15 Day Spiritual Odyssey: Sky Train to Tibet

Embark on an unforgettable journey across China and into the mystical heart of Tibet, where breathtaking landscapes, ancient traditions, and awe inspiring cultural treasures await. This extraordinary 15-day adventure blends iconic Chinese highlights with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of travelling aboard the world-famous “Sky Train” ,the highest railway on Earth, as it winds through the dramatic peaks and vast plains of the Tibetan Plateau.

From Beijing’s imperial grandeur and Xi’an’s legendary Terracotta Warriors to the serene monasteries and sacred lakes of Tibet, each step reveals a deeper layer of history, spirituality, and wonder. You’ll witness prayer flags fluttering in the thin mountain air, explore sacred sites steeped in centuries of devotion, and meet the warm-hearted Tibetan people whose traditions remain vibrantly alive.

Carefully curated for both comfort and discovery, this journey offers seamless travel, expert guidance, and authentic cultural encounters. Whether you’re drawn by the spiritual pull of Tibet, the adventure of the high-altitude train, or the allure of China’s greatest landmarks, this is more than a holiday…it’s an odyssey that will stay with you for a lifetime.

YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrival in Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing Capital Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. If your flight arrives in the morning, your journey begins with a visit to the Summer Palace, once the imperial family’s retreat. This vast complex offers a mix of striking lake views, ornate courtyards, and richly decorated halls, all steeped in centuries of history. Kunming Lake glistens in the sunlight, and every corner reveals stories of emperors and empresses. Later, check in to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time to recover from your journey. In the evening, a special Beijing Roast Duck welcome dinner sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: The Great Wall of China

After breakfast, set out to explore one of the most remarkable feats of engineering in history, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (cable car excluded, payable locally). In spring, the surrounding mountains bloom with vibrant flowers; summer brings lush greenery and the gentle sound of running water; autumn cloaks the hillsides in fiery reds and golds; and winter transforms the landscape into a pristine wonderland. This section is renowned for its stunning views, both within China and internationally. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Beijing and take a leisurely walk through the Olympic Park to admire the iconic Water Cube and Bird’s Nest stadium from the outside. The evening is free for you to dine at your leisure before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and the historic stage for the founding of the People’s Republic of China. From here, enter the legendary Forbidden City- a sprawling palace complex of over 800 buildings and 9,000 chambers that was the seat of power for Ming and Qing emperors for five centuries. Imagine court life where concubines glided through intricately painted corridors and eunuchs schemed in hushed corners.After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Temple of Heaven, famed for its perfect symmetry and spiritual significance as the place where emperors prayed for a bountiful harvest. Here, you will also witness a uniquely modern tradition…the local marriage market, where parents gather to find suitable partners for their children in today’s fast-paced working culture. The evening is free to relax and enjoy Beijing at your own pace.

Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning in Beijing. Perhaps revisit the Summer Palace to fully appreciate its serene gardens, shaded walkways, and ornamental pavilions. Lunch is on your own before transferring to the railway station for a high-speed train journey to Xi’an, lasting between 4.5 to 6 hours. On arrival, your local guide will meet you for a transfer to your hotel, where the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Xi’an Eastern House or similar.

Day 5: The Terracotta Warriors & Muslim Quarter

Today’s journey into the past begins with breakfast, followed by a visit to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army, a vast subterranean army built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. This extraordinary archaeological site contains around 8,000 life-sized warriors, 100 chariots, and 600 horses, each uniquely crafted with distinct facial features and details. You may even meet Mr Yang, the farmer who first discovered the site, and hear his fascinating story. After lunch at a local restaurant, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, where sizzling lamb skewers and the aroma of freshly made biangbiang noodles fill the air. Wander through narrow alleys lined with centuries-old stalls, explore the Great Mosque, and soak in the unique blend of Chinese and Islamic heritage that has thrived here for generations. The evening is free for your own dining adventures.

