TIBET QINGZANG RAILWAY, 15-Day GOLDEN ROUTE, MOUNT EVEREST, RAIL TOUR with XIAN STOPOVER
ITINERARY
Day 01: LONDON – XIAN
Check-in at Heathrow Airport for overnight flight to Xian via Beijing.
Day 02: ARRIVE XIAN
Arrive at Xian International Airport, on clearing immigration a Meet & Greet service awaits with English speaking tour guide before the transfer to the selected Xian hotel. Check-in for a 3-Night stay on B/B basis. Evening at leisure – overnight stay at Xian hotel.
Day 03: XIAN
After Breakfast, hotel pick up for Day Tour. Evening own arrangements – overnight stay at Xian hotel. (BL)
The Day Tour starts at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, one of the four largest museums in China, the other three being the Forbidden City Museum, Shanghai Museum and Henan Provincial Museum. The museum visit is followed by a visit to the Big Goose Pagoda, a distinctive landmark and one of the oldest buildings in China. Originally, the Big Goose Pagoda was a five storey brick structure about 60 meters high. First built in 589A.D during the Sui Dynasty, five more storeys were added to the pagoda in the reign of Empress Wu Zetian between AD 701 and AD 704, making it ten in all, but during World War II, it was extensively damaged and reduced to seven storeys we see today.
Then it’s Lunch at a traditional Chinese restaurant, followed by a visit and ascent of the Xian Bell Tower dating from the Ming Dynasty. In historic times, each city had a bell tower and a drum tower, the bell being rung at dawn and the drum at dusk every day as a means of telling time. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xian date back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and are located in the centre of the Xian city connecting the four roads from east, south, west and north within the city wall. Atop the Bell Tower, you have a panoramic view of the Xian City.
The final stop of the day is a visit to the Muslim Quarter (excluding the Great Mosque), the Xian Muslim Quarter is a delightful place; the Bazaar with a wide area of stalls selling everything is most attractive. The streets and walkways are full of life and the shopping is great, very cheap, with some unusual items seldom seen anywhere else in China. Return hotel transfer.
Day 04: XIAN
After Breakfast, hotel pick up for Day Tour. Evening Chinese, Dinner – overnight stay at Xian hotel. (BLD)
This Day Tour starts at the Terra-Cotta Warriors site. The Xian – Terracotta Warriors and Horse Museum are both UNESCO listed, and the most important attraction in Xian, were discovered by a local farmer drilling a well in 1974.The museum includes Pit 1, the largest of three, Pit 2, Pit 3 and the exhibition hall with the chariots and horses.
Transfer back to Xian city centre for lunch at renowned local restaurant with an a-la-carte menu serving authentic Chinese food. After Lunch, the tour continues to the City Wall at a point that remains as the most complete section of the original China Wall. Built in Tang Dynasty(618 -907) and enlarged in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) it was one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Surrounded by a deep moat 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide and 14 kilometres long, the south gate with its suspension bridge is the largest gate and most used for sightseeing.
Return to Hotel and prepare for evening event with dinner. Pickup around 6:00pm and transfer to the Shaanxi Grand Opera House fora Dumpling or Jiaozi in Chinese, Dinner, this Chinese cuisine is the most representative of Chinese food and dates back around two thousand years. Dinner is enjoyed during the Tang Dynasty Show that showcases the costumes, music, and dancing of China’s golden age: the Tang dynasty (618 – 907). Return hotel transfer.
Day 05: XIAN – XINING
After Breakfast, check out of hotel for transfer to Xian Railway Station – join morning Express Train for 4+ Hr. journey to Xining. Upon arrival in Xining -join the Qinghai-Tibet or Qingzang Railway train for the 21 Hr. journey to Lhasa, part of which is overnight in reserved Soft-Sleeper berths, the highest category available on this train.
The Qinghai-Tibet railway is a route between Xining and Lhasa through some of the most spectacular scenery on the Roof of the World, on a rail track considered a man-made wonder. After leaving Xining, the train passes Golmud, the rising city of the Gobi desert, and the Qarhan Salt Lake, the largest salt lake in China with its grotesquely-shaped salt flowers and figures.
There is stop at Yuzhu Peak, the rail station 4160m above sea level, with views of Mount Kunlun and its wind-eroded rock face, before the train enters the Kekexili Nature Reserve. This least populated, isolated region is well known for its wildlife which includes the Tibetan antelope, wild Yak and wild Tibetan Donkey. During the construction of the rai line, a tunnel was built under a rail bridge to provide easy access for pregnant Tibetan antelope that migrate in May each year, to Kekexili Nature Reserve to deliver their babies. The next stop is at the rail station of Tuotuo He River, the closest town to the source of Yangtze River, which offers passengers splendid views of the Tuotuo River and surrounds.
