Like a railway to heaven, sky train to Tibet is the highest train in the world. Qinghai -Tibet railway goes from Xining to Lhasa and looks like a huge dragon spanning the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The total length is 1956 kilometers. A section of 960 kilometers of railway is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, and 550 kilometers is permafrost. The highest elevation of the railway across Tanggula Mountains is 5072 meters, and it is a plateau railway with world’s highest elevation, longest distance on permafrost, and world-class difficulty. The railway opened in 2006 and has attracted millions of tourists. It is a wonderful experience and it has become the preferred means of transportation to travel to Tibet. The number of tourists who take train to Lhasa equals to that of taking a flight. The train from Xining to Lhasa takes 24 hours. You can also take the train from Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengu, Guangzhou and other major cities - it takes around 48 hours. What to See Most scenic spots center around the last section of the Qinghai -Tibet Railway, namely from Kunlun Mountains to Damxung prairie. The train will pass Kunlun Mountains, Tuotuohe - the source of Yangtze River, Tanggula Mountains (at an elevation of more than 5000 meters), Amdo prairie, Cuona lake on Nagqu prairie, and Damxung prairie. Finally, you will arrive in Lhasa at dusk. Check out some gorgeous sights you are going to see on the way: How to go The biggest advantage of taking a train to Tibet is the price: it is usually one third of the price of the flight. Train cost from Shanghai one way (2016): Hard sleeper - 793.5 rmb Soft sleeper - 1262.5 rmb The nearest city to take Qinghai-Tibet train is Xining with only 24 hours and budget
Like a railway to heaven, sky train to Tibet is the highest train in the world.
Qinghai -Tibet railway goes from Xining to Lhasa and looks like a huge dragon spanning the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The total length is 1956 kilometers. A section of 960 kilometers of railway is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, and 550 kilometers is permafrost. The highest elevation of the railway across Tanggula Mountains is 5072 meters, and it is a plateau railway with world’s highest elevation, longest distance on permafrost, and world-class difficulty.
The railway opened in 2006 and has attracted millions of tourists. It is a wonderful experience and it has become the preferred means of transportation to travel to Tibet. The number of tourists who take train to Lhasa equals to that of taking a flight.
The train from Xining to Lhasa takes 24 hours. You can also take the train from Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Chengu, Guangzhou and other major cities – it takes around 48 hours.
What to See
Most scenic spots center around the last section of the Qinghai -Tibet Railway, namely from Kunlun Mountains to Damxung prairie. The train will pass Kunlun Mountains, Tuotuohe – the source of Yangtze River, Tanggula Mountains (at an elevation of more than 5000 meters), Amdo prairie, Cuona lake on Nagqu prairie, and Damxung prairie. Finally, you will arrive in Lhasa at dusk.
Check out some gorgeous sights you are going to see on the way:
How to go
The biggest advantage of taking a train to Tibet is the price: it is usually one third of the price of the flight.
Train cost from Shanghai one way (2016):
Hard sleeper – 793.5 rmb
Soft sleeper – 1262.5 rmb
The nearest city to take Qinghai-Tibet train is Xining with only 24 hours and budget costs. You can take a flight to Xining and start your sky train journey from there:
Train cost from Xining to Lhasa one way (2016):
Hard sleeper – 288.5 rmb
Soft sleeper – 450.5 rmb
Please make sure to buy your train tickets months in advance, they get sold out very fast!
Check out our 8 days Tibet tour:
– Weekly departures
– Small groups (limited to 12 people)
– Best prices
– Not a shopping tour
– Authentic Tibetan local custom experiences
– Hospitable local Tibetan guides
Schedule:
Day 1: Lhasa
Take an early flight MU2335 to Lhasa.
Pick up from Lhasa airport, transfer to hotel, have a rest and get adjucted to high altitude. Stay in 3-Star Hotel (Yak Hotel or New Mandala Hotel)
Day 2: Lhasa
After you take lunch and then head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism.
