17 Days Shanghai Xian Lhasa Everest Namtso Guangzhou Flight Tour

When international flight lands in Shanghai, please take a taxi by yourself to our reserved hotel or by agreement the transfer will be arranged for you. The rest of the day, you may have a good rest or explore around on your own.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

Today we are about to visit some of the highlights of highlights of Shanghai Tour. Starting with fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.

Next comes the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.

In the evening, we will visit the most iconic building of Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will get amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and dazzling light from buildings of Pudong.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

• Enchanting ancient Yu Garden offers a respite from bustling metropolis.
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the most iconic architecture of Shanghai.

In the morning, we are expected to visit picturesque Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, also known as the "Venice of China". It’s about 1 hour drive from downtown Shanghai. The ancient town dates back to Ming Dynasty. It’s highly recommended to enjoy the boat ride from one end of the water way to the other. Ke Zhi Garden and multiple shops and bridges, and street vendors selling handicrafts and goldfish and turtles provide a respite from boisterous metropolitan city.

In the afternoon, we would head to the renowned pedestrian precinct Nanjing Road to take a nice stroll. From small boutiques selling handicrafts and other souvenirs to high-end fashion shops, you can shop to your heart’s content. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the local snacks and a great number of distinctive architecture.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

• Typical rowing boat travelling in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, pretty similar to Gondola in Venice
• Peaceful Ke Zhi Garden is free from hustle and bustle, with exquisite ancient Chinese garden design.

We get up early in the morning and get transferred to Shanghai Pudong International Airport to take the flight to Xian. After we arrive in Xian, we are about to visit visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

You will not only be attracted by the life-sized warrior figures and horses, each of which has distinct facial expressions and positions, but also be astonished by various kinds of ancient weapons which reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago.

Stay overnight in Xian.

• Xi'an Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
• Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were modeled on Qin Shihuang's soldiers and real horses.

In the early morning, you will board the famous sky train to Lhasa in Xian train station. To start the wonderful journey of experience the highest train ride in the world. The train journey will take you about 30 hours.

Stay overnight on the train.

A full day window sightseeing along Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you will see land of snows, desert, immense grassland, ice-mountain, beautiful lakes which will strongly go to your heart.

Then you will arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon. You will be warmly welcome to Tibet by saying Tashi Delek at the train station by our professional guide and transferred to reserved hotel in Lhasa. Then have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude for the rest of the day.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Qinghai-Tibet railway
• Tour guide will meet you at Lhasa Railway Station.

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market. Besides, we can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house.

Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace
• Johkang Temple

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house. Inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet.
• Monk debate in Sera monastery

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala Pass(4790m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar(7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa .

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass. Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Enjoy the fascinating scenery of the holy Yamdrok Lake
• Kumbum Stupa

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.

After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600m), and Gyatsola Pass(5248m). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m). Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gaze at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at tent or Rongbuk monastery guest house.

• Pray at Tashilunpo Monastery
• A lovely snapshot with Everest North Face on Tibetan side

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Finally, You can visit the Mt. Everest Sightseeing Spot and take the closest picture of Mt.Everest. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Mount Everest is bathed in a golden sunrise, a breathtaking view of nature.
• Mount Everest as seen from the Rongbuk Monastery - the highest monastery in the world

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley. You can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland (in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake.

Then we can enjoy our time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Damxung. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.)

Stay overnight in Damxung.

• Take photo with Tibetan Yak at holy Namtso Lake
• Meditate at the shore of Lake Namtso

After breakfast, we will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery). Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then, we can go to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats’, The Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the summertime (June to September), we can also go for a ‘Linka outing’ (Tibetan-style picnic) in the small village at the foot of the hill of Tsurphu Monastery.

Finally, we will drive back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today’s Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.

• Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.
• The nun preparing the butter lamp at Chimelong Nunnery

The guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Guangzhou. After around 6 hours’ flying, you will land in Guangzhou. After our clients arrive in Guangzhou Airport, the guide will be greeting you and later get you transferred to your hotel. You can have a good rest and explore around nearby streets.

After dinner, we will head to enjoy the spectacular night view of Guangzhou City from Canton Tower, a must-visit for first-timers to Guangzhou. Canton Tower is the second highest tower in the world. And it features the world’s highest bubble tram and longest spiral staircase, and jaw-dropping Sky Drop. The sky drop made it in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest thrill ride in the world. Do bring your camera for the sunning panoramic night view of the Guangzhou City.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou.

• Beautiful Guangzhou under the evening sun
• Stunning panoramic view of Canon Tower at twilight

Chimelong Safari Park is the perfect place for family with kids to have fun in entire day. You can see a huge group of flamingos, swans, elephants and giraffes, and many more animals. They are mostly out in the open, not penned up. Animals seemed very happy and well taken care of. Trolley ride through the open enclosures was great. Walking through the park is an all-day event.

At night, all of us will enjoy the world-class performance by Chimelong International Circus. You will definitely be blown away by non-stop mesmerizing entertainment. From jaw dropping stunts to the shows of the adorable animals, it’s worth every penny spent on it.

Stay overnight in Guangzhou.

• Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park
• Chimelong International Circus

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.