This program connects the tour of the old imperial cities of Beijing and Xi'an in the Central Kingdom with an impressing journey on the Roof of the World. Undoubtedly, the splendid Tibetan culture and prevailing religious atmosphere will impress you deeply when you travel in Lhasa the capital of Tibet and in Tsetang the cradle of the Tibetan civilization. Shanghai the biggest metropolis of China shows its speedy development from semi-colonial to modern. 

It is a hard journey in some sense, as you have to adjust yourselves to such a variety of climatic and cultural characteristics when traveling in the vast country. A worthy and unforgettable experience!

Itinerary (13 days):

Day01 Arrive in Shanghai

Meet with guide at airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day free. 1N at 4*Ocean Hotel

Day02 Air Shanghai - Chengdu (B/L)

In the morning visit Yu-Garden originally built in 1559. It served as the private garden of high-ranking official. The word Yu contains a meaning of safe and peaceful, and the two words Yu Yuan hints that the garden was built to please my parents and make them feel safe and peaceful. With an area of two hectares, Yu Yuan, is dotted with lofty and steep rocks, green trees, ancient buildings. It is celebrated for its quietness and elegance. The classical garden concentrated the constructional primes of the south and north in the Ming and Qing dynasties, small but exquisite. And then take a walk in the old part of the city. In the afternoon transfer to airport and fly to Chengdu (CA4516 1555/1830). Upon arrival, meet with guide and transfer to hotel. 1N at 4*Yinhe Dynasty Hotel

Day03 Air Chengdu - Lhasa (B/L)

Transfer to airport, leave for Lhasa by flight (CA4401 0740/0930). Arrive in Lhasa in about 2 hours, take another 1.5-hour-drive to the city proper. On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages as well as the Yak-skin-boat cruising on Yalung Zangbo river. After lunch, stay at the hotel adapt yourself to the high attitude. (Lhasa is 3650 m above the sea level). 4N at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel

Day04 Lhasa (B/L)

In the morning visit Potala, which 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.

Day05 Lhasa (B/L)

In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called the court of wild rose. Today still 200 lamas live in there. And then visit Norbulingka, which means the garden of treasures in Tibetan language. Located in the west suburbs of Lhasa, this palace complex was built in the 18th century and served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Day06 Lhasa (B/L)

Drive about one hour to Gandan Monastery. The first monastery of Gelug Sect was established in 1409 by Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Hat). Lots of cultural relics since the Ming Dynasty are preserved in the temple, including 90 odd Stupas containing the holy bodies of Tsongkapa and his successive abbots.

Day07 Lhasa - Tsetang 2N at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel (B/L)

Drive to Tsetang on the Yarlung-Tsangpo river junction. On the way visit Mindrolin Monastery. It was built in the late 10th century and had its current name when it was rebuilt in 1677. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Nyingma Sect. The monastery has paid attention to the research of Buddhist classics, astronomical calendar, calligraphy rhetoric and Tibetan medicines and is famous for its achievements in these fields. Over the years the recommendation of the "Chronology of the Tibetan Calendar" has been formulated by the monastery, and it is famous as the first academy of Lamaism in Tibet.

Day08 Tsetang (B/L)

In the morning, drive along and then cross over the Yarlung Tsangpo River by boat (or take the car to drive across the bridge) to visit the magnificent Samye monastery built in the late 8th century. It is the first monastery in Tibet that possessed the three essences of Buddhist monastery: Buddha, Scripture and Monk. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. The grand building complex was structured in the model of the boundless universe regulated by the Buddhist scripture. Its main building is a three-story tower with an interior influenced by Tibetan, Han and Indian styles. In the afternoon the aim is to visit Yungbulakang Palace, a reconstruction of Tibet's oldest palace originally established on this site by the founder of the Yarlung dynasty - Nyatri Tsenpo during the 1st century BC. Afterwards back to Tsetang.