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Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive in Xining O/N in a 4-star Hotel, B/L/D
Day 02 Visit Kumbum Monastery and the Lake Koko Nor, in the afternoon taking the train to Tibet, O/N in soft sleeping berth, B/L/D
While traveling, visit Kumbum monastery （Ta'er Si） of Gelukpa-sect which was built in 1560 and also one of the six grand Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet . Tsongkhapa, the founder of the "yellow hat sect" of Tibetan Buddhism was born here. Then cross over Sun-Moon-Mountain （Ri Yue Shan） to visit the Koko Nor Lake, in the afternoon arrive in Xining.
The train will start in the afternoon; nearly all trains to Lhasa are scheduled to leave Xining at this time, for the highlights of the sightseeing of the plateau will come out on the next day.
Day 03 Full-day excursion of the views along Qinghai-Tibet Railway, in the evening arrive in Lhasa, O/N in 4-star Lhasa Hotel, B/L/D
You will arrive in Golmud, the 2nd largest city in Qinghai province at the time of day break, there will be a longer stop and you may come out of the train to stretch out and breathe the fresh air. After Golmud, the trail will start climbing to 4,000 meters above the sea level; you will see Kunlun Mountains, which is called "the Father of all Mountains" in Chinese Legends. After Kunlun Mountain you will be on the vast area of Hohsil, this is one of the biggest Non-inhabitants areas in China and also is called as "the Paradise of the Wild Lives. You may see some of the wild lives like Gezail, wild ass and Tibetan Antilops here. In the afternoon cross the Tanggla Mountain Pass, the world's highest point of the railway （5,068 m） is located here. Then you'll see the prosperous North-Tibet Grassland, and you will see a spectacular lake called Tsona（ Blake Lake ）， you'll arrive in Lhasa at around 22:30 in the evening, check in to the hotel.
You will totally have one whole night time in the train.
Day 04 Full-day sightseeing of Lhasa, visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkor Street, O/N in Lhasa Hotel, B/L/D
In the morning visit Potala Palace, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang Temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.
Day 05 Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse 260 + 90 km O/n in 3-star Shigatse Hotel, B/L/D
Today leave for Shigatse. Drive over Kangpala Pass（5,030 m） and zigzag down to the Yamdrok-Yumtso Lake, the third-biggest holy lake in Tibet and a good place for taking photos. Then cross over Karuola Pass（5000 m） from where you will see the very nice Glacier of Mountain Norjing Kangson（7,190 m）， arrive in Gyantse in the lunch time and visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the old city of Dzong. Pelkor Chode is a huge temple with a unique history and a wealth of Buddhist art. The Monastery was founded in 1418. Originally the compound housed approximately 15 different monasteries, made up of three different sects in a rare instance of tolerance amongst the Tibetan orders of Buddhism, inside the monastery is the spectacular stupa of the Gyantse Kumbum. Then drive along the Nyenchuk River to the city of Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet with 40,000 inhabitants.
Along the way Gyantse-Shigatse there will be some beautiful farmlands.
Day 06 Shigatse - Lhasa 290 km O/N in Lhasa Hotel, B/L/D
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelukpa sect, the seat of the Panchan Lamas and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet region. As the Tibetan Buddhism's second leading religious group, the monastery is an interesting sprawling amalgam of traditional Tibetan monastic style halls, chapels and other structures connected by precipitous steps and narrow cobblestone alleys. The interplay between Tashilumpo's golden roofs and its white, red and black exterior walls creates a striking composition. In the monastery the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya （The Future Buddha） is the biggest in China. Then drive along River Yalun （Brama Putra） to Lhasa.
Day 07 Lhasa Nyinchi, on the way visit Basum Tso Lake, O/N in 3-star Shambala Hotel, B/L/D
Baksum Tso Lake lies in a deep valley at an altitude of 3,538 m. The lake is a crescent covering 27 sq kilometers （10 squire miles）。 It is surrounded by mountain ranges and lush trees, like an emerald embedded in a valley. In Tibetan language, Baksum means 'green water'. The water is so crystal-clear that fish can be seen even deep below the surface. Around the lake, there are both snow-capped mountains and mountains dotted with evergreen trees. On the islet at the center of Baksum Tso Lake there is a Nyingmapa Sect Monastery called Tsodzong.
Day 08 Nyingchi- Lulang-Nyingchi, O/N in 3-star Shambala Hotel, B/L/D
On the way sightseeing of the primitive forest with snow mountains and glaciers, in a clear day you may see the mountain Namcha Barwa（7782） from the Sejila Pass（5,030 m）， Namcha Barwa is the 15th highest mountain in the world and in 2005 it was ranked as the most beautiful mountain in China. Lunch at a village called Lulang, Lulang is famous for its forest.
Day 09 Drive back to Lhasa. O/N in Lhasa Hotel, B/L/D
Any stops will be possible on the way back to Lhasa, after arrive you may take a free excursion in Lhasa.
Day 10 Fly to Chengdu, afternoon visit the Green Ram Temple, O/N in five-star Jinjiang Hotel, B/L/D
Transfer to Gongga Airport and fly to Chengdu. You will have a very nice bird-view of the Tibet landscape with forest and Snow Mountains from the air. On arrival we can pay a visit to the Green Ram Temple, a famous Taoist temple in Chengdu.
Day 11 Full-day sightseeing in Chengdu, morning visit the temple of Marquis Wu, afternoon visit the Giant Panda breeding centre, O/N in five-star Jinjiang Hotel, B/L/D
Day 12 Exit |
