China15 days
Beijing to Kathmandu: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Friendship Highway — 15 Days
41 hours on the world's highest railway across the Changtang Plateau, then westward via Mount Everest to Nepal
This journey traces two of Asia's most significant modern routes: the Beijing-Lhasa railway, which climbs across the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, and the Friendship Highway descending from the Tibetan Plateau toward Kathmandu. The itinerary begins in Beijing with the Forbidden City and Great Wall, moves to Lhasa's temple quarter and Potala Palace, then follows the high passes and monasteries of central Tibet west toward Everest, ending in the Kathmandu Valley. The railway itself is the engineering centerpiece—snow-covered passes, vast grasslands, and remote terrain unfold from your sleeper cabin for two consecutive nights.
Highlights
- Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, 2 hours northeast of Beijing
- Forbidden City, built 1406–1420, UNESCO World Heritage Site with the world's largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures
- 41-hour Beijing-Lhasa railway crossing the Changtang Plateau on the world's highest rail line
- Jokhang Temple, Lhasa's most sacred site, with Barkhor Street pilgrimage circuit
- Potala Palace, 130 meters above Lhasa, former winter seat of the Dalai Lamas
- Sera Monastery's afternoon philosophical debates (weekdays)
- Khamba-la Pass at 4,750 meters, overlooking turquoise Yamdrok Tso lake
- Karo-la Pass at 5,045 meters with views of Nojin Gangzang glacier
- Gyantse Kumbum, an eight-story structure housing hundreds of chapels and Buddhist sculptures
- Tashilumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lamas, in Shigatse
- Sakya Monastery with over 40,000 volumes of ancient Buddhist texts
- Rongbuk Monastery at 5,000 meters, the world's highest monastery, with views toward Mount Everest base camp
- Paiku Tso lake crossing with views of Xixiapangma (8,013 m)
- Durbar Square, Kathmandu, with Newari architecture and former Royal Palaces
Day by day
1Arrival in Beijing and Welcome Orientationyour hotel lobby · hotel area · dinner venue
Arrive in Beijing. Your guide meets you at 6 p.m. in your hotel lobby to review the 15-day itinerary and introduce the guides assigned to each city. An orientation walk covers the hotel area, followed by dinner featuring Peking Duck.
2Mutianyu Great Wall and Acrobatic ShowMutianyu · Mutianyu, a restored section of the Great Wall · Beijing
Travel northeast 2 hours to Mutianyu, a restored section of the Great Wall. The restored stonework permits ascent while revealing construction labor demands. A picnic lunch is provided on the wall. Return to Beijing for an evening acrobatic performance. Walking distance on wall: approximately 2-3 hours at moderate pace.
3Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Hutong DistrictsForbidden City · Tiananmen Square · Beijing's traditional hutong alleys · Beijing train station to Lhasa
Visit Beijing's political and ceremonial centers on foot and by subway. Tiananmen Square is one of the world's largest public spaces, housing the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People. The Forbidden City, built 1406-1420 as the seat of government and imperial residence for over 500 years, contains extensive preserved ancient wooden structures recognized by UNESCO. Walk through Beijing's traditional hutong alleys—narrow streets lined with courtyard residences—to observe daily life in Old Beijing. Evening transfer to the train station for the Beijing-Lhasa overnight service, approximately 41 hours. The route passes Taiyuan as the train heads north.
4Train to the Roof of the WorldBeijing-Lhasa railway · Lanzhou · Xining · Qinghai-Tibet plateau
The Beijing-Lhasa railway traverses mountainous and remote terrain at high altitudes. Pass through Lanzhou, a historical Silk Road crossroads, continuing to Xining, where the Qinghai-Tibet line begins. As the train climbs onto the plateau through the second night, the landscape changes—black cliffs and mountain peaks are visible in moonlight. Altitude gain and reduced oxygen levels may affect some passengers; remain hydrated.
5Changtang Plateau and Arrival in LhasaChangtang Plateau · Lhasa station
Wake in Tibet as the train traverses the Changtang Plateau on the world's highest railway, crossing high passes that may hold snow year-round. In summer, grasslands and glacial lakes are present. Upon arrival at Lhasa station on the city's outskirts, receive a white katak prayer scarf. Elevation: 3,656 meters.
6Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Pilgrimage, and Sera MonasteryJokhang Temple · Sera Monastery · Barkhor Street
Begin at Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred site and spiritual center, a UNESCO World Heritage listing visited continuously by pilgrims. The temple's history includes construction over a former lake. Inside stands a large golden Buddha at the center. After exploration, join pilgrims walking the Barkhor Street circuit in clockwise direction, considered a sacred kora by Tibetan Buddhists. Walking distance: approximately 1 hour. Late afternoon visit to Sera Monastery, a major Buddhist university monastery where, on weekdays, monks engage in philosophical debate.
7Potala Palace and Lhasa City ExplorationPotala Palace · Lhasa
Visit the Potala Palace, positioned 130 meters above Lhasa. This structure served as the seat of government and winter residence of successive Dalai Lamas. It comprises two sections: the White Palace (secular functions) and the Red Palace (religious spaces containing chapels, shrines, and tombs of the Dalai Lamas). Your guide accompanies you through the complex. Walking: approximately 2-3 hours, with stairs and high altitude. The afternoon is free to visit Lhasa at your own pace.
