Tibetan Buddhism followers. It covers an area of more than 1900 square kilometers. It is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and the highest saltwater lake above 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:

The English-speaking local tour guide, your kind 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 you 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 Tibet. People who catch a severe cold, respiratory system diseases, heart disease, hypertension, or asthma are not advised to tour 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 late at night. You should also bring some daily necessities with you since the accommodation conditions might be pretty poor. Multifunctional Cross-shaped knives could be used to peel the fruits and open the drinks and canned food.

Enough Cash:

There are only a 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 cards.

You can exchange for cash in such banks but foreign currency exchange services are only offered by Bank of China and a few hotels. It’s not convenient to withdraw money in another area of Tibet and even only cash can be accepted.

While in Travel

High Altitude Sickness:

High altitude sickness is a normal phenomenon on the 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 a lot of 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:

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

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