10 Days Shanghai to Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour by Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Board the Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

   In the evening (around 6:30 pm), you will board a train bound for Lhasa from Shanghai Railway Station, which is about 5 kilometers away from the city center. We suggest that you arrive at the station at least 2 hours before the train departs to avoid any rush. Don’t forget - you must show both your passport and your Tibet Travel Permit when entering the station and getting on the train. Give yourself enough time to find the right platform ahead. Note: No driver or Shanghai tour guide escort you to the railway station. Please go by yourself.

   Accommodation: on the Train

2. Day 2: Scenery on the Way
   Full Day on the Qinghai Tibet Railway

   Today is a full day trip on the Qinghai Tibet Railway, taking a train heading towards Lhasa, the City of Sunlight. Along the way, you will see two distinctive northwest towns through transparent windows: Lanzhou on the banks of the Yellow River, a city famous for its beef noodles; Next is Xining at an altitude of 2275 meters, which is the official starting point of this world's highest railway. As the train departs from Xining Railway Station, the scenery outside the window will gradually transition from loess hills to vast plateaus - farmland, villages with red bricks and grey tiles, towns with modern buildings, and the undulating Qilian Mountains in the distance. All your meals are on the train (not included in this package).

   Accommodation: in the Train

   

3. Day 3: Arrive in Lhasa
   Amazing Scenery along the Way

   Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Qinghai Tibet Railway. You may see snowy land, vast grasslands, endless deserts, and clear lakes. Arriving in Lhasa in the late afternoon, the local tour guide will pick you up at Lhasa Railway Station. Then you will be escorted to the hotel to rest well.

   Travel Tips:

   • After arriving there, avoid strenuous activities so that you can acclimatize to the high altitude and thin air. The average altitude in Lhasa is 3650 meters/11975 feet.
   • Don't take a shower to avoid catching a cold.

   Getting enough sleep will make you feel better.

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

4. Day 4: Lhasa Monastery Visit
   Watch the Monks Debate - A Unique Learning Style

   This morning, your guide will take you to explore Drepung Monastery first, one of Lhasa’s most famous temples. It was once the biggest monastery in Tibet. The monastery is built between the mountains and overlooks the Lhasa River.

   Inside, you’ll see many old and valuable collections from ancient porcelain to the colorful thangka paintings. Also, be guided to the Loseling College (or a similar one) to see how monks study. If time allows, you can walk through their dorm rooms and get a glimpse of their everyday lives.

   Then, transfer for 30 minutes to Sera Monastery, the youngest of Lhasa’s three grand temples. For centuries, some of the important monks have taught here. One of the highlights is watching the monks debate — a unique learning style where they ask each other questions about Buddhist teachings. These lively debates usually take place between 3:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon.

   After the visit, we will drive you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

5. Day 5: Highlights of Lhasa
   Unlock Construction Story of Potala Palace, Experience Kora around Jokhang Temple

   The exploration of the essence in Lhasa starts from the highest palace in the world (more than 3700 meters above sea level). The Potala Palace was initially built under the leadership of Songtsen Gampo in 631 AD. Later, with the disintegration of the Tubo Kingdom, the palace suffered severe damage from natural and man-made disasters. The magnificent palace we see today was rebuilt in 1645 and gradually expanded to form. According to the layout design of the Buddhist altar city, the total construction area of the Potala Palace is over 130,000 square meters, with a main building height of 117 meters and a total of 13 floors.

   The guide will take you to visit the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace has been the place where the Dalai Lamas have governed and lived. The Red Palace is used for religious activities. When exploring, you can see a large number of cultural relics, such as murals, pagodas, statues, thangka paintings, porcelain, and brocade products.

   Under the palace is the Longwangtan Park, where you can enjoy a different view of the grand Potala Palace and experience some fun local Tibetan traditions.

   In the afternoon, go to visit the Jokhang Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple built by Songtsen Gampo. Inside is a special statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. The reason why Lhasa is known as a "holy land" is related to this statue. Many people travel long distances just to worship here. Surrounding the temple is Barkhor Street, where both locals and visitors walk in circles, a religioned practice called kora. You can join them if you would like. Along the street, there are many small shops selling handmade crafts, traditional clothes, tea, prayer wheels, and more.

   Last, follow your guide to a local teahouse and enjoy a cup of sweet Tibetan tea, just like the locals do.

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

6. Day 6: Drive to Shigatse from Lhasa via Gyantse
   Marvel at the Natural Beauty of Lake and Glacier

   In the morning, begin the road trip to Shigatse. On the way, you will pass through beautiful lakes, and lovely Tibetan villages.

