1 Day Lhasa Highlights Norbulingka and Sera Monastery Tour
Norbulingka and Sera Monastery Lhasa Highlights Day Tour is a great way to spend one meaningful day in Lhasa and explore its wonderful cultural heritage. We begin our day by visiting Norbulingka in the morning, where we will visit the beautiful garden as well as palaces inside. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery where we will observe the famous monk debate session. In a word, Norbulingka and Sera Monastery Lhasa Highlights Day Tour gives you a wonderful opportunity to learn about Tibetan history and witness the splendid religious life of Tibetan people.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, and one of the must-see attractions in sacred city Lhasa. It is the largest artificial garden in Tibet. It is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as part of Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace.
The construction of Norbulingka began in 1755 by the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso. The three lake palaces located in the southwest area are the most popular point of interest in the park. In addition, Norbulingka hosts celebrations of a number of Tibetan festivals. Local people especially like to gather in Norbulingka and express their happiness through singing, dancing and performing Tibetan opera.
Sera Monastery
Founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, Sera Monastery sits at the foot of Tatipu Hill in the northern suburb of Lhasa. The monastery consists of the Great Assembly Hall, dwellings, and three monastic colleges. It is especially famous for the unique Buddhist activity “Monk Debate” that takes place in the afternoon. Between 3pm and 5pm from Monday to Saturday, the monks gather together and challenge each other on matters of philosophy. It is one of the most extraordinary sights you can expect among all your Tibetan monastery visits.
You will especially enjoy the company of our local Tibetan English guide on this tour. Book now and receive more great services that we offer.
What you can expect
Our English speaking local Tibetan tour guide will meet you at House of Shambhala hotel lobby or Lhasa Ganggyan Hotel lobby around 9:00 AM. If you have a special request for meetup location we can happily accommodate that as well.
Morning
We will arrive at Norbulingka Palace, and begin your tour. Norbulingka showcases the finest of Tibetan architecture. The three palaces in Norbulingka, Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang and Takten Migyur Potrang, are all exemplary of this glamorous architectural tradition. You will find many precious Tibetan historical relics and artworks inside each palace. There are also a great number of Thangkas, Buddha statues, murals, etc. Our knowledgeable guide will tell you about the stories of Dalai Lama and the royal family as well as answer your questions about Tibetan history.
Afternoon
After lunch we will go to visit Sera Monastery. The highlights of our visit include touring the main architectural structures of the monastery and watching a monk debate session in the main courtyard. Inside the halls, you can find delicate religious objects and decorations such as scriptures in gold powder, colorful statues, and narrative murals. Our guide will tell you about the history of the monastery and everything you want to learn about Tibetan Buddhism. During the debate session, you will see hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups striking different poses as a way to engage in religious topics. It is a spectacle you can't observe anywhere else.
After a full day of sightseeing, we will return to downtown Lhasa. We wish you the best on your further journey. If you had a great time with us, we welcome you to check out more Tibetan culture tours that we offer.
