Lhasa Norbulinka and Sera Monastery Day Tour

Norbulingka which means ‘treasure garden’ in Tibetan language, is located in the west side of Lhasa, a short distance from the southwest of Potala Palace. It is marked as the world’s highest, largest and best-preserved ancient artificial historical and cultural garden. As part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace’, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Potala Palace is known as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, the Norbulingka Palace is known as the summer palace. Situated at an elevation of 3650 meters above sea level, Norbulingka palace holds 374 rooms. It contains a large collection of Italian chandeliers, Ajanta frescoes, Tibetan carpets, and many other artifacts. Besides, it is also a natural garden with kinds of flowers, trees, animals and even herbs and some rare plants.Join this daily group tour at 10 am. 

The magnificent Sera Monastery covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). There are three main buildings which are called Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). There are scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here every afternoon except for Sunday and this is distinctive from the other famous monasteries. In the history, it housed more than 6000 monks but since 2008, there are no more than 550 monks living here. And the time to enjoy the sightseeing to Buddhism activities of” Monks Debate” in Sera Monastery happens in afternoon 3 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.

Your Tibetan English speaking guide will meet travelers at House of Shambhala hotel lobby at around 8:30 am, Lhasa Ganggyan Hotel lobby at around 9:00 am and Lhasa Shangrila Hotel lobby at 9:30 am and transfer to visit Norbulinka. If there are only 3-4 travelers finally in a group, public transport of taxi or bus will be in use, while if there are 5 or more travelers per group, local supplier will arrange a suitable van or tour bus for the transfer. Please be on time for the tour activity. The exact meeting time will be reconfirmed at least 1 day in advance.