10 Days Beijing Xining Lhasa Tour with Qinghai Tibet Railway Experience

Welcome to the capital city of China! Upon arriving at the airport/train station, you will be met by your local tour guide, and then drive to your downtown hotel in Beijing City. After the hotel check-in, you are free to take a rest or explore around on your own.

Arrival Ideas: As China's top transportation hub, Beijing is directly connected to major global destinations such as Singapore, London, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney. Domestically, it offers frequent flight connections to almost every provincial capital and major tourist city across the country, with major cities like Shanghai, Xi'an, and Chengdu within 2~3 hours. It also serves as the core of China's high-speed rail network, with express trains to Shanghai (4.5~6 hrs), Xian (4~6 hrs), Guangzhou (7.5~8 hrs), Chengdu (7.5~10 hrs), Chongqing (7~9 hrs), Hong Kong (8 hrs) etc.

As the nation's political and cultural center for centuries, Beijing stands as the guardian of China's most majestic legacies and cultural heritage. Today your guide will pick you up in the hotel after your breakfast, then start the wonderful ancient China culture and history tour!

You will firstly get to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest plaza. The grandiose Tian'anmen Gate was the place where the chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China to the world. Passing through Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, the previous home to 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties for 600 years. A highlight is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the highest-ranking hall in the Forbidden City and the ceremonial center. Here you can see the impressive three-tiered white marble terrace, the ten mythical creatures lining its roof ridge, and inside, the magnificent gilded dragon throne. You can also stroll through the serene Imperial Garden and explore deeper into the palace halls to uncover more architectural wonders.

After exploring the Forbidden City, a short walk leads you to Jingshan Park. Ascend the hill to its summit pavilion, and you'll be rewarded with the most iconic bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City. This unparalleled vantage point allows you to fully grasp the majestic scale and layout of the imperial city you've just explored.

In the afternoon, head to visit the exquisite Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese imperial garden design and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally a royal summer retreat during the Qing Dynasty, this vast landscape harmoniously blends lakes, hills, pavilions, temples, and corridors into a poetic expression of nature and architecture. The palace grounds are divided into three main areas: Front Hill, Back Hill, and Kunming Lake. At the heart of the garden lies the expansive Kunming Lake, where you can admire the graceful Seventeen-Arch Bridge and take in views that embody the classic Chinese ideal of “borrowed scenery.”

After the sightseeing, you will be taken back to your hotel for rest.

Optional Recommended Night Activities: 1) Watch an exciting acrobatic show featuring incredible feats of strength, balance, and agility; 2) Enjoy a famous Peking Opera Show at Liyuan Theater.

Hiking the Great Wall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers. Today, you will accomplish this dream. You will be escorted approximately 70km from downtown Beijing to the world-famous Mutianyu Great Wall, a section known for having fewer tourists than Badaling Great Wall, and widely considered the best for appreciating the beautiful scenery. Your journey begins with an enclosed cable car ride to Watchtower No. 14, the starting point of your hike. Walking westward, you will pass historic watchtowers and be rewarded with sweeping, photo-worthy vistas. The path is generally moderate and family-friendly, though those seeking a challenge can ascend Great Man Slope to Watchtower No. 20, the highest point, for truly unparalleled views. After your exploration, return to Watchtower No. 14 to descend by the enclosed cable car.

Optional Toboggan Experience: For an adventurous end to your Great Wall visit, you may choose the exciting toboggan slide down from Watchtower No. 6 (available to visitors under age 60). Note that there might be a queue, especially during peak seasons like Chinese holidays.

After your hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall, you'll begin your journey back to the city. En route, you'll visit the solemn Ming Tombs, the imperial burial complex for 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Here, you will walk the Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer ceremonial path lined with majestic stone statues of 12 mythical animals and 12 officials. This path was symbolically regarded as the route through which the emperor, the Son of Heaven, traveled between the celestial realm and the earthly throne. To cap off the day, a stop will be made at the Beijing Olympic Village, where you can capture photos of the world-famed "Bird's Nest" and the"Water Cube" from the outside before proceeding to your hotel.

After breakfast, you'll visit one of the greatest masterpieces in Chinese architectural history - the Temple of Heaven. This was the sacred site where Ming and Qing emperors performed solemn rites to pray for national prosperity and bountiful harvests. Today, the vast outer park has transformed into a lively public space where locals practice Tai Chi, fly kites, and socialize, while the serene inner sanctuary remains a preserved historic site, offering a window into China's profound ancient culture and cosmology.

