China Tibet Train (China Tibet Tour) · Small group tour

7 Days Lhasa to Tsedang Small Group Tour with Tibet Train Experience

Small-group Tibet train tour from Lhasa to Tsedang and Samye

China Tibet Train runs this 7-day small-group tour from Xining to Lhasa, Tsedang and Samye Monastery. Day 1 boards the hard sleeper train at Xining Railway Station, with the first night spent aboard while acclimatising gradually to the altitude. Three days in Lhasa cover the Potala Palace's audience halls, the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and the Drepung and Sera monasteries. On day 5, a full day in Tsedang, described as the cradle of Tibetan civilization, visits Yumbulakang Palace, the first palace built in Tibet, and Tradruk Temple, one of Tibet's earliest Buddhist temples. Day 6 continues to Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, with an optional trek along the Yalong river, before driving back to Lhasa. A local Tibetan English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout. This suits travellers who want to combine Lhasa's main sights with the early religious and royal history of the Yarlung Valley.

What to know before you look closer

  • The included train fare is for a hard sleeper berth; a soft sleeper upgrade or a different train route costs a fare difference.
  • Onward travel out of Tibet after day 7 (domestic train or flight) is not included; the operator offers to book it on request.
  • Solo travellers share a room unless they pay a single room supplement.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On the train

    Board the train to Lhasa from Xining

    Board the Xining-Lhasa train at Xining Railway Station; the local guide provides the train ticket and Tibet travel permit in advance. First day acclimatising gradually to altitude on board.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrive in Lhasa

    See the scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on arrival; welcomed at the exit by the guide holding a name board, then a private car transfer to the hotel past the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa rivers.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street

    Visit the Potala Palace's audience halls and Dalai Lama chortens, the Jokhang Temple (built 647 AD) and its holiest Buddha statue, and Barkhor Street's old market. Welcome dinner and tea house in the evening. Optional Tibetan Culture Show (from USD 60).

  4. Day 4overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery

    Visit Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, founded 1416, then Sera Monastery, founded 1419, to see the monk debates, rock paintings and sand mandalas.

  5. Day 5overnight: Tsedang

    Tsedang Tour: Yambulakhang and Tradruk Temple

    A full day in Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization: Yumbulakang Palace, the first palace in Tibet, reached on foot or by horse, then Tradruk Temple, one of Tibet's earliest Buddhist temples, with its pearl thangka.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Samye Monastery-Lhasa

    Visit Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet (built 8th century), following the Yarlong Valley, with an optional free trek along the Yalong river, before driving back to Lhasa.

  7. Day 7rail

    Depart from Lhasa

    Transfer to the airport or train station to depart. Service ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The group boards the hard sleeper train from Xining to Lhasa, spending the first night on board while acclimatising gradually to the altitude.
  • Day 3The tour visits the Potala Palace's audience halls and Dalai Lama chortens, the Jokhang Temple built in 647 AD, and Barkhor Street's old market.
  • Day 5A full day in Tsedang visits Yumbulakang Palace, the first palace in Tibet, reached on foot or by horse, and Tradruk Temple, one of Tibet's earliest Buddhist temples.
  • Day 6The tour visits Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet in the 8th century, following the Yarlong Valley.

Included

  • Tibet Travel Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • Hard sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa (soft-sleeper upgrade available for a fare difference)
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary (solo travellers share a room unless a single room supplement is paid)
  • Meals listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
  • Local tour transfers according to group size
  • Local Tibetan English-speaking guide
  • One shared oxygen tank in the vehicle

Not included

  • Chinese visa
  • International flight to and from China
  • Domestic train/flight out of Tibet (booking service available on request)
  • Price difference if upgrading the train ticket or taking a different train to Tibet
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities for tour guide and driver
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional activities, etc.)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes, a hard sleeper ticket on the Xining to Lhasa train is included; a soft sleeper upgrade is available for an extra fare.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It's an escorted small-group tour with a local Tibetan English-speaking guide throughout.
What are the main sights on this tour?
The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street in Lhasa, the Drepung and Sera monasteries, Yumbulakang Palace and Tradruk Temple in Tsedang, and Samye Monastery.
What is not included?
The Chinese visa, international flights, onward domestic travel out of Tibet, meals not listed in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
Are there any optional extras?
An evening Tibetan Culture Show in Lhasa (from USD 60) and an optional free trek along the Yalong river near Samye Monastery.
Can I upgrade my hotel or train class?
Yes. A soft-sleeper train upgrade and a choice of Standard, Comfortable, or Top 5-star hotel class are offered at enquiry, each for an added cost.

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