[2024] Shoton Festival Limited 11-Day Tour - Lhasa, Shigatse, Mount Everest, Namtso - August Only

Today is a gathering day. Partners from all over the world fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The staff will pick you up at the airport according to the flight arrival time and take you to your hotel in Lhasa to rest.

【Linzhi】 is known as the "Little Jiangnan" of Tibet. It is a region with extremely rich cultural and natural landscapes. It is located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in southeastern Tibet, with an average altitude of about 3,000 meters, and the lowest altitude is only 900 meters. The climate is humid and the scenery is pleasant. The original forest landscape of Linzhi is well preserved, with tall Tibetan ancient cypresses, Himalayan fir trees and more than 100 species of rhododendrons, etc. It is known as the "Natural Museum".

[Lulang Sea of Forests] Lulang, the place that best represents the charm of Nyingchi, means Dragon King Valley in Tibetan. It is where the Dragon King lives and it is also a place that makes people miss home. The area is full of green mountains and rivers. There are huge primeval forests that are green all year round and lush with trees, and rhododendrons all over the mountains. The characteristic wooden fences, wooden houses and farmers' and herdsmen's villages in the forest area are scattered in an orderly manner. The clouds and mists in the mountains gather and disperse from time to time, and together with the snow-capped mountains, forests and countryside, they outline a quiet and beautiful mountain living picture. It is known as the Jiangnan of Tibet or the Switzerland of the East. If the weather is clear, you can see the 15th peak in the world from a distance.

Mount Namjagbarwa is a famous mountain in southwest China. It is located at the eastern end of the Himalayas, at the junction of Milin County and Medog County in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. It is 7,782 meters above sea level and is the closest to the east among all the peaks in the world with a height of more than 7,600 meters. Mount Namjagbarwa was once ranked first in the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Mountains in China" by the National Geographic China magazine.

【Bayi Town】Bayi Town is the political, economic and cultural center of Nyingchi Prefecture. It is 2,900 meters above sea level and is located on the banks of the Niyang River. As an important material gathering and trading center in southeastern Tibet, Bayi Town has a prosperous business.

Today we will set off for Lhasa, and the altitude will gradually rise. After breakfast, we will head to the most beautiful Red Lake in eastern Tibet, Basongcuo. Basongcuo is like a crescent moon embedded in a high mountain valley. The lake water is clear and you can see the bottom. The blue waves are vast and the lake water is transparent, and you can see fish swimming around. It is very interesting.
There is a Nyingma Temple of the Red Sect on the island in the middle of the lake, which has a history of more than 1,500 years. The emerald lake is surrounded by dense and quiet forests. An ancient temple in the center of the lake brings Basongcuo into the reverie of history. The background of the forest is two snow-capped mountains with an altitude of 5,500 meters, forming an extremely shocking beauty. After that, we passed through Taizhao Ancient City and Xiuba Ancient Castle to Lhasa, and headed west along the Niyang River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The water of the Niyang River is clear, emerald green and white, and there are dotted villages along the river bank. The snow-capped mountains and forest landscapes still accompany us all the way.
After crossing the Mila Pass at an altitude of 5,013 meters, you will enter the Jiqu River Valley. Lhasa is located in the center of the valley, and the holy city of Lhasa is not far away.

In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, the highest ancient palace-style building complex in the world, the residence of the Dalai Lama for generations and the center of Tibetan political and religious power. Before climbing to the Potala Palace, you have to climb 1,080 steps. Although it will be a little tiring, you can also overlook the entire city of Lhasa during the process. The beautiful scenery will make us forget our physical fatigue!

In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang Temple, the holy place in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist believers. "Going to Lhasa without going to the Jokhang Temple means you have not been to Lhasa." This is the words of Nyima Tsering, the famous lama in the Jokhang Temple, and it is also a view that almost every traveler agrees with.

The Jokhang Temple combines Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles and has become an eternal model of Tibetan religious architecture. After leaving the Jokhang Temple, you can walk around the Jokhang Temple clockwise, imagining yourself as a Tibetan who spins Pakuo, or go shopping at the handicraft market on the [Bajiao Street], or you just simply Move slowly on the streets and feel the warmth of the City of Sunshine, or find a sweet teahouse and learn from the tranquility and contentment of Tibetan friends. Friendly reminder: Potala Palace tickets are pre-purchased and have visit time restrictions. We will flexibly adjust the itinerary sequence according to the actual reserved visit time. There will be security inspection procedures when entering the Potala Palace. Dangerous items are not allowed. Photography is prohibited after entering the Potala Palace.

We can’t stay in bed today. After breakfast, we will set off from Lhasa and climb over the 4,900-meter-high Gambala Snow Mountain and head towards the world’s highest freshwater lake, Yamdrok Yumcuo.
Yamdrok Lake is known as the most beautiful lake in the world. The azure blue water and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are connected, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. The car bypassed Yamdrok Lake and passed the Karola Glacier, which was once the location of the movie "Red River Valley". The glacier right next to the road is breathtaking.
Continue all the way to the Anti-British Heroes Town [Gyantse], an ancient city with a history of more than 600 years and a transportation fortress from front Tibet to back Tibet. Overlook [Zongshan Anti-British Site] and visit [Baiju Temple], the only one that integrates the three major sects of Tibet and is famous for its exquisite murals and carvings. Then drive to Tibet’s second largest city [Shigatse].

