ITINERARY
Days 1-2
Your journey
takes you over Canada, Alaska, parts of eastern Russia
and Japan. You'll lose a day crossing the International
Date Line.
You arrive in Shanghai in the afternoon. You'll be met and taken to your hotel.
Grand Mercure Hongqiao
Day 3 SHANGHAI
Enjoy a tour of China’s most populous city and commercial hub. You’ll go to the modern Shanghai Museum, one of the best in China, stroll on the waterfront Bund, where Western traders set up shop in the 19th and 20th centuries, and visit beautiful Yu Garden, a fine example of private garden dating back 400 years. A camellia found there was said to have been planted by the original owner. Tonight attend a performance of Shanghai's renowned acrobats..
Grand Mercure Hongqiao Hotel B L D
Day 4 SHANGHAI/XINING
Fly to Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, a once remote region outside China proper and for centuries a melting pot of Tibetan, Han, Mongol and Turkic influences. The province is named after Qinghai Lake, China's largest lake. Qinghai, or to use its Mongol name, Koko Nor, means Blue Lake in either language.
Qinghai Hotel B D
Day 5 XINING
Qinghai was part of Tibet before it became a province of China in 1928, so it is not surprising that one of the most hallowed temples of the Yellow Hat Sect Buddhism is located near here: Taersi or Kumbum Monastery, which you’ll visit this morning. The temple was erected at the spot where the founder of the Yellow Hat Sect, Tsongkhapa, was born. Visit a local Tu family. In the evening board the overnight train to Lhasa, riding in a first-class carriage sharing four to a compartment.
Overnight train, soft-sleeper B L D
Day 6 TRAVELING BY TRAIN/LHASA
In the morning the train reaches the frontier town of Golmud, elevation just over 9000 feet. For years Golmud’s main reason for being was a large potash plant, but these days it is a crucial hub for the highway and railway into Tibet. The ride from Golmud to Lhasa takes about 12 hours. Sit back and admire the spectacular scenery. The rail line reaches an elevation of 16,000 feet at one point. Upon arrival in Lhasa in the evening you’ll be taken to your hotel.
Manasarovar Hotel B D
Day 7 LHASA
Today visit the imposing Potala Palace, former primary residence of the Dalai Lamas, and a World Heritage Site. You’ll also go to the Jokhang, the holiest temple in Tibet, and have a leisurely stroll through colorful Barkhor ringed with venders who will test your bargaining skills.
Manasarovar Hotel B D
Day 8 LHASA
Today visit Lhasa’s two greatest monasteries — Sera and Drepung. The monks yielded great power in the days of Dalai Lama rule over Tibet. Drepung in its heyday was the largest monastery in the world with some 10,000 resident monks. Rest of day at leisure.
Manasarovar Hotel B D
Day 9 XIGATSE
Get set for a couple of big travel days, starting off with an 280-km overland journey to Xigatse on one of the world’s highest highways. Xigatse is Tibet's second largest city and is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most revered figure in the Yellow Hat hierarchy. Visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, a cloister of temples and living quarters, that was built by the First Dalai Lama in the 15th century. (The current Dalai Lama is #14).
Manasarovar Hotel Xigatse B D
Day 10 GYANTSE/LHASA
Travel by coach 90 km to Gyantse to visit the famous kumbum of the Palcho Monastery. Kumbum is a Tibet word for 100,000 holy images; these are presented in a multi-tiered structure. Continue by road to the holy lake Yamdrok Yumtso, which lies about 100 km southwest of Lhasa. Return to Lhasa stopping at villages en route.
Manasarovar Hotel B D
Day 11 CHENGDU
Morning free for sightseeing on your own, shopping and relaxing. Afternoon fly to Chengdu, bustling capital of Sichuan Province.
Wang Jian International Hotel B
Day 12 CHENGDU
In the morning visit the Panda Breeding Research Centre for closeup looks at the endangered panda, symbol of the World Wildlife Fund. In the afternoon go to Sanxingdui, where Neolithic remains have been found revealing a culture no one knew existed until its discovery 80 years ago.
Wang Jian International Hotel B L D
Day 13 BEIJING
Morning free; afternoon fly to Beijing.
Presidential Plaza Hotel B
Day 14 BEIJING/HOME
Transfer to the airport for your flight home OR extend your stay. Contact us to discuss your travel plans.
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