SCYTS-015: 8-DAY TOUR ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Day 1:(Flight)Chengdu/Lhasa: Rest in the hotel so as to get used to the high elevation. Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years and it's been the center of politics, economy, culture and religion in Tibet since ancient times.
                                              Overnight at Lhasa Hotel
Day 2: Patala Palace: The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works of our nation, is erected on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The word "Potala"
comes from Sanakrit. In the 7th century, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo's marriage with Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court, the Palace was built for meditation. In the mid-17th century, it was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lamato its present size, and ever since it became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from its beginning to completion. The Potala is divided into two sections, namely ,the Red Palace and the White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117 meters which is built in thirteen stories, the length of the Palace from east to
west has 400 meters and the breadth from south to north has 350 meters. The whole building is a structure of stone and timber. The top most flat glistens with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural work and the cream of Tibetan culture and a complex of Tibetan and Han cultures.

Jokhang Temple:Situated in the center of the old section of Lhasa, Jokhang Temple was built in the mid-7th century A.D.and later extended by succes-sive rulers, it has now become a gigantic architecture complex. Located in the east ,facing to the west, it is a four storied temple with splendid golden roofs. It has architecture feature of Tang Dynasty and also assimilated very much feature from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist temples. The murals in the temple mainly depict the life stories of historic characters. The temple houses mainly historical relics since Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti Devi. "Princess Willow" (a tree),and "the Uncle Nephew Alliance Tablet" can be seen at the front gate of the temple.
                                               Overnight at Lhasa Hotel
Day 3:Drepung Monastery: Situated 5 km's distance to the western suburb of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze. Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelupa Sect. The monastery ,occupying an area of 250,000 square meters with a fixed number of 7,700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps plentiful historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts.

Sera Monastery: Situated at three km's distance to the northern suburb of
Lhasa, Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of
Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupa Sect. The monastery is erected grandly
at a mountain slope with a colourful architecture. Sera Monastery together
with Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are known as the Three
Great Monasteries in Tibet.
Norbulinka Palace:
                                              Overnight at Lhasa Hotel
Day 4: Lhasa/Shigatse                        Overnight at Shigatse Hotel
Day 5: Tashilhunpo Monastery: It is the biggest Gelugpa Monastery in the Tsang region of Tibet. It is located in the town of Shigatse and was founded by Gedun Drup, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupa Sect. Gedun Drup was later recognizes as the first Dalai Lama.It was formerly built in 1447 and continuously expanded by the successive Panchen Lamas. The Ngagpa College(Tantric College), one of its four monastic colleges, was the residence of the Panchen Lamas. The most amazing image in the monastery is the statue of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha)erected by the ninth Banchen Lama in 1914, and took four years for its establiment.This giant statue stands 26 meters in height and 275kg of solid gold,great quantity of precious things such a pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers have absolved for its contruction. The 4th Panchen Lama's funeral stupa was built in 1662 and it stands eleven meters high and is covered with gold and silver. Visit local handicraft factory.
                                           Overnight at Shigatse Hotel
Day 6: Shigatse / Tingeri                      Overnight at Tingeri Hotel
Day 7: Tingeri / Zhangmu                      Overnight at Zhangmu Hotel