The Potala Palace is the central attraction in Lhasa. Its massive white and red walls tower over the city against a mountainous backdrop and crystal blue skies. The palace was built in 637 AD by the Tibetan emperor to greet his new bride.

Today it is the religious center of Tibetan Buddhism and the former residence of the Dalai Lama.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to your next stop.

Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street

Jokhang Temple is the considered the holiest
temple in Tibetan Buddhism, and was built
around 640 AD by the same emperor
responsible for the Potala Palace.

Visit all four 
stories of this impressive building, and then head
 outside to Lhasa’s famous Barkhor Street which 
circles Jokhang Temple and forms a circuit for
 Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims to perform their
 devotional rituals.

From dawn to dusk, you will
 see pilgrims walking or prostrating themselves
 clockwise all around the Barkhor, all the while 
spinning their prayer wheels and chanting sutras.

The area is bursting with shops and stalls filled with all manner of Tibetan goods, and it is well worth exploring this magical place.

Help Blind School

According to official statistics, 30,000 of the 2.5 million inhabitants of Tibet are blind or highly visually impaired, which is well above the rest of the world’s average ratio. Causes of blindness in Tibet are both climatic and hygienic; dust, wind, high ultra-violet radiation exposure, soot in homes caused by coal and yak dung, and a lack of vitamin A all contribute to this epidemic.

Prior to the opening of this school, blind children in the Tibetan Autonomous Region did not have access to education. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit this centre for rehabilitation and training of the blind population in Tibet.

Afterwards transfer back to your hotel.

Norbulingka, which means 'Treasure Park' in Tibetan, was the traditional summer residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 1780's until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. Today it is a public park and venue for several Tibetan festivals.

The most famous festival is Sho Dun, the annual yoghurt festival, held every July or August. Wandering through this tranquil park is a spiritual experience for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Drepung Monastery

Drepung is the largest monastery in Tibet, and once housed up to 10,000 monks as well as the Dalai Lama (before the restoration of the Potala Palace).

It was founded in 1416, and the name literally translates as 'Rice Heap'. Today, only about 300 monks still permanently reside at Drepung, but it maintains its place as one of the most important centres of religious study and training.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to your next stop.

Monk Debates at Sera Monastery

This monastery is named after the wild roses that
 were in bloom when it was built in 1419 to serve 
as a training college for monks.

It continues to do
so to this day, and currently houses around 500
 monks in residence. The monastery is one of the
 best places in Tibet to witness the 'Monk
Debates', a lively affair in which monks gather to
 discuss the teachings of the Buddha and debate
 Buddhist doctrines.

They are quite animated
 during these debates, using expressive hand
 gestures and body language to get their points 
across. Note: The Monk Debates begin at 3 pm sharp, Mondays through Fridays.

Afterwards transfer back to your hotel.