Beijing to Lhasa and Chengdu

Today you will take 2-hour ride to Mutianyu, a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty 600 years ago. You can walk up or take cable car up to the Wall, and walk from tower to tower. It is amazing to view the ancient military construction that is well preserved on the giant mountains. Head to Summer Palace this afternoon to view the amazing Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill this afternoon, where it used to be a summer resort for the royal families during Qing Dynasty. Later you will be transferred back to your hotel. Transport: Private Vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You will visit the biggest city square in the world, the Tian'anmen Square. Then walk to the Forbidden City, the biggest palace in the world. Explore the main buildings with a local guide in the palace. Then You will visit Temple of Heaven where there are many people are doing excercising, dancing or singing, you can join some of activities to practise. Later you will catch 3-hour flight to Xining. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. Transport: Private Vehicle + Flight Accommodation: Overnight in Xining Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning visit Kumbum, one of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, with many well preserved relics, colorful statues and yak butter carving. Kumbum Monastery is where Tsongkhapa, the founder of Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, was born. This afternoon you will catch approx. 19-hour overnight train to Lhasa. Enjoy the fantastic plateau scenery on the train. Transport: Private Vehicle + Overnight train Accommodation: Overnight on the soft sleeper train Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit the famous Patala Palace, Jolkhang Temple and Barkhor Streets. Potala Palace was first built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king—Songtsen Gampo. The current one was built by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The Potala is divided into Red Palace and White Palace. The red palace was for religious use and the white one for political use. It takes whole morning to visit Potala Palace. Then you will have lunch at the local restaurant. Afterwards you will walk to visit Jokhang Monastery that is situated in the old section of Lhasa, which was built in the 7th century AD by king Songtsen Gampo. It is the most sacred place in Tibet as it houses the sculpture of 12-year-old Sakyamuni that was brought by Wencheng Princess in the7th century. Barkhor street is a big free market around Jokhang Monastery where you can purchase all sorts of Tibetan souvenirs. Barkhor Streets is also an essential pilgrim route. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will drive to Gyangtse via Gampa La pass(4980m) which offers spectacular views for the Nojin Kangsang snow ranges, the turquoise lake (4400m) Yamdrok, the glacial mountain peak Nojin Kangsang (7200m) , and Gyangtse township(4000m). This afternoon, you will visit Gyangtse township, Kubum monastery and the old part of town in Gyangtse. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Gyangtse Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Continue driving in the Nyang-chu valley about 90 km to north via Padnam township to Shigatse city (3900m) where we will visit Pachen Lama's seat place, the great Tashilumpo monastery, a very big and complex monastery in Tibet. Afterwards continue driving to Sakya, a seat monastery for Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Sakya Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning you will visit the imposing Sakya Monastery. It has a history of more than 900 years, and is the leading monastery for the Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. A number of cultural relics and artifacts in the Sakya Monastery ensure that it is a historical and cultural museum, presenting its glittering past to all visitors. Afterwards you will drive about 4 hours through the high pass over 5200m to Shegar town. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight at Shegar, Tingri Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will get away from the Friendship Highway and travel towards Rongbuk Monastery near the Mount Everest Base Camp. Rongbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in the world and has been rebuilt considerably in the past decade. From Everest base camp, you can see stunning views of Everest and the surrounding Rongbuk Valley. Spend the rest of the day on exploring the Everest Base Camp. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Rongbuk Monastery Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning you still can explore the Everest base camp area, afterwards you will take the same way back to Shigatse. Please note the Everest view might be covered by clouds depending on the weather. Transport: Private vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will be transferred to Shigatse Airport to catch your flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival, you will visit Kuan & Zhai Alleys if time permits. Transport: Private Vehicle + Flight Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit Chengdu Panda Base in the morning to view the cute panda feeding. Afterwards you will head to Wenshu Temple or Qingyang Temple in Chengdu depengding on your interest, one is Buddhism Temple, other one is Taosim Temple. Later you will visit the Jinsha Musuem that is a wonderful ruin museum to exhibit the bronze culture in the histiory in Chengdu. Taste the yummy Hot Pot dinner tonight, and try to eat some local snacks as Sichuan Cuisine is renown for all sorts of snacks, dishes and hot pot. Transport: Private Vehicle Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner