9 Days Xining, Lhasa, Chengdu Train Tour

Destination:Chengdu, Lhasa, Xining

Tour Code: CTT24

Tour Duration: 9 Days

Tour overview:
This train tour visits Xining, Lhasa, and Chengdu, all famous for their culture, and sites. In Xining, you will visit Qinghai Lake, and the Taer Monastery. In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, you will visit the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and so much more. In Chengdu, you will visit the Wuhou Memorial Temple and get up close and person to China’s giant pandas. This is a special train tour and one you will love.

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Day by Day Itinerary

Tour Summary

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B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Day 1

Arrive in Xining

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

When you arrive at Xining airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

Xining (B, L)

Xining (B, L)

Sightseeing: Qinghai Lake, Cruise on Qinghai Lake

Today you will visit to the Qinghai Lake and have a cruise on Qinghai Lake. It is a saline lake situated in the province of Qinghai, and is the largest lake in China. It is located about 100 km west of the provincial capital of Xining at 3,205 m (10,515 feet) above sea level in a depression of the Tibetan Plateau in the traditional Tibetan province of Amdo. Twenty-three rivers and streams empty into Qinghai Lake. Scenery in Qinghai Lake varies according to seasons. Summer and autumn are the most comfortable weather conditions and the lake's scenery is most beautiful during these seasons.

Day 3

Xining to Overnight train (B, L)

Xining to Overnight train (B, L)

Transfer via: Overnight train on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Ta'er Monastery

After breakfast, have a visit to Ta'er Monastery. It is one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1557 on sacred land, still quite active with 600 monks. It is the birthplace of Tsong Khapa, founder of the Yellow Hat (Gelupa sect), and is known for its sculptures of human figures, animals and landscapes carved out of Yak Butter.

Then you will be transferred back to Qinghai railway station to take overnight train K9801 (14:56pm-15:40pm+1) for Lhasa.

Day 4

Overnight train to Lhasa

After your arrival in Lhasa you will be met by your local guide and then be transferred to the hotel. Take the rest of the day for free, to adapt yourself to the high altitude.

Day 5

Lhasa (B, L)

Lhasa (B, L)

Sightseeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhore Street

We will go on a full day visit of Potala Palace. It is the greatest monumental structure all over Tibet. This ancient architectural complex is considered as a model of Tibetan architecture. Located on the Red Hill in Lhasa, it is 3,700 meters above sea level and covers an area of over 360,000 square meters. The palace has 13 stories, and is 117 meters high. In 641, Songtsan Gambo, ruler of the Tubo Kingdom, built the Potala Palace for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, whom he was soon to marry.

Then we'll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The sacred image of Jowo Sakyamuni is the most venerated and beautiful image all over Tibet

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit Barkhor Street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa which remains very traditional. Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple. Tibetan people are very proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, this street is also a must-see place.

Day 6

Lhasa (B, L)

Lhasa (B, L)

Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery

In the morning we will visit the Sera Monastery, around 5 km north of central Lhasa, which was, along with Drepung, one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries. Its once huge monastic population of about 5000 monks has now been reduced to several hundred.

Then we will visit Norbulingka Park; Norbulingka meaning "Jeweled Garden", the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The gardens are poorly tended and the palaces themselves are something of an anticlimax, especially as most rooms are currently closed to the public.

Our next stop will be Drepung Monastery. It is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered as one of the 'Three Great Monasteries' (the other two are the Ganden Monastery and the Sera Monastery.

At last we will arrive at a local Tibetan Family. Common Tibetan people will welcome you to their homes; greet you in their traditional way and you will taste their typical food. You can feel Tibetan culture and religion vividly.

Day 7

Lhasa / Chengdu (B)

Transfer via: Overnight train on your own arrangement

Enjoy some leisure time until our local guide will transfer you to railway station to take overnight train T24 (13:10pm-07:57am+1) for Chengdu.

