China Highlights with Tibet Train from Lhasa to Beijing

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrival in Shanghai

Welcome to China

Today arrive in Shanghai, the economic metropolis and largest booming city of China. Pick up and transfer with Maglev to hotel.

Overnight at 4*Greenland Jiulong Hotel

Bund, Shanghai

DAY
2

Flight Shanghai – Chengdu

World metropolis Shanghai. Yu Garden (Yu Yuan), The Bund

In the morning visit the famous Yu Yuan (Yu-Garden), from here you can explore the enchanting old city area. You dive into the world of the Far Eastern culture with all your senses: The distinctive flair of the old street with its tiny alleys, food stalls and small shops. Originally built in 1559, it served as the private garden of high-ranking official by then. The word “Yu” contains a meaning of “safe and peaceful”. Afterwards, take a walk on the Bund (Waitan), the waterfront of Shanghai. The view of the skyline as well as the old gorgeous buildings in European style is impressive. In the afternoon transfer to airport, and fly (CA1949 1605/1915) to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home town of giant panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel

Breakfast

Bund, Shanghai

DAY
3

Chengdu

Home town of panda, Panda Breeding Center, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

In the morning visit Chengdu Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research. Founded in 1985, today there are over 50 giant pandas living here. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi) that are the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, tea houses, restaurants and guesthouses concentrate here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People’s Park in the city center to have a seat in an old tea house and enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table, the tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel

Breakfast

Panda in Chengdu

DAY
4

Flight Chengdu – Lhasa

Welcome to Lhasa - the roof of the world. Visit nunnery Ani Sangkhung

Early morning transfer to the airport and fly (CA4445 0825/1050) to the holy city Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (3,650 m). Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport pick up and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit the nunnery Ani Sangkhung. "Ani" means nun and "Sangkhung" is a meditation cave. The nunnery Ani Sangkhung was founded in the 15th century by a disciple of Tsongkapa. It is located in the old city center near Jokhang. Today about 100 nuns live here. The monastery set up prayer hall, dorm, kitchen, etc. The nuns grow many plants, so the monastery looks like a garden.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Nonnenkloster Ani Sangkhung

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
5

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Pilgerin vor dem Jokhang Kloster

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
6

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palast

DAY
7

Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Look forward to a breathtaking mountain world! Today you will drive over several passes to Gyantse (260 km). At the highest point of the trip (Karo La Pass at 5,010 m) is the glacier of Noejin Kangsa (7,223 m) during the drive. On the way to the third largest holy lake of Tibet – Yamdrok, you can take some fantastic photos. Upon arrival in Gyantse you will visit Palkhor Monastery and the impressive pagoda of Kumbum. Then drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Yamdrok See

DAY
8

Shigatse – Lhasa

Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, traditional manufactory for Tibetan incense sticks

In Shigatse visit the Tashilunpo Monastery. Tashilunpo is one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. Shigatse was the seat of Pantschen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China. Then return to Lhasa. On the way visit a traditional manufactory for Tibetan incense sticks in the small village Tunba by the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

273 km
4 hours 58 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Tashilunpo Kloster

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
9

Train Lhasa - Xian

Train ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and through the human-less areas

In the morning transfer to the train station, and train to Xian (Z166 1130/2034+2, soft sleeper, 4-bed compartment). In 36 hours’ drive via Naqu, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou to Xian. The special feature is the 1,956 km long railway line from Lhasa to Xining, which is considered the highest railway in the world. You can enjoy a grand, seemingly endless landscape gallery with snow-capped mountains, countless rivers and gorges, high mountain lakes and endless steppes along the way. Over and over, you will see flocks of yaks, sheep, horses and wild animals as well as birds, and with some luck, you can watch the herds of Tibetan antelopes that live mainly in the steppes of the Qinghai-Tibet highlands at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 m.

