11D Cultural Tibet & Qinhai
Plus Highest Train Ride in the World from Lhasa to Xining!
Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet and an object of devout pilgrimage, is still a city of wonders. The Potala Palace, a vast white and ochre fortress, dominates the Lhasa skyline.
Once the seat of Tibetan government and the location of the tombs of previous Dalai Lamas, the Potala Palace serves as a symbolic focus for Tibetan aspirations. Today though, it is the Jokhang temple, 2km to the east, which is the spiritual heart of the city. The medieval push and shove of crowds, the street performers, the stalls hawking everything from prayer flags to jewel-encrusted yak skulls, and the devout tapping their foreheads to the ground at every step is an exotic brew that few newcomers can resist.
After Lhasa, we’ll tour through this amazing country. In the towns of Gyantse and Shigatse we will explore further monasteries and fully immerse ourselves in the Buddhist culture.
For some, the highlight of the trip may be the 1956km rail journey from Lhasa to Xining in Qinghai, on board the highest train ride in the world; 960km of this journey is above 4000m, and one can view the wilderness and astounding scenery on pretty much of the way.
Day 01 / Singapore - Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu, our guide will meet us and take us sightseeing in Chengdu. Sights include Wuhou Temple and Culture Village. Overnight in Chengdu. (-/-/D)
Day 02 / Chengdu - Lhasa - Tsetang (3600m, 94km, 2‡ hrs)
Morning flight to Gonkar airport of Lhasa and on arrival we will be met and greeted by our Tibetan guide and driven to Tsetang (94km, 2 hrs). Check in our hotel where we can rest and acclimatise. (B/L/D)
Day 03 / Tsetang - Lhasa (3658m, 196km, 4 hrs)
In the morning we visit Yumbulakhang Palace & Trandduk temple. Towering at the summit of Mt. Tashitseri, by the east bank of Yarlung River, Yumbulhakang Palace is the first palace as well as one of the earliest construction in Tibet. From here we will have a bird’s eye view of the whole beautiful Yarlung Valley where the legends fascinate many visitors. Trandduk Monastery is one of the earliest Buddhist Temples in Tibetan history. Built in 641 A.D, it is said that King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom, and later it became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang.
In the afternoon we head towards Lhasa, sightseeing the Samye Monastery en route. The Samye Monastery is located in Danang County, on the north bank of Yarlung Tsampo River. This monastery was built in accordance of an aspiration of King Trisong Detsan and the construction was directed by the famous Indian Masters, Padmasamabava and Shantarakshita. Samye means unexpected building in Tibetan. From Samye, we drive to Lhasa. (B/L/D)
Day 04 / Lhasa
The world famous Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama is located on _Red Hill, to the west of old Lhasa. Architecturally, it is considered to be one of the wonders of the world. From here we will head to Sera Monastery, the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa. Sera means Hailstone _ in Tibetan, and legend tells us that it hailed during the foundation laying of this famous monastery. Sera comprises a great sutra chanting hall, a college and 32 sections. It once housed nearly 10,000 monks, and is proud of its glorious history during the Ming Dynasty.
Next we visit Norbulinka the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, situated 4 km west of Potala Palace. The Norbilinka has three palaces, located in a beautiful garden. We can visit the rooms of the Dalai Lama, in which we can see the old Philips radio of the Dalai Lama. Further we can visit the meditation room, the reception room and the throne room. (B/L/D)
Day 05 / Lhasa
Today, we will visit Drepung Monastery, the Jorkhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street, all of the three having a deep connection with Tibetan people, their religion and culture. Drepung Monastery, situated to the west of Lhasa city, was the largest and wealthiest of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries in Lhasa, and it has also became the most powerful. As the most powerful of the Gelukpa _ monasteries, Drepung had seven colleges and, at its height, housed over 10,000 monks. It owns many splendid murals, elaborate statues and other rich treasures. A giant golden statue of Buddha Jiangba Tongzhenma _ sits near the precious conch shell.
The Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of old Lhasa, was original built in 647 AD. It is said the site was chosen personally by the wife of King Songtsan Gampo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features different architectural styles. The Jokhang is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims.