8Optional Monastery Visits: Ganden or DrepungDrepung Monastery · Ganden Monastery
This day is largely unscheduled. Your tour leader can arrange an optional visit to either Ganden or Drepung Monastery. Ganden was founded in the early 15th century; Tsongkapa, founder of the Gelug (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, convened over 8,000 lamas at Jokhang Temple in 1409 for a commemorative ceremony. The circumambulation around Ganden Monastery is notable. Drepung, meaning "prosperity," sits on the western foothills of Lhasa and has been one of Tibet's major Buddhist university monasteries since its establishment. At its height, more than 10,000 monks lived and studied here. Both remain active religious centers and pilgrimage destinations. Optional activity; transportation and guide fees apply if selected.
9Lhasa to Gyantse: Khamba-la Pass, Yamdrok Lake, and Karo-la PassLhasa to Gyantse · Khamba-la Pass · Karo-la Pass · Dzong
Drive to Gyantse via a high-altitude route, approximately 5 hours. Stop at Khamba-la Pass (4,750 meters) for views of turquoise Yamdrok Tso lake. Continue to Karo-la Pass (5,045 meters) for views of Nojin Gangzang glacier. Upon reaching Gyantse, climb to the Dzong (fort) for views across the town and surrounding terrain. Walking: approximately 1-2 hours. High altitude conditions present throughout the day.
10Pelkhor Choede Monastery and Tashilumpo Monastery in ShigatsePelkhor Choede Monastery · Tashilumpo Monastery · Shigatse · Gyantse Kumbum · local market
Visit Pelkhor Choede Monastery, founded by the King of Gyantse in the 15th century. This complex remains interdenominational and active. Within its grounds stands Gyantse Kumbum, an eight-story structure meaning "100,000 images," containing hundreds of small chapels filled with Buddhist sculptures. Drive through small villages to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. Visit Tashilumpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lamas. Options include completing a kora (circumambulation) around the monastery or visiting the local market. Walking: 1-2 hours depending on options selected.
11Sakya Monastery and Drive to Lhatse Across the PlateauSakya · Sakya Monastery · Lhatse · one of the route's few active nunneries
Drive 3 hours to Sakya to visit its gompa, the principal seat of the Sakya-pa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery holds over 40,000 texts—thousands of volumes of sacred Buddhist scriptures, with some shelves containing around 10,000 ancient manuscripts. After a guided tour, an optional hike visits one of the route's few active nunneries (additional 2-3 hours). Continue to Lhatse, a small town on the plateau, for overnight. High altitude throughout; expect reduced oxygen levels.
12Friendship Highway South: Shegar, Himalayan Ascent, and Rongbuk MonasteryFriendship Highway · Rongbuk Monastery
Follow the Friendship Highway west past Shegar, then turn south, climbing into the Himalaya toward Everest, approximately 4 hours. Rongbuk Monastery, at 5,000 meters, was first built in 1902 and originally housed more than 500 monks. Today approximately 50 monks and nuns share prayer facilities while maintaining separate residences. Visitors may join evening prayers. From the monastery, views extend up the valley toward Qomolangma/Mount Everest (8,849 meters). Altitude and rough terrain present significant physical demands.
13Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiapangma to KyirongPaiku Tso lake · Kyirong
After sunrise, drive across the trip's most remote terrain, approximately 350 kilometers. Travel grasslands surrounding Paiku Tso lake, where Xixiapangma (8,013 meters) dominates the horizon. The route offers extensive plateau views before descending to Kyirong for overnight. Road conditions vary; expect slow travel speeds. Breakfast included.
14Border Crossing to Nepal and Kathmandu ArrivalKathmandu · China-Nepal border · Durbar Square
Cross the China-Nepal border after breakfast. The border process can extend 2-4 hours, particularly on the Nepal side. Upon arrival in Nepal, begin the long drive to Kathmandu. Road conditions are rough in sections; expect 6-8 hours of driving. In Kathmandu, a walking tour with your local guide visits the city, including Durbar Square, a large plaza fronting the old Royal Palaces, known for Newari architecture. Walking: approximately 2-3 hours.
15Depart Kathmandu
Your tour concludes today. Breakfast is included. Depart your accommodation at any time. No activities are scheduled.
Where you go
- 1Mutianyu
- 2Beijing
- 3Forbidden City
- 4Tiananmen Square
- 5Jokhang Temple
- 6Sera Monastery
- 7Barkhor Street
- 8Potala Palace
- 9Lhasa
- 10Shigatse
- 11Rongbuk Monastery
- 12Kyirong
Included
- Included:
- 11 nights' hotel & 1 night's guesthouse accommodation based on twin share
- Local English speaking guide service in each city
- Private/Public transportation in each city as specified
- Sightseeing tours with entrance fee as specified
- Overnighty soft-sleeper train Beijing-Lhasa (2 nights)
- 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- Tibet permit
Not included
- Do Not Include:
- International airfare
- China visa
- Kathmandu visa