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Xining Lhasa Train Tour

Duration:
6 Days
Price:
From USD880
Route:
Xining-Lhasa
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Private Tour
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Overview

As the beginning of the world's highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Xining is the closest city for travelers to travel to Tibet by train. It is also the best part of the scenery that offers spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and beautiful glaciers from the Thangula ridge (5072m), endangered wildlives like Tibetan antelopes by traversing the Kekexili Wildlife Reserve, lone nomad families dwelling in black tents and scattered villages in the isolated Chiangtang. And on your arrival in the holy city, Lhasa, you will be greeted by its fair blue sky and have a glimpse of Potala palace perching on the red hill. In the following days, you will be overwhelmed by mystical buildings and temples that reflect the rich culture and tradition of the ancient city. Moreover, it is a great pleasure to mingle in the bustling Barkhor Street with devoted pilgrims.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities
1 Xining - Lhasa Train Get on the train at Xining Railway Station
2 Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) Pick up and transfer to the hotel
3 Lhasa Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
4 Lhasa Sightseeing Drak Yerpa, Sera Monastery
5 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka
6 Depart from Lhasa Send off to the airport/railway station

Daily Itinerary

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To arrive at the train station about 2hrs in advance is suggested. Exchange your E-ticket to an actual paper ticket at the ticket booth by showing them your E-ticket, a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit, and your original passport. Trains are departing from Xining to Lhasa every day, about 22hrs covering a distance of 1960km. 

You will spend the rest of the day on the train and enjoy the fabulous scenery along the highest railway in the world - Qinghai Tibet Railway. You will see the gorgeous natural scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau such as nomadic pasture, sapphire lakes, flocks of goats and yaks, snow-capped mountains, etc.

Stay overnight on the train

Welcome to Lhasa! Our local Tibetan guide and driver will wait for you at Lhasa Railway Station by holding your name sign. You will be greeted with a warm Tashidelek (meaning hello with blessing), and be presented with a white Hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial). Then transfer you to the hotel in Lhasa city. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. After checking in at your hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to have a good rest and acclimatize to the high altitude at the top of the world. If you physically feel good, you can visit the Potala Palace Square, have a far view of the Yaowang Mountain, and take a panoramic view of the Potala Palace. Remember to drink lots of water, eat lighter and have high-carbohydrate food, which will be helpful for you to adapt to the high altitude better.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and first take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it is a museum and a world heritage site. 

In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."

Stay overnight in Lhasa

After breakfast in the hotel, you will visit Drepung Monastery which was the world's largest monastery that ever housed over 10,000 monks, also the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect. Drepung means Rice Heaps in the Tibetan language and the whole monastery does look like rice heaps in the distance.

After that, we will go to visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama. There are a lot of towering trees, exotic flowers and plants in the garden, as well as many collections of cultural relics, Buddha statues, pagodas, thangkas, murals, etc. They are all very precious treasures.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today your guide and driver will escort you to the Lhasa Airport or Railway Station for your next destination. Before your departure, we would appreciate it if you could spend a few minutes evaluating our services either by filling out the feedback form or simply sending us an email when you get back home. Your tour has officially ended.
Tour Price and Service

From US$880 p/p

Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.

INCLUSIONS

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • Soft-sleepers from Xining to Lhasa;
  • All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
  • Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
  • Breakfasts provided by hotels;
  • Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
  • Travel Agency Liability insurance;
  • Government tax;
  • Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
  • Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
  • Oxygen tank for emergency use;
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.

EXCLUSIONS

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
  • Other domestic flights to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
  • Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
  • While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
  • All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
  • Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Mari***

Hi. Due to work, I can’t take much time off, so I’m thinking of a short trip. Do you have any plans that fit this schedule? I checked your website and it looks like the shortest options are 4 to 6 days. Would it be difficult to arrange a shorter trip?

Here’s the schedule I’m thinking of:

- 1/1: Travel from Japan to Xining
- 1/2: Arrive in Xining and take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
- 1/3: Arrive in Lhasa and do some sightseeing in the city
- 1/4: Trekking nearby (lake, base camp, etc.) and leave Lhasa the same day
- 1/5: Arrive back in Tokyo

Note:
I’m thinking of a backpacking-style trip. It’s currently planned as a solo trip, but it might turn into a couple’s trip.

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Mari****, 

We can arrange a private Lhasa tour from Jan.3 to Jan.4 2025 for you. 

Considering the risk of high altitude, I suggest you start the sightseeing in the afternoon on the first day.

There's no available trekking tour around Lhasa in winter.

We can help you book the soft sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa with a service fee. Or you can book the train tickets via booking. com or trip.com.

Below is the itinerary for your reference. If you agree, I'll quote you in the next email.

Day 1: Pick up from the train station. Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery

Day 2: Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Send off to the airport.

Asked by Mr.S***

I would like to participate in the 6 Days Xining Lhasa Train Tour.

1.How much is the tour price?(economic 3-star hotel)

2.I plan to make the arrangements myself for Japan → Xining and Lhasa → Japan. Is it possible to buy the permit before it is issued?

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Mr.SOね***

We can arrange the Xining Lhasa train tour for you. For 1 pax, I suggest you consider our similar group tour.

Would you consider arriving in Lhasa on 23 September to join our group? We can help you book the train tickets from Xining to Lhasa.

After you book with us, we will help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit one month in advance.

Asked by Alex***

Hi, my friends and i are interested in the 6 day tour, including the train ride from 30 aug to 4 sep. Can i check if we can change some of the itineraries?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Alex***, 

We can arrange 6 days Xining Lhasa Train Tour departing on 30 Aug. for you. It's a private tour and we can adjust the itinerary for you.

Asked by kwan***

4 of us and do not wish to have outsiders

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Kwan****,

Thank you for sending us an inquiry!

We can arrange the Xining Lhasa Train Tour for you. In this case, we can provide a private tour for you without other travelers. 

Asked by Wai ***

My partner and I are from Australia and would like to join 6 days train tour from Xining to Lhasa. We will arrive Xining on 23 June. I have the HK to China visa. Not sure if I need to apply for the permit. My partner has passport and China visa as well.

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Wai***, 

We can arrange 6 Days Xining Lhasa Train Tour departing on 23 June for you.

Tourists who have Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents don't need a Tibet Permit. 

Read More ...

What Our Customers Say

I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....

Read more testimonials...
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