Holy City Tibetan Culture Excursion Tour

Shangri-La - Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Departure

7days / 6nights

$ 1,520 USD

Focuses on Tibetan culture, starting in Shangri-La and moving to Lhasa, blending natural beauty with deep spiritual experiences.

Step into the heart of the Tibetan world — from the peaceful highland town of Shangri-La to the golden-roofed temples of Lhasa. This cultural journey blends the natural serenity of alpine wetlands and snow-fed lakes with the sacred pulse of Tibetan spirituality. Discover the roots of Tibetan Buddhism in its earliest monasteries, sip butter tea among locals, and ride horses beneath Yumbulakang, the oldest palace in Tibet. With slow moments, holy rituals, and breathtaking mountain landscapes, this is a pilgrimage of the spirit and the senses.

Highlights

Start: Shangri-La

End: Lhasa

Airports & Travel details

Sip, Taste, and Depart with Blessings

Begin your final day like a local — in a sweet tea house, sipping butter tea and eating Tibetan noodles. Then travel to the dazzling turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake for a final breathtaking view before your flight. It’s a gentle farewell to the highlands — and to a culture that leaves its mark on the soul.

Holy City Tibetan Culture Excursion Tour

Itinerary Summary

7days / 6nights

Activity Level 4

Boutique Hotels

Private trip

Day 1: Arrival in Shangri-La – Dukezong Old Town

Land in the Tibetan highlands of Shangri-La, where crisp air and prayer flags welcome you. Spend your first evening wandering through Dukezong Old Town, one of the best-preserved Tibetan towns in China, with its white stupas, ancient prayer wheels, and peaceful lantern-lit streets.
Most Attractive Moment: Spin the world’s largest prayer wheel at sunset and watch golden light fall over the rooftops of the plateau.
Altitude: ~3,200m | Activity: Gentle walk, rest

Day 2: Pudacuo National Park – Napa Sea Wetland

Venture into the wild beauty of Pudacuo National Park, a pristine reserve of alpine lakes, coniferous forests, and rare wildlife. Later, stroll through the wide, open wetlands of Napa Sea, a seasonal lake surrounded by wildflowers, yaks, and migratory birds.
Most Attractive Moment: Pause at Shudu Lake and watch the pine trees reflected in still water, the silence broken only by birdsong and wind.
Pudacuo (2–3 hours) | Napa Sea (1–1.5 hours)

Day 3: Fly to Lhasa – Altitude Acclimatization

Fly from Shangri-La to the sacred city of Lhasa. This day is devoted to rest and gentle adjustment to the higher altitude. Enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner and take in your first glimpse of Potala Palace glowing in the twilight.
Most Attractive Moment: The air is thinner, but your spirit feels lighter — you’ve arrived on the roof of the world.
Altitude: ~3,650m | Activity: Minimal

Day 4: Potala Palace – Jokhang Temple – Barkhor Street

Begin the day with the awe-inspiring Potala Palace, a towering masterpiece of Tibetan architecture and spiritual power. Then walk to the heart of Tibetan Buddhism — Jokhang Temple — before joining locals on the Barkhor kora, the pilgrimage path that circles it.
Most Attractive Moment: As incense drifts from Jokhang’s rooftops and the faithful chant beneath, you’ll feel the pulse of Tibet’s living spirit.
Potala (2 hours) | Jokhang + Barkhor (2 hours)

Day 5: Drepung Monastery – Sera Monastery Debates

Explore Drepung, the largest monastery in Tibet, once a hub of learning and faith. In the afternoon, gather in the courtyard of Sera Monastery to witness the dynamic “debating monks” — a joyful, intense tradition of spiritual discourse.
Most Attractive Moment: As hands clap and robes swirl, monks challenge each other with fierce logic and boundless energy — a philosophy lesson like no other.
Drepung (2 hours) | Sera (1.5 hours)

