If you are planning a trip to Lhasa from China mainland, Xian, by any means, should be on your travel list. Xian is one of the most important cities in China's history. Xian's history is as old as China's itself. It is just like a living history book of China. Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization. As a saying goes: "Go to Shanghai and you will find a 100-year-old China; go to Beijing and you will find a 1000-year-old China; go to Xian and then you will find a 3000-year-old China."
Besides, Xian was closely tied to Tibet in history. About 1,300 years ago, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) left the capital Chang'an (present-day Xian) for the Tubo Kingdom, today's Tibet, which was about 2,000 miles away in the southwest. She was to marry Songtsan Gambo, King of Tubo, to whom her royal father had just married. This interracial matrimony helped strengthen the ties between the Tang Dynasty and the Tubo Kingdom. The story of Princess Wencheng and Songtsan Gambo has been cherished by the Tibetans and the rest of the Chinese people ever since.
As the eastern terminal of the Silk Road and the site of the famous Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty, Xian has won a reputation all over the world. More than 3,000 years of history including over 1,100 years as the capital city of ancient dynasties, have endowed Xian with an amazing historical heritage. Tourists marvel at the numerous historical sites and cultural relics in and around the city.
As an important economic, cultural, industrial and educational center of the central-northwest China, Xian provides visitors with modern and convenient facilities.
Therefore, Xian is a stop you can not miss when you are planning a trip to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, etc.
Facts about Xian
1. Xian is one of the most important cities of China in history, even in the world, with a history of more than 3,100 years, as old as China's itself.
2. Xian is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
3. Xian has been the capital of 13 dynasties, to name a few, Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang.
4. Xian was the start point of the Silk Road.
5. Xian is the largest and most developed city in the central to the northwestern part of China.
6. Xian is one of the ten largest cities in China.
Route
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Distance
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Time
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Appr.Cost
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By Train from Xian to Tibet |
Xian to Lhasa Train
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2864km
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Over 33h
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RMB 1010
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By Air from Xian to Tibet | Xian to Lhasa |
1980km
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About 3.5h
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RMB 1600-1800
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By Overland from Xian to Tibet |
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2380km
|
|
-
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Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum |
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Bell and Drum Towers |
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Shaanxi History Museum |
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda |
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Xian City Wall |
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Hanyangling Mausoleum |
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Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show |
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Great Mosque There are a few other attractions that are not included here. Just feel free to send us e-mail at inquiry@tibettravel.org for more information. |
1. One Day Xian Tour of Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Hot Spring
This Xian day tour will take you to visit the amazing Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, from Pit 1 to Pit 3. Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum is the Eighth Wonder of the World. More than 6,000 different looking pottery figures depict the history of the Qin Dynasty from 221 BC-206 BC. And then move on to appreciate the imperial garden of Tang Dynasty - Huaqing Hot Spring - a palace since the Tang Dynasty, the resort place of many emperors in ancient.
2. One Day Xian Tour of Terracotta Warriors and Xian City Wall
In the morning, go to visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors, about 50km east of the Xian City. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. Spending two hours on this attraction is enough. And then back to Xian to visit the Ancient Xian City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
3. One Day Xian City Tour of Xian City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Towers
This one day Xian tour focuses on the tourist sites in Xian City. Start at 9:00 am to visit the Ancient Xian City Wall known as the most complete city wall in China and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world; and then to visit the Shaanxi History Museum housing a large collection of more than 370,000 historic and cultural relics and artifacts. Move on to visit the Great Mosque, one of the hottest attractions in Xian today, and the Bell Tower and Drum Tower to have a panoramic view of the Xian City.
We can arrange all kinds of one day tour in and around Xian and above are only a few of them. If you want to get more one-day Xian tour routes, please contact inquiry@tibettravel.org for free consulting service.
** Tibettravel.Org is a local travel operator in China, which can help you arrange Shanghai Tour before you go to Tibet.
How to travel from Xian to Tibet
1. From Xian to Lhasa by Train
Taking a train from Xian to Lhasa will be a great trip. Especially the train trip on the Qinghai-Tibet railway provides wonderful scenery all the way. Unfortunately, at present there is no train originating from Xian to Lhasa though several trains makes stops in Xian, such as the trains from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing to Lhasa. It is not easy to get a train ticket to Lhasa in Xian. Therefore, if you decide to take a train from Xian to Lhasa, you'd better reserve the train tickets in advance. We offer train tickets online booking service for your convenience.
See Xian to Lhasa Train Schedule and Price
If you fail to get a train ticket from Xian to Lhasa and still want to experience the world's highest railway, you can take a plane or train to Xining and then take a train from Xining to Lhasa. But booking the train tickets beforehand is also highly recommended for it is never easy to get a train ticket to Tibet since the operation of Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
See Xining to Lhasa Train Schedule and Price
2. From Xian to Lhasa by Air
Compared with travelling from Xian to Lhasa by train, taking a flight from Xian to Lhasa is more popular for its convenience and time-saving advantage. Currently, there are 1 or 2 flights a day flying from Xian to Lhasa, taking more than 2 hours.
See Xian to Lhasa flight schedule and price
Xian to Lhasa Tours