Tibet Train Travel Experience
503: 10 Days Private Tour of Beijing - Lhasa - Xian
Tour Type: Private Tour, any parts of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 8 western buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches with some being a la carte style
Tour Highlights:
- Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
- Full insight visits of the sacred Potala Palace and pure land of Tibet
- Jokhang Temple, the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan pilgrims
- Have a leisurely walk or an exciting bicycle ride on the time-honored City Wall of Xian

From $2079 per person Free Inquiry


- Itinerary
- Tour Prices
- Price Includes
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Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Our guide will pick you up outside the customs at Capital Airport and then transfer you to downtown area for the hotel registration. The remaining time of the day is free for you.
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Day 2 Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Photo by our clients Jim & Carolyne Blair
Photo by our clients Jim & Carolyne Blair
You will come to the city center to visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City this morning. As the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square is surrounded by many magnificent and important constructions. To the north, you could find the splendid Forbidden City, the palaces of which were built layer upon layer. Besides these top royal buildings in classical Chinese architectural style, there are also many priceless historical collections exhibited in this largest imperial palace complex.
Then to avoid the mass-produced food at the cheap tourist eateries arranged by most agencies, we will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very nice restaurant, where you will taste the authentic Chinese food.
This afternoon will be spent touring around the Summer Palace, the existing largest royal park. Different from the solemn Forbidden City, the park inclines to be more enjoyable by focusing on charming and peculiar natural scenery.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Then to avoid the mass-produced food at the cheap tourist eateries arranged by most agencies, we will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very nice restaurant, where you will taste the authentic Chinese food.
This afternoon will be spent touring around the Summer Palace, the existing largest royal park. Different from the solemn Forbidden City, the park inclines to be more enjoyable by focusing on charming and peculiar natural scenery.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Day 3 Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall with a round-trip cable car, Olympic Bird's Nest, Temple of Heaven. (B)
The private car will drive you to Mutianyu Great Wall in 1.5 hours this morning. Constructed 650 years ago, Mutianyu is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. You can challenge the steep wall lying on the up-and-down mountains by taking a round trip cable car.
In the afternoon, you will get back to downtown area and visit the Temple of Heaven. Because ancient Chinese believed that the heaven was round and the earth square, this imperial temple was constructed with a semicircular northern end and a rectangular southern end, representing the connection of heaven and earth. While driving back to the hotel, you will see the two outstanding buildings of Beijing Olympic Games, the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Centre).
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
In the afternoon, you will get back to downtown area and visit the Temple of Heaven. Because ancient Chinese believed that the heaven was round and the earth square, this imperial temple was constructed with a semicircular northern end and a rectangular southern end, representing the connection of heaven and earth. While driving back to the hotel, you will see the two outstanding buildings of Beijing Olympic Games, the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Centre).
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 4 Beijing - Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa. Airport-hotel transfer. (B)
A morning flight will take you from Beijing to Lhasa, where the altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. Our guide will be expecting you outside the baggage claim area of the airport and then transfer you to the well-located hotel. After the hotel registration, it is suggested that you have a rest at the hotel to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude. Neither of bath and vigorous activities is suggested upon arrival on the first day.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 5 Lhasa
Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Park. (B+L)

Tibetans singing and dancing
Today's first stop is Tibet Museum, where a large number of cultural relics show the glorious history and unique culture of the region. After having lunch, continue to the Sera Monastery. As one of the three largest monasteries of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in China, the Sera Monastery houses many precious Buddhist statues, sutras, murals as well as gold and silver wares. Today's last stop is the Norbulingka Park which was the summer resort for the Dalai Lamas. Now it has become a complex park with ancient buildings, gardens and natural landscape.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Lhasa
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, A Nunnery. (B+L)

Our clients in front of Potala Palace, Lhasa
Photo by our clients Pedro and Hana
Photo by our clients Pedro and Hana
It will be a memorable experience to the magnificent Potala Palace in the morning. Initially built in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty, it is a cluster of palaces built in castle style. After the reconstruction in the 17th century, the Potala Palace has become the residence of Dalai Lamas and the political and religious center of Tibet.
After enjoy a delicious lunch, proceed to the Jokhang Temple. With a history of over 1,350 years, the temple houses many valuable historical items, reflecting the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the good relationship between Han and Tibetan people since the Tang Dynasty. From the temple, you could walk to the bustling Barkhor Street which is congested with unique stores selling local featured handicrafts. Today's private schedule will come to an end after visiting a Nunnery.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
After enjoy a delicious lunch, proceed to the Jokhang Temple. With a history of over 1,350 years, the temple houses many valuable historical items, reflecting the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the good relationship between Han and Tibetan people since the Tang Dynasty. From the temple, you could walk to the bustling Barkhor Street which is congested with unique stores selling local featured handicrafts. Today's private schedule will come to an end after visiting a Nunnery.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Lhasa - Xian
Overnight train to Xian. (B)

