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Day1 Xining Day Trip - Riyue Mountain – Qinghai Lake – Gold and Silver Grassland
The first stop on your tour schedule is Riyue Mountain, which is situated in Huangyuan County, Xining, Qinghai Province. A Chinese legend tells the story of Princess Wencheng who lost a mirror that she called “Sun and Moon”. This magical mirror allowed her to see all the way to Xi’an, so upon its loss, she cried so many tears that it became the Daotang River that now flows near the mountain. After our mountain visit, your personal tour guide will take you to visit Qinghai Lake, located 150 kilometers west of Xining. Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in all of China, looking as large as a sea from some viewpoints. Before driving back to Xining for your overnight stay, we’ll pay a visit to the Gold and Silver Grassland. This grassland area features a never-ending blue sky, billowing white clouds, green grass, grazing flocks of sheep and goats, and numerous species of birds that make for a picturesque landscape for all visitors to see.
Accommodation：Overnight at Xining 3-Star hotel
Day2 Xining – Ta’er Monastery – Board the Train to Lhasa
This morning we will visit the centuries-old Ta'er Monastery. This ancient monastery was built in 1557 during the Ming Dynasty to commemorate Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Ta’er Monastery is famous for its three treasures – the Butter Sculpture, intricate murals and ancient and magnificent “barbola” (Tibetan embroidery). After exploring the monastery, we will take you to the train station for your train to Lhasa.
Accommodation：Overnight at Lhasa 3-Star hotel
Day3 Arrival in Lhasa
We will transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa after your arrival at the Lhasa train station. You will have time to relax with a free afternoon and evening after your arrival in Lhasa to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Accommodation：Overnight at Lhasa 3-Star hotel
Day4 Lhasa City Sightseeing - Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the incredible Potala Palace – the highest palace in the world. As we climb to the entrance gate, you will have a spectacular view over all of Lhasa. After exploring the numerous interesting chapels and learning about the traditional culture and history of the palace and the city, we will move on to the spiritually significant Jokhang Temple, one of the most important temples in Tibetan Buddhism. To see the “real” Lhasa, we’ll stroll through Barkhor Street with its thriving local market where you can pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.
Tips for Visiting Potala Palace
1. The number of visitors to the palace is strictly limited to 2,300 per day. Visitors can only visit during the time specified on the admission ticket.
2. Admission tickets to visit the Potala Palace are sold out almost every day, so it is strongly recommended to book your tickets several days in advance.
3. There are many steps at the Potala Palace, so it’s best to take it slowly to avoid possible altitude discomfort.
4. Visitors should respect the rules while visiting. Do not wear hats, wear revealing clothes or step on thresholds as these actions violate local customs.
5. Photography and the taking of videos are forbidden inside the Potala Palace.
6. A security search will take place at the entrance to the palace. Explosives, flammables, knives, lighters and even water bottles are not allowed inside the Potala Palace.
Tips for Visiting Potala Palace
1. The number of visitors to the palace is strictly limited to 2,300 per day. Visitors can only visit during the time specified on the admission ticket.
2. Admission tickets to visit the Potala Palace are sold out almost every day, so it is strongly recommended to book your tickets several days in advance.
3. There are many steps at the Potala Palace, so it’s best to take it slowly to avoid possible altitude discomfort.
4. Visitors should respect the rules while visiting. Do not wear hats, wear revealing clothes or step on thresholds as these actions violate local customs.
5. Photography and the taking of videos are forbidden inside the Potala Palace.
6. A security search will take place at the entrance to the palace. Explosives, flammables, knives, lighters and even water bottles are not allowed inside the Potala Palace.
Accommodation：Overnight at Lhasa 3-Star hotel
Day5 Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse (Kumbum Monastery) – Shigatse
This morning we’ll take a drive up to the Kampala Pass (elevation 4797 meters) where you’ll have a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. You will want to have your camera at the ready for the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, and the beautiful Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier as seen from the Karol la Pass. Later on we’ll be able to visit the Karola Glacier before continuing along the southern Friendship Highway to Gyantse, where you will be able to see the famous Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late in the afternoon we will continue on to Shigatse, the location of the Tashilunpo Monastery.
Accommodation： Overnight at Shigatse 3-Star hotel
Day6 Shigatse – Tingri – Rongphu Monastery – Everest Base Camp
After breakfast we’ll set out towards the peak of the world – Mount Everest. Departing from Shigatse and traveling via Lhatse and Tingri, you will see some of the most beautiful and unique scenery in the world – incredibly blue skies, floating high clouds, endless grasslands and the highest mountain peaks in the world. We’ll also stop by the Rongbuk Monastery – the world’s highest altitude monastery before spending the night at the Everest Base Camp.
Travel Tip:Due to the high altitude, it is possible that you may have some symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend that you stay well hydrated, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery to minimize your symptoms.
Accommodation：Overnight at Guest house or Tent
Day7 Everest Base Camp – Shigatse
Enjoy a breathtaking sunrise at the Everest Base Camp before we journey back through the spectacular scenery to spend the night again in Shigatse.
Accommodation：
Day8 Shigatse - Tashilunpo Monastery – Lhasa
We’ll get an early start this morning to visit one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism, the Tashilunpo Monastery. Here you can see the well-preserved statue of Jampa (future Buddha), the largest such statue in the world. This monastery is also the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. After our visit to Tashilunpo, we will make the scenic drive back to Lhasa to spend the night.
Accommodation：vernight at Lhasa 3-Star hotel
Day9 Accommodation: None
We will pick you up from your hotel by private vehicle for the 90-minute drive to the Lhasa airport for your departing flight.
Accommodation：