With the open of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, experts estimate the number of tourist to Tibet will grow by 15- 20 percent year by year after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway opens. A total of 2.5 million tourists will come to Tibet in 2010 and 6 million in 2020. And, right now, is the hottest travel season by railway. To get a ticket into Lhasa is the hardest thing for most travelers. Here, we suggest an itinerary for combining one way by air and one way by railway, which allows you to have a great journey with the train while shorten the travel time.
Day 1 Depart Beijing and fly into Lhasa
Taking the flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival. Local guide will meet you and transfer you to Lhasa. On the way, you can enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Yarlong Tsangpo river (the longest river in Tibet ). The rest time is free for relax and more oxygen.
Accommodation: Century hotel***
Meals: 1D
Day2 Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street
The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa 's cardinal landmark- Potala Palace , a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.
In the afternoon, we will drop a visit of the Jokhang Temple , the spiritual center of Tibet . Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then we will visit Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet.
Accommodation: Century hotel***
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D
Day3 Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastey
About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa , Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous.
This evening, we will arrange a special Tibetan Flavor with Tibetan dancing and singing show where you can enjoy the Tibetan Culture vividly.
Accommodation: Century hotel***
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D (Tibetan)
Day4 Lhasa-Gyantse
Today you will drive about 300KM to Gyangtse. Take a look at YamzhogYumco Lake on the way and overlook Kalais Kora Glacier. Yamdrok Lake is a coiling, many-armed body of water shaped like a scorpion. It doubles back on itself on the western side, effectively creating a large island within its reaches. For Tibetans, it is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet . And the home of wrathful deities. The lake lies several hundred metres below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m ).
In the afternoon, you will arrive in Gyangtse and go for the tour of Palkhor Temple, built in the 15th century, is situated in the west of Gyantse Town with mountains enclosing form three sides of the east, west and north. Its uniqueness is that its three sects of Buddism-Shaja, Ningma and Guolu stayed harmoniously under one roof.
Accommodation: Gyantse Wuste Hotel**
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D
Day5 Gyantse-Shigatse
Drive about 90KM to Shigatse which is the second largest city in Tibet . It’s also the home town of Banchen Lama. In the afternoon, you will drop a visit of Tashilumpo monastery. Tashilumpo, sprawls on the slops of Mt. Niser , southwest of Shigatse. It covers an area of about 300,000 square meters. There are many valuable and rare historical articles in the monastery.
Accommodation: Shigatse Wuste Hotel***
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D
Day6 Shigatse-Lhasa
Today drive back to Lhasa. Rest time is free at your own disposal.
Accommodation: Century hotel***
Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D
Day7 Lhasa-Beijing on train
The train from Beijing to Lhasa is departed at 8’o clock in the morning, board on the train and prepare to enjoy the great view of the railway.
Meals: 1B
Day 8 On the train
Day 9 Arrive in Beijing
8’o clock in the morning, you will arrive in Beijing, tour ends. |
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