Day 6: Xi’an to Xining

This morning, explore the local morning market and witness the rhythm of daily life in Xi’an. Continue to the ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest and best preserved in China, where views stretch across the city in every direction. After lunch, transfer to the station for a high speed train to Xining, arriving in the early evening. Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight, giving you the chance to sample local Qinghai specialities at your leisure.

Day 7: Xining to Lhasa

After breakfast, visit the Ta’er Monastery, one of Qinghai’s most important religious sites and a state-protected cultural relic. This sprawling monastery is adorned with colourful murals and intricate butter sculptures, offering an insight into Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet itself. Following lunch, board the overnight “Sky Train” to Lhasa, the highest railway in the world. Over approximately 21 hours, you’ll traverse dramatic mountain landscapes, endless grasslands dotted with yaks, and remote high-altitude wildernesses. The train journey itself is an unforgettable part of the adventure, as you watch the land change before your eyes. Dinner is at your own arrangement. Overnight aboard the train.

Day 8: Arrival in Lhasa

Arriving in Lhasa in the afternoon, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is set aside for rest and acclimatisation to the altitude, an important step to ensure you’re ready to enjoy the days ahead.

Day 9: Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple

Begin your exploration of Tibet with a visit to its most iconic landmark, the Potala Palace. Rising over 130 metres from Red Hill, this colossal fortress palace dominates the skyline of Lhasa and stands as a symbol of Tibetan identity. Wander its labyrinthine halls and chapels, where history and spirituality intertwine. Continue to Jokhang Temple, considered the holiest site in Tibet and a focal point for Buddhist pilgrims from across the plateau. Despite its modest size, Jokhang radiates an intense spiritual energy, and its golden roof offers sweeping views over the city. After lunch, explore the Barkor area, a bustling market circuit around the temple where traders, pilgrims, and locals mingle amid stalls selling prayer beads, incense, and traditional crafts.

Day 10: Norbulingka & Sera Monastery

This morning, visit Norbulingka, the “Summer Palace” of the Dalai Lamas. Spread across 3.6 million square metres, it is home to over 100 rare plant species and a wealth of intricate architecture. After lunch, head to Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s most important religious institutions. If timed well, you may witness the famous monk debates in the monastery’s courtyard , a lively and rigorous practice where monks clap their hands to punctuate arguments, a traditional method of deepening their understanding of Buddhist scriptures. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure in Lhasa.

Day 11: Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake

After breakfast, set off on a spectacular drive to Shigatse, stopping at the turquoise expanse of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. The route also takes you over the Karo La Pass (5,010m), where you can see a stunning year round glacier up close, almost as high as Everest’s base camp. Lunch is taken en route before continuing to Gyantse to visit Pelkor Chode Monastery, unique for its blend of Han, Tibetan, and Nepali architecture and home to three different Buddhist sects under one roof. Arrive in Shigatse in the late afternoon.

Day 12 : Shigatse to Lhasa

This morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and one of Tibet’s most significant monastic complexes. Its golden rooftops gleam against the backdrop of the mountains, and its halls house some of the largest statues in Tibet. After lunch, drive back to Lhasa for your final night in the city.

Day 13 : Lhasa to Shanghai

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai via Chengdu. You will make the connection in Chengdu independently before meeting your local guide upon arrival in Shanghai.

Day 14 : Shanghai’s Cultural Treasures

Today begins with a visit to the Propaganda Poster Art Centre (closed on Mondays), home to a fascinating collection of original Cultural Revolution-era posters that reveal the changing face of Chinese society. Continue to Yu Yuan Garden, a Ming dynasty creation famed for its exquisite rockeries, pavilions, and tranquil ponds. After lunch, visit a silk factory to learn about China’s ancient silk-making tradition before strolling along the Bund to admire Shanghai’s iconic skyline. If weather permits, you may enjoy a short cruise to watch the sunset over the city. The day ends with a wander through the French Concession, where tree-lined avenues and colonial architecture recall Shanghai’s cosmopolitan past.

Day 13: Departure from Shanghai

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Your incredible journey across China and Tibet comes to an end, leaving you with memories of stunning landscapes, rich cultural encounters, and unforgettable moments on the Roof of the World.