2019 Shoton Festival, Shoton Festival date, Shoton Festival program

5 days

Duration

3/10

Physicality

US$ 226.00

Single Supplement

2019 Shoton Festival

Drepung and Sera monasteries will be the two major locations that to held the main ceremony of Thangkar unfolding during 2019 Shoton Festival. “Shoton” is translated as ‘Yogurt Festival’ in Tibetan. Traditionally, monks are required to remain sequestered in their monasteries for the ascetic practice of Bbuddhism. People from their families prepared sour milk for them to drink with dancing following their period of confinement. In the early 17^th century, the Shoton festival became a joint performance with Tibetan operas. Tibetan artists from all over Tibet came together in Norbu Lingka to have a performance competition lasting several days. During this period, the Drepung Monastery held a large portrait of Buddha displaying ceremony, Thangkar Unfolding.

Departure Date: one Departure on 2019 August 27^th

A 30 days prior to the festival is needed for applying Tibet Travel Permits

Festival date:

2019 August 29^th to 31^st

Arrive

Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

Departure

Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

Group Size

Minimum 8 people, Maximum 16 people

INCLUDED

Licensed English-speaking guide

Tibet Travel Permits

Accommodation based on double occupancy

Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary

Arrival and departure airport transfers

Transportation

Walking and driving tour per itinerary

Breakfast

NOT INCLUDED

Medical costs	China visa fees
Personal expenses	Lunch and Dinner
Single supplement

Arrive in Lhasa

Aug 27^th ; Fly to Lhasa where your guide will meet you at the airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city during one hour drive (65 kilometers). En route, we will visit Nie Tang Buddha, a Buddha image engraved in the face of the mountain. In the afternoon you’ll take a walk to Norbulingkar, the summer palace of Dalai Lama.

Overnight: Dekang Hotel | Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner

Aug 28 - Lhasa

Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor Street
Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which dominates the skyline of Lhasa on top of the crest of Marpo Ri hill. The seventh-century Potala is considered Lhasa’s holiest destination for a pilgrimage. Going up the hill, a stone path leads to the 14-story, 1,000-room. Each day, thousands of pilgrims give the prayer wheels lining the path a clockwise spin as they make their way to the entrance.
The Jokhang Temple is home of the statues of the revered Buddha, Shakyamuni. While all Buddhist statutes are magnificently adorned with colorful brocade pearls, turquoise, coral, and silver, solid gold bowls of holy water rest before Shakyamuni as well as offerings of Yuan (money) and khatas (scarves) left by pilgrims.

Then after we will stroll around in the Barkhor street

Overnight: Dekang Hotel | Breakfast | Lunch and Dinner

Aug 29 - Lhasa, Shoton festival - the Thangkar unfolding

Today should be the day that the huge Thangkar being showed in front of Drepung monastery. In the afternoon, we will drive southwest to Yamdrok lake, which is one of the 4 holiest lake in Tibet

Overnight: Dekang Hotel | Breakfast | Lunch and Dinner

Aug 30 - Lhasa

Visit Sera, Chaqi, and Nechung monasteries.
Sera Monastery is one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa. It is located at the foot of Hill Tatipu. It is as prestigious as Drepung and Ganden, which had a long history. Sera in Tibetan means “Wild Rose Garden” since opulent wild rose woods once grew around it.
Chaqi monastery, which is supposed to help make people wealthy, and Nechung Monastery the seat of Nechung, Tibet’s State Oracle. Major decisions of the state are made in consultation with the Nechung Oracle.

Overnight: Dekang Hotel | Breakfast | Lunch and Dinner