Overview for Beijing Lhasa Everest Namtso Chongqing Flight Tour

This epic Beijing Lhasa Everest Namtso Chongqing Flight tour of China takes you from the eastern coast to the westernmost borders, flying between cities to make the most of the time you have in this amazing country. And as well as giving you an awesome tour of China’s major cities, you also get to learn more about Tibet and experience the beautiful landscapes of the plateau region up close and personal.

The Beijing Lhasa Everest; Namtso Chongqing Flight Tour begins with your tour of the sights of Beijing, including the Forbidden City, the Beihai Park and the ancient Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Then you will take the flight to Lhasa, the City of Sunshine on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, where you will spend a couple of days sightseeing and acclimatizing to the increased altitude. Then it is off across the vast plateau landscape to stand in the shadow of the highest peak on the planet, at Mount Everest Base Camp. After staying overnight in the base camp, you head back to Lhasa for the night before heading north out of the city to visit one of the most sacred lakes in the world. The trip takes you to Lake Namtso, known as the Heavenly Lake. Then you return to the capital to take the flight to Chongqing. Here you will visit the most outstanding sights in Southwest China, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, the Wulong Karst formations, and more than a dozen other attractions in this amazing and historic city municipality.

Day to Day Itinerary for Beijing Lhasa Everest Namtso Chongqing Flight Tour

Day 1: Arrive at Beijing

When international flight lands in Beijing, please take a taxi by yourself to our reserved hotel or by agreement the transfer will be arranged for you. The rest of the day, you may have a good rest or explore around on your own.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing sightseeing – Mutianyu Great Wall

After breakfast, your guide will lead you to visit the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall. You will be taken on a group tour to the Great Wall, the most famous symbol of China and one of the world’s most remarkable architectural wonders. This section was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD).

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Mutianyu Great Wall in SpringMutianyu Great Wall in Autumn

Day 3: Beijing sightseeing – Forbidden City, Imperial Ancestral Temple, Beihai Park

Today, you will head to visit the magnificent Forbidden City which used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years. Then, you will move to the Imperial Ancestral Temple (also Taimiao of Beijing). Lying to the east of the imperial palace, the Forbidden City, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was a place where Chinese emperors stored their ancestors’ tablets and worshipped them during festivals and ceremonies.

After that, you will visit Beihai Park. It is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in China. With over 1,000 years’ history, the park is not only a classic combination of the grandiosity of the northern gardens and the refinement of the southern gardens in China, but also a perfect integration of magnificent imperial palaces and solemn religious constructions.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Forbidden CityBeihai Park, one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in China.

Day 4: Free Time to Tour Hutong – Nanluoguxiang and Do Shopping

Hutong, which refers to traditional courtyard residence in narrow alleys in Beijing, is a great place where international tourists can learn the folk culture and old quarters of Beijing city. In the morning, tourists can are recommended to explore Nanluoguxiang yourself, one of the most famous Hutongs in Beijing.

With bustling main street, you will find a variety of cafes, kiosks selling different kinds of food and beverages and souvenir shops. A great way to tour Hutong is to enjoy the ride on a traditional rickshaw and rickshaw riders, most of whom can speak basic English, will take you to cover all the historical significance.

In the afternoon, tourists are free to do some shopping in Beijing and get prepared for the flight to Lhasa in the tomorrow morning.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Traditional sugar-blowing folk art in Tutongenjoy rickshaw ride in Nanluoguxiang

Day 5: Arrive in Lhasa and Acclimate to the High Elevation of Lhasa (3658m)

Tourists will take the morning flight from Beijing to Lhasa. After your arrival in Lhasa by flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.

After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6: Lhasa Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (B)

Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market. Besides, we can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house.

Optional:

With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Amazing Potala Palace at twilight Holy Jokhang Temple

Day 7: Lhasa Tour – Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house. Inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Monks chat happily before the assembly hall of Drepung monastery.Dramatic monk debate in Sera Monastery

Day 8: Lhasa – Shigatse via Gyantse (B)

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala Pass(4790m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso(4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar(7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass. Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Enjoy the fascinating scenery of the holy Yamdrok LakePelkor Monastery

Day 9: Shigatse(3900m) to Everest Base Camp(5200m) (B)

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.

After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600m), and Gyatsola Pass(5248m). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m). Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gaze at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at tent or Rongbuk monastery guest house.

