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Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

12 Days Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Train Tour

Beijing to Lhasa in 12 days via Xi'an and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Illustration of 12 Days Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour operates this 12-day private tour combining China's famous cultural sites with an overnight ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Starting in Beijing, you spend three days touring the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Two nights in Xi'an follow, where you see the Qin Terracotta Warriors and explore the Ancient City Wall and Muslim Quarter. The centrepiece is the overnight train journey on Day 7, crossing high plateaus and mountain passes to arrive in Lhasa on Day 8. You then spend four days in and around Lhasa, visiting Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and taking a full-day excursion to the high-altitude Namtso Lake. An experienced English-speaking guide, all permits and entrance fees, lodging, some meals, and comprehensive transfers are included. This tour suits history lovers seeking deep cultural immersion, rail travellers wanting the signature Qinghai-Tibet Railway experience, and those who prefer guided structure and logistical support in a challenging high-altitude environment.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package (permits, lodging, guide, many meals); domestic flights or trains to and from Lhasa and international flights to China are booked separately.
  • Accommodation is your choice of luxury 5-star hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse; final hotel depends on your tier selection.
  • Meals beyond the welcome dinner and hotel breakfasts are not included; budget USD 5 to 15 per meal.
  • The Qinghai-Tibet Railway overnight (Day 7) requires arrival one hour early with a valid passport and Tibet Travel Permit.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Beijing

    Arrival in Beijing

    Pick up at Beijing Airport and transfer to the hotel in downtown Beijing.

  2. Day 2overnight: Beijing

    Beijing Sightseeing

    Visit the Forbidden City, then Tian'anmen Square, and the Hutongs of old Beijing.

  3. Day 3overnight: Beijing

    Beijing Sightseeing

    Morning exercises at the Temple of Heaven, then the less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Xi'an

    Visit the Summer Palace and Take a Train to Xi'an

    Visit the Summer Palace (Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill), then transfer to Beijing West Railway Station for the train to Xi'an.

  5. Day 5overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

    Visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, then the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

  6. Day 6overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

    Visit Xi'an Museum, cycle on the Ancient City Wall, and explore the Muslim Quarter.

  7. Day 7railovernight: on the train

    Train: Xi'an - Lhasa

    Board the train at Xi'an Railway Station (arrive 1 hour early with passport and Tibet Travel Permit); ride the Qinghai-Tibet Railway past Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass and Tuotuo River.

  8. Day 8railovernight: 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).

  9. Day 9overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

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

  10. Day 10overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Drak Yerpa meditation retreat and Sera Monastery, known for its monk debating sessions.

  11. Day 11overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa, 440km, Approx. 6hrs

    Excursion to Namtso Lake via Nagela Pass (5,150m), with views of the Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain.

  12. Day 12rail

    Lhasa Departure

    Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Hike the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a less-crowded alternative to more visited segments.
  • Day 5Tour the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, standing among thousands of life-sized clay soldiers from the 3rd century BCE.
  • Day 7Board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway at Xi'an and ride overnight past Hoh Xil, the Kunlun Mountains, and Tanggula Pass at 5,072 metres.
  • Day 9Climb to Potala Palace in Lhasa, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, and walk the pilgrimage circuit of Barkhor Street.
  • Day 11Drive 440 kilometres to Namtso Lake via Nagela Pass at 5,150 metres, with views of Nyenchen Thanglha Snow Mountain.

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

Which train is used for the Xi'an-to-Lhasa leg?
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, departing from Xi'an Railway Station on Day 7 and arriving in Lhasa on Day 8.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide for the entire 12 days, plus a driver and vehicle tailored to group size.
What is included in the price?
All Tibet permits, entrance fees, lodging (in your chosen hotel class), breakfasts, a welcome dinner, guide and driver, airport and station transfers, travel insurance, and two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
What is not included?
International flights to China, Chinese visa, domestic flights or trains to and from Lhasa, most meals (operator can recommend options), and gratuities for guide and driver (USD 8-15 per person per day suggested).
What is the altitude concern?
Lhasa sits at 3,650 metres and Namtso Lake at 5,150 metres. Day 8 includes rest time to acclimatize; an oxygen tank is provided for emergencies.
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking tours, climbing temple and palace stairs, cycling on Xi'an's Ancient City Wall, and a 6-hour coach excursion with moderate walking at Namtso Lake.

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