7 Days Xining and Central Tibet Culture Tour by Train
(XTT007) Train from Xining - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigaste - Lhasa
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Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
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Trip Level:
Easy - suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
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Trip Level Guide:
- Easy - suitable for all level of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
- Moderate - suitable for ones with average level fitness, family with kids bigger than 12 yrs.
- Moderate to Strenous - suitable for ones physically fit; have experiences of high altitude trek.
- Strenuous: suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
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Season:春
Spring夏
Summer秋
Autumn冬
Winter
Overview
This one-week Xining to Tibet train tour, covering the two largest cities in Tibet, is well-tailored for those who have a strong interest in Tibetan Buddhist culture. After arriving in Lhasa by train from Xining, you will immerse yourself in the authentic Tibet culture and unique religion by visiting remarkable monasteries and relics, including Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace, as well as Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc. Moreover, brace yourself for awe-inspiring vistas of the Tibetan landscape, such as the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the majestic Karola Glacier, as you traverse the route from Lhasa to Shigatse.
At a Glance
Day 1Board the Train to Lhasa from Xining
Day 2Travel on the Tibet Train and Arrive in Lhasa
Day 3Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)
Day 4Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B)
Day 5Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse 360 km (B, L)
Day 6Shigatse to Lhasa via Nyemo (B)
Day 7Depart from Lhasa (B)
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Board the Train to Lhasa from Xining
Today is free for you until you board the train to Tibet.
Since all trains to Tibet depart from Xining, please check your train number and departure time carefully before you go.
The railway station is about 2.5 kilometers north to the city center. It is suggested to get to the railway station around 1 hour before departure. You need to present your passport and the Tibet Travel Permit to board the train.
Stay overnight on the train.
Day 2: Travel on the Tibet Train and Arrive in Lhasa
Today, you will enjoy the most beautiful scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway through the Tibet Plateau. Endless land of snows, vast desert, boundless grassland, snow-capped mountains and stunning lakes will continually appear and strongly attract your heart.
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.
Day 3: Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)
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.
Day 4: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B)
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.
Day 5: Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse 360 km (B, L)
In the morning, start the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, which includes visits to Tibet's most beautiful lake, glacier, and a charming Tibetan village.
First, drive over the Gampala pass (4900m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa. Continue to explore the lakeshore from various viewpoints, and at the end of the lake, you could visit a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.
Next, you will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.
Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family.
After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.
Finally, we arrive in Shigatse (3900m), the second largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 6: Shigatse to Lhasa via Nyemo (B)
In the morning, you will explore the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.
After lunch, you’ll visit the most distinctive Samzhubze Old Market, where you can experience the daily activities of the local residents.
Then, you will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Option: You also have the option to take a train from Shigatse to Lhasa instead of driving. If you choose this option, please inform your travel consultant. The cost of train tickets requires an additional payment.
Day 7: Depart from Lhasa (B)
Service Guide
Service Included:
- Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
- Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
- Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
- Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
- First aid kit;
Service Excluded:
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
- Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
- Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients
This is an exploration tour to the ancient cultural sites of central Tibet. Only in seven days, you will get a deep understanding of Tibetan religion and culture through visiting the famous monasteries in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, and know about the real life of local Tibetans.
Tibetan Travel Guru,Master Catherine Jigme
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