Beijing Lhasa Train Tour
- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Price:
- From USD1040
- Route:
- Beijing-Lhasa-Namtso-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
This journey combines the fascinating views along the Beijing-Tibet Railway and infinite exploration of the Tibetan landscape. Beijing, the capital of China enjoys easy transportation and China’s classical historical attractions. Compare to the flight, the train from Beijing to Lhasa shows advantages in price. Though it's a long train ride(41hrs), you can enjoy the most beautiful section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway with spectacular land of snow, boundless desert, vast grassland, magnificent ice-capped mountains, and beautiful lakes dotted along the way. After arriving in Lhasa, you will experience the unique culture of the roof of the world. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the holy lake Namtso are all important travel destinations that cannot be missed.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing - Lhasa Train | Get to Beijing West Railway Station |
| 2 | On the Train | Enjoy the fantastic view along the railway |
| 3 | Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 4 | Lhasa Suburb | Drak Yerpa, Local Tibetan Family Visit |
| 5 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 6 | Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa, 460km, Approx. 6hrs | Namtso Lake |
| 7 | Depart from Lhasa | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseGo to Beijing West Railway Station on your own. Exchange e-Ticket for the actual paper ticket at the ticket booth by showing the e-Ticket, the copy of your Tibet Travel Permit, and your passport. Arrive at the railway station about 2 hours in advance is suggested.
Stay overnight on the train
Today, you will spend the whole day on the train and the stunning scenery along the Qinghai Tibet Railway will never let you down. When the train passes through Xining and enters the Golmud region, the breathtaking view will appear one after another. Be sure to capture the memorable scenes with your camera. Major attractions are Qinghai Salt Lake, Yuzhu Peak, Kekexili Nature Reserve, Tuotuo River, Tangula pass, Tsonag Lake, Qiangtang Prairie and Namtso Lake, etc.
Stay overnight on the train
Welcome to Lhasa! Our local Tibetan guide and driver will wait for you at Lhasa Railway Station by holding your name sign. You will be greeted with a warm Tashidelek (meaning hello with blessing), and be presented with a white Hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial). Then transfer you to the hotel in Lhasa city. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. After checking in your hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to have a good rest and acclimatize to the high altitude at the top of the world. If you physically feel good, you can visit the Potala Palace Square, have a far view of the Yaowang Mountain, and take a panoramic view of the Potala Palace. Remember to drink lots of water, eat lighter and have high carbohydrate food, which will be helpful for you to adapt to the high altitude better.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After one night's rest in the hotel, we will start a day of exploration. First, we will visit 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.
Visiting a local family is one of the most interesting things during your stay in Tibet. The local Tibetan people will greet you in their traditional way and entertain you with their typical butter tea. In this way, you will experience Tibetan customs and their daily life.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and first take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it is a museum and a world heritage site.
In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Today you are going to see Namtso Lake, one of the three most holy lakes in Tibet. It's also the highest lake in the world and the third-largest salt lake in China. The name of Namtso means “lake from heaven” in the Tibetan language. And the gorgeous landscape is really like heaven. You will be totally intoxicated in it. After that, we will go back to Lhasa by passing through Yampachen(4300m) and Tsuphu Monastery(4300m).
Located 92km from Lhasa city, Yampachen is rich in geothermal energy and is known for its hot spring baths. People enjoy the blue sky and white clouds when taking a bath in the outdoor hot spring. It's optional.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$1040 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- Soft-sleepers from Beijing to Lhasa;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Other domestic flights/trains to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Traveler Info: Slovenia , 17Pax Our local guide Mr. Lobsang was +10. Friendly, knowledgeable, eager to help any time any situation. Cheerful. He did sing for us as well, just as I wanted him to. Hope to meet him again on future tour. Also our driver, prepared to stop any time for us to take photos. ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Magd***
I am looking for a group tour I could join as solo traveller. Is there anything available starting around 25.8.2024?
