Highlights of China & Tibet Journey
Overview
Highlights
- Experience one of the world’s greatest train journeys – the railway to the roof of the world, crossing incredibly mountainous and remote terrain
- Like everything it does, China’s ancient history is on an epic scale – see it first-hand with hours to explore the Great Wall
- Get to know Lhasa, from the architectural wonder of the former home of the Dalai Lama to the incredible atmosphere of the Jokhang Temple, the holiest in the Tibetan Buddhist world
- Every drive in Tibet seems more stunning that the last. Climb phenomenal passes, twist up thrilling peaks, and take in incredible views of skies and lakes, where the only way to tell their perfect blue apart is the towering mountains that separate them
- Meet monks at temples and cliff-side monasteries where the scenery will leave you breathless
- Stand in the shadow of the mightiest mountain of them all with a trip to Everest Base Camp
- Finish your trip in the city of Chendu - home to pandas and spicy Sichuan cuisine
What's this trip about?
Details
Destinations
Attractions
Itinerary
Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Blending 21st-century architecture with old-world character, Shanghai pulses with the beat of new China. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm this evening. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it...
Today join your leader for a walking tour that will take you to historical Shanghai. At the Bund you can get a taste of 1920s Shanghai; its spectacular array of art deco style buildings, formerly belonging to Western banks, line what was once the most important financ...
Get a taste of traditional China on a day trip to an ornate water town. Drive approximately 2 hours by private transport out to Xitang, a town full of picturesque architecture and views. Wander through the small streets and across the bridges that criss-cross the town...
Arrive in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and the largest city in northwest China. Once the imperial centre of China for 2,000 years, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many interesting historical sites and is a great place to explore. Today you’ll...
Today you’ll journey out in to the countryside surrounding Xi’an (approximately 2 hours) and visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. You’ll learn all about this incredible archaeological find, discovered after bein...
Today is a big day of travelling so grab some snacks for the journey. Transfer to the railway station and then board the high-speed train (approximately 6 hours) to Beijing. Watch the landscape change from farmland and villages to industrialised cities and urban spraw...
This morning you’ll visit a section of the Great Wall and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site (and sight). An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beij...
Today you will make our way to the centre of the city – Tiananmen Square (travelling by metro and local bus). This square – supposedly the largest dow town square in the world – is the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao...
Today you'll have another free day to explore Beijing until 6 pm for the group briefing for your journey to Tibet. As this is a combination trip, please note that your tour leader and group composition may change today.
No trip to China would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you’ll take an early morning visit to one of the best-preserved areas featuring guard towers dating back to the Ming dynasty - , the Mutianyu section (approximately 2 hours). An incredible pie...
The train to Lhasa is one of China's greatest recent engineering feats. It’s the highest railway in the world, traversing some incredibly mountainous and remote terrain. The journey takes you through the major cities of Xi'an, Lanzhou and Xining, and across the Qingha...
The train will travel through a wide brown grassland complemented by terracotta foothills, with a speckling of grazing yaks, sheep and goats and the occasional punctuation of lakes and streams. This same landscape, only sparsely populated by clusters of brick village ...
Begin exploring Lhasa with an easy morning walk in the nearby area before joining a momo (Tibetan dumpling) making class for lunch. In the afternoon, take a visit to the Sera Monastery and witness the residing monks taking part in heated debates in the courtyards.
Begin seeing the sights of 'The Place of the Gods' with visits to both the imposing Potala Palace and Jokhang temple. As the former home of the Dalai Lamas, Potala Palace sits 130 metres (426 feet) above the city. The palace is divided into two parts – the secular Whi...
Today’s drive to Gyantse is spectacular, offering unforgettable views around every bend. Cross over several stunning passes as you twist through dramatic mountains and peaks that tower over the road. Take in the incredible views of Yamdrok Lake, mystically mirroring t...
This morning you’ll spend time in the unique Gyantse Kumbum, an impressive layered stupa designed as a kind of 3D mandala (symbol that represents the universe) before exploring a model of the Buddhist universe where each storey represents a step to enlightenment. If y...
Continue west to the town of Sakya (approximately 3-4 hours). Sakya's monastery and town buildings are quite unique. Originally, there were two monasteries in Sakya – the Northern and the Southern – but the former was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolutio...
With an early start today, travel to Everest National Park, (approximately 5-6 hours). Cross the spectacular 5,050 metre Pangla Pass on the way to Rongphu Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. On a clear day, you’ll have giddy views of the Everest range. On a...
Return to Shigatse (approximately 7-8 hours), which will feel like a bustling metropolis after the remote scenery from the last few days. Today will be a long day of travelling, but the constantly incredible scenery will make the journey worthwhile. There will be plenty of stops along the way for photo opportunities and to stretch the legs.
Before embarking on a return trip to Lhasa, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the few in Tibet to have come out of the Cultural Revolution virtually unscathed. Sheltering expansive territory inside its thick stone walls, it’s almost like a town in itself – you’l...
Say goodbye to Tibet and your Tibetan leader and catch a flight from Lhasa to Chengdu (approx 2 hours). It might be one of China's biggest cities, but Chengdu has preserved plenty of its traditional flavour. The capital of Sichuan Province is most famous for two thin...
Your adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Finish point
- Ibis Chengdu Chunxi Road Hotel 宜必思成都春熙酒店
- No.20 Section 2 Hongxing Road, 621000 成都, 锦江区, 红星路二段二十号
- Jinjiang
- Chengdu
- Sichuan
- CHINA
- Phone: +86 2886930088
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