Discover Natural & Cultural Wonders on “the Roof of the World”
Qinghai Tibet Plateau (Tibetan Plateau), boasted as the Third Pole & “the Roof of the World”, is one of the origins of the Chinese nation and cradles of Chinese civilization. It’s the best place to catch a glimpse of the Tibetan culture. Besides, this most elevated plateau has created various kinds of geological spectacles, like the high mountains, long rivers, gem-like lakes, etc. This 10 days Qinghai Tibet tour will take you to go on a once-in-a-lifetime train journey on the world’s highest railway - Qinghai Tibet Railway though the Tibetan Plateau, watch fantastic scenery in Qinghai, Tibet and along the rail, make a classic Tibet impression tour and fulfill your adventure to the world’ highest mountain - Mount Everest. Both your eyes and heart will be impressed and purified when the plateau natural and culture are unfolded before you.
Highlights of this tour:
Welcome to Xining (altitude: 2,261 m), the capital city of Qinghai Province in northwestern China. Upon arriving at Xining Caojiabao Airport (or Xining Railway Station), your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel in the downtown by a private vehicle. After checking in, the rest of today is on your own to acclimate to the elevation and explore this historical city of China.
Arrival Ideas: You can take a flight to Xining from Beijing (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 3hrs), Xian (about 1.5hrs), Chengdu (about 2hrs), Guangzhou (about 3.5hrs), Dunhuang (about 1.5hrs), etc., or get to Xining by high speed bullet train from Xian (about 4hrs), Lanzhou (about 1.5hrs), Zhangye (about 2hrs), Jiayuguan (about 3~3.5hrs) and other connected cities in China.
Nightlife idea: go to enjoy a great dinner and stunning night view of Xining city on Pearl of Puning which is a 188 meters tall TV & Sightseeing tower alike Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
After breakfast, drive around 150 km (2.5 hours) to see the picturesque Qinghai Lake from Xining via Huangyuan, Riyue Mountain, etc. You won't feel bored along the driving since the fascinating scenery of green grassland, blue sky, white clouds and clustered herds unfold like a photo gallery. As the largest inland lake, as well as the largest salt water lake in China, Qinghai Lake (3200 m) stretches 105 km in length, 63 km in width and occupies a water area of over 4,500 square kilometers. It was elected as the Most Beautiful Lake in China by China’s National Geographic, attracting thousands of photographers to take photos every year.
You will spend a wonderful time appreciating the beauty of Qinghai Lake in Erlangjian Scenic Area - the essence of the whole scenic area of Qinghai Lake. It shapes like a long and narrow sword inserting into the lake. Walking on the plank road, you will be delivered a far-reaching panorama of the sea-like lake. Due to the different salt content of different parts of the lake, the water presents different colors in the refraction of sunlight. More than the lake view, the scenic surrounding - endless grassland and rapeseed flower lands, soft sand beaches as well as flocks of grazing sheep, horses and yaks also make you enjoy yourself to the fullest. On a clear day, you will feast your eyes on a charming vista of the snow-capped mountains in the distance as well as the huge sand dunes of Sand Island on the far shore. At the same time, Qinghai Lake is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist site. There are many devoted Buddhist coming from afar to worship to Qinghai Lake each year.
Optional Qinghai Lake Cruise: Taking a cruise allows you to admire Qinghai Lake from a different perspective. There are two kinds of cruises available in Erlangjian Scenic Area: High Speed Cruise and catamaran. The former offers a 25 minutes’ single trip from Erlangjian Wharf to Erlangjian Peninsula at the cost of CNY140. The latter offers a 50 minutes’ round trip at the cost of CNY180. This price doesn't include your personal expense on the ship, such as drinking, food, etc. This cruise is only available during the period from May to October.
After the sightseeing, drive back to Xining and take an overnight train to Lhasa.
Warm Tips: 1) It is available to visit Qinghai Lake all the year around, but May to October is the best time because of the most comfortable weather. If you want to savor the sea of rape flowers, remember to visit in July and August. 2) The sunlight is very strong in Qinghai Lake, and it is necessary to bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. to protect your skin from sun burn especially in summer. 3) Few people get serious high altitude sickness in Qinghai Lake, but it is important to be wary of high altitude sickness if it's your first time to enter the high plateau. Avoiding strenuous exercise and drinking more water will be helpful.
