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Trip Overview |
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Beijing to Lhasa by Rail An illustrated itinerary of one of our many gay travel adventures. This information supplements our China offers an amazing diversity of impressive landscapes, cultural experiences, and historical wonders nearly unfathomable to perceive in a single visit. But our Great China-Tibet Railroad Adventure takes in a wide swatch of China's immensity. After getting an introduction to China in Beijing, we'll cross the great plains and climb the mountains to Tibet, then adjust back to urban life in Shanghai. In two weeks, we will see more of China than most Westerners see in a lifetime.
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Imagine boarding the train in Beijing, a world-class city and home to the 2008 Summer Olympics, and disembarking two days later in Lhasa, the ancient capital of Tibet. Crossing rivers and valleys, traveling southwest until gradually you climb up and up into the mountains. Then enjoy five days in the magical Himalayan kingdom discovering Tibetan culture before flying back to Shanghai with a pampered stay at the Peace Hotel, perhaps Shanghai's most famous address. This adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 
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1: Arrival Day
Upon arrival at the Beijing Airport (BJS) we will be met by our Chinese guide and transferred to the Tianlun Dynasty Hotel, our home for three nights in the heart of the Wangfujing shopping district and a short walk from Tiananmen Square.
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2-3: Beijing and the Great Wall
After breakfast, we will enjoy a morning tour of the Forbidden City, the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in all of China. In the afternoon, we値l take a rickshaw ride through Beijing's Hutong alleyways, climb the Drum Tower, and visit a typical family home. This evening there will be special Welcome Dinner. After breakfast, we値l visit the Changling tomb of the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Way. We'll then drive through the countryside to the seldom-visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where we can ride a cable car up to the Wall. In any kind of weather, the view is magnificent of the wall snaking off in both directions. Once we return to our hotel in Beijing, the rest of the evening is on your own, but our Hanns Ebensten Travel tour director will be happy to arrange for individuals or the group to try a special restaurant.
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4: All Aboard! Depart Beijing
We will spend the morning at the Summer Palace with a boat ride on Kunming Lake, with other sightseeing if time permits. We will have dinner at a Beijing restaurant, then board our train for a late evening departure and our first night in our rolling home for 48 hours. (Note: this itinerary is based on information as of October 2006, and train schedules are subject to change).
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5-6: Train to the Top of the World
The first day's ride will be across a steadily drier landscape as we move west and south from Beijing, passing a mixture of farmland and hills before entering the province of Qinghai (pronounced Ching-hai), famous for its lakes and grasslands. Then, on the second day, we start our long ascent of the mountains at Golmud, eventually reaching the Tanggula (Dongla) summit at 16,641 feet. To ease the strain at this altitude, the train is pressurized, and supplemental oxygen is available at every seat. At the summit, we cross into Tibet, and descend to Lhasa, arriving around 9:00 PM. We値l be met at the train station and transferred to our hotel.
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7-11: The Magic of Tibet
For the next five days we will explore the magical land of Tibet. (Schedule is subject to change based on local conditions.) Our first morning will be at leisure to rest after the long train ride and acclimate to the altitude. After lunch, we will start our exploration of Tibet with a visit to the Sera Monastery and Jokhang Temple. Afterwards, we will have some free time to stroll the Bakhor market, where you can find anything from yak butter (a Tibetan staple) to electronics. The following morning, we値l visit Lhasa痴 most famous landmark, the grand Potala Palace which overlooks the city, then after lunch, we値l explore the Gandan Monastery. Tonight痴 dinner will feature Tibetan cuisine and a Tibetan cultural performance. On the following day we will drive through the Tibetan countryside to Shikatse, via Yamfrok Lake. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs of the scenic mountain vistas. In the afternoon we値l visit the Tashilunpu Monastery. Tonight, we will have dinner and stay in a Shikatse hotel. The next day we drive from Shikatse to Tsedang, where we will stay for two nights. Tsedang is a good base from which to explore the Yarlung Valley, which is considered to be the birthplace of Tibetan culture and is home to a number of important religious sites. We will visit several of the most important monasteries, including taking a boat ride to visit the Samye Monastery. We will also visit Yumbulhakang, thought to be the oldest building in Tibet, and Trangdruk, the oldest monastery.
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12-14: Shanghai Delight
Today we drive from Tsedang to Lhasa Airport, for our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival at the Shanghai airport, we will be transferred to the Peace Hotel, our home for three nights (pending availability). Our first morning in Shanghai will be free to relax at our hotel, or stroll the neighborhood. We値l then visit the Yu Garden for lunch, a tour of the gardens, and some free time to explore the shopping bazaar nearby. Tonight after dinner, we may check out some of Shanghai's gay nightlife, for those who wish. Our last full day will include a visit to the world-famous Shanghai Museum in the morning and a cruise on the Huangpu River in the afternoon. Our Farewell Dinner will be this evening.
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15: Departure Day
Our Great China-Tibet Railroad Adventure has come to an end. We will provide transfers to Shanghai's new Pudong International Airport for anyone flying home today.
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