Itinerary
Days
1-3 Beijing Day 4 Xi'an Days
5-8 Lhasa Day 9 Gyantse Days
10-11 Shigatse Day 12 Lhasa Day
13 Ganden Day 14 Depart
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Discover
China & Central Tibet
14 Days
 Days
1-3: Tiananmen Square, the elaborate grandeur of
the Forbidden City and 2000 year old Great Wall are just a few of
the attractions that Beijing has to offer. On Day 2 you will take
a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu with time in the afternoon
to visit one of Beijing’s great clothing or souvenir markets.
In the evening venture into the hutongs for a succulent Beijing
Duck dinner. This courtyard restaurant is one of Beijing’s
most traditional, the family has been preparing Beijing Kaoya for
generations.
Tiananmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, shields the Forbidden City
from the vase expanse of the Square. Its lavish palaces and ornate
courtyards telling their own story of China’s rich history.
On the evening of Day 3 board an overnight train for the journey
to Xi’an. Sleeper trains in China are open plan, but clean,
comfortable and air-conditioned with sheet, pillow and blanket provided.
Day 4: Capital of
Chinese empires for more than 2000 years, Xi’an is a city
of ancient treasures - the most magnificent and famous of which
is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di. The thousands of soldiers,
crafted in intricate detail, stand in battle formation to guard
the mausoleum of the emperor who ordered their creation.
In the evening sample another of Xi’an’s famous specialties
- a dumpling banquet.
Days 5-8: Colorful
and historic, the holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700
meters above sea level. Lhasa rose to importance over 1300 years
ago as attempts were made to unify Tibet. At this time the grand
temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house the Buddha images
and religious artifacts brought to Tibet as dowries from China and
Nepal. Although little of 7th century Lhasa remains intact, the
1600s saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included
construction of the Potala Palace. Perched on a hilltop overlooking
the town, this massive structure dominates the landscape with grace
and dignity, confirming the suggestion that this palace is a true
wonder of the architectural world.
During your time in the heart of Tibet, you will visit the Potala
Palace, the Jokhang, the huge university monasteries of Drepung
and Sera and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit. There is free time to
explore other sights.
The Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Tibet and also the
most active. Prostrating pilgrims circle the temple endlessly day
and night; some traversing the extremes of the country by foot to
celebrate their beliefs. The Barkhor, the holiest devotional circuit,
circumnavigates the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar. Here, Buddha
images, yak skulls with ruby eyes, woodcarvings, carpets and prayer
wheels are bargained for.
Nearby are the Drepung and Sera monasteries, once home to over 15,000
monks. Afternoon debating sessions by monks from the college of
philosophy are a must-see experience.
Top it off with a Tibetan Buffet dinner including Chang (Tibetan
Barley Beer), Yak Butter Tea, Yak Meat, Yak cheese, Momos and a
variety of vegetable and other dishes. This is followed by a performance
of Tibetan music and dance.
Day 9: It is a long,
yet spectacular drive to Gyantse. From the top of the Kamba Pass
(4794m) the views of the turquoise lake, Yamdrok-Tso are unforgettable.
The road winds down and along its shores via the small town of Nangartse
before climbing again to the Karo La (5054) and the glaciers of
Mt Nojin Kangtsang. Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading
center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China,
its imposing fort, Gyantse Dzong, dominates views of the town.
Day 10: Gyantse is
also the site of the great 15th century monastic complex - Pelkor
Choede which includes the fascinating Gyantse Kumbum. From Gyantse
the Nyang-chu valley leads towards Tibet’s second largest
town, Shigatse.
Day 11: Shigatse is
site of Tashilhumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and one
of the most important monasteries of the Gelukpa order. The enormous,
elaborate reliquary chorten are an incredible sight. Here there
is also the option to visit the local carpet factory where handwoven
carpets are produced using traditional designs.
 Day
12: Return to Lhasa via the northern (Yangpachen)
road, a much greener route than the southern one. For the last couple
of hours to Lhasa the road follows the route of the new high-altitude
rail line from Golmud, well on the way to completion.
Days 13-14: Ganden
Monastery, 53kms outside Lhasa, is the seat of the head of the Gelukpa
sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Almost completely destroyed during the
Cultural Revolution, it is slowly being rebuilt. Its position is
a dramatic one, with fantastic views across the valley - join the
pilgrims on the kora (circumambulation). Enjoy a last night in Lhasa
before an early transfer to the airport for your return flight to
Beijing or elsewhere in China.
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Great
Wall of China
Whilst not the only man made object visible from
space, the Wall is an impressive sigh,t stretching thousands
of kilometers from the sea to the Gobi desert. |
Tiananmen
& Forbidden City
Behind the Gate of Heavenly Peace lies the vast
Imperial City, home to the Emperors of China and forbidden to
commoners. |
Terracotta
Warriors
An army of over 7,000 life size warriors guard
the tomb and afterlife of the 3rd Century emperor Qin Shi Huang
Di. |
Potala
Palace
The symbol of Tibet, this awesome palace containing
over 1000 rooms and 200,000 images dominates the city. The original
7th century building was replaced by the current 130,000square
meter structure in the 17th century. |
| Jokhang
Temple
This 1300-year-old, golden-roofed building at the center of
the Barkhor is the spiritual heart of both the city and of
the Tibetan world. The courtyard in front of the entrance
is almost constantly filled with prostrating pilgrims –
inside the labyrinth of shrines, halls and galleries are dimly
lit by butter lamps and filled with pilgrims and incense and
house some of the finest treasures of Tibetan art.
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Gyantse
‘The Royal Summit’ named after a crag rising suddenly
from the plane dates from the C14th. Gyantse quickly emerged
to dominate the wool and timber trade routes from Nepal, Sikkim
and Bhutan for centuries. By 1440 Gyantse’s most impressive
architectural achievements had been completed – the Kumbum,
the dzong and Pelkor Chode monastery. |
Tashilumpo
Founded
in 1447 the original building was built above a sacred sky-burial
site, the stone slab of which can still be seen on the floor.
At its peak it housed 4700 monks and is still the largest functioning
monastic community in Tibet. The most amazing image is the 26m
Maitreya, erected in its own Lhakhang by the 9th Panchen Lama
in 1914 and covered with 279 kg of gold. |
Ganden
Join
pilgrims on the high kora around this spectacularly situated
monastery - almost completely destroyed during the Cultural
Revolution, restoration is well under way. |
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