Qinghai-Tibetan Railway is the world's highest railway. It is about 1,142 km long, 960 km of which runs on the highland of more than 4,000m and 550 km of the distance the train passes across the frozen earth all year round. Qinghai-Tibetan railway has 34 stations which are located at Nachitai, Tuotuo River, Mt. Tanggula pass, Amdo, Nagchu, Damsung, Yangparchen and Lhasa etc. 7 sightseeing platforms are specially built for the passenger's enjoyment where the trains stop for 10-30 minutes. The train can drive 160 km /hour with the most luxurious carriages equipped with the advanced facilities such as oxygen-supplying, pressure-balancing system etc. It takes about 50 hours getting to Lhasa from Chengdu, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery during the daytime driving hours.
In our tour packages you will see some central Tibet valleys and countryside sceneries. Along the way we visit monasteries, enjoy hot spring, the Holy Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse's famous Kumpum Stupa and the impressive seat of Panchen Lama's Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Upon arrival at the Lhasa train station, our guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa. Stay on your own rest of the day for acclimatization
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing
Full day city tour of The Potala Palace: a monumental building of Lhasa served as administrative center, seat of government, monastery, fortress and the home of all the Dalai Lamas from the Fifth to the Fourteenth in the past, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site of 1994. The Jokhang Temple: 1300 years old temple with a golden roof and one of Tibet's holiest shrines and Barkhor Street: an essential a pilgrim circuit, which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang. Shaped roughly like an octagon. This spot is also a hive of market activity.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing
Full day city tour of Sera Monastery: it was first built in 1419, and the debating site among monks is a very interesting scene of this monastery. Trupeng Monastery: first built in 1416, it was once the biggest monasteries in Tibet. Norbulingka: it used to be the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama and visit The Carpet Factory.
Day 04: Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse
Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (about 350km). On the way visit Yamdrok Lake: one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet, also a pilgrimage site for Tibetans and Palkhor Monastery: a unique monastery housing three schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Sakya, Gelugpa and Gedang. It also features a well-known "Kumbum Stupa", meaning a hundred thousand images. Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 05: Shigatse/Lhasa
Visit Tashilumpo Monastery: one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery. Drive along the Yaluzangbu River back to Lhasa.
Day 06: Lhasa
Transfer to Gonggar airport for final departure
Service Includes
Private transfers airport / hotel /airport / railway station
Private tours escorted by an English-speaking guide
Accommodations at 3 star hotels with daily breakfast
Monuments entrance fees
Service Excludes
International & Domestic flights or trains
Visa and permits
Excess luggage charge (the luggage allowance at economy class is 20 kg)
We meet in the evening at the North Train Station of Chengdu for the journey to Lhasa. Overnight on the train.
Day 02: On the Train
Enjoy the scenery of Tibet during the train journey
Day 03: Arriving in Lhasa
The train drives on Qinghai-Tibet plateau, you can see the rare species of plants and animals of Kekexili, if you are lucky enough Tibetan antelopes can be seen running along the railway. You will drive across the pass of Mt.Tanggula which is about 5,072m, the highest place of Qinghai-Tibet railway, after that you are going to drive on the highland grassland which is a large area of pasture. Tsona lake lies between Amdo and Nagchu is the next attraction with its crystal clear blue water. Arrive in Lhasa at the evening and transfer to hotel
Day 04: Lhasa Sightseeing
We visit Potala Palace Norbulingka - the Summer Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street Ramoche temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery are all located in Lhasa city. Overnight at hotel
Day 05: Lhasa - Yangpachen - Namtso Lake
In the morning, drive to Yangpachen - the hot spring, see the Northern Tibet Grassland, and the Yangpachen geothermal power plant, after lunch drive to Nyainqentanglha, take photos and back to Yangpachen, enjoy the hot spring then go to visit Namtso Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet back to Lhasa, and stroll around Barkhor Street for nightlife or taste the local food.
Day 06: Lhasa-Shigatse
Drive to Shigatse, en route visit Yamdrok Lake, Korala Glaciers, transfer to Shigatse hotel.
Day 07: Tashilhunpo Monastery
Full day guided tour to Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse fair. After lunch visit the Lhokar - the Tibetan granary and see the local life, back to Lhasa and transfer to hotel.
Day 08: Back to Chengdu
Depart from Lhasa to Chengdu by flight. The tour ends
Service Includes
TTB permit and the travel permits
Landcruiser with a driver
Local Chinese speaking tour guide
Accommodations with breakfast
Service Excludes
One-way train ticket Chengdu to Lhasa
One-way air ticket Lhasa to Chengdu, airport & fuel tax
Entrance tickets of Namtso Lake and Tashilhunpo Monastery
Entrance tickets of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
