Ik Chin Travel Service (S) Pte Ltd
.101 Upper Cross Street #06-08 / #03-11
People’s Park Centre Singapore 058357
#06-08 T (65) 6221 3727 / #03-11 T (65) 6535 4334
W www.ikchin.com.sg
E [email protected]
11D TIBET FOOTSTEPS of JETSONGKHAPA
(CCTBW-2013)
CHECK IN AT CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
1
Singapore  Chengdu
CA404
0200/0630
BL/-
Arrive Chengdu at about 0630hrs in the morning. Transfer to take a simple breakfast and then continue tour to The Wide &
Narrow Alleys, two ancient streets restoring the old architecture in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) styles, and they are
the miniature version of Chengdu, a city combining history and modern changes. The historical and cultural area of the
wide and narrow alleys is consists of wide alley, narrow alley, jing (well) alley and quadrangle courtyards. After lunch, check
in hotel and the rest of day is free at your leisure.
2
Chengdu  Xining
CA4205
0735/0915
BLD
Packed hotel breakfast will be served this morning. Transfer to airport for your domestic flight to Xining. Xining is the east
gate of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are azure sky and clear water. It is widely considered to be a perfect summer resort
combining the brilliance of nature and culture. On your arrival, visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), the religious
activity center of both monks and followers of the Yellow Hat Sect (also named Gelugpa Sect, a branch of Tibetan
Buddhism). In order to commemorate Tsong Khapa (1357-1419), founder of the Yellow Hat Sect, the Ta'er Monastery was
built in 1577 more than 150 years after his death. Now the Ta'er Monastery is considered a sacred place in China.
3
Xining  Qinghai Lake (160km)  Xining  Lhasa
BL/-
This morning after your breakfast, proceed to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland and salt water lake in China. It is no
exaggeration to say that Qinghai Lake is a miracle that is endowed by a deity. Outside, he circles the lake with four
continuous mountains and extends broad grassland at the foot of them. Inside, like a master baker, he decorated the water
with many little islands. All these natural attractions come together perfectly to form a Xanadu on earth to win many tourists'
favour. Return to Xining to board your overnight Qingzang train to Lhasa. **HARD-BEDDED and 6 persons to one cabin**
4
Arriving Lhasa tonight
meals onboard at your own expenses
BLD
Full day onboard the train with all meals at your own expenses. This train travels via Delingha, Golmud, Amdo, Nagchu,
Damxung and then arrives Lhasa with total distance of 1972km. Qinghai-Tibet section of the railway is the world's highest
and longest railway. Enjoy the beautiful and stunning scenery of the Tibet plateau on your way. On your arrival at Lhasa
Railway station, you will be greet and met by the local guide by ‘hada’ scarf and then transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
You will acclimatize during your sleep tonight.
5
Lhasa
6
Lhasa
BLD
The most imposing attraction of Lhasa is the Potala Palace, one of the center of the Tibetan government and the
winter residence of the Dalai Lama. One of the architectural wonders of the world, this immense construction has
thousands of rooms, shrines and statues.
The next visit is Chakpori Hill (Yao Wang Shan) located on the right side of
Potala Palace with an altitude of more than 3,725 meters (about 2.3 miles). On the steep middle part of Chakpori Hill
is a small stone temple in the shape of a hole. A little strange! Although this stone temple or rather rock cave has
witnessed thousands of years of swift changes in both prosperity and decline, it continues to stand quietly and proudly
in Lhasa, a wonderfully mysterious place. After lunch, visit the golden-roofed Jokhang is 1300 years old and one of
Tibet’s holiest shrines. It was built to commemorate the marriage of the Tang princess, Wen Cheng to King Songtsen
Gampo, and houses a pure gold statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by the princess. The Barkhor
Street(Octagonal Street) is essentially a pilgrim circuit, which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang.
All round the circuit are shops, stalls, teahouses and hawkers.
