Overview
Journeys to Lhasa by the world’s highest railway stopover Beijing, Xi’an & Xining Beijing
Xi’an - Xining – Tibet Train – Lhasa – Shigatse – Shegar – Everest Base Camp – Tingri - Zhangmu
This is what a dream of traverse tracking the highest railway in the world onto the Tibet Plateau. As the China’s first railroad connects to Tibet TAR, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, stretches totally 1,956 meters between Xining and Lhasa with almost half of the segment at the altitude over 4,000 meters, thus it becomes the world’s longest and highest railway since it opened in July 2006. Atop the 5,072m Tanggu-la Pass, the line sets many other top records includes the world’s highest Tanggula railway station at 5,068m and the world’s highest Fenghuoshan rail tunnel at 4,905m. The official starting point of the Tibetan Railway is the city of Xining, from here, the journey traces the dramatic landscapes and a wide range of geography ascending all the way to Lhasa. This is an unparalleled experience that the zigzags line crosses the most awe-some snow mountain vistas and sprawling grasslands, across the raging rivers and saline lakes, through the bleak expanse with sand-dunes and occasionally small tree-line oases, which are truly overwhelming and impressive sights could be seen from the train, also including Tibetan antelope and other wildlife native to the Tibetan Plateau. In order to cope with the connects, the trip covered rest two sections of railways via Beijing and Xi’an as pre-trip before entering the Tibet Plateau.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Day 04 Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Day 05 Xian Sightseeing & Train to Xining (B)
Day 06 Arrive in Xining & Train to Lhasa
Day 07 Arrive in Lhasa (D)
Day 08 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 09 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 10 Shigaste via Gyantse & Yamdrok Tso (B)
Day 11 Shegar via Sakya Monastery (B)
Day 12 Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Base Camp (B)
Day 13 Everest Sunrise & Drive to Zhangmu (B)
Day 14 Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
Get Inspired
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish, dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around Houhai Lake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight sleeper train to Xi’an.
Day 04: Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Morning arrive in Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China, was the capital for 11 dynasties and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Today visit Ancient City Walls, built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km. Walk or bicycle ride on the wall. Later visit Wide Goose Pagoda, one of China’s best remains Tang-style architecture, housing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. Then visit Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China, blending of Chinese and Islamic features; wander in Muslim Quarter for night market and local snacks, where is home to the city’s Hui community for centuries since Tang dynasty.
Day 05: Xian Sightseeing & Train to Xining (B)
Today visit the highlight of any trip to Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. In this world’s archeological wonder, thousands of life-sized armies and horses silently stood guard the tomb of the China’s first unifier of Qin Emperor for over two millennia. Following visit Forest of Steles, witness more than 1000 stone tablets including collections of ancient calligraphy, maps, portraits and sculpture stelae. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight train to Xining.
Day 06: Arrive in Xining & Train to Lhasa
The train arrives at Xining in the morning. Later visit Qinghai’s symbolic site of Kumbum Monastery. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect, and is also famous for the artworks of Yak Butter sculptures, frescoes and embossed embroidery made by lhama artists. Take the overnight sleeper train to Lhasa by the Qinghai-Tibet railway.
Day 07: Arrive in Lhasa (D)
The train arrives in Lhasa today. Upon arrived at Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 08: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 09: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 10: Shigaste via Gyantse & Yamdrok Tso (B)
Drive out of Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Gyantse. At 4,990m Gangpa La Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will come into the eyesight, the Karola Glaciers (5,030m) takes on later. At Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa. With extra 1.5 hours driving, we arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet, explore the town and the interesting local market.
Day 11: Shegar via Sakya Monastery (B)
Morning visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lhama. It has an impressive scale and retains the highest gilded bronze statue of Champa Buddha in the world. Then, leave drive westward to Shegar via Lhatze. On the route, On the route, make short detour to the southeast to visit Sakya Monastery. This grand Sakyapa sect. monastery boasts for its countless scriptures and precious mural paintings, mostly of the thirteenth century. Visit the monastery of the southern part, and hike around the northern ruins. Later at Gyatso La Pass and Pang-La Pass, if the weather permits, you can overlook the Himalayan mountain ranges stretching endlessly.
Day 12: Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Base Camp (B)
Roads to Everest Base Camp become zigzags after Shegar, while is full of challenging and fun. Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery. Gains the favorable distance to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk is the best and closest view for the Everest and becomes the base camp for the mountaineers who will climb the Qomolangma Peak at its north face. You can get a view for the records of those past mountaineers at Rongbuk; trek (about 2 hours) or take the cable car (about 15 minutes) to E.B.C, where you would possible view the sunset that the peak looks like a white pyramid miraculously shined by the sunglows; have a look for shapes of Rongbuk glaciers, the ones as bridges or pagoda. Overnight at Rongbuk simple guest house (dorm bed).
Day 13: Everest Sunrise & Drive to Zhangmu (B)
Wake up early morning, enjoy the spectacular sunrise of Mt. Everest and possibly the wonder of “Banner Clouds”, the thick clouds and fog, waving like the flags. After visiting, we drive back to the border town Zhangmu. The trail is set amidst at the cliff of the mountain and is very twisting and twining through the valleys, whilst the scenery in this portion is stunning and incredible greens that reveal the sense all quite different with the rock mountainous areas in Tibet you have past. Arrives this trip’s last stretch Zhangmu, explore this bustling border town.
Day 14: Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
Morning the guide will help you for the customs clearance and cross the Friendship Bridge to Nepal side. End the wonderful journey.
Experiences & Activities
- Experience the world’s longest and highest highway on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
- Visit Great Wall, Forbidden City, Hutong alleyways and other Beijing’s main highlights
- Explore Xi’an with Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Walls, Muslim Quarter and other historical sites
- Visit the symbolic Kumbum Monastery, Potala Palace, Tashilumpo Monastery, Pelkhor Chode, Sakya Monastery in Tibetan world
- Spectacular route to Everest Base Camp and get close-up of Mt. Qomolangma
- Experience the breathtaking views of Himalayas & Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
- Gain the insight into the Hutong Family in Beijing, Muslim in Xi’an and Tibetans in Tibet
