11 Days Tibet and Silk Road Group Tour by Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lhasa Arrival

   Welcome to Lhasa! When the train arrives in Lhasa, you will receive a Hada for our local guide. Hada, a white scarf, is a traditional gift in Tibet to wish you good luck. Then you will be escorted to hotel and you need to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude.

   Accommodation:Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

2. Day 2: Lhasa
   Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning we will visit the Potala Palace, the most notable attraction in Tibet. The palace was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when the master of Tibet married daughter of the Emperor Taizong. It is said there are totally 999 rooms in the palace and from the 17th century on, Potala Palace was used as winter palace for Tibetan master.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will move to visit Jokhang Monastery, the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple in Buddhist followers’ heart. The temple was built in the golden period of local Tubo Kingdom and is also the earliest earth-and- wood structure building in Tibet. Then take a walk along the Barkhor Street where lots of local handicrafts and little goods full of Tibetan taste waiting for exploring. Come back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa - Sigaze by Car
   Yamdrok Tso Lake, Pelkor Monastery (B + L + D)

   AM: After hotel breakfast, pick up from hotel by local driver and guide and drive to Sigaze. On the way we will stop at Yamdrok Tso Lake which means Lake of Swan in Tibetan language. The lake is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Looking sky from the lake, it just like a coral branch. It is regarded as the most beautiful lake in southern Tibet.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Next we will visit the Palkhor Monastery, which has about 600 years history. The must see of the monastery is the nine-storey Palkhor Pagoda. Then continue to way to Sigaze.

   Accommodation:Shigatse Hotel or same class (4 stars)

   

4. Day 4: Shigatse - Lhasa by Car
   Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Yarlung Zangbo Gorge (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning, we will drive to visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the largest temple in Shigatse Area. In the monastery you will see the the largest statute of future Buddha in the world. That monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447. Now it is one of the six principal monasteries of Gelu Sect (Yellow hat) of Tibetan Buddhism. Then we will drive back to Lhasa. And one the way we will pass by the scenic Yarlung Zangbo Gorge or Bhamaputra River.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Return to Lhasa.

   Accommodation:Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

   

5. Day 5: Lhasa - Xining by Train
   Yuzhu Peak, Kunlun Mountain, ,Kekexili Reserve, Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel, Tanggula Station, Qiangtang Grassland(See them in train) (B + L + D)

   Today you will take the train to Xining and you will experience a scenic train journey in Tibet, the Roof of the World. You will pass by snow-capped Yuzhu Peak and Kunlun Mountain, Kekexili Reserve and Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel and Qiangtang Grassland.

   Accommodation: on the train

   

6. Day 6: Xining
   Ta’er Monastery (B + L + D)

   After arriving in Xinning we will drive to visit the Ta’er Monastery, as one of the six principal temples of the Tibetan Buddhist Yellow Sect, it is listed into the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai Province. The construction of the Monastery began in the 1379 of the Ming Dynasty. The Monastery keeps large quantity of Buddhist Sutras and documents about history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation, etc. After the visit, check in at local hotel.

   Accommodation: Sanwant Hotel Xining or same class (5 starts)

   

7. Day 7: Xining - Lanzhou by Train
   Zhongshan Bridge, Waterwheel Garden (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning we will take a train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival in Lanzhou met by local guide and driver.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Visit The Zhongshan Bridge, which is also known as the No.1 Yellow River Bridge. The bridge was built in 1907 of the late Qing Dynasty under the directing of engineers from America and Germany. On the bridge you will get a close view of the Yellow River. Later we will drive to visit Waterwheel Garden. The most remarkable thing in this garden is the waterwheel, an irrigation tool invented in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the garden, you will see various kinds of Waterwheels and you will learn about how that ancient irrigation tool functions.

   Accommodation: Grand Soluxe Hotel Gansuor same class

8. Day 8: Lanzhou - Tianshui - Xian by Train
   Maiji Grottoes (B + L + D)

   At 06:30 board the China Orient Express to Tianshui.

   The train arrives in Tianshui at 11:30 and then you will be escorted to visit Maiji Grottoes. The existing caves were excavated from the Later Qin Dynasty (384-417) to the Qing Dynasty(1616-1912). Among all Buddhist Caves in China, Maiji Grottoes boasts most attractive natural view. The grottoes got its name due to the mountain bearding them, the Maiji Mountain. The grottoes structure, Buddhism figures, and murals are precious to learn about the religious culture, art, and architectural of local area in ancient time.

   At 20:30 the train will depart to Xi’an. Enjoy a nice night on the train.

   Accommodation: Silk Road Express Train

   

9. Day 9: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Huaqing Hot Spring, City Wall, Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show (B + L + D)

   AM: Enjoy the western buffet breakfast in hotel. Then meet our guide in hotel and you will be escorted to visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses which was praised as “the eighth major miracle of the world. The 8000+ life-sized soldier and horse figures in excavated three pits will shock you will surprisingly high level in casting.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Then continue the visit to Huaqing Hot Spring which used to be the imperial hot spring bathing spot in ancient time from the Qin Dynasty (221BC-207BC) to the Tang Dynasty (618AD-907AD). In the afternoon drive back to downtown city you will take a walk on the 600 years old City Wall. Xi’an City Wall is the largest and most completely preserved city wall in China. In the evening you will enjoy the Dumpling Dinner. After the dinner in dining hall you will appreciate the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show in staging hall.

   Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel or same class (5 stars)

   

10. Day 10: Xian
    Statue of Silk Road Starting Point, Famen Temple, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square (B + L + D)

    AM: In the morning meet our guide in hotel lobby and drive to visit Statue of Silk Road Starting Point. Afterward continue driving to Famen Temple, the holy place for Buddhism and the excavated spot of figure relics of Sakyamuni Buddha.

    Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

    PM: Thereafter we will return Xi’an to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square where you could see Big Wild Goose Pagoda in distance. After that have dinner and then back to hotel.

    Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel or same class (5 stars)

    

11. Day 11: Xian Departure

    Enjoy your free time till the hotel pickup time. You will be picked up from hotel and transfer to airport for your flight departing Xi’an.