Buddhism on the Roof of the World

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We had a wonderful time in Tibet. We have learned a lot about this unique destination because of the wonderful guide Degyi who is so knowledge and always available towards our tours. We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, and we would never imagine a Tibet travel could be so nice and amazing without the help of Degyi.

Also, thanks a lot to our Tibetan driver Mr.Wongdun for his safe driving and a good sense of service along the way.

We shall return Tibet in the near future!

P.B. and A. A - Europe
Tibet Travel

June 2018 (Private Tibet Journey from Kathmandu)

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	Tour Name: Buddhism on the Roof of the World Tour Code: M91D307 Duration: 20 Days & 19 Nights Destination: Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Tsetang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Mt.Everest, Sakya, Xining, Xiahe, Lanzhou Features: Take this trip to the Land of Snows - Tibet to quest for the ancient Buddha faith. You will visit some of the world's most magnificent Buddhist Monasteries, sacred mountains and holy lakes. A trip to the Mt. Everest Base Camp delivers you life changing inspirations. You will also discover Kumbum and Labrang, two of the most influential Buddhist monasteries at Xining and Xiahe in the traditional Amdo area. The culture tours in Beijing and Xi'an will make your China image full and alive. Departure Date: You Choose! Tour Price: From $ P.P

Trip Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Tour Dates	Destinations	Tours & Services	Meals	Accommodation
Day01	Beijing	Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to hotel.	N/A	Jianguo Hotel Beijing
Day02	Beijing	Full day visit Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, The Temple of Heaven.		Jianguo Hotel Beijing
Day03	Beijing	One day tour of Great Wall of China at Badaling, Ming Tombs The Sacred Way. On the way back to hotel, you will visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre (The Water Cube), feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.	B, L	Jianguo Hotel Beijing
Day04	Beijing / Xian	In the morning, take a Hutong Tour in Rickshaw and Summer Palace , then transferred to airport for flight to Xian, arrive in Xian, be met and transferred to hotel.	B, L	Grand New World Hotel
Day05	Xian	Full day visit The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Bell Tower .	B, L	Grand New World Hotel
Day06	Xian / Lhasa	Transferred to airport and fly in Lhasa. Met with and transferred to hotel. Free at own leisure for altitude acclimation.	B, L	Lhasa Kyichu Hotel
Day07	Lhasa	Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and walk on the holy Barkhor Circuit.	B, L	Lhasa Kyichu Hotel
Day08	Lhasa	Visit Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka Park and see monk debating at Sera Monastery.	B, L	Lhasa Kyichu Hotel
Day09	Lhasa - Tsetang	Drive along the Kyichu River and cross the Yarlung Tsangpo to visit Samye Monastery, transferred to Tsetang.	B, L	Tsetang Hotel
Day10	Tsetang - Gyantse	Visit Traduk Monastery, Yumbulakhang Castle in the Yarlung Valley, hike along holy lake Yamdrok. Drive to Gyantse.	B, L	Yeti Hotel
Day11	Gyantse - Shigatse	Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Chorten, excursion Shalu Monastery, free market in Shigatse.	B, L	Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel
Day12	Shigatse - Shegar	Visit Tashilunpo Monastery, drive to Shegar, en route visit splendid Sakya Monastery, and talk with monks.	B, L	Mt.Everest Hotel
Day13	Mt.Everest Base Camp	Transferred to explore the Base Camp of Mt.Everest, rest at Rongbuk, drive back Shegar at night.	B, L	Mt.Everest Hotel
Day14	Shegar - Lhasa	Set off in the morning for Lhasa and on the way visit a local Tibetan family.	B, L	Lhasa Kyichu Hotel
Day15	Lhasa - Xining	Transfer to railway station and take soft sleeper train to Xining. Enjoy train travel on the Tibet Plateau.	B	Soft sleeper train
Day16	Xining	Train arrives Xining before noon. Met with and drive to visit Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery).	L	Sanwant Hotel
Day17	Xining - Tongren	Leave in the morning for Tongren. On the way visit Qutan Temple, and visit the former residence and home village of the current 14th Dalai Lama in Pingan County (subject to availability).	B, L	Repkong Hotel
Day18	Tongren - Xiahe	Take trips to the Longwu Monastery, Wutun Monastery and Repkong Arts in the village, transferred to Xiahe later of the day.	B, L	Wangfu Hotel
Day19	Xiahe - Lanzhou	Morning visit Labrang Monastery, leave for Lanzhou, on the way take an excursion to the Bingling Grottoes with boat ride.	B, L	Lanzhou Legend Hotel
Day20	Lanzhou	Transferred to airport for flight to Beijing where you can catch connecting flight home. Journey ends.	B	N/A


	Day01 Arrival Beijing Today you arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Greeted and received by your local guide and escorted to your hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of day is at your own disposal.


