Tibet By Train 2012 (TX12) - 14 Day
- Day 1 - Depart SFO/JFK to Beijing
- Day 2 - Arrive Beijing
- Day 3 - Beijing
- Day 4 - Beijing
- Day 5 - Beijing to Lhasa
- Day 6 - Lhasa
- Day 7 - Lhasa
- Day 8 - Lhasa to Xian by Train
- Day 9 - Arrive Xian
- Day 10 - Xian
- Day 11 - Xian to Shanghai
- Day 12 - Suzhou and Tongli Day Excursion
- Day 13 - Shanghai
- Day 14 - Shanghai to SFO/JFK
Day 1 - Depart SFO/JFK to Beijing
Meals: In-Flight Meal
Embark on a memorable journey when you board Air China's non-stop flight to Beijing. En route, cross the International Dateline and lose one day.
Flight Detail: SFO to Beijing is 12 hours non-stop. JFK to Beijing is 13.5 hours non-stop. Air China's Flight Schedule
Day 2 - Arrive Beijing
Meals: In-Flight Meal
Arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 at 5:55 pm local time. You will be greeted by our experienced tour guide(s) outside the customs and they will transfer you to Sheraton Hotel, one of the newest and best hotels available in Beijing. On the way to the hotel, your guide(s) will briefly introduce themselves to you and provide you with some important information regarding your trip.
Day 3 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
The first day of your journey begins with a wake-up call by your tour guide. Enjoy a delectable American breakfast buffet before starting your day. A deluxe motor coach and your devoted tour guide(s) are ready for your memorable trip. Your first peek into the capital city of Beijing begins with a visit to the Temple of Heaven where the Chinese Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would go to pray for bountiful harvests. It was a critical task for all emperors to perform rituals and tasks in order for his empire to reap successful harvests and good fortune. Capture the detailed essence of all the rich colors blended together on the hand painted tiles and roofing of the structures. This remarkable construction is pledged highest level of Chinese traditional architecture. Next, you will be taken to the world's largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place - Tiananmen Square. Around the vast square, you can see The Great Hall of People, holding the congress of the Communist Party and National People's Congress, History Museum, Military Museum and Monuments to the People's heroes. When available, you can visit Mao's Mausoleum, where his body is in a crystal coffin. Under the famous Mao's portrait, which is positioned at the center of "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" entrance, you will walk into the Forbidden City (also known as Imperial Palace), which holds 9,999 rooms. Experience the intricate architecture and exquisitely designed layout of these grand buildings once housed by Chinese Emperors who ruled during the period of the Qing and Ming Dynasties for almost 500 years (1420-1911). Thereafter, you will visit a pearl factory before you partake in a tranquil visit to the picturesque landscape of the Summer Palace with historic temples, numerous pavilions, marble boat and famous 728-yard Long Corridor, situated on the man-made Kunming Lake. You will then wrap up the evening with a delicious Peking Duck Dinner at one of the most prestigious restaurants in Beijing recognized for its specialty.
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| Tiananmen Square | Summer Palace | Temple of Heaven |
Day 4 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will begin the morning by setting out to the Sacred Way of the Ming Tomb. Located in the mountains according to Feng Shui principles, this imperial mausoleum is a site not to be missed. Tour the exterior portion of the tombs that include the "Spirit Way," a seven kilometer road lined with statues of mythical animals and officials to guard the 13 emperors buried in this necropolis. You will visit a jade factory on the way.
After lunch, you will travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, also considered as one of the greatest wonders of the world. This massive wall stretches well over 4,000 miles and once was used as the soldiers' safeguard to protect the Chinese empire's northern boarders against invaders. You then have the opportunity to climb up the mammoth sized wall at your own pace. Be sure to take in the experience and enjoy the breath-taking view from the top of one of the greatest achievements of civilization. Later, you will capture the lifestyles of families residing within the Historic Hutong by rickshaw. The amazing gray brick courtyard residence is Beijing's oldest and remains infused with timeless culture and history. In the mid-1990's, most of the original Hutongs vanished rapidly and was substituted by high-rise buildings and commercial offices.
