Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lhasa Arrival

   Welcome to Lhasa! When the train arrives in Lhasa, you will receive a Hada for our local guide. Hada, a white scarf, is a traditional gift in Tibet to wish you good luck. Then you will be escorted to hotel and you need to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude.

   Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

2. Day 2: Lhasa
   Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning we will visit the Potala Palace, the most notable attraction in Tibet. The palace was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when the master of Tibet married daughter of the Emperor Taizong. It is said there are totally 999 rooms in the palace and from the 17th century on, Potala Palace was used as winter palace for Tibetan master.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will move to visit Jokhang Monastery, the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple in Buddhist followers’ heart. The temple was built in the golden period of local Tubo Kingdom and is also the earliest earth-and- wood structure building in Tibet. Then take a walk along the Barkhor Street where lots of local handicrafts and little goods full of Tibetan taste waiting for exploring. Come back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa - Sigaze by Car
   Yamdrok Tso Lake, Pelkor Monastery (B + L + D)

   AM: After hotel breakfast, pick up from hotel by local driver and guide and drive to Sigaze. On the way we will stop at Yamdrok Tso Lake which means Lake of Swan in Tibetan language. The lake is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Looking sky from the lake, it just like a coral branch. It is regarded as the most beautiful lake in southern Tibet.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Next we will visit the Palkhor Monastery, which has about 600 years history. The must see of the monastery is the nine-storey Palkhor Pagoda. Then continue to way to Sigaze.

   Accommodation: Shigatse Hotel or same class (4 stars)

   

4. Day 4: Shigatse - Lhasa by Car
   Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Yarlung Zangbo Gorge (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning, we will drive to visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the largest temple in Shigatse Area. In the monastery you will see the the largest statute of future Buddha in the world. That monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447. Now it is one of the six principal monasteries of Gelu Sect (Yellow hat) of Tibetan Buddhism.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Then we will drive back to Lhasa. And one the way we will pass by the scenic Yarlung Zangbo Gorge or Bhamaputra River.

   Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class

   

5. Day 5: Lhasa - Xining by Train
   Yuzhu Peak, Kunlun Mountain, ,Kekexili Reserve, Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel, Tanggula Station, Qiangtang Grassland(See them in train) (B + L + D)

   Today you will take the train to Xining and you will experience a scenic train journey in Tibet, the Roof of the World. You will pass by snow-capped Yuzhu Peak and Kunlun Mountain, Kekexili Reserve and Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel and Qiangtang Grassland.

   Accommodation: on the train

   

6. Day 6: Xining Arrival
   Ta’er Monastery (B + L + D)

   After arriving in Xinning we will drive to visit the Ta’er Monastery, as one of the six principal temples of the Tibetan Buddhist Yellow Sect, it is listed into the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai Province. The construction of the Monastery began in the 1379 of the Ming Dynasty. The Monastery keeps large quantity of Buddhist Sutras and documents about history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation, etc. After the visit, check in at local hotel.

   Accommodation: Sanwant Hotel Xining or same class (5 starts)

   

7. Day 7: Xining - Lanzhou by Train
   Zhongshan Bridge, Waterwheel Garden (B + L + D)

   AM: In the morning we will visit The Zhongshan Bridge, which is also known as the No.1 Yellow River Bridge. The bridge was built in 1907 of the late Qing Dynasty under the directing of engineers from America and Germany. On the bridge you will get a close view of the Yellow River. Later we will drive to visit Waterwheel Garden. The most remarkable thing in this garden is the waterwheel, an irrigation tool invented in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the garden, you will see various kinds of Waterwheels and you will learn about how that ancient irrigation tool functions.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Then board the Express train to Jiayuguan. The train departs at 16:30

   Accommodation: Silk Road Express Train

8. Day 8: Jiayuguan
   Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall (B + L + D)

   AM: After breakfast you will pay a visit to Jiayuguan Pass, the very west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall which was built in the Ming Dynasty. That pass is the most magnificent and best preserved fort in China.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Thereafter we will drive to visit the Overhanging Great Wall. That part of the Great Wall was built on mountain ridge. Seeing from distance it likes a dragon hovering over the mountain ridge.

   Accommodation: Holiday Plaza Hotel Jiayuguan or same class (5 stars)

   

9. Day 9: Dunhuang
   Crescent Lake, Singing Sand Mountain, Shazhou Night Market (B + L + D)

   AM: At 10:00 the train will depart to Dunhuang. On the way we will invite Dunhuang Culture experts and professors to introduce detailed background information of this exotic city to you.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Arriving in Dunhuang you will visit the Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. When you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands, hence the name. Walking a while to reach the Crescent Lake, your eyes will be feasted by the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert. After the happy time in Crescent Lake we will drive back to downtown area for dinner.cc

   In the evening, take a walk in Shazhou Night Market you will meet lots of local snacks, specialties and other interesting objects.

   Accommodation:Dunhuang Hotel or same class (4 stars, the best local hotel)

   

10. Day 10: Dunhuang - Turpan by Train
    Mogao Grottoes (B + L + D)

    AM:In the morning picked up by driver and guide and transferred directly to Mogao Grottoes, one of the four most famous caves in China and the a must see attraction along ancient Silk Road. The grottoes consist of over 700 caves, 2,000 statues and tens of thousands square meters of mural. The murals reflect not only the religious culture but also some social facts of local area in ancient time.

    Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

    PM: At 17:00 you will board the train and head to Turpan.

    Accommodation: Silk Road Express Train

    

11. Day 11: Turpan-Urumqi
    Karez Well, Flaming Mountain, Jiaohe Ancient City (B + L + D)

    AM: In the morning we will go to visit the Karez Well— an amazing irrigation system which made Turpan a rich oasis. Together with Great Wall, and the Jinghang Grand Canel, they are regarded as the tree engineering miracles of ancient China.

    Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

    PM: Next we will move to visit Flaming Mountain, the hottest place in summer of China. At last we will go to visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road and the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world.

    Accommodation: Hoi Tak Hotel or same class (5 stars)

    

12. Day 12: Urumqi
    Heavenly Lake, Uygur Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar (B + L + D)

    AM: After breakfast, you will be escorted to visit Heavenly Lake and cruise on the lake. It will make you totally relaxed no matter you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake.

    Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

    PM: Then back to downtown area to continue the tour with Uygur Autonomous Region Museum where you will have a glimpse of Xinjiang history and costume. The museum collects thousands of precious cultural relics unearthed in Xinjiang. At last pay a visit to Xinjiang International Bazaar to explore local market.

    Accommodation: Hoi Tak Hotel or same class (5 stars)

    

13. Day 13: Urumqi Departure

    Enjoy your free time till the hotel pickup time. You will be picked up from hotel and transferred to airport for your flight departing Urumqi.