	Day02 Beijing (B, L) Enjoy your buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today you will have a day guided tour to explore Beijing. This morning the tour begins with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, located in the southern part of Beijing, and has been one of the most holy places for the whole country for more than five centuries. It used as a complex of sacrificial buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors, and is the largest one in Beijing among several royal altars to Heaven, Earth, the Sun, the Moon and other deities or symbolic forces of Nature. Then you will take a walking in the iconic Tiananmen Square, which is probably the biggest one of its kind in the world. From here you will go on to the Forbidden City (also known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum ) was commissioned by the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yong Le. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, but was burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700's and on wards. The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres, so it takes quite a while to walk through, especially if you want to have a close look at everything. All together there are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the Museum, not all of which can be visited.


	Day03 Beijing (B, L) This morning you will head to the Great Wall of China at Badaling. The Great Wall, like the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and the Hanging Garden of Babylon, is one of the great wonders of the world. Starting out in the east on the banks of the Yalu Rivers in Liaoning Province, the Great Wall stretches westwards for 12,700km to Jiayuguan in the Bobi Desert, thus known as the Ten Thousand Li Wall in China. The lunch today will be arranged at a good restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall. In the afternoon you will pass through the Sacred Way to visit the Ming Tomb. Composed of memorial archway, ornamental pillar, and stele pavilion ornamental etc, the Sacred Way is a long path that leads you to the Ming Tomb. It was thought to have leaded the emperors' souls to enter heaven. The Ming Tomb is the burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Being the last resting place of 13 emperors, it is also called as Thirteen Tombs by Chinese. On the way back to your hotel, you will visit the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) and National Swimming Centre (The Water Cube), feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.


	Day04 Beijing / Xian (B, L) This morning you will take a unique Hutong tour by a rickshaw to discover the old residential area of Beijing. Hutongs are closely associated with individual four-sided courtyard in which people live. Most Hutongs are running east west for the local dwellers to procure the sunlight. Afterwards you will visit the Summer Palace. Located at the northwest suburb of Beijing, the Summer Palace was originally a royal garden and a temporary dwelling palace for emperors of Qing Dynasty, Its predecessor was the Garden of Clear Ripples (Qingyiyuan) started in 1750 and burned down by the British and French allied troops in 1860. In 1886, Empress Dowager Cixi used navy outlays and other funds in the reconstruction and renamed the park as Summer Palace in 1888.The Summer Palace in northwest suburban Beijing is the largest and most complete imperial garden existing in China. Later of the day you will be transferred to airport for a flight to Xian and upon arrival your guide will meet you and escort you to hotel in town.


	Day05 Xian (B, L) Your Xian tour begins with the mighty Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Discovered in 1974, Xian Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Site is one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century. In a vault of approximately 12,000m2 and 5m underground lay some 8,000 terracotta infantry soldiers, archers, cavalrymen and chariots arranged in battle formation, ready to defend their emperor's immortal soul. After the visit you will have a very good local lunch at a graceful restaurant. Then you will head back town and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated inside Ci'en Temple (4 kilometers south of Xi'an City), it is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Sponsored by Tang Emperor Gaozong (628-683, reigned 650-683), the temple was first built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty as a symbol of thanksgiving to his mother for her kindness who had suffered an early death. Later of the day your guide will take you to the city center to see the Bell Tower of Xian. The Bell Tower was built in 1384 during the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of Ming Dynasty as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.


	Day06 Xian / Lhasa (B, L) Transferred to airport and fly in Lhasa. Upon arrival Lhasa, you will be greeted and received by your Tibetan guide and driver with Hadda (snow white silk ribbon for Tibetan to greet distingue guests). Transferred to your hotel in the city and free at own leisure to acclimatize to the altitude.


	Day07 Lhasa (B, L) Today you will have a full day guided tour in Lhasa. You will first of all visit Potala Palace, which 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. Then you will admire Jokhang Temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. Walk on the holy Barkhor Circuit and do some shopping if desired.


	Day08 Lhasa (B, L) Visit Drepung Monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416AD and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. After that you will be transferred to Norbulingka Park, the former Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. Additionally you will be transferred to visit Sera Monastery, which was created in AD1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. Here in Sera, you have chance to see the grand occasion of the Buddhist monk debating at one big courtyard. Lunch served at a good local restaurant and dinner will be arranged at your hotel.


