Chengdu Lhasa Train Tour

Please go to Chengdu West Railway Station on your own and you'd better reach there 2 hours before departure. Usually, you need to show your original passport, the booking number & a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit (maybe 1 copy will be kept by the conductor) to pick up the train ticket at the ticket office. Your travel consultant will send you a copy of the Tibet permit at least several days in advance and you need to print it out (3 copies are highly recommended) to bring with you. You may also need to show a copy of your Tibet permit to get on the train.

Stay overnight on the train

Today, you will spend the whole day on the train and you can enjoy the fantastic view along the railway. In the morning, you will pass through Shaanxi and Gansu provinces to witness the majestic mountains and the barren land of western China. At noon, you will arrive in Xining - the start point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. You will see massive deserts, immense grasslands, vast valleys, snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and flocks of yaks and sheep.

Stay overnight on the train

Your guide and driver will greet you at Lhasa Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Railway Station, it usually takes about 20 mins. After being transferred to the hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water and eat light. Not to have a shower if you can help it.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today you will visit the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of old Lhasa city town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After visiting the temple, you will have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa. In the early days, it was the most famous local market but now it's the tourist shopping center.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."

Stay overnight in Lhasa