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Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

9 Days Chengdu Xining Lhasa Train Tour

Chengdu to Lhasa via Qinghai-Tibet Railway overnight train and alpine scenery

Illustration of 9 Days Chengdu Xining Lhasa Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour operates this 9-day private tour starting in Chengdu and ending in Lhasa, traveling by coach, flight, and overnight train. Your local English-speaking guide joins you from the start, arranging all permits, hotel check-ins, and entrance fees. Days 1 and 2 explore Chengdu's giant panda base and the Leshan Buddha by coach. Day 3 flies you to Xining, where you spend the afternoon and night at Qinghai Lake before visiting Kumbum Monastery on Day 4. That evening you board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway for a 14-hour overnight ascent to Lhasa. Days 5 through 8 are devoted to Lhasa's temples, monasteries, and palaces, with rest built in for acclimatization to the 3,650-meter altitude. You choose your hotel tier (3-star guesthouse through 5-star), and breakfasts plus a welcome dinner are provided. This tour suits first-time train travelers seeking expert guidance, history lovers drawn to Tibetan Buddhism, and travelers comfortable with moderate walking and altitude.

What to know before you look closer

  • Meals are not included (operator estimates USD 5-15 per person per meal and can recommend options).
  • Gratuity for guide and driver is not mandatory but is customary (suggested USD 8-15 per person per day).
  • Your accommodation tier (3-star guesthouse through 5-star hotel) is your choice; the from-price and final cost depend on this selection.
  • Altitude at Lhasa is 3,650m; acclimatization time is built in but those sensitive to altitude should consult a doctor beforehand.

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: Chengdu

    Chengdu - Panda Base - Leshan - Chengdu, 340km, Approx. 5.5hrs

    Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha, the tallest rock Buddha statue in the world.

  3. Day 3overnight: lakeside near Qinghai Lake

    Flight: Chengdu-Xining

    Fly to Xining (~1hr 40min), then visit Qinghai Lake, China's largest saltwater lake; overnight at the lakeside for sunset and sunrise.

  4. Day 4railovernight: on the train

    Visit Kumbum Monastery and board the overnight Train to Lhasa

    Visit Kumbum Monastery, birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of Tibetan Buddhism, then board the overnight train to Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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).

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

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

  8. Day 8overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa- Drak Yerpa- Ganden- Lhasa, 132km, Approx. 3.5hrs

    Visit Ganden Monastery, one of the top six Gelug monasteries, and the lesser-visited Drak Yerpa hermitage.

  9. Day 9rail

    Lhasa Departure

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and see the tallest rock Buddha statue in the world at Leshan.
  • Day 3Overnight lakeside at Qinghai Lake, China's largest saltwater lake, for sunset and sunrise views.
  • Day 4Board the overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway train from Xining to Lhasa, climbing to alpine heights.
  • Day 5Arrive in Lhasa by train with a traditional Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada scarf; rest to acclimatize at 3,650m.
  • Day 7Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, then walk the pilgrim circuit of Barkhor Street.

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 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?
Yes. The overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway train from Xining to Lhasa is included in the tour package.
Is this escorted or independent?
Fully escorted. Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide for the entire tour, plus vehicle and driver.
What are the hotels like?
You choose your accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star, economical 3-star, or guesthouse. The price is the same; you select the standard.
What is included?
Tibet permits, all entrance fees, hotels, breakfasts, welcome dinner, guide, vehicle, pick-up and drop-off, emergency oxygen, travel insurance, and two bottles of water per person daily.
Are meals included?
Breakfasts are included, plus a welcome dinner. Other meals are your cost (typically USD 5-15 per meal). Great Tibet Tour can recommend restaurants.
How much walking is there?
Moderate. Days include city walking tours (Barkhor Street in Lhasa), monastery visits, and short excursions. Altitude acclimatization rest is built into the first full day in Lhasa.

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