You will pass Qinghai’s Delingha and Golumd before dawn. As the train moves on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, you can perfectly witness spectacular plateau scenery along the rail in the daytime. Firstly, across over the majestic Kunlun Mountains and Tanggula Mountains, see the Tuotuo River - one of the head streams of the Yangtze River, watch agile Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve where also protects much precious wildlife like Tibetan donkeys, yaks, plants and the natural habitats. Afterwards, you will enter Tibet and stop for several minutes in Amdo. Continue the amazing train sightseeing journey, capture the azure blue Cuo’na Lake with distant snow-capped mountains and see groups of nomads and Tibetan yaks in the vast grassland of Northern Tibet.
You will arrive at Lhasa Railway Station in the early afternoon. Your local tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa downtown by a comfortable non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is for you to acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the roof of the world.
Tips: 1.) There are special oxygen supply facilities you can use to ease the symptoms of altitude sickness. Ask help from the train staff if you feel uncomfortable. 2.) Go for some walking to acclimate to the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival. 3.) You’d better not have bath on the first 2 days on arrival; 4.) Drinking more water, having some fresh fruit and having a good rest helps you adapt to the altitude.
After breakfast, start an incredible day of exploration in Lhasa city. The grandiose Potala Palace will be the first site to discover. After more than 1300 years of historical changes, this colossal palace still dominates the skyline of Lhasa city. The Palace is the political and religious center of Tibet and has served as the governance and preaching site for the Dalai Lama. Climbing up the sacred steps to the Red Palace and White Palace you will explore their marvelous interiors full of exquisite Thangkas, numerous Buddha statues, vivid wall paintings, and other works of Buddhist art.
In the afternoon, first visit the holiest Buddhist temple in Tibet, Jokhang Temple, where the 12-year-old-like Shakyamuni statue is consecrated. With a history stretching over 1,300 years, this temple combines the architectural styles of Tibet, China, Nepal and India. As a spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple attracts hundreds of devoted pilgrims to worship there every day. Outside the door of Jokhang Temple is the famous pilgrimage circle, Barkhor Street, where you can join faithful Tibetans in colorful attires walking the circle around Jokhang Temple.
Tips for today: 1) wear suitable headgear and glasses to protect you from strong sunlight, but do not wear any hat while visiting inside the Tibetan monasteries; 2) photography is not allowed inside the chapels of monasteries; 3) have your passport with you all the time.
After breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas and also the largest Tibetan garden - Norbulingka Park. The luxuriant trees and flowers, cool ponds and comfortable palaces make Norbulingka the best place for a summer retreat. Then drive about 5 km westward to Drepung Monastery. This monastery has played a crucial role in Tibet Buddhism as the school of the Dalai Lamas. As you walk along, immense temples and chapels leap to your eyes one after another. In its heyday, more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Various Buddhist rituals are performed in the monastery during festivals, most famous being the ceremony of Buddha Display in the annual Shoton Festival.
We will then visit the featured six hundred year-old Sera Monastery, famous for its grand ceremony of Buddhist debating and its beautiful temples with sensational icons, murals and history.
Tips for today: 1) please follow the Buddhist manners - talk in a low voice, always be respectful of others, reflect on the Buddha's teachings in these holy sites, and remain quiet and respectful when visiting temples 2) be sure to carry some water with you.
Today you will be taken to the second largest city in Tibet Shigatse, while viewing the highlights along the road. After about 1.5 hours of driving, you will arrive at the famous holy Yamdrok Lake. At an altitude of 4,441 meters, Yamdrok Lake is known as one of the "Three Holiest Lakes" in the world, and also one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. The turquoise pure waters of the lake are overlooked by incredible snow-capped mountains. Peaceful Tibetan villages surround the lake shore in the neighboring flat valleys. Looking in the distance, you can see clearly yaks and sheep grazing on the grassland. After this stop we will continue driving to the next destination - Gyantse and take a short break at Karola Glacier which is famous for its approachability, brightness and grotesque shape.
