11 Days Xining to Lhasa Overland Tour via Qinghai-Tibet Highway

Welcome to Xining, the real starting point of Qinghai-Tibet Highway and the center of Qinghai Tibetan area, with rich in history and culture. Your lifetime Tibet tour begins with welcome from your local Qinghai guide at the station or airport. Then you will be escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, and you can explore freely in Xining.

Stay overnight in Xining

In the morning, you will visit Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery) in the town of Huangzhong, 26km south of Xining. It is the birthplace of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism - Tsongkhapa. The temple was later built in 1577. This monastery is one of the most important six monasteries in Tibet and the foremost in Qinghai Tibetan Area.

Next, we will visit the Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt water lake in China. The ellipse-shaped lake looks like a huge poplar leaf sitting on the alpine prairie. Scenery in Qinghai Lake varies according to seasons. The most charming and attractive place in Qinghai Lake is the Bird Island. In the noisiest months of April and May, ten thousands of birds stop on the Haixi Shan of Qinghai Lake and lay eggs there. A cruising for about 30 minutes is a popular way to appreciate the lake.

Stay overnight at the shore of Qinghai Lake, Grassland Hotel

Today, we will drive to Chaka Town, known for the Chaka Salt Lake. Famed as the fairyland in Qinghai, Chaka Salt Lake is a natural crystals salt lake in Qaidam Basin. It’s called the “Mirror of the Sky” since the crystal blue water of the lake can reflect the azure sky just like a giant mirror. You can see and capture you own reflection through the lake when walking on the lake surface.

Stay overnight in Chaka

Today, we will drive to Golmud from Chaka. On the way, we can see the spectacular view of Gobi landscape, and oasis dotted in the desert. Also, we will pass one of the four basins in China – Qaidam Basin, which is also called the Treasure Bowl.

Stay overnight in Golmud

Driving through the vast wilderness of Qaidam Basin, we will keep moving forward along the road lying at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. Today, we will overcome the first mountain pass of our road trip, the Kunlun Pass (4837m) after crossing a steep valley. Then, we will pass the First Bridge over the Yangtse River and arrive at Tuotuoheyuan, the small town located in head stream of Yangtse River.

Stay overnight in Local Guest House of Tuotuoheyuan

Today, we will continue to heading southwards along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Before getting to Naqu, we will cross the famous Tanggula Mountains, where you can see local animals like cattle, sheep and yaks browsing on the grassland at the mountain foot. It is a lot relaxing to see the harmonious picture of giant snow-capped mountain and small grazing herds.

Stay overnight at Local Guest House

In the morning, we will drive cross the massive Qiangtang Grassland in northern Tibet and have a close contact with the Tibetan nomads. You will have enough time to stay on the grassland, where you can visit the nomad family, play with the local Tibetan kids, taste the fresh yak milk, ride horse, or just wander for leisure. (Notice, nomad visit is only available at summer time from June to August).

Then we will head to the Namtso Lake, also called the Heavenly Lake. It is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and also the highest salt lake in China. You can take a leisure trek around Tashi Island and enjoy the stunning sunset of Namtso Lake. In the evening, you can enjoy night view of the milky way along the lake shore.

Stay overnight at lake shore Guest House

In the morning, you can appreciate the beautiful sunrise view of the Namtso Lake and then trek along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves. Then we will drive to Dumxung for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Yangpachen hot spring before reaching Lhasa. Famous for the highest geothermal power plant in the world, Yangpachen is a good place to relax and take bath in on the Tibetan Plateau.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, Thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, you’ll taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, you will visit two of the three prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you with boarding.