Tibet by the Highest Railway in the World
Beijing, Xining, Tibet Express, Lhasa, Chengdu and Shanghai

15 Days/14 nights

Patola Palace.

China’s latest technological venture, the China – Tibet Railway, has been heralded by its makers as both an engineering marvel and the answer to all Tibet’s economic problems. As the world’s highest railway, this pan-Himalayan line climbs 5,072m (16,640ft) above sea level and during the 710-mile final stretch of the line linking Golmud with Lhasa, it crosses some of the world's most forbidding terrain on the treeless Tibetan plateau - dubbed the roof of the world. Built at a cost of over USD$3 billion, the challenging 1,142km final section from China’s Qinghai province to Lhasa took over four years to construct. The workers who built the line had to breathe bottled oxygen in order to cope with the high altitudes.

The specially designed train cars are sealed like aircraft and equipped with double-paned windows to protect against high-altitude ultraviolet radiation and altitude sickness.  As well there are outlets for oxygen masks beside every seat, for passengers who need help coping with the thin air. Passengers will be required to sign health declarations saying they understood the risks of traveling at such high altitude. They are also required to declare whether or not they suffer from heart disease or other ailments that might make them susceptible to altitude sickness.  Accommodation on the train ranges from basic seating cars to luxury compartments. 

Beijing Lhasa: 4,064 km

The T27/8 train, departing from Beijing's West Railway Station to Lhasa will pass through six cities, including Shijiazhuang, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Nagqu. The outbound journey is expected to take 47 hours and 28 minutes departing Beijing at 2130hrs. The return trip from Lhasa to Beijing is scheduled to take 32 minutes longer than the outbound trip.

Chengdu Lhasa: 3,360km
The trip from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, to Lhasa will take about 48 hours and 10 minutes by the trains T22/23. The return journey by the train T24/1 is scheduled to take 48 hours 50 minutes. This train will pass through the towns of, Guangyuan, Baoji, then link to Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Nagqu, before it reaches Lhasa.

Chongqing Lhasa: 3,654km
The journey from Chongqing to Lhasa will have eight stops before it arrives in Lhasa, taking a planned 47 hours and eight minutes. The return journey from Lhasa to Chongqing is planned to take 48 hours and 50 minutes.

Lanzhou to Lhasa: 2,188km
The journey time for train K917/8 is scheduled to take 29 hours and 45 minutes.

Xining Lhas: 1,972km
This journey is scheduled to be 26 hours and 23 minutes.

The section declared to be the world's highest railway, extends 1,956 kilometers from Xining to Lhasa. Some 960 kilometers of track is located 4,000 meters above sea level, with the highest point is 5,072 meters. This is claimed to be at least 200 meters higher than the Peruvian railway in the Andes, which was formerly the world's highest altitude railway.

 

Day 1 (Wed) Arrive Shanghai (No meals)
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the Ocean Hotel Shanghai, or similar.
Day 2 (Thu) Shanghai (B,L,D)
Full day visit to the Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Xintiandi and the Bund. Lunch included. Acrobatic show with dinner tonight.
Day 3 (Fri) Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai (B,L)
Bus excursion to Suzhou. Visit Garden of Net Master, Lingering Garden, the Grand Canal, Silk spinning factory and the local market. Return to Shanghai. Lunch included.
Day 4 (Sat) Shanghai/Chengdu via air (B,L)
Visit the Wide & Narrow Lanes & Jinli Old Town. Lunch included. Stay at Yinhe Dynasty Hotel Chengdu or similar.
Day 5 (Sun) Chengdu (B,L)
The Giant Panda Breeding Center & Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Lunch included.
Day6 (Mon) Chengdu/Lhasa via air (B,L,D)
Upon arrival Lhasa, transfer to Tsedang by coach. Visit the Mindroling Monastery.
Lunch and dinner in hotel. Stay at the Tsedang Hotel, or similar.
Day7 (Tue) Tsedang/Lhasa by bus (B,L,D)
Visit Yumbulagang, Tradruk Temple. After lunch, transfer to Lhasa by coach. Lunch and dinner included. Stay at the Shambala Hotel Lhasa or similar.
Day8 (Wed) Lhasa City Tour (B,L,D)
Visit Potala Palace, Tibet Traditional Hospital, Anitsamkhum Nunnery. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 9 (Thu) Lhasa City Tour (B,L,D)
Visit Jokhang Temple, Norbulinka, Barskhor Street. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 10 (Fri) Yamdrok Yumtso Lake Tour (B,L,D)
Drive to Yumdruleyamtso Lake with a picnic lunch by the lakeside (depending on weather conditions) and a family visit on the way back. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 11 (Sat) Overnight train leave Lhasa for Xining or Lanzhou (B)
Take the holy train (Sky Rail) and enjoy the highlight of the tour-beautiful views across the Tibetan Plateau.
Day 12 (Sun) Xining or Lanzhou/Beijing (L)
Upon arrival at Xining or Lanzhou, enjoy a local foot massage and rest up before flying to Beijing. Lunch included. Arrival transfer in Beijing to the Beijing International Hotel, or similar.
Day 13 (Mon) Beijing (B,L)
Full day visit to the Temple of Heaven (watching the locals’ morning exercise activities), Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Lunch included.
Day 14 (Tue) Beijing (B,L)
Full day visit to the Shaolin Kungfu Training School (or Sacred Way), and Badaling Great Wall. Photo stop at the Bird Nest & Water Cube if time allows. Lunch included.
Day 15 (Wed) Exit Beijing (B)
Departure transfer to airport.


 

Arrive Shanghai Wednesday

Finish Beijing
on Wednesday

Package Rate
Per Person

Single Supplement

Extra Night
Per Room
Shanghai

Extra Night
Per Room
Beijing

2012          

11 April

25 April

US$3056

US$576

US$77

US$97

16 May

30 May

US$3088

US$608

US$97

US$97

30 May

13 June

US$3077

US$597

US$97

US$97

13 June

27 June

US$3056

US$576

US$77

US$97

11 July

25 July

US$3056

US$576

US$77

US$97

25 July

08 August

US$3056

US$576

US$77

US$97

22 August

05 September

US$3092

US$612

US$77

US$117

12 September

26 September

US$3132

US$656

US$97

US$117

00 October

24 October

US$3132

US$656

US$97

US$117

 

Service includes:
  • 14 nights hotel with buffet breakfast at hotels. Hotels are 5 and 4 star.
  • 15 days sightseeing tours with all transfers and all sightseeing admission fee
  • Meals as listed.
  • Professional English speaking tour guide and group escort on the train
  • All domestic Airfares in economy class
  • First Class Soft Sleeper on the train

Cost excludes:

  • Chinese visa
  • Airline fuel surcharges and taxes. Currently US$72. Can vary throughout the year.
  • Personal expenses and personnel tips.



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