You will have lunch in Gyantse town and then make a visit to the key landmark of Gyantse Palcho Monastery. This is a traditional Tibetan monastery with a fusion of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture in its temples and stupa. Kumbum Stupa is the symbol of the monastery, famous for its 100,000 Buddhist figures, paintings, and statues in the chapels, wall niches and on the walls. After this visit, you will leave Gyantse and drive ahead to Shigatse for the night's accommodation.
Tips of today: 1) pack some food and drinks for today's long drive; 2) wear suitable clothes, headgear, and glasses to protect yourself from the strong sunlight, wind and possible cold.
Today we will drive about 8 hours to the final destination - Mount Everest. It seems to be a tough long driving day, but the plateau landscape along the road is breathtaking and will keep you entranced. You will even have a chance to see four of the highest peaks in the world, all over 8,000 meters - Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu at the sightseeing platform of Gawula Pass (5,250).
After arrival at Mount Everest, hop on a park bus and drive about 20km (30 minutes) to the Rongbuk Monastery(5,100 m), the world's highest monastery with an altitude of 5100m. It is the best platform to view Mount Everest. You will find all the effort of the trip swept away by the sight of the majestic peak of Everest rising in front of you. Since it is only about 20 km from the peak of Mount Everest, you can clearly see the giant pyramid of the mountain from south and the charming banner clouds in bright days. Apart from that, Rongbuk Monastery is the best place to see the sunrise and sunset for its high location close to the Everest. Also explore Everest Base Camp where you can see many Marnyi Stones and take photos with the marker of EBC.
Accommodation will be arranged at Rongbuk Guest House. (If you visit Mount Everest during May to October, you will accommodate at the Everest Base Camp near Rongbuk Monastery). Please note that the accommodations at both places are very simple and basic. There are dorms with beds, duvets, heated blankets and hot water provided. You are suggested to bring your own sleeping bag if you have one. There is no running water, sinks or showers. The guest house only offers basic breakfast and dinner without menu. There is no private bathroom in the dorms. Only communal squat toilets are available. Remember to bring your own toilet paper.
Tips for today: 1) the Everest Base Camp has been moved to Rongbuk Monastery area, so was the EBC marker; 2) prepare some food and drinks to take with you because there are only some basic foods offered at Mount Everest; 3) pack warm clothes to keep yourself warm all the time and get fully prepared for the high altitude (5100m~5200m).
Get up early to catch the beautiful sunrise over the stunning landscape around Everest. You can see the Mount Everest appears gradually as the clouds are being blown away by the strong wind. The sleeping pure peak puts on a shining costume that is lit by the orange sun. And then, when the sun all rises up, the mountain shows her bright red face completely like a young girl putting up the best blusher ever, with the red cloud fairies dancing by side.
If you are lucky, you will have a chance to see the famous "flag clouds" which is a famous wonder on Mount Everest. You will see milk white streamer floating above the peak, and flutters toward one side like a banner in the wind. Sometimes, you can see it change the shape, like the huge waves on the sea or the impetuous horses on the ancient battlefield, and so forth. Once in a while, it is lucky to see the plateau eagles flying above the banner cloud, which is especially a particular sightseeing.
In the end, farewell to Mount Everest, and drive back to Shigatse along the coming way.
Tips for today: 1) the sunrise usually starts around 6:30am to 7:00am on Mount Everest; 2) keep warm all the time.
After breakfast, you will go to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet, which was built in 1447 during the Ming Dynasty by a disciple of Buddhism, Master Tsongkhapa. The monastery became the Buddhism center of Tsang region and has been the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, one of two most powerful leaders of Buddhists in Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery is surrounded by a 3000-meter-long wall and was constructed against the background of mountains facing to the sun. The Monastery has 58 sutra chapels and about 3600 rooms with many buildings made with golden glazed tiles and interlaced red and white walls. There is also a Thangka Exhibit Platform. Be prepared to meet many pilgrims visiting this holy place from far places and countries!
We will then leave Shigatse and drive about 5 hours back to Lhasa. Enjoy a good rest in Lhasa.
Today is free for you until your driver transfer you to catch your flight (or train) leaving Tibet. Please check your luggage and make sure everything is packed, and then check out from your hotel before 12pm.
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Lhasa / Gyantse / Shigatse/ Everest
Xining - Qinghai Lake - Lhasa
Lhasa / Gyangtse / Shigatse / Mt.Everest / Ngari / Lhasa
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