Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple Day Tour

Highlights / General details

The Jokhang Temple and Monastery is the most sacred and important Buddhist temple in Tibet. It was built during the reign of King Songsten Gampo (605?-650 CE) to celebrate his marriage to a Chinese princess who was a Buddhist. Today it forms part of what UNESCO calls the 'Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace'. A walled enclosure in front of the Jokhang Temple is planted with willows. The architectural style was inspired by Buddhist monastaries (viharas) in India. The roof has two golden deer gazing at a Wheel of Dharma.

The Potala Palace stands behind the Jokhang Temple. The site was a meditation retreat until King Songtsen Gampo built a palace in 637. But the present building was started by the Fifth Dalai Lama (Lozang Gyatso) in 1645. It takes its name from a hill in the southern tip of India (Cape Comorin) which is sacred to the bodhisattva of compassion (Avalokitesvara). The Potala was the residence of the Dalai Lama until it became a museum after the 1959 uprising against the Chinese.

Inclusion

Private car/coach for transfers service and sightseeing program. Local English-speaking tour guide for transfer and sightseeing program. Entrance fees to scenic spots as indicated in the itinerary. Meals as specified in the itinerary. Parking fee & toll fee wherever applicable.

Exclusion

Personal expenses such as drinks, optional activities, etc. Gratuities to the tour guide & driver.

Hours of operation

Available: Daily Tour Departs: Pick up around 9:00am.

Duration

Approximately 8 hours.

Location Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel around 9:00am.

Itinerary Your first stop will be the Potala Palace with its 10,000 steps. It is the largest structure in Tibet. Then we visit to the most celebrated temple in Tibet the Jokhang Temple. After lunch, the afternoon is a little more relaxed with time to enjoy some leisure time in Barkhor Street to shop and to look at some of the local crafts. End the tour and transfer you to the hotel. During today's tour, a Chinese cultural factory visit is organized.

Location

Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel around 9:00am.

Itinerary Your first stop will be the Potala Palace with its 10,000 steps. It is the largest structure in Tibet. Then we visit to the most celebrated temple in Tibet the Jokhang Temple. After lunch, the afternoon is a little more relaxed with time to enjoy some leisure time in Barkhor Street to shop and to look at some of the local crafts. End the tour and transfer you to the hotel. During today's tour, a Chinese cultural factory visit is organized.

Policies Tour requires a minimum of 2 people to operate. *Please note: A valid Tibet entrance permit is required if you would like to take this tour. Obtaining a Tibet entrance permit may cost extra charges. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation