Tours Brief info:
Chengdu is our travelers’ preferred gateway to Tibet. This tour covers the highlights of Tibet and Chengdu. You will be able to see China’s most famous icon Panda before flying to Lhasa. In Lhasa, you will see Tibetan Buddhism’s most revered religious sites and learn about classical Tibetan architecture while soaking in traditional Tibetan culture. You will have a chance to climb up the Potala Palace and get a great view of Lhasa city; then stroll along the special circular pilgrimage route and follow the footsteps of pilgrims to witness their devotion; choose some unique Tibetan souvenirs for your families and friends in Barkhor Street.
Recommended Groups: Suitable for most groups, though highly recommended for families with kids, seniors, couples, students, and ex-pats from other cities of China.
Conditions: It takes about 2 hours from Chengdu to Lhasa by flight. The activities will be in and around Lhasa, thus the road condition is very good. As attractions are very close to each other, customers won’t need to spend much time in the car. A little walking or climbing is involved.
As the altitude is about 3,650 meters above sea level, a reasonable level of fitness is needed. This tour itinerary is customization, and some of our customers choose to extend this tour a bit longer so they can visit more places, like adding one more day to Namtso Lake, or two more days to Gyantse and Shigatse.
Best time: All year-round. Highly recommend April, May, June, and September. Try to book early in July and August as they are the peak season.
Brief itinerary of Chengdu Lhasa Train Tour
Day 1 Chengdu Arrival
Upon arriving in Chengdu, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel for a rest before you are taken out for a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine at a local restaurant if you want.
Day 2 Chengdu Panda
On this day, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, followed by a trip to the Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time sitting in its tea house enjoying a cup of traditional Chinese tea and absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu and Jinli Old Street.
After dinner, be escorted to the Chengdu railway station and take the train to the hidden land of Tibet. Your lifetime trip starts here!
Tips of today:
1. You’d better get to the railway station about 45 minutes ahead of departure time. Ticket Check-in starts 30 minutes before your aboard;
2. Prepare some food.
Day 3 Train To Lhasa
Today, you’ll travel on the world’s highest-altitude railway: the Qinghai-Tibet railway. While traveling to Tibet by train takes much longer than by plane, you will be witness to thousands of miles of the most stunning landscapes in the world, rolling by outside your window.
Tips of today:
1. There are battery charging accesses on the train, but make sure you have a socket adapter;
2. Only Chinese foods are served aboard, including Breakfast(10RMB), Box Lunch(25RMB), Self-selected Meal(from 38MRB).
Day 4 Lhasa Arrival
Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be pick up at the airport or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. En route, enjoy the breathtaking view along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Tibetan features can be seen along the way, including Big Buddha engravings on the hill near the road, colorful prayer flags, and friendly Tibetan people.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high-altitude city at the top of the world.
Day 5 Lhasa Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will firstly visit Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.
Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!
Day 6 Wondering Lhasa
The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas, and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.
Day 7 Departure from Lhasa
Today is free for you until your tour guide transfers you to the airport in time for your flight or drops you off at Lhasa train station.
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