Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
Undiscovered Horizons of China
Thirteen-day China rail journey ending on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa
13 daysfrom $19,900
69% rail
Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour
8 Days Essential Shanghai Tibet Train Tour
Traveling to Tibet from Shanghai by train is a good way to experience Shanghai's mixed cultural background, Tibetan Buddhism, and Qinghai-Tibet railway.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai
Met at the airport and transferred to the hotel; rest of the day free.
- Day 2overnight: Shanghai
Visiting Suzhou and Tongli Water Town
Visit Tuisi Garden and take a Wu Peng boat ride in Tongli Water Town, then Humble Administrator Garden and a rickshaw ride in Suzhou.
- Day 3railovernight: on the train
Shanghai Sightseeing and Departure from Shanghai
Visit Yu Garden, the Bund, Nanjing Road and Jade Buddha Temple, then board the overnight train to Lhasa from Shanghai Railway Station.
- Day 4railovernight: on the train
Scenery View of Tibet Railway
Full day on the train westwards; arrival in Xining, start of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, in the evening.
- Day 5railovernight: Lhasa
Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)
Met at Lhasa Railway and transferred to the hotel; free time to rest and acclimatize to altitude.
- Day 6overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street; optional Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (USD60/person, own expense).
- Day 7overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit Drak Yerpa meditation retreat and Sera Monastery, known for its monk debating sessions.
- Day 8rail
Lhasa Departure
Transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.
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