The train then heads for the spectacular Tanggula Mountain range and the Tanggula rail station 5072m above sea level, the highest place on “Sky Road”, before entering the Nagqu prefecture with its nomads, boundless Qiangtang prairie and Tsonag Lake only metres away from the railway line. Tsonag Lake 4650m above sea level is an alpine fresh water lake, believed to be a sacred lake by local Tibetans and thousands of pilgrims come to here and worship the lake. The next stop is at Damxung railway station, before passing the sacred saltwater Namtso Lake with its surrealistic scenery. In the Tibetan language, “Namtso Lake” means “Heavenly Lake”, and each year Tibetan pilgrims and tourists come and circuit the sacred lake. Having left that area the train then crosses the Lhasa River before arriving in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet that offers virtually every aspect of Tibetan culture for visitors to explore.
Day 06: XINING- LHASA (TIBET)
Upon arrival at Lhasa rail station, a Meet & Greet by English speaking tour guide followed by a private transfer to the Lhasa hotel. Check-in at the Shangri-La hotel for 3-Night stay. Rest for acclimatisation followed by a Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Shangri-La Hotel
High Altitude Acclimation Tips: 1. go walking for a while but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2. better not to have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3. drink more water, and eat some fruit – have a good rest, before dinner.
Day 07: LHASA
After Breakfast, hotel pick up for Day Tour. Evening Welcome Dinner – overnight stay at Shangri-La Hotel. (BLD
The Day Tour starts at the Jokhang Temple which is considered as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, it’s also known as the “House of Buddha” because it keeps the precious Jowo Rinpoche, the life-sized. 5ft. high image of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. Every day thousands of pilgrims come from all over Tibet to worship the Buddha. Our next stop is the famous Barkhor Street, a circular wide street that encircles the Jokhang Temple; locals like to walk the street circle several times, usually in the late afternoon as a daily tradition of pilgrimage. Barkhor Street also has many shops selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items and handcrafts and it’s here that Lunch is taken in traditional Tibetan restaurant. The afternoon visit is to another famous Lhasa monastery, the Sera Monastery, famous for its “Buddhism Debating”. This is a daily routine, where monks gather in a courtyard to debate on the Buddhist doctrines, supplemented by gestures; it’s believed to facilitate a better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. Return hotel transfer.
Etiquette for Monastery visits: 1. Don’t wear shorts and uncovered shoulders; 2. take off sunglasses and hats before entering the chapels; 3. Photography is not usually allowed inside the chapels.
Day 08: LHASA
After Breakfast, hotel pick up for Day Tour and Evening dinner with local family in Tibetan Farmer’s home, with return hotel transfer – overnight stay at Shangri-La Hotel. (BLD)
The Day Tour starts with a visit to Lhasa most well know landmark, the Potala Palace with its exotic Tibetan-style architecture it’s regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the world. Here you tour its inner space, exploring the stately chapels and learn about its history. You will have needed to climb 1,080 steps along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to reach the top of the palace which has stunning view of Lhasa’s urban areas. Next stop is at the beautiful Norbulingka, once the summer palace of Dalai Lamas, particularly famous for its Potrang the private palaces of former Dalai lamas with grandiose Tibetan architecture – it’s now a public park. After Lunch it’s onto the Drepung Monastery, Drepung means “prosperity”. Since its establishment it has always been one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Once upon a time more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery, where many important and famous Tibetan leaders, especially the Dalai Lamas used to study. Return hotel transfer.
Etiquette for Potala Palace visits: 1. Do not rush up the steps when walking up to the palace as it might cause altitude sickness. 2. Ensure you bring some drinking water, sunglasses, sun cream and hats recommended; 3. Photography not allowed inside the palace.
Day 09: LHASA – TSETANG
After Breakfast, check out of hotel, transfer to Tsetang with en route visits and stops at significant places of interest. On arrival at Tsetang check-in at Tsetang Hotel for 1-Night, stay on Half Board basis. Dinner and overnight stay at Tsetang Hotel. (BLD)
The first planned stop on the road to Tsetang is at the Samye Monastery, built in the 8th century by King Trisong Detsen, it was probably the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet. Supposedly modelled on the design of Odantapuri, a Buddhist University in what is now Bihar, India. It was sought to revitalize Buddhism in Tibet at that time. The monastery is situated at the foot of Mount Hepo Ri, an area surrounded by staggering jagged peaks stretched out to the horizon. Hepo Ri is one of the four sacred hills of Tibet, it said to be where the “magician” Guru Rinpoche vanquished the demons of Tibet. For those that want to take the 40 minutes or so to walk the winding paths up the side of the hill from Samye Monastery’s east gate it takes you to incense burner festooned with religious prayer flags, from there the views around and below are worth the climb. Lunch will be taken during the course of the day’s activities at a time mutually agreed with the driver guide.
