05 DAYS Qinghai-Tibet Railway LHASA HERITAGE TOUR

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Day01 Xi’ning/Lhasa

Qinghai–Tibet railway is a high-altitude railway that connects Xining , Qinghai Province , to Lhasa , Tibet Autonomous Region , in China . The line includes the Tanggula Pass , at 5,072 m above sea level the world’s highest rail track.The 1,338 m Fenghuoshan tunnel is the highest rail tunnel in the world, at 4,905 m above sea level . The 3,345-m Yangbajing tunnel is the longest tunnel of the line. It is 4,264 m above sea level, 80 kilometres NW of Lhasa.More than 960 km, or over 80% of the railway, is at an altitude of more than 4,000 m. There are 675 bridges, totalling 159.88 km, and over half the length of the railway is laid on permafrost .

Day02 Lhasa

Arriving Lhasa- Lhasa means holy land in Tibetan. On the northern bank of Lhasa River , a tributary of Yarlungtsanpo River , it is 3,650 meters above sea level. It is famous for its long history. Lhasa is also famous as a city of sunshine for its sunshine of more than 3,000 hours a year. It is the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region and is a political, economic and cultural center of the region. It boasts many historical sites and scenic spots both in its urban areas and outskirts. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Hotel. Having rest due to the high elevation. ( accommodation according to your module ) ..

Day03 Lhasa (B/L/D)

Depart for tour of the Potala Palace —The Potala was the place of the Dalai Lama. It was originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsan Gampo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Its 13-story main building is 117meters high and is composed of the Red and White Palaces , with the red one in the middle. The main building consists of the Halls of Stupas of Dalai Lamas from various historical stages and halls of Buddhist statues. The White Palace is the residence of the Dalai Lamas and places for handing political affairs. The Potala Palace houses great amounts of rare cultural relics including the Pattra-leaf scripture from India , Bak’gyur and the imperial edicts, golden seals and titles of nobility granted by the Qing emperors to the Dalai Lamas. Jokhang Monastery – Located in the center of the ancient city of Lhasa , the Jokhang Temple was built in the seventh century by Songtsan Gambo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. Its four-story main building demonstrates a combination of the Han, Tibetan, Indian and Nepaless architectural styles, as well as a Mandala world outlook of Buddhism. With the Hall of Amitayus Sutra as its center, the temple symbolizes the nucleus of the universe. The Hall of Sakyamuni is the essence of the temple., Barkor Street – This area bursts with atmosphere and contradictions. On the one hand, this is one of the holiest areas of Tibet , awash with pilgrims, monks, nuns and temples. On the other, the streets around here are the hubs of Lhasa ‘s commercial zone. Street traders, hawkers and market sellers fill the pavements around the Barkor area.

Day04 Lhasa (B/L/D)

Our tour today cover Norbulingka Monastery- Norbulingka means a lovely garden in Tibetan. Located in the western suburbs of Lhasa , it has been a palace for the Dalai Lamas to stay to escape the summer heat. It was built in the 1740s and covers an area of 36 hectares. It was once a place of bathing and recuperation of the Seventh Dalai Lama. The Qing minister stationed in Tibet built the first palace here. Since then, the eighth, 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas built their own palaces here too. Continuous expansions in the past 200-odd years have turned it a large-scale and Tibet-style palace complex and garden. On festivals and holidays, the local people in their splendid attires come here with food and tents to sing and dance overnight. Deprung Monastery- On the slope of the Wutse Hill five kilometers northwest of Lhasa , the Drepung Monastery was built in 1416 and is the largest monasteries of the Gelug Sect. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters. In its heyday, it had more than 10,000 monks. The monastery has trained a large group of talents for Tibetan Buddhism. The 15th Dalai Lama lived here before he moved to the Potala Palace . It houses plenty of historical and cultural relics and Buddhist classics. In the exciting Shoton Festival, “Sunning the Buddha” ceremony held in the monastery has been one of the most magnificent religious activities in Tibet . Sera Monastery- At the foot of the Wuze Hill in Sera to the north of Lhasa , the Sera Monastery is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet . It was built by one of disciples of Zonggaba in 1419. On 27th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, the monastery holds the grand Sera Bungchen Festival, which attracts flocks of Buddhists and others.

Day05 Lhasa / Chengdu or Other Cities

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu with fond memories of a holiday.

 

For more details, please call us on 1300 30 80 81 or email travel@firstclass.com.au.

 

 
 
 
 

Call a Luxury Tour Specialist on 1300 308 081 and Quote #8800

(During Business Hours)