Dear Magd****,
We can arrange the Beijing Lhasa train tour for you. Currently, we have tourists booked the Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Everest Namtso Group Tour and you can share the Lhasa part with them.
We can entrust the scalper to help you book the train tickets from Beijing to Lhasa via Xining on 24 August. But we can't confirm the soft-sleeper train, we may get the hard-sleeper train tickets for you and the train tickets may be obtained on the day the train departs.
Please kindly note, that the train tickets are open to book for 15 days in advance and may be sold out immediately. If you want it, please let me know ASAP.
Asked by Just***
Hello Great Tibet Tour,
I am interested in booking your 7-day Beijing-Lhasa Train Tour.
I have several questions:
Is it possible to start the Day 1 in Beijing on September 11, 2024?
Would it be possible to book a flight departing from Lhasa back to Beijing September 17?
Dear Justin,
We can arrange 7 days Beijing Lhasa Train Tour departing on 11 Sep. for you. It's a private tour.
The direct soft-sleeper train ticket from Beijing to Lhasa is much more difficult to book in September. We'll try to book the direct ticket. If not, we'll book the connecting train ticket via Xining.
You may book the flight ticket from Lhasa to Beijing on 17 September. We can help you book the flight ticket too. But there's a service fee.
Asked by sabi***
we would like the train Beijing to Llasa with the 7 day programm in Llasa.
Is it posible to visit mount Kailash ?
and a train to go back to Xining ?
Dear Sabi****,
We can arrange the 7-day Beijing Lhasa Train Tour for you on 23 September. We can also help you book the soft-sleeper train tickets from Lhasa to Xining. If you want to visit Mt.Kailash, I suggest you consider our group tour, it will take about 14 days.
Here are the 2 recommended itineraries according to your schedule & preference. Please let me know which one you prefer. If you agree, I will quote you. If not, I will tweak it until your satisfaction.
Option 1: Beijing Lhasa Train Tour
Option 2: Mt.Everest & Mt.Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour
Asked by Phil***
We are an elderly couple looking to take the Shangrila Express train Diamond Class from Beijing to Lhasa. Then we want to travel overland by 4X4 for a least a week through the Himalayas with a stop at Everest base camp (and maybe K2 and Anapurna) and departing home from Katmandu. Prefer travel in March-April or May.
Dear Phili****,
We can arrange a 7-day Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Tour for you. Please kindly note, Tibet may not open to foreign tourists in March. You can consider travel in April and May. For 2 pax, I suggest you consider our group tour. We also can arrange a private tour for you.
As I know, the Shangrila Express train Diamond Class is in Xinjiang, China. And it doesn't pass by Beijing or Lhasa. We can help you book the soft sleeper train tickets for Z21, which is the only train from Beijing to Lhasa.
Asked by Ms A***
I would like to know how much the 7 day trip would be for a solo traveler, including any supplements. Can I pay for all 4 berths in on the train so I can have a private room? How do we arrange for the Visa? Do I just need to go to the Embassy in the US?
Dear Ms Adrie****,
We can arrange a 7-day Beijing Lhasa Train Tour for you.
1. Yes, we can help you book the 4 berth tickets in a room on the train.
2. For the visa application,
1) Here's the website address. Choose your nearby Chinese consulate, and make a visa interview appointment by filling out the form online. (Choosing either link to book an appointment. Two links below may cover different cities.)
https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=index&locale=en_US
OR
https://www.visaforchina.cn/#/nav/system
2) How to fill in the China visa application form?
https://www.visaforchina.cn/JKT2_EN/upload/file/20230201/Guidance%20filling%20form%20PDF.pdf
3) We can offer you the supporting docus for the visa interview after you book with us.
Tips:
(1). It takes 10-30 days to apply for the visa, it is recommended to get the visa to China one month in advance;
(2). It is recommended that you choose to apply for a Chinese tourist visa, after which it will be easier to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit;
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