9 Days Xi’an Lhasa Yamdrok Lake Tour with Tibet Train Experience

Welcome to Xi’an, the ancient capital of China with over a thousand years of history.

Upon your arrival in Xi’an, our local guide will meet you at the airport or the railway station (depending on your travel plans) and escort you to your hotel in Xi’an.

The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

In the morning, you will visit the Terracotta Army and witness the Eighth Wonder of the World. 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 that reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta). Originally built in 652 during the Tang dynasty, the Pagoda is known for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Master Xuanzang, one of the most renowned Chinese monks. The whole place is one of the most visited destinations by international tourists in Xi’an.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

• Life-size Terracotta Warriors modeled after real ancient soldiers
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark building in the ancient capital of Xi'an

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Shaanxi History Museum, the best place to take a glance at the glorious history of ancient Chinese civilization. The precious exhibits date from the Paleolithic era to the Qing Dynasty. The breadth and depth of the artifacts and the quality of artwork from each time period and dynasty are breathtaking.

Next, you’ll visit the Ancient City Wall. With a total length of approximately 14 kilometers, the Ancient City Wall in Xian is the most complete and largest existing Ming Dynasty city wall in China. While walking along the city wall, you can see the complete layout of the imperial city more than 1,000 years ago. You can also rent a bike (Optional, with an additional fee) to cycle on the ancient city wall.

Later, you’ll travel to the Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an. It’s the perfect place to chat with Muslim street vendors, purchase exquisite handicrafts, and enjoy a variety of local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

• You can take a bike ride on the Ancient Wall.
• Tourists can taste many local snacks while visiting Muslim Street.

In the morning, you will take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Upon arrival in Xining, your local guide will pick you up at the railway station and take you to visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery). As one of the six major Gelug sect monasteries in Tibet, Ta’er Monastery is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you will appreciate the ancient architectural complex that combines Tibetan and Chinese artistic styles, as well as various cultural treasures in the temples, such as various thangkas, murals, etc.

In the evening, you will board the train to Tibet. The railway station is about 2.5 kilometers north of downtown Xining. It is suggested to get to the railway station around 1 hour before departure. You need to present your passport and the Tibet Travel Permit to board the train.

Stay overnight on the train.

Tibet Permit Notice:
1. Once you book your trip with us, we will handle the Tibet Travel Permit application.

2. It is suggested to make your reservation and provide the necessary documents for the permit application at least 20 days in advance.

3. The issued travel permit will be sent to you before the train departs. Please make sure to keep your Tibet Travel Permit safe.

• Tibet train soft sleeper
• Qinghai-Tibet railway

In the morning, you will enjoy fabulous scenery along the world-famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world. Spectacular land of snow, boundless desert, vast grassland, grand ice mountains, and beautiful lakes will continually appear and strongly attract your heart.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, our friendly Tibetan guide will greet you at the airport with a Hada (the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) and warm blessings.

Then, the guide and the driver will take you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

After settling into your hotel, take some time to rest and adjust to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

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

In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Monks chat happily before the assembly hall of Drepung monastery.
• Dramatic monk debate in Sera Monastery

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. 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.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tourists are ascending the white palace of Potala Palace
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

In the morning, start the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, which includes visits to Tibet's most beautiful lake, glacier, and charming Tibetan villages.

First, you will drive to Lurila Platform to enjoy a stunning view of the turquoise waters and the Gulha Kangri Snow Mountain.

Then, you will visit the Rutog Monastery and the lonely monk living on the small island in the center of Yamdrok Lake.

For lunch, you will visit a local family restaurant and enjoy the homemade local dishes. You can visit the local village and enjoy a leisure time by the lakeside.

Afterward, you will return to Lhasa via the famous Gampala Pass (4900m). From the Gampala Pass platform, you can see Yamdrok Lake stretching for tens of kilometers like a wide blue ribbon to the foot of Noijin Kangsang Peak (7191m).

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.
• Enjoy the fascinating scenery of the holy Yamdrok Lake

Today marks the end of your tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.