12 Days Beijing Xi’an Lhasa Train Tour

Welcome to Beijing! Your guide will greet you at Beijing Airport holding your name sign. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Beijing. Enjoy yourself in the rest of the day to recover from your longtime international flight or explore the city on your own.

Stay overnight in Beijing

In the morning, we will set out to see the mysterious Forbidden City which is the world's largest imperial palace complex. Since it was built in Ming Dynasty, The Forbidden City was home for 24 emperors (from 1420 to 1911 AD). It's said to have 9,999½ forbidden imperial chambers. After that, you are moving to Tian'anmen Square with a great cultural significance which has been the site of several key events in Chinese history. Later, you can take a rickshaw going through a maze of Hutongs to explore old Beijing neighborhoods, discover the courtyard house of traditional Chinese characters.

Stay overnight in Beijing

You will have many interesting things to do today. In the morning, you are suggested to do Morning Exercises at the Temple of Heaven, which was founded in the early 15th century. Known as the Imperial Sacrificial Altar, Temple of Heaven always attracts numerous tourists. To avoid crowds and enjoy local people's morning exercises, we are going to this place in the morning. After visiting Temple of Heaven, we'll drive 2.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where you can go through the watchtowers and enjoy breathtaking views as it snakes across the hills and mountains.

Stay overnight in Beijing

Your guide will pick you up and then take you to the Summer Palace, which is a vast imperial garden known for its stunning lakes, pavilions, and ornate architecture. Once a royal retreat, it features landmarks like Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into China's rich history. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, your guide will send you to Beijing West Railway Station, from where you will take a train to Xi'an. 

Stay overnight in Xi'an

In the morning, we will drive to the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses which is considered as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Here you can see the life-sized warrior figures and horses with distinct facial expressions and positions. You may be surprised by the various kinds of ancient weapons that reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago. It is a great chance for you to experience the profound and amazing history of the Qin Dynasty, the first United Dynasty in ancient China. It may give you an impressive image of the Period of the Warring States in ancient China.

After that, we are going to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty, the most prosperous dynasty in ancient China. The Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang from ancient India are well preserved in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Stay overnight in Xi'an

In the morning, you will visit the Xi'an Museum. It has a large collection of precious historical relics, showcasing the long history and splendid culture of Xi'an and the whole Shaanxi region.

In the afternoon you can cycle on the top of Ancient City Wall. The wall is about 14 kilometers at the perimeter, with 98 defensive ramparts, four main gates, and a moat around it. The city wall is a wonderful example of an ancient defensive building. You can walk or cycle on the wall to get some good views of the city.

Later, we are going to the Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an where you can chat with street vendors of Muslims and buy some exquisite handicrafts and enjoy delicious local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

Today, you will depart from Xi'an to Lhasa. You need to get up early to go to the Xi’an Railway Station as the train will depart in the morning. You'd ​better arrive at the railway station ​1​ hour before the train departure time, for you need to exchange your E-ticket for a paper ticket. ​Please be sure you have taken your original Tibet Travel Permit and passport. ​Your local tour guide ​will send you off to the railway station.

You will spend 30 or 32 hours on the train and enjoy the breathtaking ​scenery along the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, such as Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass, Tuotuo River and so on. You will see nomadic pastures, sapphire lakes, flocks of goats and yaks, snow-capped mountains, etc.

Stay overnight on the train

Our local Tibetan guide will wait for you at Lhasa railway station by holding your name sign. You will be greeted with a warm Tashi Delek (a kind of blessing), and be presented with a white Hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial by giving you a white scarf). Then transfer to the hotel in Lhasa city. On your first arrival day in Lhasa (3,650m), it's essential to have a good rest to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS, also known as altitude sickness). Remember to drink lots of water, eat lighter and have high carbohydrate food which will be helpful to you to adapt to the high altitude better.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it is a museum and world heritage site. 

In the afternoon, you will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."

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On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of the Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery. You'll arrive at Namtso Lake after passing Nagela Pass (5,150m). Namtso Lake is one of the three most holy lakes in Tibet, also the third-largest salt lake in China and the highest lake in the world. The name Namtso means “lake from heaven” in the Tibetan language. And the gorgeous landscape is really like heaven.

In late afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Your tour ends today. Your tour guide and driver will drop you at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your next destination.