Later move on to visit the most famous Hutongs which are some old alleys with time-honored courtyard residences dated back to Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD). Exploring these lanes offers an immersive glimpse into the authentic local lifestyle. You can browse quaint antique shops and boutiques while observing the architectural evolution of these historic neighborhoods, and may also have the opportunity to step into a local family’s courtyard home, gaining a personal insight into their daily traditions and contemporary lifestyle.

After the lunch, the rest time is free untill you are driven to the airport and take the flight to Xining. Our local guide is waiting for you in the airport and you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Xining.

After breakfast, embark on a 2.5-hour scenic drive (about 150 km) from Xining across the distinctive landscapes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Qinghai Lake. As China's largest inland saltwater lake, with its vast expanse of over 4,500 square kilometers at an altitude of 3,200 meters, it resembles a colossal sapphire embedded between mountains and grasslands.

You will enjoy a memorable experience at Qinghai Lake's Erlangjian Scenic Area, arriving by sightseeing bus at this unique peninsula likened to a sharp sword piercing the heart of the lake. Erlangjian offers visitors the closest possible encounter with the sacred waters of Qinghai Lake. As you stroll along the winding lakeside pathway, the gentle lapping of waves against the shore accompanies the sight of seabirds soaring freely overhead. Gazing across the lakeshore, you will witness the traditional dwellings of Tibetan and Mongolian communities, with scattered tents dotting the grasslands and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. The iconic "Qinghai Lake" stone monument and landmarks like the Auspicious Four Companions sculpture are all perfect photo opportunities for lasting memories.

Transportation Options to Erlangjian Scenic Area: The Erlangjian Peninsula, the scenic core of Qinghai Lake, is located 13 km from the main tourist center and cannot be reached on foot. Visitors may choose 1). 25-minute high-speed cruise from Erlangjian Wharf to the peninsula, and return by sightseeing train or bus; 2). travel both ways via sightseeing train or bus. The ticket price ranges from CNY 120 to 140. Please inform your guide or travel consultant in advance to arrange your preferred option. Note that cruises may be suspended due to weather conditions, in which case land transportation will be provided instead.

If your visit coincides with July or August, you'll find yourself surrounded by seas of golden rapeseed flowers. The vibrant yellow blooms create a striking contrast with the deep blue of the lake and sky, forming a once-in-a-lifetime visual spectacle that is every photographer's dream. Come winter, from December to February, the lake transforms into a vast expanse of crystalline blue ice, its surface etched with delicate natural patterns, offering an equally breathtaking wonderland to explore through your lens.

After fully immersing yourself in the serene beauty of Qinghai Lake, drive back to Xining for accommodation.

After breakfast, drive to the Tibetan Medicine & Culture Museum, a comprehensive national museum of Tibetan culture that hosts Tibetan medicine as its central theme. You can explore its core exhibitions, immersing yourself in the visual spectacle of grand thangkas, admiring exquisite traditional costumes, and delving into the unique wisdom of Tibetan medicine. The museum’s crown jewel is the Guinness World Record-holding “Color Painting Panorama.” This 618-meter-long, 1,500-square-meter masterpiece features over 700 individual thangka paintings and more than 3,000 distinct embroidery patterns, forming a true living encyclopedia of Tibetan civilization.

Leaving the musuem, you will be taken to Dongguan Mosque, the largest and oldest mosque in Qinghai. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, it is also one of the four major mosques in Northwest China. Its architecture uniquely blends traditional Chinese palace style with Islamic decorative arts, and its main prayer hall can accommodate nearly 3,000 worshippers. The mosque houses several historical stone tablets recording cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. You can experience the distinctive atmosphere of multicultural harmony here.

After the Xining city tour, board the train to Lhasa (about 19.5~20.5 hours) on a soft sleeper. You'll have a cozy berth featuring soft bedding in a 4-berth compartment with a private door, offering a quiet and comfortable space to relax and enjoy the breathtaking Qinghai-Tibet Plateau scenery unfolding outside your window.

Note: Soft sleeper tickets are limited and sell out quickly. It's best to confirm your travel plans and book train tickets as early as possible.

Continuing your train journey from Xining to Lhasa, the true wonder may not lie in single landmark, but in the gradual, majestic transformation of the world outside your window.

