Tibet by Rail and Best of China

Journey to mystical Tibet, the "Land of Snows" by the “Sky Train", the world’s highest train ride from Xining to Lhasa across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain ranges and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. Begin the tour in Beijing, where we will tour Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace. Fly to Xi'an, capital of ancient China for 13 dynasties. Visit the Terra Cotta Worriers, the most significant archaeological excavations of the past few decades.  Fly to Xining to take the evening train to Lhasa.  During our stay in this Buddhist land, explore the mountain monasteries, spin the prayer wheels, shop in the colorful markets and sample the unique food and culture of this fascinating region. Fly to Shanghai, China's most important industrial and commercial center.  Visits to the Shanghai Museum, the Yu Yuan Gardens, and the Children’s Palace.  Enjoy a Shanghai cuisine farewell dinner and bring home your memory of a lifetime.

  What's Included:

• Roundtrip international air from New York to Beijing, Beijing/New York
• Air and land transportation within China
• Qinghai-Tibet train fare
• Services of an English-speaking tour manager
• 4 star hotel accommodations
• Admissions and cultural events  
• Meals according to itinerary
• Dai Ethnic dinner party
• Acrobatic Show   
• Shanghai cuisine farewell dinner
• Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person
• Airport/hotel transfers
• Tibet travel permit

Tour Date(s):

• July 11-24, 2010

Tour Cost:

• $3,899 per person, double occupancy

• Single supplement: $920

  Cities:         

• Beijing, Xi'an, Xining, Lhasa, Shanghai

   Special Notes:

• price includes Qinghai-Tibet Train fare, for either lower or upper soft sleeper berth, in semi-private, quad-occupancy cabins.  Should you not want to share the cabin with others, we can arrange a private compartment for extra costs.

• This trip is limited in size.  Maximum of 20 guests.

   Related links:    China Tibet Information Center

                             Pictures of Tibet Railway

                             Sceneries along Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1                        7/11                US/Beijing

Depart New York for Beijing. Cross the International Date Line to the wonders of China. In-flight meals.

Day 2                        7/12                Beijing

Arrive late day in Beijing, China’s bustling capital. Board your air-conditioned motor coach, sit back and enjoy the night scenery of Beijing as your bus takes you to your hotel. You will be surprised to find how modern Beijing really is. Beijing now rivals Hong Kong and Tokyo as one of the great cities of Asia. Beijing’s tourism industry has been brought up to Western standards almost overnight, with shopping malls and international hotels, all connected by an intricate freeway and subway system criss-crossing the city.

Day 3                        7/13                Beijing

We get up early today to begin our official tour of Beijing.  First is the imposing Forbidden City, so called because it was off limits to the public for 500 years.  Situated on 250 acres, the Forbidden City was home to two dynasties of emperors, the Ming and the Qing.  It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, with more than 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms. In front of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, Chairman Mao’s creation, the largest public place in the world and site of many history-making events.  A visit to the 15th century Temple of Heaven provides a glimpse of where the emperors made offerings for the harvest. Today it is a popular place for local people to play chess, practice tai chi or listen to the Peking Opera. Dai ethnic dinner tonight followed by a special world famous Acrobatic show. (B.L.D.)

Day 4                         7/14                Beijing

The Great Wall of China once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. On the way to the Wall, we will make a stop to see the Birth Nest, Olympic National Statidum and visit to a jade factory.  Evening flight to Xi'an. Check in at the elegant and classic Xian Garden Hotel which captures the spirit of the Tang Dynasty. Standing besides the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, this hotel features a spacious garden, museum, and theater restaurant and brings you closer to the heart of ancient China, winning the Architectural Gold Medal of Chinese Symbol Hotel in 1997! (B.L.D.)

Day 5                       7/15                   Xi’an

Xi’an (The “City of Everlasting Peace), was one of the world’s largest and grandest cities. Capital of China for 11 dynasties, its zenith was during the Tang Reign (618-917). This morning we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (a newly built square with Tangseng's statue - Monkey King's Master in the famous Chinese story "Journey to the West," and the big yard inside the temple are good for both adults and kids). The Shaanxi History Museum displays Tang style architecture in its many exhibition halls.  After lunch, tour the old City Wall with the South Gate Tower (showing the ancient military defense system and the only one of its kind in China). Enjoy an elegant and graceful Tang Dynasty Theater Performance in the evening.  (This show is a performance of Chang’an music and dances that originated over 1000 years ago.) Dinner tonight will be a special local Shanxi cuisine.   (B.L.D.)