BLD
After breakfast, visit the Drepung Monastery situated at the foot of Mount Gyanpo, Wuzeri, 5 km northwest of Lhasa,
built in 1419, one of the six large monasteries of the Buddhist Gelukpa in Tibet. The major components are the Great
Sutra Chanting Hall and four institutes. The monastery houses a rich collection of historical relics, Buddhist classics and
works of fine art. Next, visit Sera Monastery located at the foot of a mountain in the northern outskirts of Lhasa. It was
founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect, covering
an area of 114,964 square metres. The structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It
is a typical Tibetan architecture. Sera Monastery, together with Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa,
is reputed as the Three Great Monasteries of Tibet. After lunch, visit Norbulingka. Located in the west of Lhasa, it has
been used as a summer palace since the time of the 8th Dalai Lama. More of a park, architecturally less imposing
than the monasteries and the Potala, the palaces domestic atmosphere allows an insight into the more homey
aspects of the theocratic rule. Norbulingka is another important venue for the Choton Festival Celebration.
Ik Chin Travel Service (S) Pte Ltd
.101 Upper Cross Street #06-08 / #03-11
People’s Park Centre Singapore 058357
#06-08 T (65) 6221 3727 / #03-11 T (65) 6535 4334
W www.ikchin.com.sg
E [email protected]
11D TIBET FOOTSTEPS of JETSONGKHAPA
(CCTBW-2013)
7
Lhasa  Gyantse  Shigatse
BLD
After breakfast, we will depart for Shigatse in the morning. Shigatse is the second largest urban central in Tibet. On
the way, pass by Lake Yamdrok-tso, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Do enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the
way. Gyantse is one of southern Tibet's chief centers, although it's more like a small village, which retains some Tibetan
charm. A nice scroll by the lakeside can be a great joy. Continue your journey to Shigatse, on your way you’ll cross
the 5045m Karola, with its awesome roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier. Visit the Palcho Monastery built
in 1418. It is a complex composed of sixteen monasteries of three different sects - Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Bhoton.
8
Shigatse  Lhasa
BLD
This morning, we will proceed to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is counted among the six largest Gelukpa
monasteries in Tibet. This tall building built in 1447 houses the world’s biggest gold gilded copper statue of Amitabha
the Maitreya, 26m in height. The body of the statue is encrusted with ornaments and precious stones, and its
overwhelming visage exudes an aura of calm benevolence. The surrounding murals of the chapel depict 1000
Maitreyas, drawn in gold line on a red background. The monastery is also famed for its Grand Hall with its opulent
tomb of the fourth Panchen Lama. After tour, we will travel back to Lhasa.
9
Lhasa  Namtso Lhasa
BLD
After breakfast, travel northward to visit Namtso Lake. Namtso Lake's touching beauty should not be missed by any
traveler who visits Tibet. Its purity and solemn are symbols of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The water here is a storybook
crystal-clear blue. Clear skies join the surface of the lake in the distance, creating an integrated, scenic vista. Soul of
every visitor who has ever been here seems to be cleansed by the pure lake water. In Tibetan, Namtso means
'Heavenly Lake'. Namtso is famous for its high altitude and beautiful scenery. Being the second largest saltwater lake
in China only after Qinghai Lake, Namtso Lake is the biggest lake throughout Tibet, also one of the three sacred lakes
in Tibet. With 15,475 feet (4718 meters) above sea level and covering 735 square miles (1900 square kilometers), the
lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Travel the same way back to Lhasa.
10
Lhasa
BLD
Gandan Monastery is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelugpa
Sect. Gandan means happiness and contentedness in Tibetan. The Gandan Monastery was built in early 15th century
under the supervision of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. After the visit of Gandan Monastery, we shall
proceed to visit Zigong Monastery, located on the northeast of Mozhugongka County. It was one of the biggest
million household in Yuan Dynasty in 1179, Ren Qinbei established the Zigonggeju Buddha Faction and constructed
Zigong Monastery. There is one famous Celestial Burial Platform on the mountain behind the temple named ‘Zigong
Altar City’. It was said there were only two famous Celestial Burial Platforms in the world.
11
Lhasa  Chengdu  Singapore
CA4406 1300/1455 //
CA403
2000/0040
B/--
Morning free & easy. Gather at the lobby of hotel at the designated time for transfer to the airport for your domestic
flight from Lhasa to Chengdu to connect your international flight return to Singapore.
☆ The order and content of itinerary is subject to change or rearrange in accordance to the local situation. ☆
11APR13/jt-IKCHIN