10 or 12 DAYS Chengdu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Xigatse, Tsedang, Shanghai

Day 1 Sat North America / Chengdu
Depart North America this evening for Chengdu.

Day 2 Sun: Arrive Chengdu
Arrive this evening in Chengdu, the pleasant capital of China’s Sichuan province. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to CROWN PLAZA HOTEL CHENGDU.

Day 3 Mon: Sanxingdui Museum / Panda Reserve
Sanxingdui is the most important site of ancient remains of the Sichuan region. The Sanxingdui Museum contains many relics of the Ancient Shu (Sichuan) culture taken from the site. Your tour also includes a visit to the Panda Research Reserve. (BLD)

Day 4 Tue: Chengdu / Lhasa
Today you will fly to Lhasa, the former capital of Tibet. Religion is a deep force in this mystical land. Tibet absorbed Tantric Buddhism from the south, Shamanism from the north and developed it into its own hybrid of Lamaism, which dominated all aspects of Tibetan life for over 1,000 years. Your afternoon is free, giving you time to acclimate to the altitude and enjoy the scenery. TIBET HOTEL GUEST HOUSE (BD)

Day 5 Wed: Potala Palace & Sera Monastery
This morning, visit the vast Potala Palace, former seat of the Dalai Lama. The palace is a magnificent work of architecture built of wood and stone with numerous gilded pinnacles. Tour the Sera Monastery this afternoon, the most active monastery in Tibet and the preferred site of the Tibetan “sky burial.” (BLD)

Day 6 Thu: Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit the striking Jokhang Temple this morning. Situated in the heart of Lhasa, it was built over 1,300 years ago to house the Golden Buddha and is one of Tibet’s holiest shrines. Also visit the Barkhor Bazaar for a glimpse of everyday life, a typical Tibetan home to meet a local family and the massive Drepung Monastery, the largest of all lamaseries in Tibet. (BLD)

Day 7 Fri: Lhasa / Gyantse
Drive today to Gyantse along the shores of Lake Yamdrok. Divided in two by a steep mountain ridge, Gyantse was once an important market town and still serves as a stop on the main friendship road between Tibet and Nepal. GYANTSE HOTEL (BLD)

Day 8 Sat: Gyantse / Xigatse
This morning, visit the Kumbum or “Place of Myriad Images,” with the largest and most magnificent stupa in Tibet, and the “Staircase of Ten Thousand Buddhas.” Continue to Xigatse today, second only to Lhasa in spiritual and commercial importance. Stop at the Shalu Monastery. XIGATSE HOTEL (BLD)

Day 9 Sun: Xigatse / Tsedang
This morning visit the rose-colored Tashilhunpo Monastery or “Mound of Glory.” Inside is the Maitreya Buddha, the largest in Tibet. Continue on to Tsedang and overnight at the TSEDANG HOTEL. (BLD)

Day 10 Mon: Lhasa / Shanghai/ Home
This morning, fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival, connect to your flight back home. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION:

Day 10 Mon: Lhasa / Overnight Train
This morning, board an overnight train to Xining. (B)

Day 11 Tue: Xining / Beijing / Home
Arrive this morning in Xining. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your flight to Beijing, where you will be met and transferred to AIRPORT HOTEL.

Day 12 Wed: Beijing / Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home.