[Qinghai-Tibet Railway - Departing from Chengdu] 11-Day Chengdu Leshan to Lhasa Shigatse Train Panorama Tour

Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. Our driver will meet you at the airport/train station exit and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. You can arrange the remaining time freely. If you are tired, you can rest at the hotel to relieve travel fatigue. If it is still early, you can stroll around the neighborhood, or consult the guide for travel suggestions based on your time and interests. Suggested arrival methods 1. By plane: Chengdu has two airports—Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)—with many domestic direct flights, such as from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa, Chongqing, Wuhan, Guiyang, Xiamen, etc., as well as international direct flights, such as from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Japan, etc. Transportation is very convenient. 2. By train: Chengdu has four train stations. You can take high-speed rail to Chengdu from cities such as Beijing (7~11 hours), Xi'an (3~4 hours), Chongqing (1.5~2 hours), Shanghai (12.5~14.5 hours), Kunming (6~6.5 hours), Guiyang (3.5~4.5 hours), etc.

After breakfast, you will take a car for about 2 hours to visit the famous World Cultural and Natural Heritage site—Leshan Giant Buddha. [Leshan Giant Buddha] is the largest and tallest stone-carved Buddha in the world, a miracle in world cultural history, and a well-known Buddhist holy site in China. The Buddha is carved on the cliff at the confluence of the Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River. Its superb carving technique makes it an artistic treasure of Tang Dynasty rock carvings in China, and its exquisite design has kept it standing for a thousand years, hence the saying "The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain." Carved into the cliff by the river, the Leshan Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high, with shoulders about 28 meters wide, head about 14.7 meters high, ears about 7 meters long, nose and eyebrows about 5.6 meters long, mouth and eyes about 3.3 meters long, and feet about 8.5 meters wide. The top of the feet can seat more than a hundred people, and it looks very majestic and solemn. You can hike to view the Buddha up close, feel its grandeur, visit ancient Buddhist temples such as Lingyun Temple and Jiading Temple to learn more about Leshan's history and Buddhist culture, or go to the Buddha viewing platform to photograph the full view of the Leshan Giant Buddha and the charming natural scenery around. Optional activity recommendation: The plank road at the Leshan Giant Buddha is narrow, steep, and winding. If you are not physically fit or want a relaxed visit, you can take a boat to enjoy the panoramic view of the Buddha, taking in the majestic figure of the Buddha. Then, drive about 45 kilometers to visit Baoguo Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Mount Emei. Located at the foot of Mount Emei, Baoguo Temple is not only an important symbol of Mount Emei's Buddhist culture but also an excellent starting point for touring Mount Emei. Here, you can worship the solemn halls and Buddha statues, burn incense and pray for blessings. Especially on sunny days, standing by the temple's red walls and ancient trees, you can take beautiful photos with a Zen atmosphere. After the tour, head to the hotel for check-in and rest.

After breakfast, you will head to Mount Emei, one of China's four great Buddhist mountains. [Mount Emei] is a famous World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and one of China's popular tourist destinations, known for its features of "majesty, elegance, wonder, steepness, and seclusion," and has reputations such as "Immortal Mountain and Buddhist Kingdom," "Plant Kingdom," "Animal Paradise," and "Geological Museum." The combination of sightseeing bus + hiking + cable car allows you to more easily enjoy Mount Emei's magnificent natural scenery and appreciate its profound Buddhist culture. Recommended route for today: Visitor Center → take sightseeing bus to Leidongping (about 1.5~2 hours) → walk about 30 minutes to Jieyin Hall → take cable car to Golden Summit (about 5 minutes) → tour Golden Summit → return by the same route (this route not only saves energy but also lets you enjoy the essence of Mount Emei) Tips for visiting Mount Emei 1. There may be monkeys on the section from Leidongping to Jieyin Hall. It is recommended not to carry plastic bags or food to avoid being snatched by monkeys. 2. The Golden Summit is the highest point of Mount Emei, at an elevation of about 3077 meters. You can enjoy the four wonders of sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddha's light, and holy lamps. If lucky, you can also catch the spectacular sea of clouds surging like waves, which is very magnificent, best after rain or after snow; early morning is the best time to view the sunrise and Buddha's light, with mysterious and stunning scenery. After the tour, our driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu for rest.