Day 6                        7/16                    Xi'an

A highlight of our visit this morning will be the extraordinary 2,300 year-old Terra Cotta Warriors of China's first emperor, Qinshihuang.  The warriors still stand on the actual site where peasants discovered them in 1974.  Later visit Shanxi Art and Clay factory to see how the Terra Cotta Warriors were made.  Afternoon we will arrive at a typical Chinese village. Through meeting the local villager, we will learn about village life so as to better understand the aspirations and life of the majority of China's people who live in rural areas. Evening is as leisure for you to stroll around park near the hotel.  (B.L)

Day 7                        7/17                     Xining/Sky Train to Lhasa

Morning flight to Xining, capital of Gansu province and the most common passing channel of the famous Silk Road. Upon arrival, transfer to the train station to board the ‘Sky train’ to Lhasa to experience world’s highest railway journey. You will sleep in a soft sleeper compartment with two double decker beds. The 2,000 km journey lasts for 25 hrs. Peeping through UV blocked big train windows you remain captivated with a flashing glimpse of Chinese countryside, flat cultivated land, brown hills, river-side valleys. The train rolls across the 5200 meter high Tanggula mountain pass amidst surreal mountain vistas, as you near Tibetan plateau. The train continues to roll through mesmerizing views of turquoise Qinghai Lake and uniquely shaped vast Tibetan plateau right below the huge mountain range with 7000+ meter peaks dominating the entire landscape.  Oxygen supplying equipment and an oxygen mask is also available in the train for those who are prone to altitude sickness. You will have the best services from soft sleepers, vacuum flush toilets, flat-screen TVs to the finest of cuisine.  (B.L)

Day 8                        7/18                      Arrival in Lhasa
After an approximate 25 hrs of train ride across the "roof of the world", you finally arrive in Lhasa with fond memory of your just accomplished world’s highest train journey. Train arrives at Lhasa at 8:58pm.  You will be met at the train station by your Tibetan tour guide to escort you to your hotel.  Rest well tonight.  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner aboard the train on your own. 

Day 9                        7/19                      Lhasa

Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The city, with an altitude of 3700 m above sea level, has long been the "Holy Land" of Tibet.  Due to the high elevation, altitude sickness can happen to anyone regardless of your age and health condition. Most visitors to Tibet will experience some symptoms that will generally disappear through acclimatization. Please consult with your physician prior to traveling to Lhasa. After adjusting to the altitude, visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkor street around Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. In the afternoon visit Norbulingka, which means "the garden of treasures" in Tibetan language. Located in the west suburbs of Lhasa, this palace complex was built in the 18th century and served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. (B.L.D)

Day 10                      7/20                      Lhasa

Like the previous days, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. This 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of the entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a decline resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. Evening visit to a Tibetan Family. (B.L.D)

Day 11                     7/21                        Namtso Holy Lake

Drive to Namtso Lake-the Holy lake of Tibet.  Namatso Lake is the highest salt-water lake in the word, and the second largest of its kind in China. On route to the lake, you will get a close look at the Tibetan herders and their semi-nomadic lifestyle and enjoy the views of Nyechen Tanghla Mountain ranges and grasslands  Later visit the famous Yangpachen Geothermal Power Station.  Return to Lhasa in the evening. (B.L.D)

Day 12                     7/22                        Lhasa/Shanghai

Morning at leisure.  Afternoon flight to Shanghai.  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.  (B)  hotel check in.  The remaining of the day at leisure.  (B)

Day 13                     7/23                        Shanghai

After breakfast, visit the Bund. Have a stroll along the waterfront to experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street" of Shanghai. Banks, trading houses, residences, hotels and clubs all had a view of bustling Huangpu River traffic as they shared in the city's rising and falling fortunes. Then walk along the famous shopping street of Nanjing Road. Known as "the No.1 commercial street of China", it is also one of the most prosperous streets in Asia. Continue the tour in the Old Town with its winding alleyways, shops, tea houses and restaurants. Explore the tranquil Yu Yuan Gardens, an example of garden architecture from the Ming dynasty. Enjoy a cultural excursion to the impressive Shanghai Museum. Farewell dinner tonight featuring Shanghai style cuisine.  (B.L.D)

Day 14                     7/24                   Return home

Transfer to Pudong International Airport for connecting flights to USA. Crossing back over the International Date Line, you will arrive home on the same day! (B)

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