Overland Tour from Beijing via Xian, Lhasa and Everest to Kathmandu

Home > Viaje al Tíbet con Bhután, Nepal • Viaje por Tierra en Tíbet • Viaje al Everest y Trekking del Everest • Viaje en Tren Tibetano

15 Days Private Tour Beijing – Xian – Xining – Tibet Train – Lhasa – Yamdrok – Gyantse – Shigatse – Shegar – Rongbuk / Everest – Paiku Tso / Xixiabangma - Kyirong – Kathmandu

The 15-day China-Nepal tour takes us first to Beijing, the political center of China. The highlights of Beijing - the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan), the Forbidden City (Gugong) and the Great Wall are in the program.
By modern high-speed train we drive southwest to Xian, an ancient imperial city. Here we expect a view of the world-famous Terracotta Army and old city wall.
Then travel by train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, at 2275 meters altitude on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. From here, we take a nearly one day train ride to the holy city Lhasa on the roof of the world. Let us enjoy majestic and varied scenery while traveling on the Tibet Railway!
In Lhasa - the capital city of Tibet - you have two days for the attractions: Potala, Jokhang, Norblinka and Sera. And from Parla Lupu Monastery we'll enjoy the magnificent view of Potala Palace. We could circle around the Tibetan holiest Monastery Jokhang with pilgrims, who come from all over Tibet and the Tibetan cultural areas of Kham-Amdo of the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan. Many pious Tibetans measure the way on the Barkhor market with their body length.
On the scenic drive to Gyantse and Shigatse we will experience the magnificent scenery, pass by the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and cross over the passes Kamba La (4,794m) and Karo La (5,010m). Then visit the unique Kumbum Pagoda in Gyantse and Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse.
On the adventurous drive to Everest, we will enjoy the magnificent landscape between Himalayas and Transhimalaya. Rongbuk Monastery, at the foot of the spectacular north foot of Everest, is a highlight of our journey. Seeing from the Tibetan side, Everest is a lot more imposing than from the south.
Continue driving southward via Paiku Tso and Xixiabangma in the mountain world of Himalaya to Nepal. In Kathmandu we have 2-day sightseeing.

Highlights

Overland Tour from Beijing via Xian, Lhasa and Everest to Kathmandu

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Beijing

Welcome to China. Visit Temple of Heaven

In the morning arrive in Beijing, the capital of China, and then transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) which was built in 1420 of the Ming Dynasty and expanded in the Qing Dynasty at present covering an area of 273 hectares. The grand temple served as the sacrificial place for the emperors of the Ming and Qing to worship the heaven, presenting gratitude for the harvest of this year and praying for another good harvest next year. It is the largest and most important of all imperial temples in China.

Overnight at 4*5L Hotel

Temple of Heaven

DAY
2

Beijing

Hiking and sightseeing on the Great Wall at Mutianyu

In the morning go to the Great Wall at Mutianyu (about 70 km in northeast of Beijing). The local section of the Great Wall built in 1368 and restored in 1983, is particularly attractive with its numerous watchtowers along the picturesque ridge in green, gently undulating landscape. The Great Wall was built as a defensive line against attacks by warlike steppe people from the north, and was constantly expanded and strengthened, so the strategic passes with barracks, watchtowers and storage rooms were expanded to fortress. The Great Wall is one of the eight ancient wonders of the world and the only man-made construction on earth that the astronauts can see in the moon. Starting out in the east on the banks of Yalu River in Liaoning Province, the Wall stretches westwards for 12,700 kilometers to Jiayuguan in the Gobi Desert. It gradually becomes the symbol of the ancient Chinese civilization. Have a walking on the Great Wall about 2 to 3 hours. In the afternoon return to Beijing.

Overnight at 4*5L Hotel

Breakfast

Great Wall

DAY
3

High-speed train Beijing – Xian

Forbidden City (Gugong), Tiananmen Square, from Jingshan Park great view of the Forbidden City

Stroll in the Tiananmen Square that is probably the biggest one of its kind in the world. Then go to visit the Forbidden City (Gugong) - the emperor's palace, which was built between 1406 and 1420 with 9000 halls and rooms, containing many precious relics. Facing south and rising from a terrace, the largest palace in the world represents the supreme power and authority emperors enjoyed during the feudalistic dynasties, and exemplifies the elements of palace architecture. Then climb to the "coal hill" (Meishan) of Jingshan Park lined with pines and cypress, a beautiful park just opposite the north gate of the Imperial Palace, for a great view of the Forbidden City - a rectangular basic building with golden roofs in the center of Beijing. In the afternoon transfer to railway station to take the high-speed train (G665 1600/2150) to Xian, capital of province Shaanxi. After arriving, transfer to hotel.

Overnight at 4*Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel

Breakfast

Forbidden City (Gugong)

DAY
4

Xian

The Eighth Wonder - Terracotta Army, Grand Wild-Goose Pagoda, the best-preserved Chinese city wall

Xian's main attraction is the famous Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China Qin Shihuangdi (reigned 221 - 210 BC) who managed to unit China for the first time. The guardians of his grave offer you one of the greatest insights into the world of ancient China. In the morning visit the Museum of Terracotta Warriors. An inside museum has been built over these pits, covering a floor space of 20,000 square meters and displaying 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors, 100 or so chariots, and 30,000 weapons-an assemblage famed as the Eighth World Wonder and a world cultural heritage site. Besides, visit Da Yan Ta (Big-Wild-Goose Pagoda) that was built by Emperor Li Zhi in 650 AD. Biking on the old city wall should not be missed. Built between 1374 and 1378, the city wall has a total length of 13.6 km and is the best preserved, oldest and largest ancient city defense system in China.