	Day09 Lhasa - Samye - Tsetang (B, L) Check out in the morning and drive out for Tsetang. We will enjoy nice views along the river basin of the Yalung Tsangpo River. On the way visit Mindrolin Monastery. It was built in the late 10th century and had its current name when it was rebuilt in 1677. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Nyingma Sect. Today's highlight is the excursion to the Samye 40km west to Tsetang. Samye Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Haibusi, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Jialang County. Being the 1st monastery, belongs to the Nyingmapa and Sakyapa Sects, Samye Monastery was built in 761. The monastery had been combined the Chinese, Tibetan and Indian styles, in the centre of the monastery is a big square 3-storey hall with a floor space of over 8,900 square meters.


	Day10 Tsetang - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse (B, L) In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok Yumtso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. The Yamdok Yumtso, one of the three largest lakes of Tibet, lies about a hundred kilometers' distance to the southwest of Lhasa, is within Langkamu county, with an area of 638 square kilometers and a coastal line of 250 kilometers. The deepest point is 60 meters. To the interior of the lake ten or so hilly islands stand independently one from the other which give homes to flocks of wild ducks. A lot of colorful ducks and geese are swimming on the surface of the lake. There is also plenty of natural fodder for the fish in the lake. The lake has a fish reserve of about 300 million kilograms. That is why it is called "the Fish Store of Tibet". The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture. Then drive over the 5, 010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m).


	Day11 Gyantse - Shigatse (B, L) In the morning you will explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby. Built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse, Pelkor 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 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 contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Kumbum Stupa opens 8 doors, which are decorated with relief sculptures of lively flying dragons, running lions and walking elephants. It is a master-piece of the joint efforts of the Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese. Then you will drive to Shigatse. On the way a narrow side path will take you to the ancient monastery Shalu (Xialu). The monastery is around 19km south-east of Shigatse, a few kilometers off the Shigatse-Gyantse road and is easily spotted because of its Chinese-style green tiled roof. Shalu was also a centre for training in skills such as trance walking, made famous by the flying monks. Upon arrival Shigatse you will have a short walk at a local market.


	Day12 Shigatse - Sakya - Shegar (B, L) In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447. The monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang regions of Tibet, sprawls on the slope of Mt. Niser, south-west of Shigatse. Tashilhunpo is associated with the Gelugpa order and is one of the six great Gelugpa institutions along with Drepung, Sera and Ganden in Lhasa and Kumbum and Labrang in Amdo. It is probably the largest functioning monastic institution in contemporary Tibet and is an impressive place to explore. Then you will drive out the city to Sakya County for a tour to the Sakya Monastery (4.280 m), the centre of the Sakyapa Sect (White Earth Order). The construction of the monastery was started in 1073 by Kung GungQuijiepuo with the order from basba. The southern founded in 1268 by a famous abbot of Sakya named Pagpa who once had ruled the whole of Tibet under the Yuan Dynasty's supervision. So it is of typical Yuan Dynasty style resembling powder or cinnabar. It has over 10,000 volumes of Tibetan books on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy, and history. Owing to its valuable and voluminous amount of Buddhist sutras and cultural remains, the Sakya Monastery is often considered as the "Dunhuang the Second". Overnight at Shegar.


	Day13 Shegar - Rongbuk - Mt. Everest Base Camp - Shegar (B, L) In the morning drive to Rongbuk. With an altitude of 5,030 meters it is the highest temple in the world. It was said the Rongbuk Monastery had been built as early as the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Mount Everest, meaning "Goddess" in Tibetan is the highest mountain on earth with an altitude of 8, 848.13 meters. Its snow peak sends out silver radiance year after year. Its waist is hidden in the clouds. The optimum weather to visit Mt. Everest is from April to June, a golden period for mountaineers. Each year, a great number of brave robust mountaineers come from all over the world to visit and climb Mt. Everest, hope to fulfill a life-long wish by climbing onto and looking over from the world's highest peak. We walk 7 km to the Base Camp and do some sightseeing there. Walking or drive by horse vehicle to Rongbuk, drive back to Shegar.


	Day14 Shegar - Shigatse - Lhasa (B, L, D) You will drive back Lhasa today. Have a lunch break in Shigatse and in the afternoon you will visit a local Tibetan family on your way back Lhasa. At night you will enjoy a Tibetan Culture Show during your dinner time at a good Tibetan restaurant. Good appetite!


