14 Days Shanghai Chengdu Lhasa Xi’an Beijing Tour with Tibet Train Experience

Welcome to Shanghai, the most dynamic metropolis in China!

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

After checking in, you can take a good rest or take a stroll around the surrounding areas as you like.

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.

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. 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.

Today is free for you until you take the flight from Shanghai to Chengdu.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the Land of Abundance, our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your downtown hotels.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Insider Tips:
Chengdu has two international airports: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Please make sure to check which airport you're arriving at.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, also known as Chengdu Panda Base. Morning is feeding time when pandas are most active. You can see lovely giant pandas eating fresh bamboo and marvel at playful giant pandas in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you may also see the cutest baby giant pandas.

Then, the whole afternoon is free for you to explore around.

In the evening, you will be transferred to the railway station for the train to Lhasa. It is suggested to get to the railway station at least 1 hour before departure.

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.

Today is the last day of your Tibet train journey. Enjoy the most beautiful scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway before arriving in Lhasa, like the stunning Cuona Lake beside the railway, and the vast grassland in northern Tibet.

After arriving in Lhasa, you will meet our friendly Tibetan guide at Lhasa Railway Station. 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.

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.

Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel and have a good rest.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Ancient City Wall. The Ancient City Wall. With a total length of approximately 14 kilometers, the Ancient City Wall in Xian is the most complete and largest existing Ming Dynasty city wall in China. While walking along the city wall, you can see the complete layout of the imperial city more than 1,000 years ago.

Last, you will enjoy a leisure walk around the lively Muslim Quarter, where the largest and oldest mosque in China is located. Here, you can find the most typical local snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Optional Ideas:
When visiting the Ancient City Wall, you can rent a bike at an extra cost to cycle on the City Wall.

In the morning, your first stop will be the world-famous Terracotta Army, which is also one of the eight wonders of the world. These terracotta warriors and horses were 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.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Today is free for you until you take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Beijing. The journey takes about 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the train you choose, offering you a chance to experience China's modern bullet trains.

Upon your arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you at the station and take you to your hotel. You can rest at the hotel or, if you prefer, explore the surrounding area at your leisure.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

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 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

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 visit the Ming Tomb, another UNESCO World Heritage Site for today. The emperor’s tomb for Emperor Shenzong and his queen was built in 1590, Ming Dynasty. The architectural scale and magnificence of the Ming Tomb are unparalleled among all tombs in China. With an area of about 100,000 square meters and perfectly, the Ming Tomb showcases the traditional layout of Ming Dynasty imperial tombs. You can visit the underground palaces of the emperor and empress to get a firsthand glimpse into this historical treasure.

After the visit, get back to your hotel in downtown Beijing.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Travel Tips:
Please wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes for the Great Wall hiking.

Today marks the end of your China Tibet 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 in the future.