8 Days Classic Guangzhou and Lhasa Tour by Train

Welcome to Guangzhou, where tradition meets modernity in an exhilarating blend.

Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport or the railway station and escort you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or explore the surroundings yourself.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou.

Optional Ideas:
In the evening, you can head to enjoy the spectacular night view of Guangzhou City from Canton Tower, the second-highest tower in the world. It features the world’s highest bubble tram, the longest spiral staircase, and the record-breaking Sky Drop, the highest thrill ride in the world according to Guinness. Do bring your camera for the stunning panoramic night view of Guangzhou City.

In the morning, you’ll visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, mainly used as an academy for the Chen family to stay and study while preparing themselves for the imperial examination. Now, it is the home of the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. The historical complex truly is an oasis of tranquility and covers a total of approximately 13, 200 square meters. You can see exquisite porcelain, and amazing ornaments, sculptures, architecture, and other handicrafts associated with the Qing dynasty. Overall, it’s a fantastic place for photography and cultural stroll.

In the afternoon, another brilliant historical site awaits history buffs, i.e. well-known Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Mr. Sun Yat-sen is revered in China as a forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution. The Memorial Hall, situated on the southern slope of Yuexiu Hill, gives a full display of the life of Sun Yat-sen via historical photos and documents. You may also the two biggest white jade orchid trees in Guangzhou and enchanting landscaped gardens. The Memorial Hall itself has an important historical value for China.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou.

Today is free for you until you board the train to Tibet. The train journey from Guangzhou to Lhasa covers 4,980 km, which is the longest train ride to Tibet via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It takes about 54 hours to reach Lhasa.

Stay overnight on the train.

Today, enjoy the train ride along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world’s highest railway. You’ll pass through Lanzhou and Xining, two important cities in northwest China.

After passing Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you’ll be amazed by the picturesque views of the landscapes along the rail route through the Tibet Plateau.

Stay overnight on the train.

When you arrive, your guide will greet you at Lhasa Railway Station and 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.

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.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

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.

Today marks the end of your tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

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