	Day15 Lhasa - Xining (B) After breakfast you will check out before transferring to Lhasa Railway Station to board your Tibet sky train to Xining. You will enjoy the highlight of your train tour during daytime. You will see high mountain passes, heavenly sky blue lakes, snowy peaks, wild botanical plants and animals, yak, horses and the Tibetan nomadic camps en route. Overnight at soft sleeper train.


	Day16 Xining (L) You will reach Xining before noon. Met with your local guide and driver who will escort you to your hotel and check in. After lunch you will drive to visit the Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Si) of Gelukpa-sect. Sitting approx 27km southeast from Xining, Ta'er Si , also known as Kumbum Monastery in Tibetan, is acknowledged to be one of the six most important monasteries along with the Ganden, Sera and Drepung monasteries in Lhasa, the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe. Although not nearly as attractive as Labrang, and rather swamped by local tourists, Ta'er Si is nevertheless a good introduction for outsiders to Tibetan culture. Both as the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat Sect , and as the former home of the current Dalai Lama, the monastery attracts droves of pilgrims from Tibet, Qinghai and Mongolia, who present a startling picture with their rugged features, huge embroidered coats and chunky jewellery.


	Day17 Xining - Tongren (B, L) Leave in the morning for Tongren (Repkong). On the way visit Qutan Temple which is one of the oldest Lamasery in Amdo area built as early as the 14th century. The temple has a strong charming of unique Han and Tibetan construal mixture. After the visit you will proceed to visit the former residence and home village of the current 14th Dalai Lama in Pingan County (subject to availability). Later of the day you arrive in Tongren, noted for its Repkong Arts and annual Shaman festivals.


	Day18 Tongren - Xiahe (B, L) You will tour Longwu monastery of Gelukpa sect which was initially constructed in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as a monastery of Sakya-sect and Wutun village the center of Tibetan Regong-Art, which is a successful mixture of religion and folk art. Later in the afternoon you will drive to Xiahe, a tiny bustling town nestles in a mountain valley at an elevation of 2,900m in Ganan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest Gansu Province.


	Day19 Xiahe - Lanzhou (B, L) This morning you will visit Labrang Monastery which was built in 1709 and is one of the Six Gelugpa Temples. Labrang Monastery was known as having 108 genera temples, and was considered as the center of the civil religion. It has preserved the best Buddhism teaching system at present. In 1982, Labrang Monastery was list as the key Cultural Relics Protection Site. Labrang Monastery has experience more than 280 years, and has built 6 Main Assembly Halls and 84 halls successively. According to its building form, Labrang Monastery owns Tibetan architecture, architecture compounding Han People and Tibetan. On the walls inside and outside draw many murals and pictures with Buddhism content. After the visit you will leave for Lanzhou and on your way you will visit Bingling Grottoes. The excavation of the caves could be dated back to about 1,700 years ago during the Western Jin Dynasty. Expansion has been taken in the following dynasties. Now you can see well-preserved 183 niches, 694 vivid Buddha statues, 82 clay sculptures and about 900 square meters (about 1,076 square yards) of colorful murals. Later of the day you arrive in Lanzhou.


	Day20 Depart Lanzhou (B) This morning is free at your own leisure to explore this famous city by the Yellow River. Check out at noon and be transferred to airport for your departure flight to next destination. End of the journey.

Tour costing varies upon group size, travel season and hotel accommodation levels etc. For price details please email us at info@splendidchinatours.com.

Price inclusions:
01). All accommodations based on two persons sharing one room (single occupancy is subject to supplement);
02). China internal flights with airport tax or train as stated in the program;
03). Round-trip transfers between airports or railway stations, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air- conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers;
04). All admission fees and activity expenses as listed in the itinerary;
05). Daily meals as specified in the itinerary: B denotes breakfast, L denotes lunch, and D denotes dinner (SD signifies special dinner);
06). Services of a local English speaking guide in each city (other languages can be arranged upon request, supplement may apply);
07). Tibet local travel permits such as Tibet Entry Permit (TTB), Alien's Travel Permit (PSB) and Military Permit etc. when applicable;
08). Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour;
09). Governmental taxes and fees.

Price excluded:
01). International airfare to/from China;
02). Chinese Visa fees;
03). Expenses of personal natural such as laundry, telephone, drinks, mini bar etc;
04). Personal shopping, optional activities and excess baggage charges;
05). Gratuities for local tour guides, drivers and hotel bellboy etc;
06). International travel insurance;
07). Services and activities that are not mentioned in the itinerary.