This 15 days tour focuses on the charm of Chinese culture and history, including the imperial and history of Beijing and Xian, Ancient Silk Road experience in Dunhuang and Jiayuguan, fabulous Qinghai Tibet Plateau Buddhist culture. Flight is the major transfer between cities, but you will also experience the high speed railway in the trip. A highlight part is the train journey on the highest railway in the world on which you will be pleased by endless breathtaking plateau landscape.
Highlights of this tour:
- Visit the famous World Heritage Sites in Beijing, such as Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, etc;
- Trace the ancient trade caravans' footprints on the ancient Silk Road from Xian to Jiayuguan, also enjoy stunning desert landscapes;
- Explore the brilliant World Heritage Site - Mogao Grottoes which recorded the development of Chinese art over 1600 years;
- Enjoy the scared sights in the holy city Lhasa on the Roof of the World, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, etc.
Tour Brief Information
- Tour price: from $2,499
- Tour code: TD-CTT-15B
- Tour Type: Private Customizable Tour Package
- Destination: Beijing / Xian / Dunhuang / Jiayuguan / Xining / Lhasa
- Duration: 15 days and 14 nights
- Departure: Flexible
- Travel Theme:
- Best Time:
- Physical Level
- Tour Pace
- Max Altitude
5,068m
- Itinerary Details
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- Trip FAQs
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Your tour - at a glance
Day 1~4 Arrival & Beijing Tour
Day 5~6 Xian Tour
Day 7~9 Lhasa City Tour
Day 10~12 Qinghai Lake Tour & Train to Tibet
Day 13~14 Lhasa City Tour
Day 15 Lhasa Departure
Itinerary Details - Day by Day
Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Welcome to the capital city of China! Upon arriving at the airport/train station, you will be met by your local tour guide, and then drive to your downtown hotel in Beijing City. After the hotel check-in, you are free to take a rest or explore around on your own.
Day 2 Beijing ( B, L )
China has more than 4000 years’ history of Imperial Social System. While Beijing is the best place in China to experience the magnificent history and culture of ancient China. Today your guide will pick you up in the hotel after your breakfast, then start the wonderful ancient China culture and history tour!
You will firstly get to the world's largest plaza – Tian’anmen Sqaure. The grandiose Tianmen Gate was the place where the chairman Mao announced the establishement of the People’s Republic of China to the world. Passing through Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, the previous home to 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties for 600 years. Magnificent architectures, intricate ornaments and touching legends make it a must-see of China. In the afternoon, head to visit the stunning and exquisite Summer Palace, and be amazed at the vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, temples, and palaces, together as a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. While in Qing Dynasty, it was the personal summer retreat for the royal families. It is made up of front hill, back hill and Kunming Lake. You will see splendid halls and pavilions in the front hill, while in the back hill, you will enjoy quiet and natural beauty.
After the sightseeing, you will be taken back to your hotel for rest.
- One Corner of Forbidden City
- Tiananmen Square is a symbol of national cohesion
- Wonderful Summer Palace for Summer Retreat
Day 3 Beijing ( B, L )
Hiking the Great Wall is one-in-a-lifetime thing to do for most travelers. Today, you are going to accomplish the Great Wall dream. You will be escorted about 70km from the downtown Beijing to the world-famous Mutianyu Great Wall which has fewer tourists compared with Badaling Great Wall. At the same time, it is the best Great Wall section to view the delicately beautiful scenery while appreciating the grandness of the Walls. After arriving at the ticket office, you will take a cable car to the walls of Mutianyu, and then hike about 2 hours on the Great Wall.
After the Mutianyu Great Wall hiking, you will drive back to the city. On route, take a sidetrip to the solemn Ming Tombs of ancient emperors in Ming Dynasty. Wander along the Sacred Road, a tranquil royal path featured with statues of divine animals and officials; also take an adventure to the mysterious Underground Palace. Before getting to your hotel, you will also make a stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to take some pictures of the world-famed "Bird’s Nest" and the "Water Cube" from the outside.
Optional Recommended Activity: enjoy a dinner of authentic Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude Restaurant.
