Shoton is a Tibetan word which means the Yogurt festival, it is also called the summer opera festival in Lhasa. This is because the monks were fed up with much yogurt like a yogurt festival during the summer retreat. During fifth Dalai Lama, Kinds of Tibetan traditional dances like Tashi Sholpa, Tropa and Lhamo opera were held in Norbulingka in Lhasa.
Shoton Festival Tour 2023 Itinerary
(Sho Dun) Shoton Festival Date: Starting from August 16, 2023 (7 Days event)
Day 1: Arrival at Lhasa & Acclimatization
Upon arrival you will transfer to hotel in enter of Lhasa city. The rest of the day at own leisure to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude at 3650m. A welcome dinner at 6:30pm from a local Tibetan restaurant. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 2: Visit Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
Meet your guide at 09:00 am in your hotel and go to visit the grand Potala Place, Which is built in the 7th century by 33rd King Songtsan Gampo, which served as the former administrative office of the Tibetan Kingdom until last Langthar Ma. Next to visit is the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. The Jokhang Temple was founded in the 7th century during the King Sogtsan Gampo’s reign. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 3: Visit Ramoche Temple and Sera Monastery
Meet your guide at 09:00 am in your hotel and walk towards Ramoche Temple (less than 1km) which was first built by Han Chinese princess Wencheng in the 7th century. In the afternoon, we will calling a taxi (3km) and visit Sera Monastery see the interesting part of monks Debating at the courtyard. Call a taxi from Sera Monastery for way back to hotel. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 4: Day Trip to Namtso Lake
Our Tour guide and driver will meet you in the hotel at 08:00 am and set out for holy Lake Namtso. It is one of the four sacred lakes in Tibet and is highly respected by Tibetans. It covers an area of more than 1900 square kilometers. It is the second largest salt water body in China and the highest salt water lake above the sea level in the world. Then we will drive back to Lhasa early evening and visit Yangpachen Hot-spring on the way back. At arrival, you will be dropped at your hotel at arrival. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 5: Thangka Exhibition in Drepung Monastery and Tibetan Opera in Norbulingka
Meet your guide at 08:00 am in your hotel and drive to Drepung Monastery. On this first day of Shotn festival tour, it is about unveiling Thangka in Drepung Monastery. Very early in the morning, monks at Drepung Monastery spread out the giant “Thangka” of Buddha and pray. If you attain the chance to see the Buddha Thangka in a year, it is said that you could accumulate merits from spreading spirit of Buddhism. After exploring Thangka unveiling we will have a lunch from a local restaurant near Drepung, and then drive to Norbulingka. Professional and amateur Tibetan opera troupes annually gather in Norbulingka and perform various Tibetan operas. Along with the Tibetan operas and other religious activities. You can also watch yak races, horse races and dancing. (Note: We will get information about one of the horse and yak race from a nearby village to enjoy diversity during the festival. This will only know before few days to the festival.) Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 6: Explore Shoton Festival in Lhasa
Full day experiencing Shoton festival in Norbulingka. Watch Tashi Sholpa, Tropa and Lhamo Operas. The local people are enjoying with families and friends in the Norbulingka yard while sitting in on grassland. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 7: A Free Day Own your Own Your During Shoton Festival Tour
Today, you can take a tour on your own: like shopping or wandering streets in Lhasa. Overnight: Shambala Palace
Day 8: Depart from Lhasa
Meet your Tibetan tour guide at 09:00 am in your hotel and go to Norbulingka or nearby place to enjoy Tibetan operas. Before 2hours of your departure, the guide and driver will transfer you to Gonggar Airport or train station to connect your next destination. Hope you will enjoy Yoghurt festival / Shoton Festival Tour 2023. We would much appreciate to involve in forum to discuss and share your recent Tibet experience.
What’s included in this tour
- Accommodations as listed in the itinerary
- Breakfast is included in the hotel
- English-speaking local guide
- Ground transportation
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
- Tibet travel permit
- Oxygen cylinder
Not Included in this tour
- International & Domestic flights and trains
- Travel Insurance
- Additional services and personal expenses
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Internal useful links: Festival Calendar | Saga Dawa Festival Tour | Explore Tibetan Areas in Qinghai | Tsechu Festival Tour | Lhasa Spiritual Tour | Shaman’s Festival Tour | Namtso Biking Tour
Specification: Shoton Festival Tour 2023
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Photos: Shoton Festival Tour 2023
1 review for Shoton Festival Tour 2023
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Mathew –
Spiritually great tour.