Overnight at 4*Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel

Breakfast

Terracotta Army

DAY
5

High-speed train Xian – Xining, night train Xining – Lhasa

Grand Dongguan Mosque, Train ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and through the human-less areas

In the morning transfer to railway station to ride express train (D2671 0742/1225, soft seat) to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. It was an important pivot on a side route along the ancient Silk Road that pilgrims, merchants and armed forces converged for thousands of years, and that people and traditions mixed colorfully and harmoniously. Today, in Xining live more than 30 nationalities, including Han, Hui, Tu, Tibetans, Mongols and Salar. The Hui nationality is one of the Chinese Muslims. You will visit their Grand Dongguan Mosque, located directly on Dongguan Street in the old district of Xining. Originally built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty, it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, most recently in the 1910s. The architecture reflects the multicultural character of the city: a temple built in the Han-Chinese tradition combined with Islamic and Tibetan cultural features. The entire building covers a total area of 13,602 square meters. And the main building, the imposing prayer hall with around 1102 sqm offers seats for three thousand believer. Obviously, it cannot satisfy the numerous prayers - for the Friday prayer (Jum'a) almost ten thousand believers gather and transform the huge courtyard and the adjacent Dongguan Street to the prayer area, of course with the help of the local administration. In the evening transfer to railway station to take the train (Z6811 2030/1710+1, soft sleeper, 4-bed compartment) to Lhasa. In 20 hours’ drive via Golmud and Naqu to Lhasa. The special feature is the 1,956 km long railway line from Xining to Lhasa, which is considered the highest railway in the world. You can enjoy a grand, seemingly endless landscape gallery with snow-capped mountains, countless rivers and gorges, high mountain lakes and endless steppes along the way. Over and over, you will see flocks of yaks, sheep, horses and wild animals as well as birds, and with some luck, you can watch the herds of Tibetan antelopes that live mainly in the steppes of the Qinghai-Tibet highlands at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 m.

Overnight on the train

Breakfast

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

DAY
6

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, and then transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude, which is helpful to take things easily for the first few days, and then try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Barkhor Street

DAY
7

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala that was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang Monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palace

DAY
8

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

DAY
9

Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby. Both of them were built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded that 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters and contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Palkhor Monastery

DAY
10

Shigatse – Shegar – Rongbuk / Everest

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Sunset on Qomolangma (Everest)

In the morning visit the Tashilunpo, "Mountain of Happiness". Tashilunpo is also one of the six major temples of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Pantschen Lama. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China. Then drive to Shegar, crossing the paths to Yalung La (4.520 m) and Gyathso La (5.220 m). Continue (90 km, 2 hours) to the Rongbuk Monastery (5,154 m) where you can see the steep north side of Qomolangma. On the way at Pang La (5150 m), the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse and Cho Oyu. Rongbuk is the largest monastery in this region and was built at the beginning of the 20th century. You can also admire the spectacular sunset on Everest (Qomolangma) in good weather.

334 km
6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at simple Rongbuk Guesthouse

Breakfast

Tashilunpo Monastery

DAY
11

Rongbuk – Old Tingri - Paiku Tso – Kyirong

Sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest), Paiku Tso Lake

Today you will wake up early to have a clear view of the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest). Then drive via Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiabangma Mountain to the Chinese border station Kyirong (Jilong). Covering an area of 300 square kilometers, Paiku Tso is the largest lake in Shigatse. Paiku-Tso is located between three mountains and is rich in fish. There live various wild animals such as wild horses, wild donkeys and yellow ducks, etc.

363 km
7 hours 1 minute
Overnight at Raosai Hotel

Breakfast

Rongbuk Monastery and Mt. Everest

DAY
12

Kyirong – Kathmandu

Hello Kathmandu, Nepal

Drive to the official border crossing of Kyirong China in the morning. Say goodbye to colleagues from Tibet and the colleagues from Nepal are waiting for you at the Nepalese border post. After finishing formalities for leaving Nepal, continue to Kathmandu.

185 km
7 hours
Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kyirong

DAY
13

Kathmandu

Villages Khokana and Bungmati, city of Patan

In Kathmandu visit the villages Khokana and Bungmati where you can experience the daily life of the Nepalese in the countryside. Then visit the city of Patan that is also known as Lalitpur "City of Art".

Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kathmandu

DAY
14

Kathmandu

Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu: Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka Palace. When the weather is nice you can enjoy a good view over the Kathmandu valley. In the afternoon, visit the Bagmati River's Pashupatinath Temple, the most famous temple of Indian religion. About 2 km away is Bouddhanath, the largest stupa of its kind. It locates on the ancient Tibetan trade route.

Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kathmandu

DAY
15

Leave Kathmandu

Home flight or onward journey to the next destination

Transfer to the airport, say goodbye to Nepal.

Breakfast

Nepal

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With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program, itinerary and train are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that, as everywhere in the region from Lhasa to Kathmandu you counter a very basic tourism infrastructure. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotels/guesthouses. Long journeys on bad roads and on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.

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