   Your first stop is Gampala Pass, which is 4,790 meters high. From here, you can see Yamdrok Lake below. Snowy mountains surround the lake, and if the weather is clear, you can look far the Mt. Nyanchen Khangsar in the distance — the tallest mountain near Lhasa at 7,191 meters. When be close to Yamdrok Lake, enjoy your leisure time to appreciate the lake from different spots. Also, you have a chance to pay a visit to a local Tibetan home and have lunch (included) with the hosts.

   In the afternoon, drive to see the Karola Glacier on the roadside. Unlike other glaciers, its ice tongue extends straight to the edge of the road, with the closest point being only 300 meters away from the road. Next, head toward the town of Gyantse. Along the way, there’s a stop at Simila Pass (around 4200 meters above sea level), where you can hang colorful prayer flags and make wishes for your loved ones’ health.

   Once you arrive in Gyantse, feel free to take some pictures of this old town. Traveling from Gyantse to Shigatse, you’ll see many barley fields along the road.

   By evening, you’ll reach Shigatse, the second-biggest city in Tibet. After checking into your hotel, relax and have a good rest. Please get ready for tomorrow’s journey to the Mount Everest.

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

   

7. Day 7: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
   Chase Everest through Five Himalayan Revelations

   After breakfast, we will drive straight to Mount Everest. Thera are some amazing stops on the way. The first is Gyatso-la Pass. From the 5,280-meter-high viewpoint, you’ll see Mount Everest for the first time. It stands quietly behind other peaks, beautiful and peaceful. Spend some time taking great photos of the snow-covered mountains.

   Next, continue driving to enter the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve. Soon after, you will reach Gawula Pass at 5,198 meters. Here is your second time seeing the great mountain. Have a wide view of the Himalayan mountains. Five of the tall peaks line up together, with the Mt. Everest standing proudly among them.

   Next, we follow a winding mountain road that leads us to Everest Base Camp. As we drive closer, Mount Everest slowly appears bigger and clearer - this is the third time you’ll see the mountain today.

   When we arrive at the base camp (5,200 meters), the huge white peak of Everest stands right in front of you like a giant pyramid. As the sun sets, its light turns golden and gently shines on the Everest. It’s the fourth time.

   At night, if the sky is clear, you’ll see the Milky Way above and Everest - your fifth and last view today.

   Travel Tips:

   • Whether you can see Mount Everest depends on the weather, so it's not always certain.
   • From November to March (winter months), the tents at Everest Base Camp are usually closed. So if you visit in winter, you’ll be arranged to stay overnight in a nearby guesthouse instead.

   Accommodation: in EBC or Guesthouse

   

8. Day 8: EBC Back to Shigatse via Sakya
   From Rongbuk's Heights to Sakya's Ancient Streets

   Today, you’ll head back to Shigatse, traveling the same road and enjoying the Himalayan views one more time.

   Before leaving Everest Base Camp in the morning, you’ll be guided to visit Rongbuk Monastery. It’s the highest monastery on earth, sitting at 5,154 meters, where both monks and nuns live together - that cannot be seen in other temples.

   After that, take a different road to Shigatse, passing through Xilin Viewpoint. From there, you will get another great view of Mount Everest’s eastern side and also see Lhotse, the world’s fourth-tallest peak at 8,516 meters. Later, make a short visit to the old Sakya Town to walk around its historical streets.

   In the end, reach Shigatse and check in at a local hotel for a good rest.

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

   

9. Day 9: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa
   See the World’s Biggest Statue of Maitreya Buddha

   After breakfast, you'll go to see Tashilunpo Monastery, the most important temple in Shigatse and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. This huge monastery of 150,000 square meters covers the whole hillside, with 57 monk rooms and a total of 3600 halls. It is a sacred place for many local Tibetans. Inside, you’ll find the world’s biggest statue of Maitreya Buddha (11 meters tall). Also, you may see many monks wearing red robes going about their daily life.

   After that, we drive back to Lhasa (about 4 hours), following the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is known as the lifeline of the Tibetan people. Once we reach Lhasa, enjoy your free time.

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

10. Day 10: Lhasa Departure

    Your 10-day Shanghai to Tibet tour by train ends after today’s breakfast. Before you leave, double-check your flight or train time with the guide. Then, you will be escorted to the airport or train station for your journey home.

    Thank you for traveling with China Xian Tour team. Hope to see you again in your next China tour!

    Accommodation: N/A