11 Day Beijing Xi'an Tibet Train Tour

An unforgettable journey through Beijing Xi’an and Tibet

Tour Summary

From $1528

The price of this tour depends on the season and comfort class. Click here for pricing details.

Included

Excluded

Tour itinerary at glance

Day 3
Beijing; Beijing-Xi'an Train

Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

Day 4
Xi'an

Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Day 7
Lhasa

Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Str.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 - Beijing (Arrival)

You will be warmly welcomed at airport and sent to the hotel.

4-7 Days Tours

8-15 Days Tours

Day 2 - Beijing

Pick up travelers from hotel on departure time between 7:00am and 7:30am, and then drive to the Ming Tombs (Dingling)---the best-preserved Chinese imperial tombs with 500 years history. Dingling is the underground mausoleum of Emperor Wan Li. The Underground Palace Halls, a labyrinth palace building, were the first royal tomb excavated in accordance with plan in China. Sightseeing for 2 hour. End the visit of Ming Tombs at about 11:00, before having Chinese traditional lunch (11:30), travelers have 45 minutes to have a short visit of Jade Carving Factory. The jade carving is very famous special local product, it was not only the excellent skill on carving, but also mixes many Chinese traditional cultures in the jade carving. After having lunch, then driving to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. If you want to reach the highest point, cable car is a good choice (optional: RMB100 for single way and RMB120 for round way). You are returned to the downtown Beijing, you will have a chance to enjoy the Chinese traditional Tea Ceremony. After the tour, transferred back to your hotels around 6:00pm.

Day 3 - Beijing; Beijing-Xi'an Train

Pick up at your hotel between 7:00am and 7:30am. This tour starts at northern part of Tian'anmen Square. Seeing the Tian’anmen Rostrum, it is the symbol of new China. You could see two pairs of 600 years old stone lions, the ornamental columns, the outer golden water bridge and so on. Besides, having chance to view all constructions from distance. Such as the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Hero, the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of People, and the National Museum. From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces group with 500 years history in the world. Visit the Forbidden City along the central axis from south to north for 2 hours. On the way to Temple of Heaven, you will have a chance to visit the Chinese traditional medicine culture. After having a short rest, we'll visit the Temple of Heaven -- the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world where the ancient Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. The visit to Temple of Heaven takes about 1 hour. After Chinese lunch (40 minutes) in Restaurant, enjoy a short visit to a pearl free market not missed. Driving (30minutes) to Summer Palace, the largest and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. It is regarded as a museum of gardens in China. The visit takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. After sightseeing, you will be sent to train station to take the train to Xi’an.

Day 4 - Xi'an

This morning you will be picked up at Xian Train Station and starts the tour with the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum that is known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”. The museum is located 30 km east of the Xi'an City and shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture. The original site was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974 and now it has turned into the most important attraction in Xi'an. The museum includes Pit 1 as the largest, Pit 2 and Pit 3 as well the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. It is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage. Then we will spend 40 minutes in Imitation of the Qin terra-cotta Figures Factory. After lunch continue to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty for keeping Buddhist Sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Master Xuanzang brought back to China from ancient India. Now the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is surrounded by a big amusement garden and you can stroll around the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After the whole day tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Xi'an.

Day 5 - Xi'an-Lhasa Train

view on the sky train

Day 6 - Lhasa

You are welcomed warmly in Tibetan by the greeting “Tashi Delek” at Train station/ Airport by our professional Tibetan guide. After meeting your guide you will be transferred to your prearranged hotel in Lhasa. The choice is yours, either enjoy some time relaxing or take a stroll through the city’s’ streets to take in some of the local flavor. Whatever you choose it is important to take it slow as your body needs time to acclimatize. This will help you to have a more enjoyable experience for the rest of your time.

Day 7 - Lhasa

In the morning, we will begin the tour with the grand Potala Palace! Built in 7th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highest building in Lhasa. With roughly 1000 stairs to climb, you will enjoy a commanding view of beautiful Lhasa City and the surrounding mountains. There are many rooms, courtyards, and views to explore in Potala Palace, so the better part of the morning will be spent here. In the afternoon we will visit Jokhang Temple, which is considered the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It was built approximately 1350 years ago in a mix of styles including: Tibetan, Tang Dynasty Chinese, Nepalese and Indian. After experiencing this incredible and ancient temple you will find it is the perfect opportunity to envelope yourself in the famous shopping district of Barkhor Street. Beautiful and unique handicrafts from all over Tibet can be found here, and the shopping is enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike! After perusing the wares, join in with locals and pilgrims from around the country and the world in a traditional “kora”. A kora is a clockwise walk done around Buddhists sites, and is traditionally done three times. You may see some walking counterclockwise, however this is only for Bon religion followers, and it is best to stick to clockwise as a tourist. After your kora, sit and watch the many faces and colorful clothed locals while sipping traditional Tibetan butter tea, made with fresh yak butter and yak milk. Free welcome dinner will be arranged for the first night!

Day 8 - Lhasa

First on the itinerary for your 3rd day is Drepung Monastery. It is considered to be one of the three great Gelug monasteries in Tibet. Drepung Monastery is also famous for hosting the unveiling and displaying of the enormous Thanka of the Great Buddha and the Tibetan Opera Show during the Shoton Festival. Later in the afternoon, we will explore another of the “Great Three” monasteries, Sera Monastery. Visitors will have the unique privilege in witnessing one of the magnificent traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, the courtyard debates among the monks. These lively debates contribute to the monks understanding of Buddhist philosophy and achieve a higher level of study. The debates are held on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm in the afternoon.

Day 9 - Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse

On day four, our tour leaves the bustling and ancient city of Lhasa and heads into the Nyangchu Valley. The valley follows the Nyang River, one of the tributaries to the Yarlung Zangbo which later becomes the Bramaputra River. This wide floodplain is home to a host of wildlife and bird species. The road will also cross over the Gampala Pass(4900m), on the way to Yamdrok Lake(4400m). Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise waters looks surreal as it stretches from horizon to horizon. After driving along the picturesque lake, and leaving it behind we then meet the Karo-la Glacier(4960m) which is in easy view from the roadside. Once pictures are taken and memories made we continue on to Gyantse, a famous historical city, where we will pay a visit to Pelkor Monastery and Gantse Kumbum. Later we arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet.

Day 10 - Shigatse / Lhasa

In the early morning on day five, the tour will arrive at Tashilunpo Monastery which is the seat of the of Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of the Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lamas. This enormous Buddha is decorated with jewels and precious stones, and many pilgrims come to rub their “malas” or prayer beads along the flanks of this statue. In the afternoon, we drive back to Lhasa. (Shigatse to Lhasa’s transfer may be by train)