Tibet Highlights with Tibet Train from Chengdu to Lhasa

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

Home town of panda. Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

Arrive in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, the home town of Panda. Pick up and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi) that are the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, teahouses, restaurants and guesthouses concentrate here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People’s Park in the city center to have a seat in an old tea house and enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table. The tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel

Kuanzhai Xiangzi

DAY
2

Train Chengdu – Lhasa

Giant Panda Base, Sanxingdui Museum

In the morning visit Chengdu Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research. Founded in 1985, today there are over 50 giant pandas living here. Afterwards drive to Guanghan to visit Sanxingdui Museum. This site is recognized as one of the most important ancient remains in the world for its vast size, lengthy period and enriched cultural contents. The unique Sanxingdui Museum is a good place to explore the mysterious ancient Shu culture and history. In the late afternoon drive back to Chengdu. In the evening transfer to railway station, and train to Lhasa (Z322 2137/0955+2soft sleeper, 4-Bed compartment).

Overnight on the train

Breakfast

Sanxingdui Museum

DAY
3

Train ride to Lhasa

Train ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and through the human-less areas

In 36-hours the train will travel via Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Nagqu to Lhasa. The special feature is the 1,956 km long railway line from Xining to Lhasa, which is considered the highest railway in the world. You can enjoy a grand, seemingly endless landscape gallery with snow-capped mountains, countless rivers and gorges, high mountain lakes and endless steppes along the way. Over and over, you will see flocks of yaks, sheep, horses and wild animals as well as birds, and with some luck, you can watch the herds of Tibetan antelopes that live mainly in the steppes of the Qinghai-Tibet highlands at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 m.

Overnight on the train

Breakfast

View of Wild Lives through the Window of Tibet Train

DAY
4

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world, Visit nunnery Ani Sangkhung

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, and then transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit the nunnery Ani Sangkhung. "Ani" means nun, "Sangkhung" is a meditation cave. The nunnery Ani Sangkhung was founded in the 15th century by a disciple of Tsongkapa. It is located in the old city center near Jokhang. Today about 100 nuns live here. The monastery set up prayer hall, dorm, kitchen, etc. The nuns grow many plants, so the monastery looks like a garden.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Nunnery Ani Sangkhung

DAY
5

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala that was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang Monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palace

DAY
6

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

DAY
7

Lhasa – Drak Yerpa - Gandan – Lhasa

Gandan Monastery, Drak Yerpa Monastery

Visit Gandan Monastery. It was built in 1409 by Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelugpa. Gandan, Drepung and Sera are the three largest monasteries inLhasa. Tsongkapa died in Gandan Monastery. Therefore, It has the highest reputation in all the temples of the Gelugpa. On the way detour to the Drak Yerpa monastery. Drak Yerpa is a rock monastery dating back to the 7th century. The caves of the monastery are located near the village of Yerpa at the foot of the Yerpa Mountains. It is considered one of the holiest caves in the region. Many famous people have stayed here - including Songtsen Gampo of the Yarlung dynasty and Padmasambhava – which has contributed to the holiness of the place.

133 km
3 hours 8 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Gandan Monastery

DAY
8

Lhasa – Tsetang

Samye Monastery and Palace Yongbulakang in Tsetang, the cradle of the Tibetan culture

Drive to Tsetang, the cradle of Tibetan culture. Firstly, you will visit Samye Monastery, the 8th-century Tibet's oldest monastery. The monastery is surrounded by sand dunes and lies on the northern side of Yarlung-Tsangpo, about 40 km from Tsetang. The monastery Samye is considered as "image of the universe" in the Buddhist sense. The famous building contains Tibetan, Chinese and Indian architectural styles. In the afternoon visit the oldest palace of Tibet from the Turpo kingdom - Yongbulakang. The climb to Yongbulakang Castle rewards you with a fantastic view of the fertile Yarlung Valley.

153 km
2 hours 40 minutes
Overnight at 4*Tsetang Hotel

Breakfast

Yongbulakang

DAY
9

Tsetang – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse

Karo La pass and glacier, sacred lake Yamdrok, monastery Samding, Palkhor with pagoda Kumbum

Look forward to a breathtaking mountain world! Today you drive over several passes to Gyantse (260 km). At the highest point of the trip (Karo La Pass at 5,010 m) is the glacier of Noejin Kangsa (7,223 m) during the drive. On the way to the third largest holy lake of Tibet - Yamdrok, you can take some photos, and then detour to the idyllically situated monastery Samding (13th century), which lies high above the lake. It is the only male monastery in Tibet. According to legend, it is led by a woman reborn as the Tantric guard deity Dorje Phagmo (Sanskrit Vajravarahi). Upon arrival in Gyantse, you will visit the Palkhor Monastery and the impressive pagoda of Kumbum in Gyantse.

324 km
6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at 3*Jiangyuan Hotel

Breakfast

Palkhor Monastery

DAY
10

Gyantse – Shalu – Shigatse

Shalu Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse

After breakfast drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. On the way, take a detour to the Shalu Monastery. What characterizes the Shalu Monastery is its design. It is built in mixed Han and Tibetan style. In the afternoon visit Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse. Tashilunpo is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelukpa School. Shigatse was the seat of Pantschen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China.

101 km
1 hour 55 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Tashilunpo Monastery

DAY
11

Shigatse – Lhasa

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to Gongga airport, leave Tibet.

Breakfast

Way to Gongga Airport

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