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| The Ming Tombs | The Great Wall | Historic Hutong |
Day 5 - Beijing to Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, you will fly to Tibet. Lhasa, over 12,000 feet in elevation, is predominantly home to the Tibetans and the Hans. En route to your hotel, visit a local Tibetan school to catch a glimpse of what the students daily life is like and for a photo opportunity. The remainder of the day is for relaxing and acclimatizing to the altitude.
Flight Detail: Approximately 6-hour flight
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| Native Tibetan People | Tibetan Monks | Tibet Street View |
Day 6 - Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, you will be visiting the famous Potala Palace, past residence of the revered Dalai Lama. King Songstan Gambo constructed the famed World Heritage Site in the 17th century. Gambo, founder of the Tibetan empire, was well known for his heroic movements and as a result became a nationally worshiped figure by the Tibetans. The current 13-story building today is converted into a museum, which comprise of over 200,000 statues, temples, shrines, and historical Tibetan materials and articles. In the afternoon, visit the Drepung Monastery, which is the original home to monks before the Potala Palace. Enjoy the murals and the harmonious colors displayed on the building and prepare for a sweet serenade from the Tibetan musicians while feasting on the local cuisines.
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| Potala Palace | Prayer Wheels | Drepung Monastery |
Day 7 - Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will take a 70-mile scenic drive along Lhasa River and cross Tsangpo River (highest river in the world) to visit Yamdrok Yumtso, meaning Jade Lake. You will reach the highest altitude of your life at Khampa La Pass, 15,668 feet above sea level. You can see here the highest hydroelectric plant on the planet. You will enjoy the stunning beauty of the blue lake reflecting white clouds and snow-capped mountains; typical Tibetan shepherd villages and hot springs on this mystic plateau. You will have a picnic lunch here. After returning to Lhasa, you will visit the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple, declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Built in 647, the temple has been a prime location considered sacred and holy to the Tibetans who have worshiped here. You will also find that in the temple sits the famous Sakyamuni Statue, believed to have been a key figure in Buddhism.
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| Yamdrok Yumtso |
Jokhang Temple |
Inside Jokhang Temple |
Day 8 - Lhasa to Xian by Train
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy some free time. You will be exited embarking on an overnight train ride to Xi'an in the afternoon. Enjoy the amazing scenery before sundown. The total length of Qingzang railway is 1215 miles. Construction of the 506-mile section between Xining and Golmud was completed by 1984. The 709-mles section between Golmud and Lhasa was inaugurated on 1 July 2006. The line includes the Tanggula Pass, which, at 16,640 feet above sea level, is the world's highest rail track. The Fenghuoshan tunnel is the highest rail tunnel in the world. There are 675 bridges about total 100 miles long.
The line has a capacity of eight pairs of passenger trains, and the carriages are specially built and have an oxygen supply for each passenger. Every passenger train has a doctor.
Transportation Detail: Overnight train travel time is approximately 34 hours. There are soft sleeping compartments on the overnight train with 4 berths per compartment. The guide in China will be the one to assign a berth to each passenger. You may request to share a compartment with another person/couple on the tour, but you cannot pay extra to have one compartment per couple or to oneself. Also be sure to have an overnight bag in your carry-on because your check-in bag will be in cargo.
Day 9 - Arrive Xian
Meals: No meals included
Evening arrival into Xi'an, which was the ancient capital for 11 dynasties and east end of the Silk Road. It was the world's most open and prosperous ancient international metropolitan with a population of over a million before Beijing became the political and economic center of China. It has been also considered a favorite to tourists for experiencing and understanding of this amazing city with its glorious past and splendid progress of today. Make sure to get some rest and relaxation and prepare for the next day's adventure.
