China Tibet Train Tour
Overview
A good choice to discover Tibet is taking a high speed train to explore the real Chinese life and Chinese pilgrims’ faith. Starting your 12-day Tibet tour from Beijing, you will experience Tai Chi in Temple of Heaven, and climb the Great Wall, then come to Xian, to learn the Tang Dynasty culture in ancient China. Head west, having a first impression of Tibetan culture from Xining. The rest of the tour, you will experience holy Tibet and catch a sense of Eastern religion by walking along the road of pilgrimage.
Duration: 12 days & 11 nights
Destinations: Beijing – Xian – Xining – Lhasa – Chengdu
Travel style: Private tour
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On the early morning, go to the Temple of Heaven, which is the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world where the ancient Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. And now, it becomes an active park for people to do morning exercise. You can find the locals practice Tai Chi here, if you’re interested, you can also join them like a local Beijinger. If you like Beijing old things or handicrafts, you can pay a visit to Panjiayuan Market on weekends. Later have a walk through Tiananmen Square, then have an in-depth tour of Forbidden City, which is one of the must-see historical sites in China. This in depth tour will show you the palace where 24 emperors' once reigned during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years. And it will also tell you the stories between the precious cultural relics and the emperors.
Meal: B, L
The Great Wall is one of the 7th wonders of the world, which you couldn’t miss. Today your first stop will begin from the Great Wall at Mutianyu section. You can explore this great humanity project by a half day hiking at this the most beautiful section with dense woods and rich pastures. Cable car is available on your expense. Afterwards, transfer back to downtown to visit Hutong at Shichahai area. Take a pedicab to see the alleyways which are known for their old Beijing buildings as a window of folk culture.
Meal: B, L
Another top attraction in Beijing is Summer Palace, which is regarded as a museum of gardens in China. Walk around this most beautiful and largest Chinese imperial garden for a while. After that, take a bullet train to Xian(about 4-5 hrs). Xian was the beginning of the Ancient Silk Road, and it is famous its traditional culture as a capital of Tang Dynasty. After your arrival, be met and transferred to hotel, and check in.
Meal: B, L
You will start your Xian tour from the must-see master piece, Terracotta Army. It is the largest burial object ever unearthed, and the exquisite pottery craft brings the characters to life. This makes the Terracotta Army well-known all over the world. Then go to Muslim Quarter, it is the busiest street with all kinds of delicious street food in Xian. It is popular with citizens and tourists from home and abroad, you can get a real taste of Xian gourmet here. Later, go ahead to visit the Great Mosque of Xian. This is an ancient complex with a long history and a large scale, blending Chinese and Islamic architectural style.
Meal: B, L
As the most representative ancient capital, Xian owns China’s best-kept Ancient City Wall. Wander around the City Wall to feel the history and see the modern city at the same time. Bike riding is a good choice when you visit it. Then visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was first built in Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang, and is regarded as Xian’s emblem now. After that, transfer to Xining by high speed train. Around 5.5hrs later, you will reach Xining, which was the must-be route of the Ancient Silk Road.
Meal: B, L
Xining, one of the highest altitude cities in the world (at an altitude of 2261 meters), is an ancient plateau city with a long history. Your first stop is Ta’er Monastery. It is Qinghai Province’s biggest Monastery of Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, built against the mountain. You can get the first impression of Tibetan Buddhism here. Then go to the North Hill Temple, to see the unique Danxia landform and have a sight of mural. You can also have a bird’s-view of the city from here. Later, visit Qinghai Provincial Museum to learn more about the culture of northwestern China. In the end, take an overnight train to Lhasa.
Meal: B, L
This is the railway called “holy way”, because it is the highest altitude and the longest plateau railway built in taele. It’s also one of the Chinese Four Biggest Project in the new century. Enjoy the beautiful view on the way to Lhasa, the center of Tibet culture. If you are lucky, you will see China’s rare and protected animal, the Tibetan antelope. Your train will arrive in Lhasa at around 5pm. Then you will be welcome and transferred to hotel.
On the vast Tibetan plateau, you will first explore Tibet from Drepung Monastery. It was first built in 1416, it was once the biggest monasteries in Tibet. Then drive to Sera Monastery, one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. You will see the most famous and interesting scene of this monastery, debating among monks! Afterwards, visit Norbulingka. It used to be the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. Nowadays, it is the public park for local people. You can enjoy Tibetan style garden here.
Meal: B, L
Visit Potala Palace in the morning, enjoy the sunshine and see Chinese pilgrims make a religious pilgrimage in which is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site of 1994. After that, see Jokhang Temple with a golden roof and the most sacred and important temple for most Tibetans. Then walk around Barkhor Street, an area of narrow streets located around Jokhang Temple, it is the most popular devotional activity for pilgrims and locals.
Meal: B, L
Full day visit the Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery on your way. Have a leisure picnic around this holy lake, then do a bit trekking along the lake if you like. In the afternoon, drive back to Lhasa.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, you have some free time to walk around by yourself. After that, you will be picked up and escorted to the airport. Fly to Chengdu and change flight to your next destination. Welcome to China next time!
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