Overview
Trip combines the overland tour of Xining-Golmud and train tour of Golmud-Lhasa
Xining – Qinghai Lake – Delingha – Golmud – Tibet Train – Lhasa
The epic journey with well-combined road and railway tracks crosses through Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from Xining to Lhasa via Golmud. Golmud, is the crucial post perfectly demarcates the two segments of trip, in that both Qinghai-Tibet railway and highway pass here and extend south to Tibet TAR. Start the journey by the scenic drive to Golmud along the Qinghai-Tibet highway, through Tsaidam desert basin, take in some of the enchanting vistas with many amazing salt lakes in various sizes, including china’s largest salty lake of Kokonor and the world’s second biggest inland saline lake of Charham. Lies between 2300m to 3300m above the sea level, the first portion of the trip gives you a paced acclimatizing of the altitude, before topping up the higher plateau onto Tibet. Train journey starts later from Golmud, the most impressive part of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, over 80% of the Golmud-Lhasa section is at an elevation of more than 4,000m across the highest pass of Tanggu-la at 5,027m and rolling grasslands, offering the spectacular landscapes views from the train and the great traverse through ‘roof of the world’! The early morning train schedule at Golmud also makes the tickets easier to arrange a seat instead of a sleeper berth.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive in Xining & City Sightseeing
Day 02 Xining – Kumbum – Qinghai Lake (D)
Day 03 Qinghai Lake - Delingha (B)
Day 04 Delingha - Golmud (B)
Day 05 Train to Lhasa (B)
Day 06 Lhasa Sightseeing (B / D)
Day 07 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 08 Lhasa Departure or Extension (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Xining & City Sightseeing
Upon arrival at Xining airport or train station, you will be met by our local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. In Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, visit the Grand Mosque, one of the four largest mosques in China, worshipped by local Muslim.
Day 02: Xining – Kumbum – Qinghai Lake (D)
Head out the road westward to Qinghai Lake (Kokonor Lake). En the route, stop to 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. Climbing over the Sun & Moon Mountain and get close to the Kokonor area, wonder around the Qinghai Lake, the China’s largest salty lake, enjoy amaze beauty of it. Many birds will stop here when they migrate across Asia. Spend a serene night at the lake side.
Day 03: Qinghai Lake - Delingha (B)
Wake up early morning to view the possibly sunrise over the Qinghai Lake. Then we take the scenic drive across the Tsaidam desert to Delingha. En-route, we make a stop by the Tsaka Salty Lake where is encased in salt. Mirages may be offered by chance. Spend a serene night at Delingha.
Day 04: Delingha - Golmud (B)
West 40km of Delingha, we visit two closer deep blue water lakes, the Qinghai-Tibet railway passes through them. Many birds could be seen here in the spring. Then the road follows the railway line through Tsaidam Basin and crosses a spectacularly long 32km bridge of salt. Visit nearby Charham salt lake, the world’s second largest saline lake. Overnight in Golmud, the biggest post before entering into Changtang Plateau.
Day 05: Train to Lhasa (B)
Wake up early morning and take the world’s highest and longest Qinghai-Tibet train onto Lhasa. It is 1,142m from Golmud to Lhasa with around 12 hours ride that leads to track into Changtang Plateau, across mighty Kunlun and Tanggu-la ranges, through the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve where is home to most of Tibet's remaining antelope, wild yaks and snow leopards. Grasslands are found all the way to Lhasa where nomads live in black yak wool tents and herds of yaks roam the area. Arrive in Lhasa in the evening and transfer to your hotel for accommodation.
Day 06: Lhasa Sightseeing (B / D)
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. Dinner will be served as the Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 07: 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 08: Lhasa Departure or Extension (B)
Extend the tour to other parts of Tibet or transfer to the airport/train station for other destinations.
Experiences & Activities
- Experience the world’s longest and highest highway on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
- Passes spectacular & highland landscapes of huge snow mountains, desert, alpine lakes, rock terrain, grand rivers and wild grasslands
- Excursion at many beautiful alpine lakes includes Kokonor, Charham and Namtso
- Visit the symbolic Kumbum Monastery, Potala Palace and other historical sites in Xining & Lhasa
- Get insight into unspoiled Tibetan nomads and some rare wild animals