- Kids have a good time while hiking the Great Wall
- Enjoy the colorful leaves from Mutianyu Great Wall in autumn
- The Bird's Nest is lighten
Day 4 High Speed Train to Xian from Beijing ( B )
After breakfast, you'll go to marvel at one of the greatest masterpiece in Chiense architecture history - the Temple of Heaven where the ancient emperors used to preside at various rituals for a national good harvest in ancient times. Today, the outer area of the Temple of Heaven is a public park for locals to gather to play Taichi, fly kites, chatting… while the inner area is the historical site for tourists to learn about the ancient Chinese history and culture. Later move on to visit the most famous Hutongs which are some old alleys with traditional architecture originated from Yuan Dynasty (CD 1271~1368. Today, there are still many local Beijingers living in these old quarters, while in the Qing Dynasty (CD 1636~1912), there were even some noble royal families resided here. You can wander leisurely around these narrow alleys to experience the original features of people’s living in old time, or take a relaxing rickshaw through. Lunch will be arranged at a local family who lives in Hutong.
After the lunch, you will have some free time until be taken to catch a high speed train to Xian. Our local guide will be waiting for you in train station and escorting you to your hotel in Xian. The rest of day is free for you to explore the ancient city on your own.
- Temple of Heaven was used to pray for a year of rich harvest
- Hutong Rickshaw Tour
Day 5 Xian ( B )
After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to witness the magnificent man-mad wonder - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which were interred to protect Qin Shi Huang (the first Emperor of China) in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses with different looks and numerous bronze weapons compose a large-scale army system to reappear the majestic momentum of the Qin Army 2,000 years ago.
In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city to visit the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Built in Ming Dynasty as a military defense, the wall’s top is wider than its height to allow the army drill. Stroll on the top of the ancient wall and observe the modern Xian, emerge yourself in the charm of this ancient capital. Your next place is to go is the nearby Muslim Quarter, a place to satisfy your stomach with various delicious local foods and snacks. It is also a wonderful place for a leisure walking around.
Optional Recommended Activity: 1) biking for a while on the Ancient Great Wall; 2) enjoy a wonderful performance of Tang Palace Dancing Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm).
- Magnificent Terra-Cotta Warriors
- Beautiful Ancient City Wall
Day 6 Xian - Dunhuang ( B )
Today's activities go at lesure and slow pace. After breakfast, you will be transferred to pay a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum to learn the how Xian becoming the capital for 13 dynasties in ancient China. Some precious relics are also displayed in the museum. After then you will go to the Grant Mosque which is the largest mosque in northern China.
The rest of today is free for you to have fun until your guide escort you to the airport for the flight to Dunhuang. Once arrival at Dunhuang Airport, you will be welcomed by your tour guide, and be escorted to your hotel in Dunhuang City.
- 1300-Year-Old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 7 Dunhuang ( B )
After breakfast, you'll firstly go ahea to learn some history, culture about Mogao culture in the newly built Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center. Also two educational documentary films will be played in the center. Then, you will take tourist bus to the star site of Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes. People usually say it as the “Louvre of East” because Mogao Grottoes has recoreded the development of Chinese art over 1600 years from one dynasty to the next, and kept many priceless art works in the caves and museums.
After visit of Mogao Grottoes, You will be transferred to next site for today - Echoing Sand Mountains. It is great place to see the fabulous scenery of desert, also a paradise for trying exciting sand games. Lying at the arms of Echoing Sand Mountains is the micacle in the desert - Crescent Lake, a never dried lake with many beautiful legendary stories.
Tips: In the summer time, travelers can stay up to late night around 24:00 around the lake to enjoy the cool time and beautiful sky of stars.
- Nature wonder - the Crescent Lake
- The Mogao Grottoes is known as the The Oriental Louvre
- Beautiful desert landscape at Echoing Sand Mountains
Day 8 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan ( B )
Today, after breakfast, you will move to another bright star on the ancient Silk Road - Jiayuguan which is also known as the most western location of the Great Wall of China. On route, a side trip is arranged for you to visit the Yulin Grottoes. The site used to be an subordinate grottoes group to Mogao Grottoes. There are about 250 polychrome statues and 4,200 square meters of murals well preserved in 42 caves here.
