11 Days Private Shanghai Lhasa Everest Impression Tour

Welcome to Shanghai, the China's most cosmopolitan city. Your private tour guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train station, and escort you to your hotel in downtown. The rest of the day is free for you to have fun and relax.

Optional Activity: attend the spectacular acrobatics show at the Shanghai Circus World, featuring incredible acts like aerial ballet, balls of death, and precision juggling, set to dazzling lights and water screens.

Arrival Ideas: As a cosmopolitan city, Shanghai is served by a wide array of international and domestic flights, connecting it to major cities across the globe and throughout China. Additionally, you can conveniently reach Shanghai via high-speed rail from numerous cities, like Beijing (4.5~6 hrs), Xian (6~8 hrs), Hangzhou (1 hr), Suzhou (0.5 hrs), Huangshan (2.5~4 hrs), etc.

Today, your wonderful Shanghai journey starts with a visit to Lujiazui and take a look at Shanghai at present. If the weather is clear, ascending to Shanghai Tower which is the tallest skyscraper in China, and overlooking from the view deck on the 118th floor, a prosperous and majestic Shanghai will reveal its true face in front of you.

Your next stop is Shanghai Museum East. It is one must-see attraction in Shanghai famed for its countless treasured cultural collections, including bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, jade, seal and some other shining exhibits, tracing back to as long as 5,000 years ago. This charming museum will guide you through the craft of millennia as well as the pages of Chinese history.

After exploring Chinese old history, you will be driven to Yu Garden. The private garden built in Ming Dynasty fully shows the architecture and design style of classical Chinese gardens with delicate pavilions, clear ponds and artificial hills. Next, you will walk leisurely through the Yuyuan Bazaar, located right next to the Yu Garden, which is full of tasteful local snacks and elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works.

Then, stroll along Nanjing Road, and you will be surprised how this paradise for shoppers satisfy your shopping demand. At the east end of the road appears the famous Bund, the symbol of Shanghai situated in the river bank of Huangpu River. Walk along the Bund, feel the perfect fusion of Chinese culture and Western culture, and seize the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes.

Optional Recommended Night Activity: take an enjoyable ship cruise on the Huangpu River to enjoy the beautiful night view of Shanghai.

The first place to visit for today is the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center where multiple media, such as photography, models, videos, machines, etc, are used to help visitors to learn about the past history, present facts and future plan of Shanghai. Next, escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a scenic one-hour drive to the Venice of Shanghai - Zhujiajiao Water Town. With over 1,700 years of history, Zhujiajiao is a beautifully preserved water town known for its serene canals, ancient stone bridges, and traditional architecture. Take a leisurely walk along the historic North Street, marvel at the graceful arches of Fangsheng Bridge, and visit the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple. As you explore, you'll encounter charming Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, riverside homes, and vibrant local shops that showcase the town’s unique charming.

Optional Activity: Glide through the timeless canals of Zhujiajiao on a traditional hand-rowed boat, surrendering to the gentle rhythm of water life as you drift past ancient stone bridges and Ming-Qing era houses. (extra cost: 200~300 CNY/boat)

After your water town experience, your guide and driver will escort you back to Shanghai.

Today is free for you until be escorted to the airport and take a flight to Lhasa (about 7~8 hours, including 1~2 hours stopover in Chengdu or Xi'an). Upon arriving at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be picked up by local tour guide at the airport hall, 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 on the first day, in case of catching a cold and causing altitude sickness; 3) drink more water and have some fruit to stay hydrated to adapt to Lhasa's dry climate; 4) have a good rest on the arrival day to help adapt to the high-altitude environment and better enjoy the following itinerary.

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.

Today, you will leave Lhasa and head to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. It may be a long journey, but there are many things to do and see along this scenic road. You will first pass through Shannan City and take a short stop in the viewing platform of Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley (4,280m), where you can take a view of the snaking road and gorge scenery. Go on with your trip and you will reach your first highlight - holy Yamdrok Lake (4,441m). As the largest fresh lake in the northern of the Himalaya Mountains, it spreads about 675 square meters from south to north, like an eardrop lying in the arms of snow-capped giant mountains. Viewing from a distance, you can see fertile pastures full of yaks and sheep, and some small Tibetan villages along the lakeshore. Keeping driving not so far from Yamdrok Lake, you will get to the imposing Karola Glacier (5,400m) towering aloft on the right side of the road. Go on driving, you will pass by Simi La Pass (4,330m) and have several minutes' break here to take some photos of Simila Mountain and Manla Reservoir.

Continuing your trip, you will get to the historical county - Gyantse. Feel hungry? Have a good lunch in the town, then go to visit the mysterious Palcho Monastery. The monks and tradition of three important sects of Tibetan Buddhism - Sakyapa, Zhalupa and Gelukpa, peacefully coexist in this monastery. Its Kumbum, which is 35 meters high and has 76 small chapels with hundreds images of Kriyatantras, is believed to be the largest such structure in Tibet.

After the Gyantse sightseeing, keep drive about 1.5 hours, and you will arrive at your hotel in Shigatse city. Have a good rest!

Tips of today: 1) some attractions are at high altitudes, so move slowly and bring an oxygen tank to prevent altitude sickness; 2) wear warm clothes to prevent from cold and wild; 3) pack some food and drinks with you because you will spend much time on the road.

After breakfast, embark on your once-in-a-lifetime Mount Everest expedition. Departing from Shigatse and traveling along National Highway 318, the scenery outside the window gradually transforms from farmland to vast mountains and deserts. Upon reaching the Gyatsola Pass (5,248 meters), you will first see fluttering prayer flags and the prominent Mount Everest Nature Reserve signpost. This is one of the highest points on G318, symbolizing your official journey toward the summit of the world. Next, you arrive at the Mount Everest National Park gate, the formal entrance to the core area. The large signboard is a classic photo spot.