Overnight on the train

Breakfast

Lhasa Bahnhof

DAY
10

In train

Arrival in the historic imperial city Xian

In the evening arrive in Xian, the capital of province Shaanxi. Meet local guide at the railway station and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at 4*Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel

Qinghai-Tibet Eisenbahn

DAY
11

Xian

The Eighth Wonder - Terracotta Army, Grand Wild-Goose Pagoda, the best-preserved Chinese city wall

Xian's main attraction is the famous Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China Qin Shihuangdi (reigned 221 - 210 BC) who managed to unit China for the first time. The guardians of his grave offer you one of the greatest insights into the world of ancient China. In the morning visit the Museum of Terracotta Warriors. An inside museum has been built over these pits, covering a floor space of 20,000 square meters and displaying 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors, 100 or so chariots, and 30,000 weapons-an assemblage famed as the Eighth World Wonder and a world cultural heritage site. Besides, visit Da Yan Ta (Big-Wild-Goose Pagoda) that was built by Emperor Li Zhi in 650 AD. Biking on the old city wall should not be missed. Built between 1374 and 1378, the city wall has a total length of 13.6 km and is the best preserved, oldest and largest ancient city defense system in China.

Overnight at 4*Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel

Breakfast

Terrakotta-Armee in Xian

DAY
12

High-speed train Xian - Beijing

Temple of Heaven

After breakfast transfer to the railway station, and take a high-speed train to Beijing (G26 0918/1350), the capital of China. Upon arrival in Beijing, drive to the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) that was built in 1420 of the Ming Dynasty and expanded in the Qing Dynasty at present covering an area of 273 hectares. The grand temple served as the sacrificial place for the emperors of the Ming and Qing to worship the heaven, presenting gratitude for the harvest of this year and praying for another good harvest next year. It is the largest and most important of all imperial temples in China.

Overnight at 4*5L Hotel

Breakfast

Tian Tan (Himmelstempel)

DAY
13

Beijing

Forbidden City (Gugong), Tiananmen Square, from Jingshan Park great view of the Forbidden City, Summer Palace (Yihe Yuan)

Stroll in the Tiananmen Square that is probably the biggest one of its kind in the world. Then go to visit the Forbidden City (Gugong) - the emperor's palace that was built between 1406 and 1420 with 9000 halls and rooms, containing many precious relics. Facing south and rising from a terrace, the largest palace in the world represents the supreme power and authority that emperors enjoyed during the feudalistic dynasties, and exemplifies the elements of palace architecture. Then climb to the "coal hill" (Meishan) of Jingshan Park lined with pines and cypress, a beautiful park just opposite the north gate of the Imperial Palace, for a great view of the Forbidden City - a rectangular basic building with golden roofs in the center of Beijing. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace (Yihe Yuan). Numerous unforgettable photo opportunities are waiting for you. In the summer it was too hot for the Chinese emperors, so beginning in 1153, they built a summer residence in northwest of Beijing. The Summer Palace is the most successful imperial garden, one of the highlights of Chinese landscape and horticultural art.

Overnight at 4*5L hotel

Breakfast

Kaiserpalast (Gugong) in Beijing

DAY
14

Beijing

Hiking and sightseeing on the Great Wall at Mutianyu

In the morning go to the Great Wall at Mutianyu (about 70 km in northeast of Beijing). The local section of the Great Wall built in 1368 and restored in 1983, is particularly attractive with its numerous watchtowers along the picturesque ridge in green, gently undulating landscape. The Great Wall was built as a defensive line against attacks by warlike steppe people from the north, and was constantly expanded and strengthened, so the strategic passes with barracks, watchtowers and storage rooms were expanded to fortress. The Great Wall is one of the eight ancient wonders of the world and the only man-made construction on earth that the astronauts can see in the moon. Starting out in the east on the banks of Yalu River in Liaoning Province, the Wall stretches westwards for 12,700 kilometers to Jiayuguan in the Gobi desert. It gradually becomes the symbol of the ancient Chinese civilization. Have a walk on the Great Wall about 2 to 3 hours. In the afternoon return to Beijing.

Overnight at 4*5L Hotel

Breakfast

Große Mauer bei Mutianyu

DAY
15

Flight Beijing - Home

Leave China for home

Transfer to airport, fly back home.

Breakfast

Yihe Yuan (Sommerpalast)

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