Day 8

Chengdu (B, L)

Chengdu (B, L)

Sightseeing: Wuhou Memorial Temple, Jinli Street

Arrive in Chengdu in the morning, upon your arrival in Chengdu you will be met by your local guide and then be transferred to your hotel for check in and have breakfast.

And then you will visit the Wuhou Memorial Temple. The Temple is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis of Shu in the Three Kingdoms. His outstanding intelligence place Zhuge Liang above all emperors, generals, and ministers in history.

Afterwards you will take a walk along Jinli Street which is particularly representative for this city. It is recorded that as already during Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli Street was the most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth. During Shu Kingdom (221-263) it was one of the busiest commercial streets. Hence, it is known as 'First Street of the Shu Kingdom'. In order to reclaim the street's prosperity of former days, it was restored with contributions from the Wuhou Memorial Temple and was opened to public in October of 2004.

Day 9

Chengdu / Departure (B, L)

Chengdu / Departure (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Sightseeing: Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, Thatched Cottage of Dufu, Wangjianglou Park

This morning we will visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, which was built to imitate the wild ecological environment of pandas. It covers a space of 92 acres, with a green coverage of 96 percent. The base created a perfect ecological environment for the living and breeding of pandas and other precious and rare wild animals. It breeds over 20 pandas and lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white cranes and others.

Then we will visit the Thatched Cottage of Dufu, located by the side of the Huanhua Stream in Chengdu's western suburb, will be our first stop today. It was the residence of Dufu, the great poet of the Tang Dynasty when he took refuge in Chengdu. Du Fu (712-70 AD),one of China's most famous poets, left home at the tender age of 20, becoming a court official at the former capital in Chang'an (near Xi'an). Du Fu's civil service duties did not last long however, and he was captured by rebels and forced to flee the city for Chengdu after only a few years. It was in Chengdu, at this small and simple house, that Du Fu was inspired to write more than 200 poems which are regarded today as masterpieces of realist poetry.

Finally we will take a walk around Wangjianglou Park, and enjoy the beautiful nature there. Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to the next destination.

B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Tour Dates Destinations Services Provided Meals Included
Day 1
Xining

When you arrive in Xining airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Huitong Jianguo Hotel, Xining Zhong Fa Yuan Hotel, Xining Super Leisure Hotel
B L D
Day 2
Xining

Full day Lake Cruise on Qinghai Lake .

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Huitong Jianguo Hotel, Xining Zhong Fa Yuan Hotel, Xining Super Leisure Hotel
B L D
Day 3
Xining/Lhasa

Visit the Ta'er Monastery . Then be transferred to railway station to take Overnight train for Lhasa.
B L D
Day 4
Xining/Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, be met and transferred to hotel, adapting to the high altitude.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Lhasa Manasarovar Hotel Lhasa Hotel Shangbala Hotel
B L D
Day 5
Lhasa

Full day tour to The Potala Palace , Jokhang Temple , Barkhor Street .

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Lhasa Manasarovar Hotel Lhasa Hotel Shangbala Hotel
B L D
Day 6
Lhasa

Full day tour to Sera Monastery , Norbulingka (the Summer Palace) , Drepung Monastery .

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Lhasa Manasarovar Hotel Lhasa Hotel Shangbala Hotel
B L D
Day 7
Lhasa/Chengdu

Free at leisure till be transferred to railway station to take overnight train to Chengdu.
B L D
Day 8
Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu in the morning, be met and transferred to hotel to have breakfast, then visit Wuhou Memorial Temple , Jinli Street .

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Green Land Hotel Sichuan Civil Aviation Hotel
B L D
Day 9
Chengdu

Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding , Dufu's Thatched Cottage , Wangjianglou Park , then be transferred to airport for your flight departure.
B L D

-NOTE:

1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.

2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.

3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.

Price Includes

A. Entrance fees：To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Quick Questions

Our team is waiting for your questions. Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about our China package tours, Chinese culture, or the sites available. We will gladly help you with any special needs you might have and all questions, like our trip designing is completely free of charge.