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Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

11 Days Chengdu & Tibet Train Tour

Chengdu, Mount Emei, and Tibet by the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Shigatse

Illustration of 11 Days Chengdu & Tibet Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour operates this 11-day private tour combining Southwest China and Tibet into a single journey by coach and rail. The trip begins in Chengdu, where you visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and explore nearby Leshan and Mount Emei over three days. Days 4 and 5 are devoted to overnight travel on the Chengdu-Lhasa train, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which crosses snow-capped mountains, barren wilderness, grazing sheep and yaks, and nomad encampments en route to the Tibetan plateau. Upon arrival in Lhasa at 3,650 meters, three full days allow acclimatization and sightseeing at Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, and Norbulingka. The final leg coaches south via Gambala Pass to Shigatse, visiting Gyantse's Pelkor Chode Monastery and Shigatse's Tashilhunpo Monastery. An experienced local guide leads the tour throughout, and Great Tibet Tour arranges all permits, lodging, and park entries. This itinerary suits first-time and experienced rail travellers, history-lovers, and those seeking guided cultural immersion at high altitude.

What to know before you look closer

  • Meals are not included except breakfast and the welcome dinner; typical cost USD 5-15 per meal. The operator can recommend options.
  • The final hotel choice depends on which accommodation tier you select (guesthouse, 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star); the same city may have multiple options.
  • Gratuity for guide and driver is not mandatory but suggested at USD 8-15 per person per day.
  • Domestic flights or trains to and from Lhasa are not included but can be booked through the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chengdu

    Arrive in Chengdu

    Pick up at the airport/railway station and transfer to the hotel in downtown Chengdu.

  2. Day 2overnight: Emei

    Chengdu - Panda Base - Leshan - Emei, 205km, Approx. 3hrs

    Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and Leshan Giant Buddha (optional ferry ride ~USD 10/person), continue to the foot of Mt. Emei.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chengdu

    Emei - Chengdu, 165km, Approx. 2.5hrs

    Shuttle bus and cable car to the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei (3,077m), then back to Chengdu.

  4. Day 4railovernight: on the train

    Train: Chengdu - Lhasa

    Visit Wenshu Monastery and Kuan Zhai Lane, then board the evening Chengdu-Lhasa train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: on the train

    On the Train

    Full day on the train; arrival in Xining, the start of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, in the afternoon.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrival in Lhasa by Train

    Met at Lhasa railway station with a Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada, transfer to the hotel; rest to acclimatize to altitude (3,650m).

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace, and Drepung Monastery.

  9. Day 9overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs

    Via Gambala Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and the Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 3.5hrs

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley.

  11. Day 11rail

    Lhasa Departure

    Free morning, then transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and see the Leshan Giant Buddha carved into a cliff.
  • Day 3Day 3: Cable car to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei at 3,077 meters overlooking the surrounding landscape.
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Chengdu-Lhasa train (Qinghai-Tibet Railway) in the evening after visiting Wenshu Monastery.
  • Day 7Day 7: Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, then walk the pilgrimage circuit of Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
  • Day 9Day 9: Coach to Shigatse passes Karola Glacier and Yamdroktso Lake, stopping at Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.

Included

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • All entrance ticket fees for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary
  • Experienced local English-speaking tour guide
  • Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as needed by the itinerary including gas and parking fees
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it's your decision to choose the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse
  • Breakfasts provided by hotels & a welcome dinner
  • Pick-up & Drop-off service from the airport/railway station
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance
  • Government tax
  • Express delivery fee of the Permit (eg. SF Express)
  • Food & lodging for guide & driver
  • Oxygen tank for emergency use
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day

Not included

  • International flights to and from China
  • Chinese Visa/China Group Visa (the operator can provide hotel/flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support the visa application)
  • Domestic flights/trains to and from Lhasa (the operator can book these at the best price on request)
  • Meals (not included; typically USD 5-15/person per meal, operator can recommend options)
  • Gratuity for guide and driver (not mandatory but expected; suggested USD 8-15/person/day, given on the last day)
  • Commissions and taxes charged by PayPal or Bank, and government, when making a payment (e.g. PayPal 4.4%, wire transfer 2%)
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc. Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes the Chengdu-Lhasa train (Qinghai-Tibet Railway) for two nights (Days 4-5). Domestic flights or trains to and from Lhasa are not included but the operator can book these on request.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide and driver throughout. The tour is private.
What is included in the price?
Included are Tibet permits, all entrance fees, the guide, vehicle with fuel and parking, lodging (tier of your choice), breakfasts and welcome dinner, airport/station pick-up and drop-off, travel insurance, permit delivery fee, guide and driver meals, oxygen tank, and two bottles of water daily per person.
What accommodation options are available?
You choose from four tiers: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. The final hotel depends on your tier selection and city.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
Mount Emei involves a cable car and shuttle bus to 3,077 meters; in Lhasa, sightseeing includes temple walks and the Barkhor Street pilgrimage circuit. Altitude acclimatization rest is recommended in Lhasa at 3,650 meters. The itinerary is balanced with coach travel between cities.
Do I need a visa for this trip?
Yes, a Chinese visa is required. Great Tibet Tour can provide hotel and flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support your visa application.

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