Our clients learning how to make dumplings in Xian family visit
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the railway station and you will take the soft sleeper train to Xian. The train journey will take you about 33 hours and there is only a limited choice of food on the train, so we kindly suggest you prepare some fast food and snacks in advance for your lunch and dinner. Riding the railway at the highest elevation in the world should bring much excitement and wonder to your trip. This is truely worth all the effort to take the train.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 8 Xian
Pick up at railway station. Railway station-hotel transfer.
The whole train journey from Lhasa to Xian will pass by Nakchu, Golmud, Xining and Lanzhou. It will arrive at your final destination in the evening. Our local guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel. Hope you will have a good rest tonight.
Meals: No meals
Meals: No meals
Day 9 Xian
Terracotta Army Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Provincial History Museum. (B)

Our clients enjoying their a la carte meals
Your private Xian excursion starts from the well-known Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which is regarded as the world's eighth wonder. The lifelike warriors and horses are orderly arranged in battle formations, revealing the mighty forces of the Qin Dynasty about 2,200 years ago.
In the afternoon, the trip will be extended to the Buddhist Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial History Museum.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
In the afternoon, the trip will be extended to the Buddhist Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial History Museum.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 10 Departure from Xian
City Wall, A local family visit and home-cooked lunch, Great Mosque. Hotel-airport transfer & see you off. A pleasant onward trip! (B+L)

Xian City Wall
The ancient Xian City was surrounded by a square City Wall and the moat 600 years ago. You will climb up the wall to have a leisurely stroll this morning. Different from the steep Great Wall, the City Wall is flat enough on the top.
Later, pay a visit to a local family to know about the local people's life and a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) will be arranged in the home of the family that you visit, to taste the authentic home cooked Chinese dishes. Our specially arranged Chinese food cooking class in the family visit welcomes you to participate.
Afterwards, continue your sightseeing to the Great Mosque. Then your guide will transfer you to the airport and help you board the flight.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch
Later, pay a visit to a local family to know about the local people's life and a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) will be arranged in the home of the family that you visit, to taste the authentic home cooked Chinese dishes. Our specially arranged Chinese food cooking class in the family visit welcomes you to participate.
Afterwards, continue your sightseeing to the Great Mosque. Then your guide will transfer you to the airport and help you board the flight.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch
B-- Breakfast L-- Lunch D-- Dinner
Destinations | Luxury Hotels | Standard Hotels |
---|---|---|
Beijing | Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Pentahotel Beijing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Lhasa | Xinding Hotel ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Tashipozhang Hotel ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Xian | Wyndham Grand Xian South ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Holiday Inn Xian Big Goose Pagoda ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tour Prices
With Luxury Hotels | ||
---|---|---|
2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
$2449 | $2209 | $1999 |
With Standard Hotels | ||
---|---|---|
2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
$2319 | $2079 | $1859 |
- Prices are per person in US Dollars based on double occupancy.
- Any part of the itinerary e.g. tour length, activities & hotels can be tailored to your individual interests.
Price Includes
- Domestic airfares & train fares
- Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- Lunches as itinerary specifies
- Private English-speaking guides
- Private drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
- Tibet Travel Permit
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Entry Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Why Travel With Us


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Dear Kelly Wang/ Sophie Yang, Thanks a lot for you letter. We've had a great holiday and your company is indefinitely a great part of this fantastic experience. All guides, drivers, cars, meals and ... Read More
Mr. Iuly Treger & Ms. Lena Treger from IsraelLydia and Linda, We enjoyed every minute of our trip and would definitely use your company again. The prices were competitive and you delivered exactly what was promised. In many ways you exceeded our ... Read More
Mr. Peter Alison & Ms. Victoria Alison ... from United StatesHi Kelly & Carol, I am sorry I had not written back in follow-up to your prior email. In summary we were very happy with the services you provided us throughout our stay in your country. ... Read More
Mr. David Craig Mellinger & Mr. Carey Nelson Herring from United StatesFeedback from group member Mr. John Scott Drilling: Dear Consultants Fang and Meng, I was very well satisfied with respect to the meals, guides, drivers, cars, and hotels, and would recommend TCG ... Read More
Ms. Linda Hambleton & Mr. James Houston Drilling... from United StatesHello There from Bob and Marion Smith: We apologize for the late reply, we have been busy back at work and planning our visits for next year! Our journey was amazing in every way. We consider this ... Read More
Mr. Robert William Smith & Ms. Marion Cecilia Peters from Canada