Get up in the morning and drive to Everest Base Camp, passing through [Lazi], [Dingri] and Xiegar. When you arrive at [Xiegar], you can overlook the majestic form of Mount Everest, and then arrive at the highest temple in the world [ Rongbuk Temple],

This is the best angle to look up at Mount Everest, and gaze up close at Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at an altitude of 8,848 meters. At night, stay in the tent area of Rongbuk Monastery. When the night covers the earth, when you are awake, you can walk out of the tent and enjoy the bright moonlight and brilliant starry sky.

[Intimate reminder]
Mount Everest is 5,200 meters above sea level. It is common to have headaches at night and have difficulty falling asleep. This is a normal phenomenon. Please do not panic too much. Continue to slow down your pace, relax your mood, and feel the beauty of Mount Everest. Your symptoms will gradually ease. Note: According to the announcement of the scenic spot, the longest Everest trip can only reach Rongbuk Monastery. The actual situation is based on the announcement of the scenic spot. Rongbuk Monastery is the best place to view and photograph Mount Everest.

The night before, whether you had a good night's sleep or were tossing and turning, you must get up early to welcome the dawn of Mount Everest. When the peaks are still sleeping in the dawn, Mount Everest has been covered with dazzling colors like the goddess's costume. Morning glow.
Accompanied by the first ray of light rising from [Mount Everest], we travel through the majestic, majestic and winding Himalayas for thousands of miles, and climb over the 5,200-meter-high Gawula Mountain in desolation and silence. In addition to Mount Everest (elevation 8848), in the distance there are also Labji Kang (elevation 7367), Cho Oyu (elevation 8201), Lhotse (elevation 8516), and Makalu (elevation 8463). Waiting for the snow-capped peaks in the world, you can look at the majestic and solemn Shishapangma Peak (8012 meters above sea level), the only top mountain in the world with an altitude of over 8,000 meters that is entirely located in China. With nostalgia for Mount Everest, we return to [Shigatse] in the majestic, majestic and winding Himalayas.

After breakfast, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the resting place of the soul of the Panchen Lama and one of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect. It is also the residence of successive Panchen Lamas and was once the ruling center of the regime in the western Tibet. The 28-meter-high bronze Buddha statue "Qiangba Buddha" (i.e. Maitreya Buddha) is enshrined in the monastery. Then return to Lhasa. There is no need to rush on the way back. Slow down and stop at the Yalong River Valley. In the cradle of ancient Tibetan civilization, stand quietly and let the river icebergs, pastoral pastures, river valleys, alpine vegetation... Everything within sight is hidden in the crystal-clear blue sky, safe and sound. The speckled gloom not far away is not a flaw, but the beautiful reflection of sunlight penetrating through the white clouds. Then return to the Free Market along National Highway 318.

In the early morning, drive through the grasslands of northern Tibet, appreciate the colorful prayer flags fluttering, and gallop along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway; cross the Nagen La Mountain with an altitude of 5,190 meters to reach Namtso, the "Heavenly Lake" and the first of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. It is 4,718 meters above sea level and is the highest saltwater lake in the world and the second largest in my country.
To the south is the Nyainqentanglha Mountain, which is covered with snow all year round. To the north and west are plateau hills, a vast lakeshore, and grasslands surrounding the lake, with lush water and grass. The lake has a high salt content and is rich in wildlife resources, including yaks and goats. The lake is clear and contrasts with the surrounding snow-capped mountains, creating a beautiful scenery, like a crystal pearl inlaid on the vast Qiangtang grassland. In the evening, we returned to Lhasa accompanied by the afterglow of the setting sun.

In the morning, we will go to Drepung Monastery to attend the annual Tibetan event - the Shoton Festival Buddha Exhibition Ceremony.
The Buddha Exhibition Ceremony at Drepung Monastery is the most eye-catching ceremony.
At 8 o'clock in the morning, on the hillside behind the Drepung Monastery, under the glow of the first rays of dawn and accompanied by the solemn and majestic sounds of Buddhist bells, a 500-square-meter huge statue of Sakyamuni woven with colorful silk slowly revealed its peaceful face. Tens of thousands of believers and deeply moved tourists all put their hands together and bowed in worship.
In the afternoon, we visited Sera Monastery, one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery are collectively known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa. "Sera" means wild rose in Tibetan.
Legend has it that when the mountain was built, wild roses grew here, and Sera Monastery got its name from this. The debates in Sera Monastery are very famous. The debate garden is at the north end of the passage leading to the main gate. The debates usually start at 15:00 and you can watch them at will.
(If the temple holds a temporary Dharma assembly or receives specific people, the debate may be cancelled. Please understand!!)
After leaving Sera Monastery, you can stroll around the streets of Lhasa and quietly feel the devout faith of the Tibetan people.

After the trip, take a plane or Qinghai-Tibet Railway train back to the warm