11 Days Sydney Beijing Xian Lhasa Shanghai Tour by Train

Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China!

When you arrive in Beijing, our local travel guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in downtown Beijing.

After checking in, you can take a good rest to relieve the fatigue of the long-distance flight from Sydney or take a stroll around the surrounding areas as you like.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Insider Tips:
Beijing has two international airports: Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. Please double-check which airport you're arriving at.

• Beijing Daxing International Airport
• Beijing City night

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and start exploring the historical sites of Beijing. The first stop is Tiananmen Square, the largest city plaza globally. From there, you will enter the magnificent Forbidden City with over 500 years of history where 24 emperors lived. As the largest ancient imperial palace, the Forbidden City has over 9,000 rooms. Even though only a few rooms are open for public visits, you can get a glimpse of how the ancient emperors managed the country and what their daily life was like. 

Next, you will get to Jingshan Park located behind the Forbidden City. From the hilltop within the park, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

In the afternoon, you will take a drive to the Temple of Heaven, which is 6 kilometers from the Forbidden City. It is the  where ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the sky and prayed for rain, prosperity, and peace and prosperity for the country and the people.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

• The iconic architectural style and legendary history of Forbidden City are fun to explore.
• Temple of Heaven

In the morning, you’ll head to Mutianyu Great Wall, which is 65 kilometers to the north of Downtown Beijing. It is one of the well-preserved sections of the Great Wall that is less crowded. You will hike along the ancient walls, pass through the watch towers, and enjoy the stunning view of the surroundings from the hilltop.

After lunch, you will head to the railway station to catch a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an, the ancient capital of China for several dynasties. The Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train journey takes between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the train you choose. It offers a comfortable and fast way to travel on a modern Chinese bullet train.

Upon arrival, our local travel guide will pick you up at the railway station and take you to your downtown hotel.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

• Mutianyu Great Wall in Spring
• Come and witness one of the seven wonders of the world ---- Great Wall

After breakfast, your first stop will bet the world-famous Terracotta Army, which is also one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor in a vast underground palace.

Next, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta). Built by the Buddhist Master Xuanzang over 1,300 years ago, the pagoda shows the artistic style and craftsmanship of the Tang Dynasty. You could learn more about how Indian Buddhism was introduced into China and how Buddhism flourished in China afterward.

Then, you will finish today’s trip with a walk in Weiyang Palace Relics Park. Built in 200 BC, Weiyang Palace was the second imperial palace in Chinese history. It is not only the longest existence palace among all Chinese palaces, but also the eastern starting point of the Silk Road.

Now, what was once a power center has been turned into a park open to the public. Here you can experience the leisure life of local people. Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Insider Tips:
You need to pay extra 30 RMB if you want visit inside and climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

• Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were modeled on Qin Shihuang's soldiers and real horses.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of you must-see attractions in Xi’an

In the morning, you will take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Upon arrival in Xining, you can explore the city as you like until you board your train to Tibet. Please make sure you’ve got the Tibet Travel Permit in advance and keep it properly as it is important for visiting Tibet. Without the permit, you can not board the train to Tibet.

Stay overnight on the train.

Tibet Permit Notice:
1. Once you book your trip with us, we will handle the Tibet Travel Permit application.
2. It is suggested to make your reservation and provide the necessary documents for the permit application at least 20 days in advance.
3. The issued travel permit will be sent to you before the train departs. Please make sure to keep your Tibet Travel Permit safe.

• China High-Speed train
• Qinghai-Tibet railway

In the morning, you will enjoy fabulous scenery along the world famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world. Spectacular land of snows, boundless desert, vast grassland, grand ice mountains, and beautiful lakes will continually appear and strongly attract your heart. 

Upon arrival in Lhasa, our friendly Tibetan guide will greet you at the railway station with a Hada (the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) and warm blessings.

Then, the guide and the driver will take you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

After settling into your hotel, take some time to rest and adjust to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Qinghai-Tibet railway
• Tour guide will meet you at Lhasa Railway Station.

In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

After today’s tour, enjoy a welcome dinner with your group members.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Today is free for you until you board the flight from Lhasa to Shanghai.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your downtown hotel.

The rest of the day is for you to have a good rest.

Stay overnight in Shanghai. 

Today, you will visit some of the highlights of Shanghai City.

Starting with the fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes, and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.

Next, you’ll come to the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For a passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.

In the evening, you will visit the most iconic building in Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will be amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and the dazzling light from the buildings of Pudong.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

Insider Tips:
Shanghai has two international airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Please make sure to check which airport you're arriving at.

• Enchanting ancient Yu Garden offers a respite from bustling metropolis.
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the most iconic architecture of Shanghai.

oday is yours to explore Shanghai until you catch your flight or train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return in the future.

Service End.

Insider Tips:
1. From now to Dec. 31, 2025, holders of an Australian passport can enjoy a 15-day visa-free stay in China. If you book this tour with an Australian passport, you can easily obtain the Tibet Travel Permit using your passport only.
2. If you enjoy the 15-day visa-free policy, please make sure to leave China within the validity period after your arrival.