After breakfast, you will take a car for about 17 kilometers to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, to see China's adorable national treasure, the giant panda, and learn about their habits and conservation. [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding], abbreviated as Chengdu Panda Base, houses more than 100 giant pandas and is the world's largest captive giant panda base. Here, you can see giant pandas of different ages playing, eating, climbing hills, climbing trees, sleeping, and other cute and interesting scenes. You can also follow the guide to visit the Panda Museum to learn more stories about pandas. In addition, if you visit in autumn, you may have the chance to see adorable giant panda cubs in the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery. Moreover, the famous Chinese panda star Hua Hua lives here, known for her cute appearance and unique personality, and is called the "top female star." (Note: Giant pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, so it is recommended to arrive early to see more natural behaviors of the giant pandas.) Then, head to People's Park, known as one of "Chengdu's most beautiful parks," to experience the leisurely Chengdu culture up close and the slow life of locals. Here, you can sit in a century-old teahouse, order a cup of fragrant covered-bowl tea, sit on bamboo chairs with friends and chat leisurely, experience the intangible cultural heritage ear cleaning, enjoy the "little comfort" that tingles to the top of your head, or watch the exciting local mahjong activities and visit the famous matchmaking corner. Afterwards, you can leisurely stroll in Kuanzhai Alley, known as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Streets in Sichuan," to experience Chengdu's leisurely life, enjoy wonderful Sichuan opera face-changing performances, take excellent photos, admire exquisite characteristic architecture, and taste authentic old Chengdu cuisine. (Optional activities: try local spicy dishes such as skewers and dan dan noodles, or even try one of Chengdu's most representative specialties—spicy rabbit head!) After the tour, we will take you to Chengdu West Railway Station to board train Z322 to Lhasa. The train departs at 20:53 in the evening and arrives in Lhasa at 07:24 on the third day, with a total duration of 34 hours and 31 minutes.

After traveling through the night, the train has left Sichuan and entered Gansu. Today, the train will mainly travel along the Lanzhou to Golmud section throughout the day. Through the window, you can see the vast loess plateau landscape of the Northwest, the winding Yellow River, the beautiful and expansive Qinghai Lake, as well as grasslands, salt lakes, the Gobi Desert, high mountains, deserts, and other stunning plateau scenery.

Tashi Delek! Welcome to the Sunshine City - Lhasa. Upon arrival, our driver will meet you at the airport or train station exit and transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa for check-in and rest. For the remaining time, you can rest well at the hotel and let your body gradually adapt to the high-altitude environment. Warm tips: On the day of arrival in Lhasa, do not engage in strenuous exercise, and do not take a shower that night to prevent catching a cold. Do not drink alcohol. Drink plenty of water and eat fruits, and avoid overeating. Rest more. You may bring American ginseng lozenges or health supplements such as Rhodiola and Gao Yuan An to relieve altitude sickness. Follow the guide's arrangements, try not to go out for activities, and maintaining a calm mindset and adequate rest is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. If you feel unwell, seek medical treatment at the hospital promptly.

After breakfast, head to visit the sacred site in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist followers - the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang Temple was first built in 647 AD and has a history of 1,350 years. It is the most magnificent surviving Tubo-period architecture in Tibet, with 5 golden roofs and 108 Buddha halls. Here, you can see the world-rare 12-year-old life-size statue of Shakyamuni and devout pilgrims worshipping in front of the Jokhang Temple. In the afternoon, drive about 30 kilometers (50 minutes) to visit Sera Monastery, one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa. Sera Monastery is also one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is solemn and sacred. At Sera Monastery, you can watch the famous Buddhist debate activity, which usually starts at 15:00 (except Sundays). During the debate, the lamas in the courtyard engage in intense discussions, and you can truly feel the faith and power of Tibetan Buddhism. Finally, return to downtown Lhasa and visit Barkhor Street. This is not only the route for local kora rituals but also a very lively ancient commercial street. Here, you can encounter locals in Tibetan robes and devout pilgrims, stroll through the alleys to browse handicraft shops, or find a sweet tea house and learn the tranquility and contentment of Tibetan friends.

