Beijing and Tibet Tours

If time is enough, foreigners might usually choose Beijing as the first stop of their China Tibet tour. Of course, the convenient transportation either by train or by air is a big advantage, but the unique charm of Beijing also draws a lot of followers.

Beijing, the capital city of China, is well-known for its long history and a booming economy. It’s also a famous tourist place where you can learn Chinese history by visiting the amazing Forbidden City, the sublime Temple of Heaven, the awe-inspiring Great Wall, etc... Besides, you can sleep one night in Hutong, one kind of typical house for Beijing folks, with a totally different appearance and strong flavor of living life compared to other cool modern buildings in Beijing.

After 3~4 days' stay in Beijing, you may have Tibet tours from Beijing by train or by plane. It takes 40 hrs and 45 mins to arrive in Lhasa by the only daily train Z21 from Beijing. It's a long-time traveling but you can enjoy the wonderful sightseeing along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway; on the other hand, it can help you acclimatize to the high altitude step by step. If your itinerary is tight, there are 4 to 8 flights flying to Lhasa from Beijing every day for your option.

In the Tibet part, Lhasa and Mt. Everest are the must-see spots for most tourists. Depends on the different schedules, you can also choose an in-depth Tibet tour including the holy Namtso Lake, Mt. Kailash, or some Tibet trekking tours as you like. You will see the gorgeous plateau landscape and feel the strong Tibetan Buddhist atmosphere. Overall speaking, you can witness the sharp contrast of two different natures and cultures by joining the Beijing-Tibet Tours.

Top Beijing to Tibet Tour Packages

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7 days Beijing Lhasa Train Tour

It’s a good idea to take a train to Lhasa from Beijing, not only for the cheaper price compared with flight but also for the awe-inspiring scenery along the way. The train crosses from the north to southwest of China, which shows the half splendid landscape of China.

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13 days Beijing Tibet Chengdu Train Tour

This great tour will take you to the three mighty provinces of China - Beijing, the heart of China; Sichuan, the land of abundance; and Tibet, the roof of the world. You can visit all the enchanting sites to discover the culture and the traditional beauty.

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15 days Beijing Xian Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour

This 15-day tour will take you to visit the six famous cities in China from east to west. You will have an opportunity to visit the capital city Beijing. Then take a short tour to Xi’an. After that, you are going to visit Lhasa, the roof of the world then fly to Chongqing to enjoy the breathtaking view of Yangtze River as well.

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12 days Shanghai Xi'an Tibet Beijing Tour

Explore China like an insider. From the east to west, visit Shanghai - the fastest growing city in Asia, Xián-the the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, Tibet -the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, and Beijing- the capital of China. You won't miss any highlights.

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14 days Lhasa Tsedang Beijing Ulaanbaatar Tour

Since ancient times, Tibet and Mongolia have deep ties. Both believed in Tibetan Buddhism and were initially nomad. A trip from Tibet to Mongolia including Beijing will not only allow you to explore the history and culture but also appreciate the stunning landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get to Tibet from Beijing?

There are three ways to get to Tibet from Beijing.

The most convenient way-- taking a flight to Lhasa directly. Currently, 4 flights are connecting Beijing and Lhasa every day, taking about 4 hours and 15 minutes. These flights are operated by Shenzhen Airlines, Tibet Airlines and Air China(2 flights), from Beijing Capital International Airport to Lhasa Gongga Airport. For people with a tight time schedule, flying to Tibet is the fastest way.

The most relaxing way-- taking the Beijing-Lhasa train (Z21/Z22). The whole train journey takes 40hrs and 20mins. Not only will you have enough time to adapt to the high altitude environment to avoid acute altitude sickness, but also you can enjoy endless grasslands, rolling snow mountains, vast Gobi desert, Hoh Xil, Tanggula Mountains, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and many other national first-class protected animals along the way.

The most ingenious way-- taking a flight to Xining and then taking a train to Tibet. During the peak tourist season(from July to August), the demands of train tickets from Beijing to Lhasa greatly exceed the supplies. You will save 20 hours by flying from Beijing to Xining. After arriving in Xining, you can visit the beautiful Qinghai Lake and the Ta'er Monastery. Then board the Xining-Lhasa train, which is easier to book. Xining is the start point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, so you will enjoy the spectacular window views from the world's highest train.

When is the best time to visit Beijing?

The climate of Beijing is distinct in four seasons with windy spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter.

Spring is from March to May with much wind and dust. In April, the weather is changeable with occasional sandstorms. Summer begins from June to August with much frequent rainfall. July and August are the hottest months throughout the year with the highest temperature around 37 ℃. Autumn in Beijing falls in September, lasts to November with cool pleasant weather, and you can do anything in Beijing to enjoy scenic spots. Winter is from December to February with occasional snow. Generally, the temperature in winter is below zero, and January is the coldest month with the lowest temperature around -5℃.

Therefore, the best months to visit Beijing are from May to June and September to October, but you should try to avoid the national holidays like Labor's Day (May 1st. to 3rd.) and National Day (October 1st. to 7th.). Beijing is very crowded with tourists during these two holidays.

How to plan my tour in Beijing?

You can spend 2 to 4 days for touring in Beijing including the most popular attractions like Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Hutongs. If you want to experience more cultural activities, explore other attractions and enjoy delicious Beijing food, please contact us and we will help you plan your Beijing trip deliberately.

How to get Tibet Travel Permit when traveling to Tibet from Beijing?

Please sign your tour contract with a Tibet travel agency first. If you book a tour with GTT, we 100% guarantee the Tibet Travel Permit for you. We encourage our guests to sign the tour contract as earlier as possible. In this way, GTT can participate earlier in the preparation of the invitation letter for your Chinese visa.

Please send us a copy of your valid passport and Chinese visa and other information after you confirm your booking. We submit the application 30 days before your tour starts because the Tibet Tourism Bureau only accepts the application 30 days prior. The handling process will take 12~15 working days. As soon as we get your Tibet Permit, we will express it to your Beijing address or hotel where you stay, usually within 7 days before departure to Lhasa. The reception desk of the hotel can collect it on behalf of you. In this way, you can get the Tibet Permit after your check-in. By the way, Tibet Permit is not allowed to be expressed to any oversea cities.

Staying Beijing for at least one night is recommended. After a long international flight, a night's rest in Beijing can help you restore fatigue and reduce the possibility of high altitude sickness after entering Lhasa. It's also worthwhile to enjoy the sights and cuisines of Beijing.

If you take a plane from Beijing to Lhasa, you need to show the original Tibet Permit before boarding the plane.

If you take a connection flight, only spending several hours' transit in Beijing, we will ask a local guide to deliver the Tibet Permit to you at the airport. Even if the transfer time is only 2 hours, you can successfully get the Tibet Permit and catch up with the Lhasa flight.

If you take a train from Beijing to Lhasa, you only need to show a copy of your Tibet Permit. Therefore, we will send you a scan of your Tibet Permit by E-mail. After you receive the image, you need to print 2~3 copies.