Guangzhou Lhasa Train Tour
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Route:
- Guangzhou - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
As a major city in China and Hong Kong's important gateway to the inland, Guangzhou is an ideal arrival hub for international travelers. While this bustling mainland city looks modern, Guangzhou's history dates back more than 2,000 years. With its unique Chinese culture and history, Guangzhou will offer you a travel experience like no other. This train trip will take you from southeastern China to the far west, showing you the great cultural and natural contrasts between Guangzhou and Lhasa, as well as the stunning plateau scenery on the Qinghai-Tibet rail line. After arriving in Lhasa, you will visit Lhasa and the surrounding sacred temples to experience the mysterious Tibetan Buddhism.
Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
---|---|---|
1 | Arrive in Guangzhou | Canton Tower |
2 | Guangzhou Sightseeing | Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Chimelong International Circus |
3 | Train: Guangzhou - Lhasa | In the Train |
4 | In the Train | In the Train |
5 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
6 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
7 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
8 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseAfter arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, our vehicle will transmit you to your hotel. You’re suggested to have a good rest and recover from the jet lag or stroll in streets nearby.
At night, you will pay a visit to the Canton Tower, where you can enjoy a marvelous night panorama of this beautiful city. Famous as the second highest tower in the world, Canton Tower is the must-see site for travelers. Stands alongside the Yiyuan Road and surrounded by numerous landmarks of Guangzhou, itself is the most important landmark. Canton Tower is the world's highest revolving restaurant and the world's tallest ferris wheel. On the tower, you can take excellent photos of the night view, do bring your camera and don’t miss the boat.
Stay overnight in Guangzhou
Today, you will visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in the morning. It’s an academic temple located in Guangzhou, originally built by Chen clans to educate their juniors and changed to the Chen Clan's Industry College. Now, it houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. In this museum, you will admire a large collection of delicate artworks, such as potteries, wood carvings, plaster carvings, sculptures, engravings and many handicrafts. At this elegant place, you can immerse yourself in traditional Lingnan culture.
In the afternoon, this tour will take you to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Recognized as the “Father of the Nation”, Sun Yat-sen is the pioneer of the democratic revolution of China. In this memory hall, you can see photos and documents and feel the passionate history and legendary life of Sun Yat-sen.
At night, an excellent performance by Chimelong International Circus will add highlights to your tour. With consummate skills and exciting animal performance, the show will absolutely blow your mind.
Stay overnight in Guangzhou
Today, you will board the train Z264 towards Lhasa. The whole journey takes about 53 hours and covers 4980 kilometers, which is the longest route of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. On the first day, you will move north first and cross 3 provinces on the train, namely, Hulan, Hubei, and Henan. The scenery is good. You will see Orange Island in Changsha, Yueyang Tower in Dongting Lake in Yueyang, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and Yellow Crane Tower at the bridgehead, West Mount Hua in Huayin, etc. You’re suggested to bring some food and drink, as well as some books for leisure and recreation.
Stay overnight in 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 in 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 at 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
In the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and 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 world heritage site.
In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old Lhasa city. 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’s first attraction is Drepung Monastery. Drepung means "piles of rice" in Tibetan, which symbolizes prosperity. It's the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Also, It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect. After lunch, you will continue to visit Sera Monastery, the most beautiful Tibetan monastery in Lhasa. The Buddhist scripture debating is the highlight of Sera Monastery.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Our Service
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- 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)
- Domestic flight/train 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.
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Andr***
Hi, I am interested to take a 4-5day tour in Tibet and would like to enter Tibet by train from Guangzhou. Any suggestion?
Dear Andr****,
We can arrange a 4-5 days Tibet Tour for you. If you consider arriving in Lhasa on 2 November, we can arrange a private tour for you. For solo travelers, I suggest you consider a cost-effective group tour, you need to adjust your arrival date.
We can also help you buy the soft-sleeper train ticket from Guangzhou to Lhasa.
Here's the group itinerary you can choose.
Option 1: 4-day Lhasa City Essential Group Tour. We have group departures on 10/15/18 November.
Option 2: 5 Days Lhasa & Ganden Monastery Group Tour. We have a group departure on 15 November.
Asked by John***
I would like to visit Tibet, preferably by train
In your inquiry, you mentioned that you would like to visit Tibet, preferably by train. To be frank, the best option for a solo traveler is to join a small group tour to keep the cost down.