Around the temple Barkhor street where you can do kora (circling the Barkhor street) with pilgrims and locals and buy the souvenirs. Dinner in a local Tibetan family will be arranged.
Viist Sera monastery in the afternoon.
Day 3: Lhasa
Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It has been used since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collection are the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. Free time in the afternoon (we also offer 2 free activities for your choice)
Day 4: Lhasa to Gyantse by road (253 KM), Gyantse to Shigatse (86 KM)
Today, we have to drive from Lhasa to Gyantse. On the way, passing over the Gampala pass (4790 m),you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountain and in the distance you have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .Gyantse was historically known as the Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half hour’s driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. Stay overnight in Shigatse (Zangba hotel or Manasarova hotel)
Day 5: Shigatse to Rongbuk monastery (400 KM) – EBC
We’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can take lunch. After that, you will drive to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough then on the way down to shegar you will view the Mt, Everest in the distance. After 4 to 6 hours’ drive we will pass one of the highest Pass in Tibet (pang la pass height 5050m) from that’s pass you will view the whole five highest pick in the world. Drive 2 more hours until we reach EBC. (Overnight at Rongbuk tent guesthouse, dorm beds 4-6 people sharing)
Day 6 Mt.Everest base camp – to Shigatse (400 KM)
Have a full view the magnificent Mt. Everest standing like a snow-capped pyramid in front of you at Rongpuk, which is the vantage point for watching Mt. Everest. Then you may trek to Base camp 4/km one way or go to EBC by local bus. After base camp, you can visit Rongphu Monastery which is the highest monastery in the world (5000m) and belongs to Nyingma sect. After that drive back to Shigatse
Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa by road
In Shigatse, we’ll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet’s second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. After that we will go back to back to Lhasa on the friendship Highway. Stay at Lhasa (Yak Hotel or New Mandala Hotel). The whole distance is almost 280km and it takes 6 hours along the Yarlung Tsangpo River / Bhamaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet).
Day 8:
Drive from Lhasa to airport
Dates of departure and price:
January: 1st, 5th, 14th, 21st, 26th
February: 8th, 16th
Price: 5800 rmb / person
April: 1st, 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 30th
May: 2nd, 4th, 7th, 11th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 31st
June: 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 23rd
Price: 6400 rmb / person
June: 27th, 29th
July: 2, 6, 8, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 29
August: 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 18, 22,
Price: 7300 rmb / person
August: 26, 30
September: 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
Price: 6800 rmb / person
Including: Tibetan permit, transport in Tibet, English speaking Tibetan tour guide, traffic accident insurance, all entrance fees as per itineary, oxygen supply, 1 dinner in local Tibetan family, accomodation in the three stars hotel with breakfast (double occupancy; single suppplement – 1000) and hostel at the base camp.
Not including: flight/train to and from Lhasa, lunches and dinners (except for 1 dinner in local Tibetan family), breakfast at Rongbuk monastery, your personal expenses, tips to guide and driver, invoice
Documents for Tibetan permit:
1) Flight/train
2) Scanned copy of passport in color
3) Scanned copy of visa in color
4) Scanned copy of entry stamp in color
5) a) Scanned copy of work permit in color (with work visa)
b) Scanned copy of university enrollement in color (student visa)
PLEASE NOTE: The schedule may be adjusted due to weather conditions or unforeseeable events. If Tibet closes its border and no permit can be issued, full refund will be provided.
How to book:
1) FIll up the booking form on our website: www.wannatravelshanghai.com/book-now/
2) BOOK YOUR SEAT by transferring 1000 RMB deposit (100% of price needs to be paid 10 days before the trip)
3) Receive confirmation by email
Cancelation policy: in case of cancelation, the deposit is not refundable and cannot be used for another trip unless the replacement has been provided.
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Email: wannatravelshanghai@yahoo.com
Phone number: 13764884661
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