16 Days Xian to Lhasa Train and Nyingchi, Tsedang and Shigatse Tour

Upon your arrival in the Xi’an airport or railway station, your local tour guide will escort you to your reserved hotel in Xi’an. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

In the morning, we are about to visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. You will not only be attracted by the life-sized warrior figures and horses, each of which has distinct facial expressions and positions, but also be astonished by various kinds of ancient weapons which reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago.

Afterwards, we will head to tour another must-see attraction in Xi’an Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 during the Tang dynasty, the Pagoda is known for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang, one of the most renowned Chinese monks. The whole place is one of the most visited destinations by international tourists in Xi’an.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

In the morning, we are expected to visit Shanxi History Museum, the best place to take a glance at the glorious history of ancient Chinese civilization. The precious exhibits dates from the Paleolithic era to the Qing Dynasty. The breadth and depth of the artifacts and quality of artwork from each time period and dynasty are breathtaking! The museum is crowded, so be prepared to go with the flow of the people in front of each display.

In the afternoon, tourists can enjoy wonderful cycling on the top of Ancient City Wall. The wall around the city centre of Xi'an is a massive construction, about 14 kilometres in perimeter. With 98 defensive ramparts, four main gates, and a moat around it, the ancient city wall is a wonderful example of ancient defensive building. Near its centre are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

Later, we will travel to Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an. It’s the perfect place to have close chat with street venders of Muslims and buy the exquisite handicrafts and enjoy various local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

In the morning, tourists will be transferred to Xian railway station and take the train to Lhasa. You will witness the most beautiful scenery of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Endless land of snows, vast desert, boundless grassland, snow-capped mountains and stunning lakes will continually appear and strongly attract your heart.

Stay overnight in the train

When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on the way to downtown Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, visit the famous Potala Palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapel. You will appreciate its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

In the afternoon, visit the holist temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkhor Kora, where you can buy or appreciate traditional Tibetan artifacts, religious implements, antiques, books, Tibetan music instrument, Thangkas, and tradition Tibetan clothes etc. You will have a chance to get close to appreciate how the artists draw Thangkas at the Thangka workroom at Barkhor.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace used to be Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moved to the Potala palace.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today we drive along the National Highway No. 318 from Lhasa to Bayi Town (Nyingchi). On the way, we will drive over the Mila pass (5013m) and reach Kongpo Gamda town.

Then head to the Basom tso Lake which is around 360km east of Lhasa. Basom tso Lake, situated at 3,500 meters above sea level, originates from Nyching Tangha Mountain and is dozen kilometers long. Snow-covered mountains, glaciers and trees are reflected upon the lake’s rippled surface. There are small islands in the middle of the lake with Lamaist temples built upon them.

Then we continue to drive along the Nyiyang Riveren route to Bayi town.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi

Today, firstly we are about to visit the Great Cypress Nature Reserve area, which is 15 kilometers southeast of the Bayi Town, The king cypress in the reserve is about 50 meters tall and is about 2,500 years old.

Then we will drive to Sekyim la Pass (4720m) and enjoy the great Mt. Namjia Bawa (7,700m) in the distance.

After that, continue to drive to the bushy Lunang Forest with an elevation of 3700m, and it is a typical highland meadow strip, and both sides of Castle Peak from low to high from the dense bushes, spruce trees and pine. The distant clouds, the snow-capped mountains, the endless pines and the quiet pastoral displayed a beautiful landscape.

Then drive back to Nyingchi.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

After breakfast, as we drive through Nang county to Gyatsa, tourists will visit an ancient Lama Ling Monastery, which lies on the left bank of the lower reaches of Niyang River only 34km south of Bayi town. It belongs to the Nyingma sect and is surrounded by the dense forest. Lamaling Monastery enjoys important status in Tibetan Buddhism in Nyingchi.

Then drive along the bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River and the forest along the road gets fewer when you drive toward Gyatsa.

Stay overnight at Gyatsa

Today’s ride on the road is expected to get tougher as the twisted and dusty road climbs up the Po-dang la (5030m), the paved road will meet at the foot side of the hill.

The ancient capital Tsedang is beautifully situated in the fertile Yarlung valley, which is known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization. In Tsedang, you will visit the 1st ever Palace Yambulakhang and Tradruk Temple.

Stay overnight at Tsedang

Today's visit is to Samye Monastery which is the first Buddhism monastery in Tibet built in the 7th century, and the main temple is comprised of three different styles of Tibetan, Hans and India, and fantastic views of Yarlung Tsangpo river can be enjoyed all along the road.

Stay overnight at Tsedang

Today, tourists can see lots of beautiful scenery on the way while we drive to Gyantse. Passing over the Gampala pass (4790 m),you have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you have spectacular views of holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .

We head westward along the lake and appreciate Karo La Glacier and later drive towards Gyantse. Gyantse was historically known as Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).

Stay overnight in Gyantse.

In the morning, firstly we are going to visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, the most iconic architecture of Gyantse County.

After one and half hour’s driving, we will reach Shigatse. In Shigatse, you will visit the famous Tashi Lhunpo monastery where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future Buddha) in the world. This monastery is the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa on the friendship Highway. The whole distance is almost 280km and it takes 6 hours along the Yarlung Tsangpo River also known as Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet).

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight to next destination.