Day 10 - Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Today you will be given ample time to tour the exhibit of the historical Terracotta Warriors belonging to the era when the infamous Emperor Qing Shihuang reigned. It was in 1974 when a farmer who was merely digging for water came across one of the biggest discoveries of the world which led to the massive excavation of an army of over 7,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and horses molded by clay. Explore the vast sea of clay warriors in all three vaults. For the next 5 years, visitors will not only see the existing warriors and horses but might get lucky to witness some of the greatest new discoveries while the archeologists are digging the vaults in front of you. You will visit an art ceramics factory on the way to the Terracotta Warriors. Thereafter, you will visit the well-preserved emblem of Xi'an, the Wild Goose Pagoda. The towering 211.6 feet high structure completely made of bricks originated during the Tang Dynasty when Emperor Gaozong once reigned. The day will conclude with a tasteful and creatively prepared Dumpling Feast followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy!
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| Terracotta Warriors | Wild Goose Pagoda | Tang Dynasty Show |
Day 11 - Xian to Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, you will take a tour of the ancient city wall of Xian. Then you will take a flight to Shanghai. After you are transferred to your hotel, you will enjoy the rest of the day free on your own exploring the vibrant culture and lifestyle of Shanghai. Indulge yourself by shopping at the stores along Nanjing Road, which is the main shopping street of Shanghai and one of the world's busiest shopping streets. If you're interested in more sightseeing, then visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is still an active temple with 70 resident monks who live and work there. Another option is the Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, which is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago. One of the highlights is the Exquisite Jade Rock that resembles the appearance of jade with its translucent nature and numerous holes caused by water erosion. If you're just looking for a relaxing time, stop by the famous Old Jazz Bar at Peace Hotel. It's open daily from 8pm to 2am where you can enjoy jazz music dating back to the 30's and 40's and experience specially prepared cocktails and Irish or Italian coffee. The local guide will be available through the hotel check-in process to give you directions and advice if you cannot decide what to do. Whatever you choose, you will enjoy the splendors of this magnificent city!
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| Yu Garden | Old French Concession | Shanghai Museum |
Day 12 - Suzhou and Tongli Day Excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You will travel by motor coach to a city nicknamed the "Venice of the Orient." Indulge in the magnificent waterside architecture along with gorgeous gardens prevalent in Suzhou. Enjoy a boat ride on the Grand Canal. Notice the crisscrossing canals and watch the daily traditional lifestyle of the locals who live in this graceful wonderland. Upon arrival, you will visit the Master of the Nets Garden, the smallest and most proportional of all the beautiful gardens in Suzhou. Shortly after, you will be taken to the original Silk Spinning Factory, where you will learn the true art form of silk production. On the way back to Shanghai, you will have a short visit to a water town by the name of Tongli. Enjoy the mirror image resembling Venice, Italy which is surrounded by astonishing traditional architecture and 49 exquisitely designed bridges.
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| Suzhou Grand Canal | Master of the Nets Garden | Tongli |
Day 13 - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Today is a free day to explore the vibrant culture and lifestyle of Shanghai. Indulge yourself by shopping at the stores along Nanjing Road, which is the main shopping street of Shanghai and one of the world's busiest shopping streets. If you're interested in more sightseeing, then visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is still an active temple with 70 resident monks who live and work there. Another option is the Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, which is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago. One of the highlights is the Exquisite Jade Rock that resembles the appearance of jade with its translucent nature and numerous holes caused by water erosion. If you're just looking for a relaxing time, stop by the famous Old Jazz Bar at Peace Hotel. It's open daily from 8pm to 2am where you can enjoy jazz music dating back to the 30's and 40's and experience specially prepared cocktails and Irish or Italian coffee. The local guide will be available to give you directions and advice if you cannot decide what to do. Whatever you choose, you will enjoy the splendors of this magnificent city!
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| Yu Garden | Old French Concession | Shanghai Museum |
Day 14 - Shanghai to SFO/JFK
Meals: Breakfast, In-Flight Meal
We hope you enjoyed your time in China and will be leaving this country with endless amounts of stories, memories, and captivating pictures of the entire journey. You will be transferred to the airport and experience the Maglev train at the max speed of 287 mph (only available for SFO departures). Air China will take you home on the same day.
Flight Detail: 16-hour flight of Air China to SFO with stopover in Beijing. 17.5 hours to JFK with a stopover in Beijing. Your luggage will be checked through all the way from Shanghai to USA. You will arrive USA on the same day. Air China Flight Schedule