Day 10: TSETANG – GYANSTE
After Breakfast, check out of hotel, transfer to Gyanste with en route visits and stops at significant places of interest. On arrival at Gyanste check-in at Yadi Garden Hotel for a 1-Night, stay on Half Board basis. Dinner and overnight stay at Yadi Garden Hotel. (BLD)
The first planned stop on the road to Gyanste is at the famous Yumbulakang Palace believed to be the first palace in Tibet. The palace of royal families of Yalong Regime there are many ancient sculptures and paintings preserved in the palace that was built in the second century B.C. The next stop is at the Trundruk Monastery, home of the stunning Tangkha of Pearls decorated with 29,026 pearls. Legend says the monastery lies on the site of a big lake where Somgtsen Gampo who turned into a rock too destroy an evil dragon with five heads who lived in the lake, and the monastery was built to commemorate this great deed. The next short stop is at the Karola Glacier which towers above the road after you have passed Yamdrok Lake, surrounded by fertile pastures full of yaks and sheep and small Tibetan villages dotted along the lake shore. The largest lake in the northern Himalaya Mountains, it looks like an eardrop in the arms of snow-capped mountains. Lunch will be taken during the course of the day’s activities at a time mutually agreed with the driver guide. The day finishes with a climb up to the Dzong Fortress in Gyanste used by Tibetan army during their fight against the British army’s invasion in the early 20th century, from the top of the fortress; you get great panoramic views of Gyantse.
Day 11: GYANSTE – SHIGATSE
After Breakfast, check out of hotel, transfer to Shigatse with en route visits and stops at significant places of interest. On arrival at Shigatse check-in at Qomo Langzong Hotel for a 1-Night, stay on Half Board basis. Dinner and overnight stay at Qomo Langzong Hotel. (BLD)
The first planned stop on the road to Shigatse is at the Pala Manor, the only well preserved aristocratic manor in Tibet. From the 17th century it was the private manor of the aristocratic Pala families. They lived in luxury and splendour whilst their serfs who worked from dawn to dusk lived in dark crude rooms in the yard; relics of those times and lifestyles remain just as they once were. After lunch there is a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery the official seat of Panchen Lama, it’s also the largest and most influential Gelug Monastery in the Shigatse prefecture and the location of Future Buddha, a giant statue over 26 metres high, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers it’s the largest one of its kind on earth.
Day 12: SHIGATSE – EVEREST BASE CAMP
After Breakfast, check out of hotel, transfer via scenic route to the foot of Mount Everest, after a stop at the Rongphu Monastery take a 4 km trek to the Everest Bas camp. Overnight accommodation in Nomad Tented Campsite or Rongphu Monastery Guest house -depending on season and weather conditions. (BLD)
Day 13: EVEREST BASE CAMP – SHIGATSE
Watch sunrise at Mount Everest; visit Rongphu Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, where monks and nuns live together. Return to Shigatse by the end of the day, check-in at Qomo Langzong Hotel for a 1-Night, stay on B/B basis – overnight stay at Qomo Langzong Hotel. (BLD)
Day 14: SHIGATSE – LHASA
After Breakfast, check out of hotel, transfer to Lhasa via the northern route with visits and stops at significant places of interest. On arrival at Lhasa check-in at Shangri-La hotel for a 1-Night, stay on B/B basis. Dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant – overnight stay at Shangri-La Hotel. (BLD)
On leaving Shigatse, the route taken is known as the Northern route, a very scenic route that passes by and through many small villages such as Trakdruka, Numa, Mangre, and the mountain passes of Donggu La and Suge La, Lunch will be taken at a local village restaurant before reaching Yangpachen Hot Springs the last stop before Lhasa. In the event that the weather conditions on the day or travel are unsuitable for this route, the return to Lhasa will be by a shorter central route. After checking into the hotel, prepare for a traditional Tibetan style “Farewell Dinner” with “Tibetan Songs & Dances” at a traditional restaurant.
Day 15: LHASA – LONDON
After Early Breakfast, check out of hotel for transfer to Lhasa Airport, check-in for flight to London via Beijing with a short connecting stop, flight arrival London Heathrow the same day. (B)
Note: Details of air carrier, flight times and route will be agreed and added to the itinerary at the time of booking.