The view of Shigatse city with Tashilhunpo Monastery at the background.Scene of Everest Base Camp

Day 10: EBC (5200m) and return to Shigatse (3900m)

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery – the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. You can visit the Mt. Everest Sightseeing Spot and take the closest picture of Mt.Everest. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base CampIt will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take photos against Mt.Everest.

Day 11: Shigatse(3900m) to Lhasa (3650m)

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley. You can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 12: Lhasa to Namtso Lake and drive back to Damxung (B)

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland (in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake.

Then we can enjoy our time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Damxung. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.)

Stay overnight in Damxung.

Take photo with Tibetan Yak at holy Namtso LakeMeditate at the shore of Lake Namtso

Day 13: Damxung to Lhasa via Chimelong Nunnery and Tsurphu Monastery (B)

After breakfast, we will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery). Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then, we can go to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats’, The Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the summertime (June to September), we can also go for a ‘Linka outing’ (Tibetan-style picnic) in the small village at the foot of the hill of Tsurphu Monastery.

Finally, we will drive back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today’s Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.

Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The nun preparing the butter lamp at Chimelong Nunnery

Day 14: Fly from Lhasa to Chongqing

The guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Chongqing. After around 2 hours’ flying, you will land in Chongqing. Upon arrival in Chongqing Airport, our guide will be meeting you and get you transferred to your hotel in Chongqing. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Recommended places for sightseeing and dinner:

a. Visit Jiefangbei Square, the “Times Square” in Chongqing;

b. Taste well-renown hot pot in Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street;

c. Enjoy the stunning night view of Yangzi and Jialing rivers from E’ling Park;

Stay overnight in Chongqing.

Jiefangbei Squarehot pot

Day 15: Chongqing Tour: Three Gorges Museum, Ciqi Kou (Porcelain Village), Hongya Cave

In the morning, we will visit Three Gorge Museum, where tourists can learn the historical facts of Chongqing before Three Gorge Dam is built. You can also enjoy the statues, ceramics, Buddhist art and bronze relics rescued from the rising waters of the dammed Yangtze River. Besides, you can see many historical photographs which give you an interesting insight into the small minorities inhabited in and around Chongqing in the past, etc.

After Lunch, the whole tour group is about to tour one of the must-see attractions in Chongqing, i.e. Ciqi Kou. The ancient town gives you a glimpse of the traditional cobbled streets and the distinct courtyard and lifestyle in hilly Chongqing. Some of the well-preserved shrines and temples are worth a visit. Though being a bit touristy, Ciqi Kou is packed with intriguing souvenir shops and tasty food stalls and home-run hostels. Do walk to the end and enjoy the river bank and ferry boats there.

In the evening, we will stop by Hongya Cave. With gorgeous neon lights sparkling around the Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge, you can taste hot pot and local snacks while enjoy the stunning night view of Jialing River Bridge and the commercial boats below, which is why Chongqing is named as “Small Hongkong”. You may also join the crowds to watch the live performance of street artists.

Stay overnight in Chongqing.

Ciqi KouHongya Cave

Day 16: Chongqing Tour: Dazu Rock Carving Day Tour

Located approximately 108km away from downtown of Chongqing, Dazu Rock Carving is on the world heritage list as one of the eight most brilliant grottoes in the world. The massive and gigantic Buddhist sculptures date back to 7 AD and bear the influence of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. You can learn the story of Buddha and different schools of traditional Chinese philosophical thinking and closely explore the sleeping Buddha, etc.

After the day tour is done, we will head to Wulong County

Stay overnight in Wulong.

Dazu Rock CarvingDazu Rock Carving

Day 17: Chongqing Tour: Wulong Karst Geology Park

Wulong Karst Geology Park is one of the most stunning natural heritages around Chongqing. The Karst topography is biggest features of this enormous geology park. We will visit Three Natural Bridges, a series of incredible limestone bridges in Xiannv town, namely Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge. The incredible limestone bridegs and gigantic sinkhole make Three Natural Bridge the famous setting in renown Chinese director’s movie “Curse of the Golden Flower” and the Hollywood blockbuster “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction”.

After the tour, we will drive back to the downtown of Chongqing (around 3 hours’ drive) and have a good rest.

Stay overnight in Chongqing.

Wulong Karst Geology ParkThree Natural Bridges

Day 18: Depart from Chongqing

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.

Service Guides for Beijing Lhasa Everest Namtso Chongqing Flight Tour

Included:

• Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
• All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
• Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
• Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
• All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
• Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
• All meals listed in the above itinerary;
• Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
• First aid kit;

Excluded:

• International flight to and out of China;
• Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
• Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
• Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
• Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
• Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.