After breakfast, head to visit the world's highest ancient palace-style architectural complex - the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is located on Maburi Hill in the northwest of Lhasa city. It is a magnificent building integrating palace, castle, and monastery, and is also the largest and most complete ancient palace-castle complex in Tibet. The Potala Palace is built against the mountain, with 13 stories, 117.19 meters high, and over 400 meters long from east to west. You will climb up the long stairs of the Potala Palace, overlooking Lhasa as you go, taking in the grandeur of the city. While taking photos and resting, you will then enter the Potala Palace to explore this mysterious ancient palace that has very few pictures online. Afterwards, drive about 12 kilometers (35 minutes) to visit Drepung Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is built layer by layer along the mountain, with a grand scale. The white walls and red eaves of the buildings look particularly peaceful and serene under the sunlight. Inside the monastery, you can visit important buildings such as the Tsokchen Assembly Hall, Ganden Phodrang, and the four Dratsangs to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture. You can also go to the debate courtyard to watch monks debate Buddhist teachings (around 14:00), or stroll within the monastery to find inner peace. In addition, around August each year, there is a grand Buddha unveiling ceremony here, known as the famous Shoton Festival.

After breakfast, you will depart from Lhasa and drive about 6 hours (about 270 kilometers) to Gyantse, an important historical and cultural town in Tibet. On the way, you will first cross the Gambala Pass at an altitude of 4,990 meters. From the pass, you can take in the panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake, like a blue ribbon drifting among the mountains, and the majestic Noijin Kangsang Snow Mountain in the distance. Then continue toward Yamdrok Lake, the highest freshwater lake in the world, and appreciate its beauty from multiple angles, including the mountainside and the lakeshore. Yamdrok Lake is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and is also known as the most beautiful water in the world. The lake water is clear as a mirror, extending into the distance and merging with the distant snow mountains. Together with the undulating mountains on both sides, the scenery is stunning. Local Tibetans praise Yamdrok Lake in folk songs: "A fairyland in heaven, Yamdrok on earth. Stars in the sky, cattle and sheep by the lake." Afterwards, the car will continue along the shore of Yamdrok Lake for a while, allowing you to see the beautiful lake again. Then head to visit the most accessible glacier in Tibet, Karola Glacier. The glacier is right by the roadside, like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall, crystal clear and pure white, so close that it seems touchable. You can admire the towering glacier from the roadside or walk to the foot of the glacier to appreciate its grandeur up close. Visiting tips 1. The Karola Glacier scenic area is at a high altitude, over 5,000 meters. When walking along the boardwalk, please slow down. You may also carry a small oxygen bottle and inhale oxygen if you feel unwell. 2. Please beware of photo traps. If a stranger offers to take photos, ask in advance whether there is a charge. After the visit, head to the anti-British hero town of Gyantse, an ancient city with over 600 years of history and a key transportation hub from U-Tsang to Tsang. Upon arrival, visit Pelkor Chode Monastery, which integrates the three major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This is also one of the few monasteries in Tibet where both the monastery and stupa are well preserved. There is a stupa within the monastery and a monastery within the stupa, naturally blending and complementing each other. Here, you will focus on visiting the Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa, famous for its exquisite murals and carvings, and learn about the development of Tibetan Buddhism in Tsang. You can also climb to a high point and look out at Gyantse Dzong. Finally, continue to Shigatse for hotel check-in and rest.

After breakfast, head to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. This is the largest monastery in Shigatse and the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. It was once the political center of the Tsang region. The monastery houses the world's largest copper Buddha seated statue, the 28-meter-high "Maitreya Buddha" (Jampa Buddha). Here, you can visit the Panchen Lama's residence, the sutra college, the stupa halls, the Buddha display platform, and other buildings to learn about the long cultural history of Tibetan Buddhism and its development in the Tsang region. You can also see exquisite murals, carvings, and other cultural relics. If interested, you can also climb to a high point to overlook the entire monastery and the view of Shigatse city in the distance. Afterwards, drive about 280 kilometers (about 3 hours 40 minutes) back to Lhasa. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent Yarlung Valley scenery through the window, seeing the wide riverbed, peaceful villages and farmland... Finally, return to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. (PS: You can also take a train from Shigatse to Lhasa, which takes about 2 hours 28 minutes.)

Today concludes this 11-day train journey from Chengdu and Leshan in Sichuan to Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet. Our driver will transfer you to Lhasa Airport or Railway Station in advance according to the agreed time for your next destination. If you wish to extend this trip and explore more destinations in Tibet, such as Mount Everest, Yamdrok Lake, Namtso, Nyingchi, Mount Kailash in Ngari, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you. We look forward to welcoming you again someday in the future.