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9 Days Private Tour Lhasa - Yamdrok - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa - Tibet Train – Chengdu
In Lhasa - the capital city of Tibet - we have two days for the attractions: Potala, Jokhang, Norblinka and Sera. And from Parla Lupu Monastery we'll enjoy the magnificent view of Potala Palace. We could circle around the Tibetan holiest Monastery Jokhang with pilgrims, who come from all over Tibet and the Tibetan cultural areas of Kham-Amdo of the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan. Many pious Tibetans measure the way on the Barkhor market with their body length. On the scenic drive to Gyantse and Shigatse we will experience the magnificent scenery, pass by the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and cross over the passes Kamba La (4,794 m) and Karo La (5,010 m). Then visit the unique Kumbum Pagoda in Gyantse and Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

Let us enjoy majestic and varied scenery while traveling on the Tibet Railway from Lhasa to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, home town of giant panda. In Chengdu, we will visit the Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research, stroll in the Wide Alley and the Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi) and drink tea at a typical old teahouse in the People's Park. It’s a direct way to experience the leisurely daily life of Chengdu. And of course, we will enjoy the spicy Sichuan cuisine and more.
Highlights
Train Tour from Lhasa to Chengdu
DAY
1

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, and then transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude, which is helpful to take things easily for the first few days, and then try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street
DAY
2

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala that was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. 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 Monastery, 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.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Potala Palace
Potala Palace
DAY
3

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Debate in Sera Monastery
Debate in Sera Monastery
DAY
4

Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby. Both of them were built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded that 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters and contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel
Breakfast
Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake
DAY
5

Shigatse – Lhasa

Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense

In the morning visit Tashilunpo Monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa. On the way visit a traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense in small town Tunba by the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

273 km
4 hours 58 minutes
Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel
Breakfast
Tashilunpo Monastery
Tashilunpo Monastery
DAY
6

Train Lhasa - Chengdu

Nunnery Ani Sangkhung, departure by Qinghai-Tibet Train

In the morning visit the nunnery Ani Sangkhung. "Ani" means nun and "Sangkhung" is meditation cave. The nunnery Ani Sangkhung was founded in the 15th century by a disciple of Tsongkapa. It is located in the old city center near Jokhang. Today about 100 nuns live here. In the monastery prayer hall, dorm, kitchen, etc, are set up. The nuns plant many plants, so the monastery looks like a garden. In the afternoon transfer to railway station to take the train to Chengdu (Z324 1840/0658+2, soft sleeper, 4-bed compartment). In 36 hours we drive via Naqu, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou and Guangyuan to Chengdu. The special feature is the 1,956 km long railway line from Lhasa to Xining, which is considered the highest railway in the world. You can enjoy a grand, seemingly endless landscape gallery with snow-capped mountains, countless rivers and gorges, high mountain lakes and endless steppes along the way. Over and over, you will see flocks of yaks, sheep, horses and wild animals as well as birds, and with some luck, you can watch the herds of Tibetan antelopes that live mainly in the steppes of the Qinghai-Tibet highlands at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 m.

Overnight on the train
Breakfast
Nunnery Ani Sangkhung
Nunnery Ani Sangkhung
DAY
7

On the train to Chengdu

Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Loess Plateau, Silk Road

Today you continue to drive by train on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, along the Koko Nor Lake (Qinghai Hu), and enter the Loess Plateau and the Silk Road. We leave Tibet and then reach Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, and stop briefly in Lanzhou by the Yellow River (Huang He), the capital of Gansu Province.

Overnight on the train
Breakfast
Tibet Train
Tibet Train
DAY
8

Chengdu

Home town of panda, Panda Breeding Center, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

Early morning arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, home town of giant panda. Picked up by the local guide at railway station and transfer to hotel. Have Breakfast and take a rest in the hotel. Then drive to the Chengdu Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research. Foundered in 1985, the panda base boasts over 50 giant pandas living here now. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi) that are the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, tea houses, restaurants and guesthouses concentrate here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People’s Park in the city center to have a seat in an old tea house and enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table. The tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel
Breakfast
Pandas in Chengdu
Pandas in Chengdu
DAY
9

leave Chengdu

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Chengdu.
Breakfast
Tea House in People’s Park
Tea House in People’s Park
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