As the train across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, you will pass the majestic ranges of the Kunlun and Tanggula Mountains, standing as silent and ancient sentinels. The terrain then opens into the breathtaking expanse of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve where wildlife occasionally appears. Tibetan antelope may cross near the tracks, and you might see herds of wild yaks or Tibetan wild asses in the distance. The climb reaches its highest point at the Tanggula Pass, over 5,000 meters above sea level, where the landscape is bare and the air is thin. Not long after crossing this pass, the view changes dramatically. The vivid blue waters of Cuo’na Lake come into sight, surrounded by mountains.

Upon arriving at Lhasa Railway Station, you will be picked up by local tour guide, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.

High Altitude Acclimation Tips:1) go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you'd better not have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3) drink more water, and have some fruit; 4) have a good rest.

Today, you will explore Lhasa’s city and suburban attractions accompanied by your local guide, gaining deep insight into Tibetan history and culture. Your journey will begin at the Tibet Museum, where carefully curated exhibits trace the region’s past from the Paleolithic era to the rise of early civilization. Highlights include ancient stone tools and pottery, exquisite Buddhist statues, vivid Thangka paintings, and invaluable relics such as gold seals and traditional manuscripts. Next, visit Norbulingka, the summer palace of Lhasa. This expansive garden complex, filled with rare flowers and lush greenery, is often called the “Plateau Oxygen Bar.” Beyond its elegant Tibetan-style architecture, Norbulingka is also a vibrant cultural venue, hosting major Tibetan celebrations and performances, most notably the traditional shows during the annual Shoton Festival (June 30th in the Tibetan calendar, lasting about a week).

In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery, one of Lhasa’s most renowned monasteries, famous for its daily Buddhist debating sessions. In the courtyard, monks engage in animated debates on Buddhist philosophy, using expressive gestures to sharpen understanding and deepen their studies-an unforgettable cultural experience. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city.

Optional Activity: If there is extra time, it is highly recommended to watch the outdoor live performance of Princess Wencheng at evening. Princess Wencheng Show, performed usually during 21:30~23:00 (late April to Early October), presents the Chinese and Tibetan history and culture through the story that Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty married Songtsen Gambo 1,300 year ago. Since the performance is outdoors and the nighttime temperatures in Lhasa are relatively low, please make sure to dress warmly in advance.

The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn't wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the monastery; 3) taking photos and videos are usually not allowed inside the monastery.

Start today's cultural heritage journey from the Potala Palace Square, where you can admire the grandeur of Potala Palace and capture classic photos of its magnificent front facade. From here, continue to the landmark - Potala Palace, an outstanding symbol of Tibetan architecture mainly composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace with many cherished cultural heritages. After entering the gate of Potala Palace, you need to walk up about 30 minutes along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the White Palace. Remember to ascend the steps slowly and take some stops for sightseeing and rest which will be helpful to reduce high altitude sickness. Then you will explore the palace in an orderly way from the White Palace to the Red Palace with explanations accompanied by your local guide. After exploring Potala Palace, enjoy a leisurely walk through Zongjiao Lukang Park, a scenic lakeside park located behind the palace. Here, you can experience authentic local life, often seeing Tibetans gathering for singing and dancing, chatting, exercising, and walking kora. On clear days, the lake also offers beautiful reflections of Potala Palace.

Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Temple, widely regarded as the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the most sacred religious site in Tibet as it enshrines the revered Jowo Rinpoche, a life-sized (about 1.5 meters / 5 feet) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha depicting him at the age of twelve. In the square before the temple, you will witness devoted pilgrims performing full-body prostrations, gradually polishing the stone flagstones beneath them-a deeply moving and unforgettable sight. The day’s exploration concludes at Barkhor Street, the bustling circular street that surrounds Jokhang Temple. The local Tibetans usually walk clockwise on the street for several circles, as part of their daily pilgrimage. Lined with lively shops and stalls, Barkhor Street is also an excellent place to browse for traditional Tibetan handicrafts and local specialties, offering a vibrant glimpse into both the spiritual and everyday life of Lhasa.

Optional Activity: If your physical strength permits, you can take a short climb to the Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform, which is precisely the location featured on the back of China's fifth series 50-yuan banknote. From this platform, you can appreciate the terraced architecture of Potala Palace ascending the mountainside.

Tips of today: 1) Potala Palace (3,700m) is situated at a higher elevation than the average city altitude (3,650m) and requires climbing many steps, so please walk slowly and take breaks as needed; 2) taking photos, videos and wearing hats are not allowed in the palace; 3) please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.