Tour Features: The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is praised as the Roof of the World. Tibet is regarded as the last pure land on the earth, with breathtaking scenery of Snow Mountains and clear blue waters. It is mysterious in a way that few other places are. Its rugged isolation, mystical religion, fabulous buildings and hardy people continue to captivate the imagination. Visiting Tibet is a cultural, spiritual and natural journey to one of the most unspoiled regions of the world. By this tour, you will not only visit Qinghai and Tibet, but also appreciate Beijing.
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival / Beijing (-/ -/ D)
Upon you arrive at the Beijing airport, our guide will pick you up and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the five-star Prime Hotel. The Prime Hotel in Beijing is in the heart of the Wangfujing shopping district and within walking distance of the Forbidden City. The rooms and suites are incredibly spacious and the atmosphere of the hotel is very relaxing. The Prime Hotel exquisitely combines traditional Chinese architecture with modern European style, leaving you with a unique and unforgettable experience.
Day 2: Beijing (B/ L/ D)
Today, you will visit the Great Wall first. The Great Wall in China, built over 2,000 years ago and stretches about 6,700km, is the most famous symbol of China and one of the world's most remarkable architectural wonders. Besides, visiting the Great Wall is a 'must go place' for visitors from both home and abroad who come to Beijing. Then head for the Dingling Tomb of the Ming Tombs, the representative royal tomb of the Ming Dynasty tombs. The main buildings are built along an axis that includes a stone bridge, stelae tower, gates, halls, tower, surrounding wall and the underground palace hall. Afterwards, delicious Beijing Roast Duck dinner will be served. The dish is prized for the thin, crispy skin, with authentic versions of the dish serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners by the cook. Ducks are bred specially for the dish, which after 65 days are slaughtered and seasoned before being roasted in a closed oven or a hung oven. The meat is often eaten with pancakes, spring onions, and hoisin sauce or sweet noodle sauce.
Day 3: Beijing (B/ L/ D)
Take a visit to the Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise every day. Then head for the Forbidden City. It is the largest imperial palace and compendium of imperial architecture in China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties with a history of nearly 500 years. Furthermore, it is the most magnificent architectural complex in China. The Temple of Heaven is the next attraction. It was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing would pray to heaven for good harvests. In the evening, you will watch an Acrobatics show.
Day 4: Beijing / Xining (B/ -/ D)
Fly from Beijing to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai province. You are on the Tibet plateau! After arrival, you will be transferred to Qinghai Hotel and have dinner there.
Day 5: Xining / Qinghai Lake (B/ L/ D)
Visit Ta'er Lamasery, with a history of more than 600 years, which is the birth place of Tson-kha Pa, and the founder of the Yellow Scet of Lamaism. Then you will visit Sun and Moon Mountain with an elevation of 4877m. The last destination today is Qinghai Lake, a saline lake situated in the province of Qinghai, and is the largest lake in China. In the evening, you will stay overnight in Zhangfang Hotel near Qinghai Lake.
Day 6: Bird Island / Chaka Salt Lake (B/ L/ D)
Visit the Bird Island, a real paradise for bird watching with 500m long and 150m wide. After that, Chaka Salt Lake is waiting for you. You will appreciate beautiful scenes and salt mining at the same time. Here it is a salt world. Even the air is smacked of salt. In the evening, you will stay in the Salt Lake Hotel.
Day 7: Gobi / Golmud (B/ L/ D)
Enjoy the landscape of Gobi and then visit Golmud. Golmud means "a place concentrated with rivers" in Mongolian. Golmud has a wonderful open market, where one can purchase almost anything. Later, stay overnight in Golmud Hotel.
Day 8: Jade Pearl Snow Mountain / the First Bridge of Yangtze River (B/ L/ D)
Overlook the Jade Pearl Snow Mountain first. And then visit the first bridge of Yangtze River. In the evening, you will stay overnight in Tuotuo River Hotel.
Day 9: Tanggula Mountains (B/ L/ D)
Visit Tanggula Mountains (5231 meters above sea level). The mountains are considered as "mountains of plateau" in Tibetan language. Meanwhile, it is still the watershed of Yangtze River and Nu River with high reputation in China. Later, you will visit the grassland of North Tibet. Then accommodation in Naqu Hotel.
Day 10: Dangxong Grassland / Yangpachen (B/ L/ D)
Today, you will visit Dangxong Grassland, located 160km away from Lhasa with an average elevation of over 4200 meters. Later, head for the Yangpachen, which gains its fame from the abundant geothermic heat. Enjoy yourself in the hot spring pool. After that, return back to Lhasa and stay overnight in Tibet Hotel.
Day 11: Potala Palace / Jokhang Monastery (B/ L/ D)
In the morning you will visit the awe-inspiring Potala Palace. The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700 m. The White Palace, comprising halls, temples and courtyards, serves as the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. The Red Palace includes various chambers for worshipping Buddha and chambers housing the eight stupa that contain the remains of fifth through thirteenth Dalai Lama.
In the afternoon you will visit the Jokhang Monastery ang Barkgor Street. Jokhang means the 'House of the Buddha' in Tibetan. With the history of more than 1,350 years, it's the oldest monatery in Lhasa. For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. Barkhor is the road that pilgrims either walk or crawl around the Jokhang Temple since it was first constructed in the seventh century. Traditional Tibetan houses and narrow lanes in and around the street whisper the stories of old Lhasa. It's not only a Circumambulation but also the largest commercial street in Lhasa. Barkhor Street boasts various sorts of Tibetan folk crafts catering to tourists. In the evening, you will stay in Tibet Hotel.
Day 12: Sera Monastery (B/ L/ D)
Visit Sera Monastery, established by Jamchen Choje Sakya Yeshe in 1419. These great monasteries are not places of worship and rituals but are in reality monastic universities providing religious education to the monks from age 8 to up to 70 in some cases. Accommodation at Tibet Hotel.
Day 13: Jiangzi Baiju Monastery / Shigatse (B/ L/ D)
Visit Jiangzi Baiju Monastery with unique architectural style. Then head for the former capital of Tibet -Shigatse which stands 3800 meters above sea level and is now the second largest urban center in Tibet Accommodation at Shigatse Hotel.
Day 14:Tashilunpo Monastery / Shigatse (B/ L/ D)
Visit Tashilunpo Monastery. Experiencing five centuries, it still maintains the magnificent vigor. Built in 1447, Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa in China and the biggest Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism monastery in back Tibet area. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery. One can find the biggest statue of a sitting Maitreya Buddha inside the chapel. The statue stands 26.2 meters high and is decorated with gold, copper, pearl, amber, coral, diamond and other precious stones. Accommodation at Shigatse Hotel.
Day 15: Lhasa (B/ L/ D)
Back to Konggar Airport, Lhasa. Accommodation at airport's guesthouse.
Day 16: Beijing / Departure (B/ L/ D)
Fly to Beijing and set off.
Itinerary: B: Breakfast AB: American Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner SD: Special Dinner
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