Tibet Tour (13days/12nights)

Beijing

On arrival you will be met by our  guide and transferred to your hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day.

Beijing ( B L)

A morning tour of Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City; the complex of imperial palaces are home to the emperors for over 500 years in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some of the grand halls have been used as museums for fine collections of Chinese treasures. After lunch you will be driven to visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the royal family, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming.

Beijing ( B L )

A full day excursion by seat-in coach to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of human labor. After lunch, a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD).

Beijing （B L D）

Your sightseeing this morning is the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvest. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. After lunch, you will have outlook of National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre. The National Stadium held 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. This evening you will be treated to a delicious Beijing roasted duck dinner before you are transferred to railway station, where you'll board your Beijing - Tibet Train. This unique, 45-hour journey will carry you across the "roof of the world." Due to the high elevations (portions of your ride include travel at altitudes hovering around 16,000 feet) your railcar's air is enriched with additional oxygen - a unique amenity of this fascinating rail journey. Though cabin availabilities may vary, sleeping accommodations aboard the train generally include semi-private, quad-occupancy cabins. Restroom facilities are provided within each car.

On the train.

From the windows of your train you'll see the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Kunlun Mountains. Outside those windows lies some of the world's harshest environments: high, arid, salty plateaus with sparse vegetation. Yet the views are spectacular!

You'll travel across miles and miles of Northern Tibet Grass, through the Kekexili Nature Preserve - home to just 16 mammal species and 30 bird species. All are acclimated to the dry, cold, high-altitude climate. Here roam snow leopards, yaks, Tibet antelope, and wild donkeys; golden eagles soar above.

Today's journey carries you over the Tanggula Pass - traveling along the world's highest passenger railway tracks (elevation - 16,649 ft. or 5072m).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available for purchase aboard your train as you travel southwest to Lhasa.

Arrival at Lhasa (3700m above see level)             

Following your evening arrival in Lhasa Railway Station, your tour guide will pick you up & transfer to your hotel directly. In the evening, you may be at leisure for acclimatization or visit local bazaar on own.

Lhasa (B L)

After breakfast, guided sightseeing with the Lhasa’s cardinal landmark-Potala Palace. This massive 13-soreyed building used to be the highest building prior to the early period of last century, used to be the former winter abode for the Dalai Lamas. It looks incredibly magnificent from a distance and could be viewed from various places around the town. As the nation’s supreme relic, the palace dates back to 7^th century A.D. In the afternoon, visit of Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous.

Lhasa (B L)

After breakfast, guided sightseeing of the most revered religious structure in Tibet-Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, refers to “Buddha’s House” in Tibetan language because the main statue enshrined is said to be made by Buddha Sakyamuni himself in his lifetime. Jokhang Temple is the convergence of Tibet’s Spiritual and secular life, like Mecca for the Muslims, here you can meet all the tribes from Tibetan plateau. The surrounding market is called Barkhor, one of the most important religious paths, which also assembles people for shopping. In the afternoon, visit of Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalailama.

Lhasa – Xi’an (B)

Free in the morning and lunch on your own in the hotel. In the afternoon, take two and a half hours flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. A city tour of the ancient city wall, one of few well-preserved ones in China.

Xi'an ( B L)

This exciting day of sightseeing will include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, and the Bronze Chariots. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 AD. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang,. Remainder of day is at leisure.

Xi'an – Shanghai ( B L )

This morning, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum where you will discover how Xi'an became the cradle of Chinese culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a two-hour flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, bustling and heavily populated city in China. You are free for the remainder of the day.

Shanghai ( B L D)

Your sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Yuyuan Garden, the old area of the city, and a stroll along the lively waterfront, known as the "Bund". After lunch, a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. An acrobatic show for your evening entertainment after dinner.

Shanghai/Departure ( B )

At leisure in the morning until your transfer to the airport for departure.