Following this, you will begin ascending the Gawula Pass (5,200 meters). It is the highest, most open, and most spectacular viewing platform for the Himalayas in the world. On clear days, you can see four snow-capped peaks over 8,000 meters from here: Mount Makalu (8,463 meters, 5th highest in the world), Lhotse (8,516 meters, 4th highest), Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters, 1st highest), and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters, 6th highest), along with many peaks over 7,000 meters. Descending from Gawula Pass, you enter the famous "Everest 108 bends." Vehicles travel along zigzag roads, continuously descending with sharp turns one after another. Each hairpin turn offers a different perspective on the grandeur of the Himalayas.

After descending, you arrive at the thriving Tashi Dzong Town, also known as Everest Town. This is the most important supply point before reaching Everest Base Camp. Here, you can buy water and snacks. At the nearby eco-shuttle transfer point, you switch to the park's unified eco-electric vehicles for the final journey to Everest Base Camp (5,200 meters). When the eco-shuttle comes to a stop, the massive pyramid-shaped peak of Mount Everest stands before you, unobstructed. The remaining time is yours to enjoy up close with the world's tallest mountain. Walk to the 8,848.86-meter measurement monument for photos, gaze at the "flag cloud" drifting from the summit, and feel the peak moment of life.

In the evening, stay overnight in a tent lodge at Base Camp or Rongbu Temple Guesthouse.

At dawn, get ready for encountering the sacred sunrise at the World’s Roof. As the first rays of sunlight pierce the clouds, wait quietly at the 5,200-meter-high Everest Base Camp to witness the sunrise—watching the snow peaks gradually gilded with gold, the golden glow of sunrise cascading like molten lava, intertwining with the crimson prayer flags and silvery glaciers into a breathtaking panorama.

After breakfast, visit the nearby Rongbuk Monastery, a Nyingma sect temple founded in 1899—the world’s highest-altitude temple. The monastery preserves the meditation cave of Master Padmasambhava and a holy stone carved with hand and footprints. Here, it is not only a religious sanctuary but also a window to gaze up at Everest up close, where faith and nature coexist.

The return trip takes the Eastern Road, known as the "Third Pole Sky Road" of Earth, which traverses quiet villages, pastures, and towering mountain passes in its wild and open manner. Arriving at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint (4,900 meters above sea level), you can simultaneously capture the pyramidal peak of Everest’s eastern slope, the sharp ridge of Lhotse (the world’s fourth-highest peak) forming a twin-peak composition, and the red-and-white striped geological gallery of river valley sedimentary rocks, with vast wetlands, lovely sand dunes, and winding rivers beneath your feet. In the afternoon, reach Sakya Ancient Town, stroll around, then enter Sakya Monastery to explore its unique treasures. Established in 1073, Sakya Monastery holds a pivotal position in Tibetan Buddhism. Its outer walls feature three distinct colors—red, white, and black—symbolizing Manjushri (the Bodhisattva of Wisdom), Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), and Vajrapani (the Bodhisattva of Power), respectively. The monastery houses 84,000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures, including the Budda Jalongma(the world's largest sutra) and numerous precious palm-leaf manuscripts (written on talipot leaves). It also boasts over 3,000 Yuan Dynasty murals, whose themes cover religion and history. These murals were created with vibrant pigments made from minerals such as turquoise, earning the monastery the title "China's Second Dunhuang." Also climb the city wall of Sakya Monastery to overlook the panoramic view.

Later, return to Shigatse, and have a good night in the city.

Friendly Reminder: The return route may be adjusted according to the season, especially during heavy summer rains or winter blizzards. Due to weather conditions, the return route may be subject to changes. In such cases, the route will be changed to pass through Gyawula Pass and Tingri, and return to Shigatse, but this will not affect the visit to Sakya Monastery.

Today after breakfast, you will firstly take a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, located in the Shigatse city area, which is also the largest and most influential Gelug Monastery in the Shigatse prefecture. Here, you will be awed by the giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest of its kind in the world, standing at an impressive 26.2 meters tall and 11.5 meters wide. Adorned with precious pearls, turquoises, corals, and ambers, it is a magnificent sight.

After your visit in Tashilhunpo Monastery, you will begin your journey back to Lhasa, traveling along the legendary Yarlung Tsangpo River, also known as the mother river of Tibet. On the way, you will make a stop at Nyemo Tunba, the historic home of Tunmi Sangbuzha, the inventor of the Tibetan character as well as the renowned Tibetan Incense. During peak season (usually from May to October), you might have a chance to witness the traditional process of making Tibetan Incense with a water mill. The surrounding scenery here is equally captivating, with ancient cypress trees, lush green willows, and the soothing sound of the river adding to the charm of the place.

After about 2 hours of driving, you will arrive at your hotel in Lhasa city and take a good rest.

Today is free for you until your tour guide and private driver transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.

Recommended Activities: If you have extra time, you can visit Nanshan Park on the way to the airport or train station. Nanshan Park (Lhasa’s “Green Lung”), a hillside oasis that tells the story of Tibet’s ecological triumph. Pause at viewpoints to marvel at the greening project’s success: once-barren hills now burst with emerald foliage, a testament to local efforts to harmonize with nature. The most highlight part is the panoramic view of Lhasa’s skyline, where the Potala Palace rises like a golden crown against the azure sky-its whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs glowing in the sunlight, framed by distant snow-capped peaks.

Tips of today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) if your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12 PM.