11 Days Chengdu and Lhasa Culture Tour via Tibet Train

Upon your arrival in Chengdu, our guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area of the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to have a good rest or explore the city.

In the morning, you will be driven to Leshan to take boat to appreciate the Giant Buddha, a sitting stone statue of Maitreya carved on a cliff at the confluence of Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River. Measuring about 233-feet high, this Buddha with serious expression is the largest stone Buddha in the world whose carving work took about 90 years.

Afterwards, you will travel to Mt. Emei and register in the hotel at its foot.

The tour today will focus on Mt. Emei itself and two renowned temples on it, Baoguo Temple and Wannian Temple. As one of the four most famous Buddhist mountains in China, Mt. Emei boasts temples and gathers Buddhism culture. In addition, owing to its majestic cliffs, deep valleys, flying waterfalls, sea cloud and verdant forests, the mountain has been reputed as 'a beauty spot under heaven' by Chinese people since ancient times.

Situated at the foot of Mt. Emei, Baoguo Temple is the largest temple on Mt. Emei and known as the No.1 scenic spot on the mountain. It is a magnificent architecture complex with a succession of four temple halls, which are shaded with green pines and luxuriant cypresses. The exquisite pavilions and beautiful gardens can also be seen here. Wannian Temple is one of the oldest temples on Mt. Emei which houses rich Buddhist cultural relics.

After that, drive back to your hotel in Chengdu.

In the morning, you will have a special date with the adorable giant pandas in Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. You could also learn more about the life and habits of the national treasure of China. The remainder of the day is free for you to have a good rest or explore the city before taking the train to Tibet.

You will board the train from Chengdu to Lhasa in the evening. The Tibet Railway offers a stunning alpine scenery full of snow caped mountains, lakes, vast plateau plains littered with nomads, yaks, Tibetan antelope and many other wild life elements. Tibet Railway is the world’s highest Railway. The rail line expands a vast highland area with an average altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level, the highest being 5,068 meters.

The train will move on Qinghai Tibet Plateau, and you will pass by Yuzhu Peak, which is the main peak of Kunlun Mountain, World Natural Heritage Kekexili Natural Preserve, Tuotuo River-the resource of Yangtze River, Naqu Grassland and Cuona Lake.

Upon arrival on the next day, you will be greeted by local guide at the train station and be presented with traditional Tibetan White Scarf to wish you good luck! After group photo at the station, board on the vehicle and transfer back to hotel, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages on the way.

Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days and try to drink some water.

After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. With the golden roof shinning in the sun, it is visible from any distance. You can spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building and exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and many Buddhist icons within.

n the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures having numerous individual temples within it, dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot-high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.

Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor area of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple.

In the morning have a tour for Drepung, the ever-largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks. Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.

You can spend the afternoon touring Sera Monastery and have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning to Lhasa.

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

Gyantse was historically Tibet's third largest city after Lhasa and Shigatse. In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet.

In Shigatse, we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery before driving back to Lhasa. The monastery covers 70,000 square meters, is now the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet and one of its great monastic sights. The huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world. Then 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.

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

Tour services end and Tibet welcome you back forever.