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Railwan to Tibet 17 Days |
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Visit: Xining - Qinghai Lake - Tsetang - Lhasa - Dazu -
Chongqing - Yangtze River - Wuhan
Tour Code: GTCTB17 |
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| Detailed Itinerary |
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Day
01 |
USA - Guangzhou, China |
| Take a midnight flight with China Southern Airlines from LAX
to Guangzhou, the southern gateway to China. Enjoy delicious
on-board meals and the latest movies. |
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| Day 02 |
En Route
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| Overnight on board. |
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| Day 03 |
Guangzhou - Xining
(B,L,D) |
| Fly to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. It has been central
China's gateway to Tibet since the ancient times. It is also an
area, which the Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers originate. See
those majestic temples and golden altars. Marvel at the jeweled
pagodas of a mosque and visit the Temple of Tar. |
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Hotel: Yinlong Hotel or similar |
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| Day 04 |
Xining
(B,L,D) |
| Today you are able to enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the
Qinghai Lake. 2,000 feet above the sea level, it is China's largest
salt lake. You will never forget the turquoise blue water, the jade-green pastures and the cleanest azure sky. The reed tents
the black oxen, the yellow blooms, and the colorful Tibetan
costumes ˇV what a splendid culture! Continue your city tour of
Xining. Experience the unique flavor of this border city where
many different ethnic, cultural, and religious groups live in peace
and harmony. You could see followers of Islam, Lamaism, and
Christianity in this one city, and each brings their distinctive
contributions to make your visit truly memorable. |
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Hotel: Yinlong Hotel or similar |
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| Day 05 |
Xining - Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| Today you will take the railway from Xining to the roof of Tibet-
Lhasa. Stay overnight on the train. |
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| Day 06 |
Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| The Qinghai ˇX Tibet Railway is a symbolic project in China's
western region Development Strategy. It will play a significant
role in accelerating the social and economic development of
Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region. It is envisaged
that the rail link will help build up ethnic solidarity and benefit
people of many ethnic groups. The construction of the line was a strategic decision taken by the Central Committee of China
Government (CPC) and the State Council at the outset of the
21st century. Along the great Railway, you can enjoy the
wonderful natural scenery. |
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Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
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| Day 07 |
Lhasa - Tsetang
(B,L,D) |
| Board a coach for a two-hour ride to Tsetang. The road takes you
along the Yalung Zangbo (The Holy River) through rural Tibet.
Upon arrival, a good rest is a must for everyone to adjust to the
high altitude of Tibet. |
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Hotel: Tsetang Hotel or similar |
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| Day 08 |
Tsetang
(B,L,D) |
| Today you will visit Yumbu Lukhang, Tibet's first monastery.
It stands on the top of a hill in the Yalong Valley. Some 32
kings of the Tubo Dynasty resided here. Then you make a stop
at the Changzhu Temple, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty
(618-907AD). To the north, three rivers merge and then flow
south to the sea. You will also visit Sangye Temple, which is
known for the footprints of Lotus Buddha and a Buddhist
scripture recorded in the Tibetan language. With close
connections to the late Dalai Lamas, the temple is reputed to
have been a place of rest and refreshment for the Buddha. |
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Hotel: Tsetang Hotel or similar |
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| Day 09 |
Tsetang - Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| Your visit to Lake Yambdrok is one of the highlights of the tour.
The beautiful lake with the reflections of snow- capped peaks
makes it unforgettable. The next stop is Lhasa, capital of Tibet,
which has a population of 180,000. In the afternoon visit Tibet
Museum and Norbu Lingka, the summer residence for the Dalai
Lamas. |
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Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
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| Day 10 |
Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| No other place represents Lhasa better than the grand and
imposing buildings of Potala Palace, which will be the highlight
of todayˇ¦s tour. Built in the 7th century it contains 999 rooms.
Formerly the home of the Dalai Lama, it now houses various
halls dedicated to the Buddha, Tibetan Scripture and Tibetan
history. It is here that you could take a group photo. This evening
you will attend a performance of Tibetan songs and dances. |
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Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
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| Day 11 |
Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| Visit Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, both located in the
heart of the city. Planned first by Princess Wencheng in the Tang
Dynasty, Barkhor Street is the oldest street and market in Lhasa.
Numerous shops offer all sorts of arts and crafts for the souvenir
hunter. A nearby temple attracts worshipers who recite prayers
and perform religious rites. It is also here that monks used to sit
and debate scripture and its meaning. |
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Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
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| Day 12 |
Lhasa - Chongqing
(B,L,D) |
| Take a flight to Chongqing. Take a stroll in the E'ling Park.
Tonightˇ¦s dinner will feature local taste and flavor. |
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Hotel: Hilton Hotel or similar |
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| Day 13 |
Chongqing - Dazu - Chongqing - Cruising along the Yangtze River
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you will take coach to Dazu and visit the Rock
Carvings in Boarding Grotto. While most carvings reflect
religious doctrines, some teach Confucianism. Take a drive to
Chongqing. Dinner will feature local taste and flavor. You will
board a deluxe cruise to start your Yangtze River journey. Stay
on board overnight. |
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Victoria Cruises or similar |
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| Day 14 |
Cruising along the Yangtze River
(B,L,D) |
| Start out on a spectacular three-day cruise down the mighty
Yangtze River, the third longest in the world. Relax on the deck
or in the lounge while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of China's
hinterland. Disembark at Fengdu, the City of Ghosts. When
strolling around the magnificent temples, donˇ¦t feel uneasy with
those lifelike statues of ghosts. Legend has it that the dead come
to Fengdu while the devils go to hell. |
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| Day 15 |
Cruising along the Yangtze River
(B,L,D) |
| Today the cruise will sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu
Gorge. These misty canyons, with magnificent pagodas atop,
have long been a favorite motif of traditional Chinese
paintings. The gorges are different in many ways, and each
bend of the river reveals a new view, more perilous than the
previous. When arriving at Wushan, you will transfer to a
motorboat to see the Three Minor Gorges, returning to the
cruise after the trip. The highlight of the evening is the
Captain's dinner party. |
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| Day 16 |
Yichang - Wuhan
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you will first visit the Three Gorges Grand Dam
and then continue the cruise to Yichang, a thriving city. Travel
by bus to Wuhan. On your way, you will pass Jingzhou, a historic
city in central China about which the tour guide will surely
regale you with numerous stories. |
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Hotel: Shangri-La Hotel or similar |
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| Day 17 |
Wuhan - Guangzhou - USA
(B,L) |
| Ascend to Yellow Crane Tower for a commanding view of the
mighty Yangtze River. Then board your plane by China Southern
Airlines to fly back to USA via Guangzhou. |
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