Lhasa First Visit Classics
Day one to acclimatise to the altitude, then two days to cover the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Drepung and Sera Monasteries.
Following the standard tour-agency schedule, you arrive and spend the first day slowly strolling Barkhor Street to acclimatise to the altitude. Day 2 covers the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Day 3 visits Drepung Monastery in the morning and watches the monastic debates at Sera Monastery in the afternoon. The trip ends on Day 4. The pace is relaxed, suited to those with short holidays on their first trip to Tibet. Yamdrok Lake and other sights outside the city are not included.
The Potala Palace requires a real-name ticket booked in advance through official channels, and slots are limited in peak season.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive & acclimatise in the old town
Take an airport bus or chartered car into the city, about 1 hour. Stroll around Barkhor Street in the evening, and leave Jokhang Temple for the next day.
Take it easy on the first day, avoid bathing, and watch for symptoms of altitude sickness.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 2 · Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
Lhasa（Potala Palace、Potala Palace Square、Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street）
Take a taxi about 10 minutes to the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, take a taxi or walk about 20 minutes back to Jokhang Temple.
The Potala Palace admits visitors by booked time slots, so bring your ID.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 3 · Drepung & Sera Monastery debates
Lhasa（Drepung Monastery、Sera Monastery）
Take a taxi about 30 minutes to Drepung Monastery in the morning. In the afternoon, go to Sera Monastery in the north of the city, about 30 minutes away.
Debates at Sera usually take place in the afternoon and are generally not held on Sundays.
Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple
Day 4 · Sweet tea house breakfast, then departure
Lhasa（Guangming Sweet Tea House）
In the morning, have Tibetan sweet tea in the old town, then take a car about 1 hour to the airport.
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