11 Days Xining and Tibet Train Tour from Shanghai

Day 1 Shanghai – Xining

Sightseeing and Activities: Arrive in Xining
Accommodation: Xining
Meals: None

Today take a flight from Shanghai to Xining. Upon your arrival, the tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2 Xining – Qinghai Lake – Xining

Sightseeing and Activities: Qinghai Lake, Erlang Jian Scenic Area
Accommodation: Xining
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, drive about 2.5 hours to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland and salt-water lake in China and is fed by 23 rivers. We will stop at the Erlang Jian Scenic Area to enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake.

After the tour, drive back to Xining.

Day 3 Xining – Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Taer Monastery
Accommodation: overnight train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, head to visit the famous Taer Monastery, the birthplace of the Tibetan Buddhism master – Tsongkhapa. Appreciate the famous “three bests” – butter sculptures, the barbolas, and the murals.

In the afternoon, be transferred to railway station and take the overnight train to Lhasa.

Day 4 Lhasa Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Lhasa Arrival
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

View the spectacular sceneries along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. And welcome to the roof of the world – Lhasa! Upon arrival, met by tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Have a good rest and get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet.

Day 5 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, the Lhasa tour begins with the must-see attraction – Potala Palace, the largest monastery of its type in the world and official home to Dalai Lama.

In the afternoon, move on to Jokhang Monastery and walk along the Barkhor Street nearby. Enjoy the local Tibetan culture here.

Day 6 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Drepung monastery, Sera Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Drepung Monastery – one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. Visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the afternoon, move on to another one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet – Sera Monastery. Visit Monks debate, Tibetan religious scripture printing house, three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Day 7 Lhasa – Shigatse

Sightseeing and Activities: Yamdrok-tso, Pelkor Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum
Accommodation: Shigatse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we will drive over the Gampala pass to Shigatse. On the way, have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso – one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, which is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. Continue the drive to Gyantse. After Gyantse arrival – Tibet’s third largest city and visit the Pelkor Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum.

Finally arrive at Shigatse – the second largest city in Tibet.

Day 8 Shigatse – Everest Base Camp

Sightseeing and Activities: Mt. Everest
Accommodation: tent or guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will continue the drive to Lhatse and have lunch here. Then move on to Shegar and on the way we can view the Mt. Everest in the distance in a clear day.

At last arrive at Rongbuk Monastery – the highest monastery in the world. On the way, view the whole five highest peaks in the world on Pang La Pass – one of the highest passes in Tibet.

Day 9 Everest Base Camp – Shigatse

Sightseeing and Activities: sunrise, Rongbuk Monastery
Accommodation: Shigatse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Get up early to enjoy the stunning sunrise of the peak. Then visit Rongbuk Monastery.

After the visit, drive back to Shigatse.

Day 10 Shigatse – Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery and see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. Founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, it is a historic and culturally important monastery. Then drive to Lhatse and have lunch here.

After the visit, drive about 4 hours along the Friend-ship Highway back to Lhasa.

Day 11 Lhasa Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Today your wonderful tour will complete. Be escorted to the airport for your flight and service ends.