GENERAL INFORMATION
- China Quickfacts
- Things to know before you go
- Arrival Guide
- City/Region Descriptions
- Chinese Zodiac
- Mandarin Phrases
ASIA ODYSSEYS
- China Odyssey, 11 or 14 days
- Thailand Odyssey, 13 days
- India Odyssey, 12 days
- Indochina Odyssey, 13 days
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Small Group Journeys
- Beijing, 4 days
- Best of Korea and China, 14 days
- Shanghai, 3 days
- 2010 Expo Shanghai, 5 days
- Xian, 3 days
- Guilin, 3 days
- Guangzhou, 3 days
- Hangzhou, 4 days
- Hangzhou & Wuzhen, 4 days
- Chengdu, 4 days
- Chengdu - Two Mountains, 4 days
- Chengde, 2 days
- Suzhou, 2 days
- Kunming, 4 days
- Luoyang & Shaolin, 3 days
- Tibet, 4 days
- Tibet in Depth, 7 days
- China & Pandas with Tibet Train, 13
- China to Tibet to Nepal, 16 days
- China Showcase, 8 days
- Classic China, 11 days
- Trans Mongolia Express, 21 days
- Silk Route of China, 10 days
AMAZING VALUE VACATIONS
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A TALE OF TWO CITIES
- Hong Kong & Bangkok, 7 days
- Hong Kong & Beijing, 7 days
- Hong Kong & Shanghai, 8 days
JOIN-IN TOURS
- Beijing In Depth, 5 days
- Classic Shanghai and Beijing, 8 days
- Taste of China, 10 days
- The Essential China, 13 days
RIVER CRUISES
AIR-LAND INCLUSIVES
- Chine
- Tale Of Two Cities - Hong Kong & Beijing Getaway, 8 days
- Tale Of Two Cities - Hong Kong & Shanghai Getaway, 8 days
HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME
ASIA STAYS OF DISTINCTION
- Royal Pita Maha, Ubud
- Peninsula Hotel, Beijing
- Grand Hyatt, Shanghai
- Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong.
- Lake Palace, Udaipur
- Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
- Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo
- The Imperial Hotel, Delhi
- Carcosa Seri Negara, Kuala Lumpur
- Raffles Hotel, Singapore
- Grand Hotel, Taipei
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok
- Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai
- Amanpuri, Phuket
- The Amansara, Siem Reap
- La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang
- Gems of South East Asia, 10 days
GET A FREE TRAVEL QUOTE
China Independent Travel Idea
China & Pandas with Tibet Train
13 days
Experience a unique and exhilarating itinerary travelling by rail to Tibet on the newly inaugurated special train, the "Tibet Express" and at the same time, enjoying the sights and sounds of Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Lhasa plus a visit to Xining, capital of North West China's Qinghai Province.
The Forbidden City
Day 1. Arrive Beijing. On arrival at Beijing airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Briefing in the evening. Crowne Plaza Hotel (2 nights).
Day 2. Beijing. After breakfast, Visit Tian An Men Square, the largest public plaza in the world and the Forbidden City, whose acres of splendid 15th Century halls and pavilions graced with imperial treasures now comprise the Palace Museum. You will have an afternoon tour which includes lunch and then continues to The Great Wall of China, one of the world's architectural marvels. BLD
Day 3. Beijing to Xining. Fly this morning to Xining, Capital of Qinghai Province. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. A city tour later will include the Liuwan Museum of Ancient Painted Pottery with its collection of almost 38,000 objects. Later visit the Qutan Temple to see the 500 year old frescoes. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (Important Note: Please ensure you pack snacks from Beijing as there will not be an opportunity to stop for lunch.) Silver Dragon Hotel. BD
The Great Wall
Day 4. Tibet Express. This morning will be at your leisure to explore Xining on your own. After lunch, visit Kimblum Lamasery and the Provincial Museum where the museum's archaeologist will give a short lecture. This evening, you embark on the Tibet Express bound for Lhasa. Experience amazing countryside as you climb towards Tibet. Overnight on the train. BLD
Day 5. Arrive Lhasa. Spend the morning on the train with views of the source of the Yangtze River. Pass through a National Nature Reserve where it is possible to view the rare Tibetan antelope plus other animals. Arrive in Lhasa in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Welcome to the land known as Shangri-La and former kingdom of the Dalai Lama. It has been the center of Tibetan Buddhism for hundreds of years. You will marvel at Lhasa's palaces and temples set against a backdrop of towering peaks. (Important Note: Guides are not permitted into the train station. You must exit the station and your guide will be waiting for you outside at the end of the pavement with the necessary Goway signage.) Lhasa Hotel (4 nights). BLD
(Note: As per the brochure, the Brahmaputra Grand Hotel will no longer be used in Lhasa.)
