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Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

8 Days Xi'an Tibet Train Tour

Xi'an to Lhasa on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway with local sightseeing

Illustration of 8 Days Xi'an Tibet Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour's 8-day private journey blends ancient Chinese history with Tibetan Buddhist culture, starting in Xi'an and ending in Lhasa via the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Your first three days unfold in Xi'an, where you tour the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, cycle the Ancient City Wall, and explore the Muslim Quarter. Day 4 is the centrepiece: you board a soft-sleeper train for a 30-32 hour passage through the Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass, and high-altitude plateaus, arriving on Day 5 at Lhasa's 3,650-metre elevation with time to acclimatize. Your final days in Lhasa visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and the monasteries of Drepung and Sera, where monks engage in scripture debating. An English-speaking local guide accompanies you throughout, and Great Tibet Tour includes permits, train fare in soft-sleeper class, all attraction fees, accommodation, most meals, and transfers. The from-price is USD 1,268.

What to know before you look closer

  • Great Tibet Tour requires a Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit; the operator includes these in the package, but you must arrive at Xi'an Railway Station one hour early with your passport and permit.
  • The train journey is 30-32 hours on a soft-sleeper; Day 5 arrival in Lhasa at 3,650m elevation requires acclimatization, with free time built in.
  • Meals other than breakfasts and the welcome dinner are not included and typically cost USD 5-15 per person per meal; the operator can recommend options.
  • Gratuity for the guide and driver is not mandatory but is customary, typically USD 8-15 per person per day, given on the last day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Xi'an

    Arrive in Xi'an

    Met at the airport or railway station and transferred to the hotel.

  2. Day 2overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

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

  3. Day 3overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

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

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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); 30-32 hour ride past Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass and Tuotuo River.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)

    Met at Lhasa Railway Station, transfer to the hotel; free time to rest and acclimatize to altitude.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Drepung Monastery, then Sera Monastery, known for its scripture debating.

  8. Day 8rail

    Departure from Lhasa

    Transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, then the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
  • Day 4Day 4: board the soft-sleeper train at Xi'an Railway Station for a 30-32 hour journey past the Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass and Tuotuo River to Lhasa.
  • Day 6Day 6: visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
  • Day 7Day 7: visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, known for its scripture debating.

Included

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • Soft-sleepers from Xi'an to Lhasa
  • 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)
  • Other domestic flights/trains to and out of 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?
Yes. The soft-sleeper train from Xi'an to Lhasa is included in the package, as are all entrance tickets to attractions listed in the itinerary.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking tour guide for the entire trip, plus pick-up and drop-off from the airport or railway station.
What happens on the train?
Day 4 is a 30-32 hour soft-sleeper journey from Xi'an to Lhasa on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. You pass the Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass and Tuotuo River. You arrive in Lhasa on Day 5.
What accommodation is included?
All lodging is included in the itinerary. Great Tibet Tour offers a choice of accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse.
What meals are included?
Hotel breakfasts and a welcome dinner are included. Other meals are not included and typically cost USD 5-15 per person per meal.
What permits and visas do I need?
Great Tibet Tour includes the Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet. You must obtain a Chinese Visa separately; the operator can provide hotel and flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support your visa application.

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