Tonight, free to explore this historical city and then have a good rest.
Day 9 Jiayuguan - Xining ( B )
Get up early and have breakfast. Then you will be taken to visit the famous Jiayuguan Fort. A visit to the Great Wall Museum comes before climbing up to the fortress, which is helpful for you to learn many helpful and interesting facts about the ancient Great Wall. The fort is the western starting point of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, and used to play as the gate or the custom of China out to the Western Region, as well an important military defensive fort.
After lunch, you will transfer to the train station to take the high speed train to next destination - Xining. The train journey takes only about 3 hours.
- Inside Jiayuguan Fort
- Riding a camel at Jiayuguan Pass
- The Great Wall Museum in Jiayuguan Pass
Day 10 Xining - Qinghai Lake ( B )
After breakfast, drive around 2.5 hours to the Qinghai Lake which is the best highlights of your Qinghai tour.
Qinghai Lake is surrounded by high mountains from outside. And on the foot of mountains it is endless beautiful grasslands. So you can enjoy the great views by walking, riding or biking. Qinghai Lake is the paradise for birds, which can amount to more than 10 thousand in the summer.
Cruise on the lake and visit the Bird Island in the lake. On route, you will also visit the Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains) and the Ri Pagoda and Yue Pagoda which hich were built in Tang Dynasty to commemorate the intermarriage of marrying Princess Wencheng of Tang to Tubo. In nearby, you will also be amazed by the Daotang River which flows oppositely.
Go back Xining and stay overnight.
- Qinghai Lake with Enchanting Natural Beauty
- Full-blown rape flowers resemble a golden wreath on Qinghai Lake (July & August)
Day 11Train to Lhasa ( B )
After breakfast, drive about 26km to visit the famous Taer Monastery.
Taer Monastery is the birthplace of the Tibetan Buddhism master – Tsongkhapa who was the founder of Gelug(a sect of Buddhism). It is also famous as one of “Six Gelug Monasteries”. You must not miss the “three bests” of Taer Monastery – murals, barbola and butter sculptures. Taer Monastery is also a very important institute to learn Buddhism, Astronomy and Medicine. There are many Buddhist ceremonies organized here in each year.
After the monastery visit, you will transfer back to the city to take a train to Lhasa. Enjoy the fantastic plateau views along the Qinghai Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world.
- You will have a unforgettable journey with Qinghai-Lhasa Railway
- Pagodas of Buddha Shakyamuni in Taer Monastery
Day 12 Lhasa Arrival ( B )
Witness the beautiful Tibetan Plateau with groups of nomads. See the Kekexili Nature Reserve which protects wild plants and animals as well as their natural habitates.
After about 21 hours' train journey, you will arrive at Lhasa Railway Station. Your local tour guide is ready to pick you up and transfer you to check in your hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.
High Altitude Acclimation Tips:1) go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you'd better not have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3) drink more water, and have some fruit; 4) have a good rest.
- The Stunning Landscape along the Golmud-Lhasa Railway
Day 13 Lhasa ( B, L )
Start today’s Lhasa exploration with an exciting visit to the landmark - Potala Palace which is regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural building in the world. You will climb up the palace along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the top of the palace where you can not only appreciate the exotic Tibetan-style architecture, but also get a great view of Lhasa’s urban areas, then walk into the inner space of Potala Palace to explore the stately chapels and learn about the history of the palace.
Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Templewhich is considered as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Each day, there are thousands of pilgrims coming from different places in Tibet to the temple to worship to the Buddha. This temple is also known as the “house of Buddha” because it keeps the precious Jowo Rinpoche, the life-sized (5 foot/1.5m) image of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. The last site for today’s exploration is the famous Barkor Street. It is a circular and wide street encircling the Jokhang Temple. The local people like to walk on the street for several circles usually in the late afternoon as a daily tradition of pilgrimage. The street also has many shops selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items and handcrafts.
