Lanzhou Tibet Train Tour
- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Route:
- Lanzhou - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
This itinerary will first take you to Zhangye. It covers the best of Danxia landscape and the best part of Zhangye culture including Giant Buddha Temple and Mati Temple Grottoes. Then you will board the sky train - the world's highest train ride from Lanzhou to Lhasa. You can enjoy the essence of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway such as boundless desert, vast grassland, magnificent ice-capped mountains, and beautiful lakes dotted along the way. On your Lhasa tour, you will not only visit Lhasa's most spectacular sights such as the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Jokhang Temple but also gain an in-depth understanding of Lhasa's history, experience the life of the local Tibetan people and explore mysterious Tibetan Buddhism.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanzhou - Zhangye | Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park |
| 2 | Zhangye- Lanzhou | Giant Buddha Temple, Mati Temple Grottoes |
| 3 | Lanzhou-Lhasa Train | Enjoy the scenery along Qinghai-Tibet Railway |
| 4 | Arrival in Lhasa by Train | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 5 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 6 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 7 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseToday you are going to visit the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. In the morning, our guide will send you to Lanzhou Railway Station to catch a high-speed train to Zhangye and our local guide will pick you up at the train station. Then heading to the to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, a representative of colored Danxia landform in China. This place is considered as the Rainbow Mountains because mountains there are composed of several rock strips which display different colors under the sunlight. The rocks here were formed into different size and shapes, due to water erosion. The hills in shapes of gorges, towers, waterfalls, pillars, and palaces will give an amazing natural view. If weather permits, you can appreciate the magnificent sunset scenery of Danxia landform. Afterward, we will drive you to the hotel in Zhangye.
Stay overnight in Zhangye.
Today, you will explore the Giant Buddha Temple and Mati Temple Grottoes. The Giant Buddha Temple, renowned for being the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China, is a landmark of Zhangye. It is said that this giant Buddha statue is made in the image of Sakyamuni. Besides, there are a large number of scriptures and ancient books displayed in the temple. Inside the temple, you may see the earth tower and a typical folk residence with traditionally carved beams and painted pillars. After lunch, we will drive one hour to visit the Mati Temple Grottoes. It is said that a heavenly horse once left a hoof print on a rock, and that mark can still be found in the temple. It is a temple that integrates Buddhist culture, grotto art, Qilian Mountain landscape and Tibetan culture.
In late afternoon, our driver will send you to take a high-speed train back to Lanzhou.
Stay overnight in Lanzhou
You will enjoy the stunning scenery along the Qinghai - Tibet Railway. 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
Our local Tibetan guide will wait for you at Lhasa railway station by holding your name sign. You will be greeted with a warm Tashi Delek (a kind of blessing), and be presented with a white Hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial by giving you a white scarf). Then transfer to the hotel in Lhasa city. On your first arrival day in Lhasa (3650m), it's essential to have a good rest to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS, also known as altitude sickness). Remember to drink lots of water, eat lighter and have high carbohydrate food which will be helpful to 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.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Brig***
Hello
I would like to take my family to Lhasa from Lanzhou. Your trip sounds good. However, could we stay an extra 7 nights in Lhasa?
Dear Brig****,
We can arrange the Lanzhou Lhasa train and an additional 8-day 7-night Tibet tour for you on 1 August 2024.
Here below is my suggested itinerary according to your preference. If you agree, I will quote you. If not, I will tweak it until your satisfaction.