4-Day Essence Tour of Lhasa

Day 1

Destination: Entrance City to Lhasa

Inter-city Transfer: Flight No. TBA

Service Provided: Airport to Hotel Transfer(Lhasa),

Day 2

Destination: Lhasa

Service Provided: The Potala Palace, The Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

--The Potala Palace: The Potala Palace, which is now on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics, is the most valuable storehouse in Tibet. It is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. The Palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scripture, Buddha figures, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry treasured up, they are of great cultural and artistic value. In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.Perched upon the Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet.

--The Jokhang Temple: constructed in the 7th century AD to house the statues of Buddha that princesses Bhrikuti from Nepal and Wen Cheng from Tang Dynasty China brought as gifts for their future husband, King Songtsan Gampo. The temple has been enlarged many times over the centuries and now also houses statues of King Songtsan Gambo and his two famous foreign brides. However, the original statue of Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha that Princess Wen Cheng brought from Chang’an over 1300 years ago is definitely its most sacred and famous possession, and is perhaps the most venerated religious artifact in all of Tibet. The temple, a splendid four-floor building facing west under a gilded rooftop, is located on Barkhor Square in the center of the old section of Lhasa.

--Barkhor Street: The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled.

Day 3

Destination: Lhasa

Service Provided: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, The Carpet Factory, Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

--Sera Monastery: It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks"famous daily debates"take place.

--Drepung Monastery: Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace(after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong).

--Norbulingka: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.

--The Carpet Factory: The highland of Tibet is the actual home of the oriental carpets. By visiting Carpet Factory you will have a general idea how carpets are produced.

Day 4

Destination: Lhasa to Departure City

Inter-city Transfer: Flight No. TBA

Service Provided: Hotel to airport Transfer(Lhasa), Breakfast

Tour Price

Dec. 01 - Mar. 31
Low Season(2011)

Apr. 01 - Nov. 31
High Season (2011)

Your Group Size	Tour Class	Tour Price	Single Room Supplement	Inquiry
1 Person	Superior Class	$981	$0	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$854	$0	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$833	$0	Inquiry
2-5 Persons	Superior Class	$523	$186	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$454	$140	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$449	$112	Inquiry
6-9 Persons	Superior Class	$421	$186	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$370	$140	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$346	$112	Inquiry

Your Group Size	Tour Class	Tour Price	Single Room Supplement	Inquiry
1 Person	Superior Class	$1219	$0	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$1176	$0	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$903	$0	Inquiry
2-5 Person	Superior Class	$653	$295	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$631	$273	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$495	$136	Inquiry
6-9 Person	Superior Class	$572	$295	Inquiry
	Deluxe Class	$550	$273	Inquiry
	Tourist Class	$414	$136	Inquiry

Hotels

Yangtze Cruise Ships

• * Prices are shown in US dollars per person are indicative prices only. The tour price will vary as the exchange rates changes.
• * Prices may also vary based on the time of travel e.g. China National Day Holiday (Oct 1 - Oct 7, 2011), and Chinese Spring Festival (Feb 2 - 8, 2011).
• * If only one person is traveling then the single room supplement is not required. If, for example, three people book a hotel, with two in one room and one in another room, the single room supplement must be paid.
• * The price is based on engaging English guide. Additional cost may apply when other guide are needed.

Price Inclusions and Exclusions

Our quoted price inclusion:

Entrance fees

This applies to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

Meals

This applies to all meals as specified in the itinerary. If the restaurant indicated is not available on the day, your guide will arrange another restaurant from our list of approved restaurants. Breakfast is usually a western style buffet. We endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Chinese breakfasts are supplied, however there may be occasions when only a Chinese breakfast is available in some remote locations.

Private transfers

Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and an English-speaking guide. Your comfort is our priority! Click here to get a description of the vehicles that we use for our tours.

Guide

An English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city. The guide will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour to provide you with the best local knowledge available.

Hotels

Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.

Domestic Flights

Flights/Trains stated in the itinerary will be according to our arrangements. Privately arranged flights are not covered.

Airport tax and fuel fee
Service charges and government taxes
Insurance

The insurance is China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance. Click here to learn more about the insurance coverage and the sum insured.

Luggage transfers

This applies to transfers between airports and hotels.

Arrangements

The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Our quoted price exclusion:

International airfares or train tickets to

USA-China/ China-USA: China Highlights has negotiated special discount fares (restrictions apply) for selected flights operated by Air China from major US and China gateways. We are able to offer these special deals to confirmed customers. Discount on US to China Flights

enter or leave China
China entry visa fees
Excess baggage charges

Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg in economy class. The total weight of carryon baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The dimensions may not exceed 20 x 40 x 55cm. More

Personal expenses

Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, faxes, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.

Additional meals

Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.

Single room supplements

Important note for those who choose to pay a single room supplement fee: The fee only covers hotel single room supplements; it does NOT include use of a single cabin on the Yangtze River Cruise. Standard Yangtze River Cruise prices per person are based on 2 people sharing 1 cabin unless otherwise specified. If you would like to request a single cabin on the Yangtze River ship, please contact us to check cost and availability.

Take it as a PRIVATE Tour: