9 Days Train Tour from Xining to Lhasa

The first stop on your tour schedule is Riyue Mountain, which is situated in Huangyuan County, Xining, Qinghai Province. A Chinese legend tells the story of Princess Wencheng who lost a mirror that she called “Sun and Moon”. This magical mirror allowed her to see all the way to Xi’an, so upon its loss, she cried so many tears that it became the Daotang River that now flows near the mountain. After our mountain visit, your personal tour guide will take you to visit Qinghai Lake, located 150 kilometers west of Xining. Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in all of China, looking as large as a sea from some viewpoints. Before driving back to Xining for your overnight stay, we’ll pay a visit to the Gold and Silver Grassland. This grassland area features a never-ending blue sky, billowing white clouds, green grass, grazing flocks of sheep and goats, and numerous species of birds that make for a picturesque landscape for all visitors to see.

This morning we will visit the centuries-old Ta'er Monastery. This ancient monastery was built in 1557 during the Ming Dynasty to commemorate Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Ta’er Monastery is famous for its three treasures – the Butter Sculpture, intricate murals and ancient and magnificent “barbola” (Tibetan embroidery). After exploring the monastery, we will take you to the train station for your train to Lhasa.

We will pick you up from the Lhasa train station after your arrival and transfer you to your hotel. You will have time to relax with a free afternoon and evening to become acclimatized to the high altitude.

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;

Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.

After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together and later trek from lodging place to EBC (4kms, or take Eco bus). You can visit the Everest Base Camp and take the close-up shot of Mt. Everest. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley. You can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you to the airport for your departure.