DISCOVER HOLY LAND
(BEIJING-LHASA-GYNTSE-SHIGATSE- SUZHOU-SHANGHAI)-11 days

Day 3 BEIJING/LHASA
AM: Private transfer to the airport for flight to Lhasa, Tibet - City of Sun on the Rooftop of the World. Airport reception/private transfer to Lhasa Hotel (4-star, the best available in Lhasa).
PM: Balance of the day free to rest for acclimatization. (Important: all visitors need to adjust to high altitude- 12,000 ft above sea level)

Day 4 LHASA
All-day leisurely visit to the most imposing attraction in Lhasa, Potala Palace- former residence of the Dalai Lama. Potala Palace was built in the 7th century with wood and stone. This is the most important historic and religious site in Tibet. It is one of the architectural wonders of the world with more than 1,000 rooms, shrines and statues, and is 1,300 feet in length and covers 1.4 million square feet.

Day 5 LHASA
AM: Private escorted tour to Jokhang Temple, Tibetan Buddhism's holiest shrine. The golden-roofed Jokhang was built in 7th Century and is the focus of the ancient ritual of prostrations performed by devout Tibetan pilgrims. Princess Wen-Cheng of the Tang Dynasty held her wedding ceremony here with King: Song Zen Gampo. This marriage brought the peace between Tang China and Tu-Lu-Funn (Tibet's old name).
PM: Walking tour of Barkhor Bazaar, a great opportunity for shopping and observation of daily life. Also visit Norbulingka (Summer Palace and the precious stone garden built by order of the 7th Dalai Lama in 18th Century).

Day 6 LHASA
AM: Escorted tour to Sera and Drepung Monasteries (ecclesiastical retreats with populations of over 10,000 monks, nuns and lamas). Sera Monastery is the preferred site for the "Tibetan Sky Burial".
PM: Specially arranged "make-a-friend" program -- home visit with a Tibetan family for milk tea with yak butter and traditional Tibetan snacks

Day 7 LHASA/GYANTSE
All-day private escorted overland drive (in a four-wheel-drive Jeep; about 150 miles) to Gyantse. Gyantse was once the most important market town and trade center in the Himalayas. Today, it still serves as an important stop along the Friendship Road between Tibet and Nepal. Enjoy the fantastic scenery while crossing Brahmaputra River and along the shores of pristine Lake Yamdrok between the two spectacular mountain ranges. Transfer to Gyantse Guest House in the evening.

Day 8 GYANTSE/SHIGATSE

AM: Private escorted tour to Kumbum Stupa-"The Palace of Myriad Images". This is the most magnificent stupa in Tibet and the "Staircase of Ten Thousand Buddhas". As you can imagine, there are more than 10,000 Buddha statues inside.
PM: Continued overland drive to Shigatse (about 2 hours), Tibet's ancient capital and former seat of the Panchen Lama, head of the "Yellow Hat" of Tibetan Buddhism. Stop at Shalu Monastery en route. Transfer to Shigatse Hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 9 SHIGAZE
AM: Private escorted walking tour of old fortress town and the monumental Tashilhunpo Monastery. Tashilhanpo Monastery is in the color of rose and is also known as "Mound of Glory". The largest Buddha statue in Tibet- the Maitreya Buddha - sits inside the monastery.
PM: Return drive toward Lhasa via the southern route of Friendship Road. Stop and overnight in Tsedang. Transfer to Tsedang Hotel.

Day 10 TSEDANG/LHASA/SHANGHAI
AM: Return to Lhasa in the morning. Private transfer to the airport to board flight to Shanghai. Welcome to the "Paris of the East." Airport reception/private transfer to Garden Hotel (5-star luxurious, great location).

Day 11 SHANGHAI/US
AM: Say Zaijian (Now you should know how to say "good-bye" in Chinese) to China. Connect with your international flight back home or continue your trip to other destinations in China.

-Return flight to the US or extend your trip to other destinations in China.