Tour AC11 - Mystery of Tibet

Day 1: Canada - Beijing
We start our journey to the Middle Kingdom with a transpacific flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing We arrive in Beijing, the political and cultural capital of China. We are greeted at the airport by our local tour guide and make our way to the hotel. We get a good night’s sleep and prepare for our first day of touring in this land of wonder and mystery.

Day 3: Beijing - Xining
Today, we begin touring one of the most amazing places in the world. After breakfast, our tour takes a morning flight to Xining, the honored summer capital city of China. We eat lunch and then take a motor coach to the Ta’er Monastery. The site is the birthplace of the founder of the Yellow Sect (also called Gelu Sect): Tsong Khapa. In the Tibetan language, the Ta’er Monastery is called "Gongben" which means "Hundred Thousand Figures of Buddha."

Day 4: Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Lake - Dulan
This morning, we journey by bus to the Riyue Mountain Pass, which is Chinese for the “Sun and the Moon Mountain Pass.” Here, we visit the Sun Pavilion and the Moon Pavilion. We then arrive at Qinghai Lake, the biggest inland salt lake in China. The lake is home to one of the most charming and attractive places in the area: the Bird Island. It is situated on the western shore of the Lake, and because of the receding water off its shores, the Bird Island has been turned into a surprising peninsula. 164 species of birds have been identified at the lake. In spring and summer, the lake is ideal for ornithologists and bird-lovers. At this time, we can see all sorts of birds including swan, wild goose, gulls, heron, and petrel. For those who embark on this tour after July, we visit Chaka Salt Lake instead and enjoy the eye-catching beaches and clear waters. We stay overnight in Dulan.

Day 5: Dulan - Golmud
After breakfast, we ride our coach to Golmud. Along the road, we can see the Xiangride Oasis, several Yadan (wind erosion) landforms, the open desert, and Charham Salt Lake, home of the Salt Bridge. We can also meet the local Tibetan people, and if we are lucky, we can see mirages and desert tornados. At noon, we arrive at Golmud. We visit the Charham Salt Lake up close and see the curious salt crystals. These colourful natural phenomena stand out because their colours include coral, pagoda, flower, ivory, gem, and many more.

Day 6: Golmud - Lhasa
Today is an exciting day. First, we take the new railway from Golmud to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital sometimes referred to as the Roof of the World. The recently-completed Qinghai-Tibet Railway connects inner China with Lhasa. It is the highest railway in the world, at times traveling at altitudes that require the train carriages to be pressurized like airplane cabins. The Chinese government believes the railway will put Tibet’s social and economic development on track and lead to a richer life for Tibetans. Of course, it might also lead to drastic changes in Tibetan culture. We cover the 1,118 kilometres between Golmud and Lhasa in twelve hours. Along the way, we can visit Mount Kunlun, Mount Tangula, and the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve, where Tibetan antelopes can be seen running on the beautiful open grassland.

Day 7: Lhasa
After breakfast, we sightsee the Potala Palace, one of the most famous sites in Tibet. This architectural masterpiece is erected on the top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. Built in the seventh century by Sonsan Gambo, the king of the Tibet Kingdom, the Potala Palace is a testament to his love for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. After lunch, we visit the Norbulingka. Built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in the eighteenth century, the Norbulingka served as the summer palace for the ruler himself. As the final highlight of the day, we visit the Jakhag Temple, the oldest temple in Tibet and still a prominent spiritual center today.

Day 8: Lhasa - Tsedang
After breakfast, we take our coach to Tsedang - the cradle and hometown of Tibet. Upon arrival, we visit Yumbulagang, the palace for the first Tubo King Niechi in the Yalong River valley. It is also called the “Mosher and Song Holy Hall.” Yumbulagang, now an antique fortress, is considered to be the first building in Tibet. We make sure to visit the Zhangzhu Monastery, one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibetan history. It contains precious relics and the Pearl Tangkha, an important artifact from the Pamodrupa Kingdom. The piece is made from 29,026 pearls and several other precious stones. It is 2 meters in length, 1.2 meters in breadth, and a real treat for any visitor. We stay overnight in Tsedang.

Day 9: Tsedang - Ymddok Yum Tso Lake - Shigatse
In the morning, we drive to Yamddok Yum Tso Lake through the Kamba La Pass at 4,794 metres high. The lake is one of the three biggest holy sites in Tibet and covers around 600 square kilometres. Then, we drive to Shigatse where we spend the night.

Day 10: Shigatse - Lhasa
After breakfast, we visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, the biggest monastery in the Tsang region of Tibet. The landmark is well known for its giant gold-gilded Sitting Buddha in Copper Amitabha. After lunch, we head back to Lhasa city. We enjoy the local Tibetan food in a bountiful dinner and watch the local performance. We stay overnight in this beautiful city.

Day 11: Lhasa - Beijing
After breakfast, we fly to Beijing. We enjoy a day of free time in this amazing city. Take this time to visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the traditional Hutongs, or the shopping district of Wangfujing.

Day 12: Beijing - Canada
Today, our local tour guide sees us off at the airport, and we fly home to Canada. Have a wonderful trip!