The Barkhor is found in the heart of Lhasa encircling the Jokhang Temple. It means ‘a pilgrim’s inner circuit _, and is the earliest street of old Lhasa city. It dates back to the foundation of the Jokhang and is an essential pilgrim route. Houses and small inns were built all around the street. As time went on, shops and businesses also set up in the Barkhor, and it slowly became a prosperous area. (B/L/D)
Day 06 / Lhasa - Gyantse (3977m, 283km, 6‡ hrs)
Today, we will set out along the Friendship Highway, heading westwards to Gyantse. Just 30 minutes out of Lhasa, we will stop by Drolma Lakhang Monastery which is often bypassed by travelers. The monastery is a worth visit for those who are keen on Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is associated with Atisha - the Bengali teacher who visited on invitation of the king of Guge kingdom. As we leave Lhasa behind and continue driving along, the road climbs up to Kamba La (4790m) from where we will first have the first views of the dazzling Yamdrok Tso. This is one of the 4 holiest lakes of Tibet and the home of wrathful deities. The road runs almost 65km along the banks of the lake before it ends at Nangkartse, the largest town on the lakeside and a popular place for a lunch stop.
After lunch, we will drive 10km east to Samding Monastery that lies in the shores of the lake. The monastery is associated with an obscure sub-order derived from Nyingmapa and Sakya teachings which unfortunately remained shrunk to Samding and other smaller shrines in the Yamdrok-tso area. From here, we will retrace the way up to the highway and drive over Karo La (5030m) before we reach Gyantse - the least Chinese-influenced towns in Tibet. Check in hotel and rest for the day. (B/L/D)
Day 07 / Gyantse - Shigatse (3875m, 92km, 2‡ hrs)
After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode & Kumbum Monastery which are the highlights of Gyantse. Pelkor Chode Monastery, founded in early 15th century, belongs to the Gelugpa sect and requires a torch for a good look inside. Adjacent to the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, rated as Gyantse’s foremost attraction. The stupa rises over four symmetrical floors and is surmounted by a golden dome. After the tour, we may take rickshaw ride back to the hotel and take lunch before we set out for Shigatse - the second largest city of Tibet, an administrative and trading center. Check in hotel and after refreshment, we will visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery - the principal seat of Panchen Lama - the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet. The monastery is the landmark of Shigatse and associated with the Gelugpa order and is one of the six great Gelugpa institutions along with Sera, Drepung, Ganden, Kumbum and Labrang. (B/L/D)
Day 08 / Shigatse - Lhasa (299km, 7 hrs)
Drive to Lhasa via new road that runs parallel to the Yarlung Tsambo River. The road may be rough with construction work being ongoing. If time permits, we will stop by Yundrungling Monastery in Tradruk. Check in hotel and the rest for the day is free and easy. (B/L/D)
Day 09 / Lhasa - Xining by rail! (K918 LXA/XNN: 0932/1219+1; 26 hours and 47 minutes.)
After breakfast, we board the world’s highest train that crosses the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Many stations are built near scenic spots, the vast primitive highland scenery accompanying us all the way. Expect to see Mt. Kunlun, Kekexili, Qinhai-Tibet Grasslands, etc. on this 1110km rail adventure. Hard-sleepers - 6-bedded cushioned bunk cabins. (B/-/-)
Day 10 / Xining
We arrive at Xining - the provincial capital of Qinghai province, at noon. We proceed to Qinghai Lake, the shrine lake of Tibetans. The lake is famous for the pure water, clear skies and the mysterious religion’s environment (cruise fee on our own). On the way we can see the Sun and Moon Hill the stop for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. We can also see the Sun Pavilion, Moon Pavilion and the Daotang River (-/L/D)
Day 11 / Xining - Chengdu - Singapore
This morning we pay a quick visit to the Ta’er Temple, a building contructed of Chinese Han and Tibetan styles and also the birthplace of Zongkaba, the founder of the Lamaism.
We fly to Chengdu to connect the international flight back to Singapore. (B/-/-)
Tour Cost (private tour for minimum 06 persons, maximum 10 persons)
- S$2992 per person excluding S$238 for airport & security taxes, fuel surcharge, etc.
- S$1200 deposit per person (to pay for airfares and taxes)
- Balance payment must be made 45 days before departure for Chengdu
Tour Cost Includes
- International return airfare on China Airlines: SIN/CTU/SIN
- Domestic airfare on China Airlines: CTU/LXA//XNN/CTU
- One-way train hard-sleeper seat from Lhasa to Xining (S$150 surcharge if soft sleeper is made available)
- Return airport and train station transfers
- 3* hotel stay on twin-share basis in Chengdu, Xining and Tibet
- Transportation by private air conditioned car or 4WD as required
- Meals as indicated
- Guided sightseeing tours with all entry fees
- Travel permit, Tibet visa
Tour Cost Excludes
- All airport taxes, currently S$238 per person
- China visa where applicable
- Insurance
- Personal spending like phone calls, laundry, soft/hard drinks, etc.
- Tips & gratuities for guides & drivers
- Any expense incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason
