Lhasa. The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark – Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor – Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa. B

Lhasa. About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung, once world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day’s sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.

Drepung is one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa. B

Lhasa-Namco. Driving through the northern plateau of Changtang Plain is great joy. The grassland stretches boundlessly until the snow mountain Nyenchen Tanglha (7117m) standing at the end of your eye sight. You also have the opportunity to stop at the brown or black spider-like tents, and get a peek at the otherwise inaccessible nomadic life. The most exciting point on the road is to climb over the Largenla(5150m), the highest point of the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range. At Largenla, you can already have a distant view of the Namco. Leaving Largenla, after another 40 minutes’ driving, you’ll get to Tashi Dor island to the south-eastern corner of the Namco.

There’re some fine walks around Namco. The pilgrimage circuit round the lake takes less than an hour. Or hike up to the top of the hill around for good views. When night falls, the crystal-clear sky is sparkling with millions of stars, so close that you feel like the stars are just within a touch. Overnight in Tashi Dor guesthouse B

Namco-Lhasa. Namco is beautiful almost in every moment. While sun-rising is definitely one of the highlights. The moment when the sun rays lighten Namco is breath-taking. Namco is totally waken up after 8 o’clock, then you can either linger more time or go back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.