Example Itinerary

A Journey Across the Rooftop of the World: Beijing to Lhasa by Train

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Luxury Trains
Destinations
China, Tibet

Take the ride through the rooftop of the world, from bustling Beijing to relaxed, holy Lhasa. Catch incredible panoramas of some of the world’s most majestic mountains, pristine lakes, rare wildlife, and more. Visit age-old sites that reveal the rich, ancient cultures of both Beijing and Lhasa, from Tiananmen Square to Potala Palace. See how both cultures are both similar, and at the same time, exceedingly different, on this memorable, scenic, thrilling journey.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Historical Sites: Visits to the Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square exhibit important lessons in Beijing's ancient and modern history.

• Tibetan Tracks: The train from Beijing to the Tibetan Plateau is the world’s highest train journey, offering gorgeous views of blue skies against snowy peaks.

• Spirituality: Lhasa is home to revered monasteries, including Drepung, which was once the world's largest monastery and housed 10,000 monks at its peak.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, one of the world’s most populous cities. You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your downtown Beijing hotel, where you are free to do as you please - be it resting up for the days ahead, or exploring your nearby surroundings.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Wellness Facilities: Wellbeing is at the heart of the Rosewood experience, with restorative amenities including Sense, A Rosewood Spa's six treatment rooms and two spa suites for overnight stays, an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and fitness studios for workouts and yoga sessions.

Dining Diversity: The Rosewood Beijing boasts six restaurants and lounges, offering a variety of fine dining experiences, from French Bistro casual to authentic Chinese hot pot; and from northern Chinese specialties to Cantonese favorites.

Luxury Touches: All accommodations provide Frette 600 thread-count linens and bespoke Rosewood bathroom amenities by Lorenzo Villoresi, while 24-hour personalized butler service attends to your every need.

Read More
Rosewood Beijing Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Santilun area has a culture of its own, and a long-standing reputation as a hub for Beijing's arts crowd.

Service: Knowledgeable English-speaking hosts are on hand 24/7 to provide assistance or advise travelers about local sites.

Location: Located on Santilun Street adjacent to Santilun Village complex, it's in a great position for experiencing Beijing's bar scene.

Read More
The Opposite House Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

History: First opening its doors in 1989, the Peninsula Beijing has undergone a comprehensive renovation, setting a peerless new standard.

Location: A stone’s throw from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the Peninsula is at the heart of Beijing, located among its most iconic landmarks.

Service: Guests can enjoy the quality and attention to detail for which Peninsula is renowned throughout the world.

Read More
The Peninsula Beijing Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located in the center of Beijing, this luxury hotel provides easy access to dining, shopping and sightseeing.

History: This new hotel bears the legendary Waldorf Astoria name, offering old-world luxury with a contemporary edge and Eastern sensibilities.

Service: A high staff-to-guest ratio ensures favorable levels of service and comfort, with English-speaking concierges at hand 24/7.

Read More
Waldorf Astoria Beijing Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Beijing

Explore Beijing today, starting with a visit to the well-known and important site of Tiananmen Square, as well as the ancient Forbidden City. Check out the Temple of Heaven, where Emperors pray for their goals of both peace and success. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Summer Palace, which once housed Qing Dynasty Emperors. Enjoy a delicious Chinese dinner, after which you’ll be entertained by a Chinese Kongfu show. Spend the night in your luxury Beijing hotel.

Beijing
Beijing

Day 3

Overnight Train

For your final day of exploring Beijing, you’ll start with a hike through what what is generally agreed upon as the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. After lunch, you’ll be whisked away to Changling, one of the 13 monolithic Ming Tombs of the Ming Dynasty’s Emperors. Next, you’ll be taken back to your hotel, where you can pack your things for your long, scenic train ride to your next destination: Tibet. You’ll depart around 8pm, and overnight on the train.

Day 4

Overnight Train

Wake up on the train to Tibet this morning, taking in the stunning views of the Qinghai plateau and snowcapped mountains in the distance. As you get closer to the Tibetan plateau, you’ll notice the skies transform into a lovely sunny blue color. Overnight once again on the train.

Beijing
Beijing

Day 5

Lhasa

Before dawn breaks today, your train will pass over the Tanggula mountain range, exceeding altitudes of 5,000 meters. You are now officially on the world’s highest train journey. Wake up to majestic sights of snowcapped mountains, fringed by fresh Tibetan lakes and miles of pasture. Arrive at the Lhasa train station in the afternoon, where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your Lhasa city hotel. We recommend the luxurious St. Regis.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: At just three miles away from the most important Tibetan structure in the world, the location of the Songtsam Linka Lhasa is hard to beat.

Style: The hotel’s Thangka paintings and wall tapestries produce an environment reminiscent of how noble Tibetan families lived centuries ago.

Comfort: The inviting beds and sitting rooms are a perfect place to unwind and refresh after long days spent exploring the cultural and natural wonders of Lhasa.

Read More
Songtsam Linka Lhasa Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is located in the famed Barkhor area, surrounded by stunning landscapes, and nearly 4,000 meters above sea level - among the highest city altitudes in the world.

History: Lhasa has a rich and colorful history that dates back over a millenium, and the St. Regis Lhasa faces one of the most important historical sites in the city - the once chief residence of the Dalai Lama.

Service: Guests can benefit from 24 hour bespoke butler service so that they need not lift a finger.

Read More
St. Regis Lhasa Preferred Hotel

Day 6

Lhasa

Spend your first day in Lhasa getting acquainted with your new surroundings, and acclimatized to the high altitude. You’ll start off with a trip to Jokhang Temple, considered to be one of Tibet’s most important temples. Next, move on to Bakhor street, not only a sacred pilgrimage site, but also a bustling central market. Finish off with a visit to Sera Monastery, home to hundreds of monks from all over the country.

Lhasa
Lhasa

Day 7

Lhasa

Today will be your second day taking in the sights and sounds of Lhasa - make the most of it with a trip to Potala Palace, a culturally-important Tibetan landmark. This majestic abode was once the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon, check out Drepung monastery; once upon a time, this was the world’s largest monastery, home to over 10,000 monks, including at one point, the Dalai Lama. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure.

Day 8

Departure

This morning, you’ll check out of your luxury Lhasa hotel, and be escorted to the airport in time for your onward journey.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.