Day 6: Yumbulakang Horse Ride – Changzhu Monastery – Return to Lhasa

Drive to the cradle of Tibetan civilization — the Yarlung Valley. Ride a horse up to Yumbulakang Palace, Tibet’s very first royal residence. Then visit Changzhu Monastery, where early kings embraced Buddhism and the spiritual story of Tibet began.
Most Attractive Moment: From the saddle, take in views of the Yarlung Valley below — where history began, and where the future still hums with quiet faith.
Horse ride (optional, 30–45 mins) | Monastery visits (2–3 hours total)

Day 7: Sweet Tea House – Yamdrok Lake – Departure

Begin your farewell day with a local tradition: a visit to a sweet tea house. Enjoy butter tea, handmade noodles, and local conversation. Then drive to the turquoise shores of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most sacred and stunning lakes. After photos and farewells, transfer to the airport.
Most Attractive Moment: Sip your tea and look back at snow peaks in the distance — Tibet stays with you, long after you leave.
Sweet Tea House (45 mins) | Yamdrok Lake (1.5 hours) | Airport transfer

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High Altitude Reaction:

1. the average altitude in Yunnan is 1894 meters. Kunming: 1890 meters. Dali: 2050 meters. Lijiang: 2400 meters, Jade Dragon Mountain: 4506 meters. Shangri-La: 3280 meters. We strongly suggest our consumers thoroughly prepare for high-altitude reactions and intense ultraviolet rays. By preparing these, you can take high-altitude reaction medicines or bring some Oxygen Can before you depart.

2. If you suffer any diseases, please advise your doctor before you depart.

There are various kinds of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, and so on.

3. We don’t suggest our guests take showers in the first two days in a high-altitude area. If they get cold, it may easily lead to pulmonary edema and encephaloma.

4. Please don’t drink any alcohol, especially any strong liquids, since alcohol will lead to a high severe altitude reaction.

The price excludes：

1. Other personal expenses during the journey.

2. Our accommodation prices are for twin rooms (two people live in one room, with a separate bed/one bed). There will be an extra cost if consumers require a separate room for each person.

3. Chinese Visa Fees.

4. The extra expense is due to transportation delays, cancellations, wars, natural accidents, and strikes.

5. Meals (lunch and dinner)

Accommodations

We pick suitable and tasteful hotels for your requirements.

Transfer

We provide your own private and comfortable vehicle.

Guide/Driver service

Professional driver and Chinese/ English speaking guide.

Activities

All the activities listed in this program.

Local Knowledge

Our staff are locals with true love and knowledge of our hometown.

Entrance tickets for the sightseeing places listed in this program.

Tickets

Personalized Consultant Service

we provide one-on-one professional consultant service to all travelers to meet your demands.

Insurance

Travel accident insurance and Travel Agency’s Responsibility insurance.

How’s the weather? What should we wear?

Yunnan is dominated by the subtropical monsoon climate. Integrating low latitude, highland, and monsoon, the climate in Yunnan has four characteristics: first, there is a slight difference in annual temperature but a significant difference in daily temperature. Second, there is a big contrast between the rainy and dry seasons. Third, the climate alters according to the change in altitude. Fourth, the frost-free period is extended.
When you travel to Yunnan, the best advice for your wardrobe is to bring all kinds of clothes. A jacket, scarf, raincoat for the rainy season, and sunglasses are essential.

How’s the accommodation?

We believe that staying in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of the journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic culture, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you the most unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.

How’s the road?

Because the significant landscape in Yunnan is mountainous, the mountain area has bumpy roads and steep slopes. Even on the expressway, there are always sharp turns. So we strongly suggest our guests fasten their seat belts before they depart.

How’s the meal?

Most hotels will provide breakfast in both American and Chinese. During the travel, we will recommend featured local dishes and street food for our consumers. We also encourage our consumers to explore the local food they like since eating is essential for a journey. Our guide will suggest a suitable restaurant to our consumers.

Design my trip

Quality Guide Of KiKi

Accommodations

Being in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of a journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic cultures, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.