Day 6. Lhasa. This morning, visit Jokhang Temple, one of Tibet's holiest temples. See the Golden Buddha which is made of pure gold and encrusted with jewels. In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery built in 1419 and a training centre for Buddhist monks. There will be time to go shopping on Barkhor Street. The balance of the day is at leisure. BLD
Day 7. Lhasa. First, an early visit to the amazing Potala Palace built in the 17th century and at one time the seat of Tibetan religious and political activity and the former home to the Dalai Lamas. It is now a museum 13 stories high and consisting of 1000 rooms. Also visit Drepung Monastery, an active lamasery and Norbulinka Park which was the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. It is a building with 370 rooms and set amid a 100 acre garden. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a Tibet Cultural Show. BLD
Day 8. Lhasa. Today you will have an interesting morning visiting a Tibetan Hospital. From there, proceed to Pa Rong Ka Temple and stop enroute to visit a typical Tibetan community – a great photo opportunity. The balance of the day is free. BLD
Day 9. Lhasa to Chengdu. Time to depart Tibet. Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. On arrival, visit the Dujiangyan Ancient Dam with its "magic" water system. Later, check into your hotel and the balance of the day is at your leisure. Sheraton Hotel (2 nights). BLD
Day 10. Chengdu. This morning, you will go directly to the Panda Sanctuary before feeding time to see the pandas fully active. After lunch, enjoy an excursion to the Myth of Sanxingdui Triple Piles Museum and a local teahouse. Return to your hotel and the balance of the day is at your leisure. BLD
Potala Palace, Lhasa
Day 11. Chengdu to Shanghai. Fly today to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Shanghai sightseeing in the afternoon includes bustling Nanjing Road and the legendary Bund and the elegant Yu Yuan Gardens. Salvo Hotel (2 nights). BLD
Day 12. Shanghai. In the morning, visit the Peoples Square and the renowned Shanghai Museum. The afternoon is free. BL
Day 13. Depart Shanghai. Transfer this morning on the Maglev from downtown Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for departure. B
DEPARTURES:
Join every other day.
Feb, March, June, July, Sept. Oct. – Odd numbered dates
Jan., April, May, Aug. Nov. Dec. – Even numbered dates
PRICES:
Please request prices for your dates you wish to travel.
PRICE INCLUDES:
All flights and train travel in China with soft class berth on the train, accommodation at deluxe and first class hotels, breakfast daily plus 10 lunches and dinners, sightseeing as outlined with local English-speaking guides and transfers.
HOTELS:
Please click relevant hotel for further information.
Beijing: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Xining: Silver Dragon Hotel
Lhasa: Lhasa Hotel
Chengdu: Sheraton Hotel
Shanghai: Salvo Hotel
ABOUT THE TRAIN:
The Tibet Express has private compartments for 4 passengers, each compartment consisting of upper and lower berths. The train is equipped with an oxygen system to combat the thin air in the higher altitudes. For more information on the Tibet Express, click here.
Panda Bear
Tibet Express Arrives In Lhasa
Tibet General Information
For specific information on Tibet, Click here