Tips of today: 1) there are 1,080 steps up to climb to the top of Potala Palace, so don’t walk in a rush, which may cause high altitude sickness; 2) taking photos is not allowed inside the palace; 3) today you will be mainly outside, please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.
- Can't-be-missed Potala Palace in Tibet
- Golden Roof of Jokhang Temple
- Local House by Barkhor Street
Day 14 Lhasa ( B, L )
After breakfast, you will firstly go to visit the beautiful Norbulingka which used to be the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas in the ancient time, and now is a public park. It is famous for its Potrang, the private palaces of former Dalai lamas with grandiose Tibetan architecture style. Next, drive several kilometers to the western outskirts of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. Drepung, in Tibetan, means “prosperity”. Since its establishment, Drepung Monastery has always been one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders used to study here, especially the Dalai Lamas. So Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the “Mother School of Dalai Lamas”.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to another famous monastery in Lhasa - Sera Monastery. It is famous for the spectacular “Buddhism Debating”. As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard, and debate on the Buddhist doctrines with supplemented gestures, which is thought to be helpful to facilitates better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city. The rest time is your own free time to rest.
The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn’t wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the chapels; 3) taking photos is usually not allowed inside the chapels.
- Sera Monastery Is Famous for Its Buddhism Debating
- Debating Monks
- Monks Gathered at the Entrance of Drepung Monastery
Day 15 Lhasa Departure ( B )
Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.
Tips of Today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) if your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.
Useful Trip Notes
- 1. Tibet Permits
There are several permits required to visit Tibet. Tibet Entry Permit, issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, is the most important one which has to be obtained before your trip because you must have it to take your flight/train to Tibet. To get the permit, you have to book a Tibet tour with us, and send us your passport and Chinese visa about 20 days in advance, and then let us apply for the permit (all Tibet permits can only be applied by travel agency). If you travel to other prefectures like Shigatse, Nyingchi, Shannan, etc, you also have to obtain an Alien Travel Permit. If you travel to Mount Everest, you have to obtain a Border Permit. (Tibet Discovery, with office in Lhasa, has always kept up with the latest news on Tibet Permits. Traveling with us, all your permits are guaranteed as long as you are qualified to the requirements.) - 2. Available Months to Visit Tibet
Generally speaking, May to early October is the best time to for a Mount Kailash trip. July and August are the peak season and rainy season. It may be too cold to travel in Kailash area from November to March. There is usually heavy snow. The conditions in Namtso Lake and Mount Everest area are quite similar with Kailash. While other places like Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse are suitable for travel all year around. - 3. High Altitude Sickness
The average altitude of Tibet is about 4000 meters above the sea level (Lhasa: 3700m; EBC: 5200m; Namtso: 4718m). You may suffer a bit from High Altitude Sickness in the beginning days of your Tibet trip if you haven’t had rich high plateau travel experience. But don’t worry too much, the high altitude can be acclimatized usually in 2~3 days. Our suggestion is to take a physical examination and get suggestions from your doctor, and also bring some medicines to prevent from High Altitude Sickness before your trip. While in Tibet, you should keep warm all the time, avoid strenuous activities, drink more water and eat more vegetables and carbohydrates. You’d better not take showers during the first two days after your arrival at Tibet. If you don’t feel well, get help from your tour guide or go to the hospital without any delay. - 4. Train to Tibet from Xining
On this tour, you will take a train to Tibet. The railway from Xining to Lhasa is the world's highest altitude raiway - Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It takes about 22 hours to get to Lhasa by train from Xining. Currently all the trains coming from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Lanzhou and Chongqing will make stops at Xining, which means you will have a bigger chance to get a train Tibet. - 5. Packing and Wearing Ideas
Firstly you can’t forget your passport and Chinese Visa. A large backpack and a smaller one are recommended (the smaller one can be used for daily activities). Also bring the necessary medicine you need. Other stuffs like sunglasses, snow glasses, hats, lip balm, sun block are recommended.
As for wearing, you are suggested to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets). Down jacket is necessary in Spring and Autumn. A pair of durable and comfortable shoes is necessary.
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