yeah...am leaving for tibet and seeking for enlightenment! This time round, no more mx cos he has already claimed that he can't climb the stairs. So the group nw consists of my lao gong, ahbeng and her secondary sch fren! gosh, the itinerary below is going to look boring but becos this blog captures our sweet sweet travel memories, i will still post it.The itinerary is as follows:

10 Days Tibetan Plateau Top of the World Special Charter Train Tour
Tour Code: TBDTR/H • Chongqing/Qinghai/Golmud/Tibet/Potala Palace/Xigaze
Tour Highlights: - Xining – Qinghai Lake/Sun Moon Mountain/Daotang River/Ta’er Monastery - Lhasa – Potala Palace/Yangpachen Geothermal Area/Yamzho Yumco Lake - Xigaze – Tashi-Lhunpo Monastery: Panchen Lama’s residence - Chongqing – Hongyadong/Ciqikou Ancient Town • Train Journey Highlights - Ride the most luxurious train on the world’s highest railway - Four passengers to a room - The world’s most advanced oxygenised cabin - Emergency medical facilities - Marvel at the snowy landscape at the top of the world

DAY 1 Singapore – Chongqing (Meals on Board)
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for our SilkAir flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, transfer to Hong Ya Dong Hotel, located in the Hongyadong Folklore Area. This is a unique hotel, with a wide range of amenities and entertainment options from theatres and restaurants to scenic streets and shopping malls.

DAY 2 Chongqing/Lanzhou/ Yellow River Mother Statue/Xining/Ta’er Monastery/Three Treasures of Ta’er Monastery (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Lanzhou, the Gansu Province’s capital. Upon arrival, we go on a sightseeing tour of the attractions of the Yellow River. The Yellow River region is the cradle of Chinese culture and civilisation; it is hence also known as the ‘Mother River’. Visit the Yellow River Mother Statue, carved of stone and embodying the greatness of the river. Following this, we coach to Xining, Qinghai Province’s capital. Upon arrival, we continue to Ta’er Monastery, whose name means ‘10,000 Buddhas’. Its construction began in the Ming Dynasty during the Jiaqing period. In 1560AD it was one of the six principal temples of the Tibetan Buddhist Yellow Sect. Don’t miss its three treasures, which are of high artistic value. Buttered figurines, sculpted from coloured butter, are lively and realistic depictions of stories, nature and humans, while colourful murals adorn the monastery’s walls. The third treasure is satin appliqués in the shapes of Buddha and nature subjects, which are filled with cotton or wool and sewn on large fabrics.

DAY 3 Xining/Huangyuan County/Qinghai Lake/Sun Moon Mountain/Daotang River/Xining/Night Train to Lhasa (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Following breakfast, we drive to Qinghai Lake, located more than 100km from Xining. This is China’s largest inland saltwater lake, covering an expanse of 4,583km2, about the size of seven Singapore islands. Situated 3,196m above sea level, it has a circumference of over 360km, a depth of up to 32.8m and a salinity of 10 to 20 percent. Five islands stand amid the lake. On the way to Qinghai Lake, we pass Sun Moon Mountain and Daotang River, both located south of Huangyuan County in Haidong District. The Sun Moon Mountain is part of the Mt Qilianshan Range. The foot of the mountain is blanketed by vast and green grasslands, while green trees flourish on the mountain and clouds and mist swirl around the summit. Thereafter, we return to Xining and embark on our special charter night train to Lhasa. NOTE: Four passengers will share one room on the train, while two passengers will share one room in the hotel.

DAY 4 Train Arrives at Golmud Station/Scenic Journey on the World’s Highest Railway/Lhasa (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
The train passes through the Qinghai Plateau overnight and reaches the Golmud Railway Station, the first station in Tibet as we enter from Qinghai. Thereafter, we begin the scenic train journey through the highest point in the world. Along the way, we pass magnificent sights: snow-capped mountains such as Yuzhu Peak and Mt Kunlunshan; Kekexili reserve; Tuotuo River, the source of Yangtze River; Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel, the world’s highest mountain tunnel; Tanggula Station, the world’s highest railway station located at 5,072m above sea level; Qiangtang Grassland and more. We arrive in Lhasa in the late night and check into our hotel.

DAY 5 Lhasa/Potala Palace/Jokhang Monaster/Barkhor Street (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Following breakfast, we begin our exploration of the famous Potala Palace, perched on the northern side of Morburi Mountain. Throughout the ages, it had been the winter palace of Dalai Lamas. Its name means ‘sacred Buddhist site’ in the Tibetan language. This palace-like complex of buildings was first built in the 7th century AD by King Songtsen Gampo to mark his marriage with the Tang princess Wencheng as well as to house the Buddha images brought by Wencheng and the Nepalese princess Bhrikuti Devi. Over time, the palace was restored and expanded. The buildings are built of wood and stone over 13 levels that span a height of over 117m, and a width of 400m from east to west and 360m from north to south. The 130,000m2 architectural wonder has more than 1,000 gilded rooms and halls. The palace also houses priceless artefacts and artworks. Continue to Jokhang Monastery, situated in the centre of Lhasa. It was first built in 674AD to celebrate the marriage of King Songtsen Gampo with Princess Wencheng and Bhrikuti Devi, both devout Buddhists. This monastery underwent expansion over the years and today, its four-level main hall sports a gilded roof and a blend of Han Chinese, Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. The centre hall is supported by 20 beautifully carved wooden beams, while the under the eaves of the second and third levels of the main hall are intricate sculptures of sphinxes and woodcarvings depicting animals. The corridors and halls are also densely adorned with colourful murals of a total length of over 1,000m, which portray historical episodes and mythological legends. Buddha images, including one of Sakyamuni at 12 years old, preside over the main hall, while the side halls feature lifelike statues of King Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti Devi. Proceed to Barkhor Street in the old city, which offers glimpses of traditional Tibetan life. The faithful chant and circumambulate around Jokhang Monastery. In this circular street there are also shops selling a wide variety of crafts such as Tibetan knives, bangles, shoes and more.

DAY 6 Lhasa/Yangpachen Geothermal Area/View Nianqing Tangula Mountain/Dangxiong County/Gnam Mtsho (Tian Lake)/Lhasa (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, we drive to the famous Yangpachen Geothermal Area, located 100km west of Lhasa, with hot spring water all year round. Take in the impressive sight of hot steam, bubbling pools and shooting geysers. From here we can also view Nianqing Tangula Mountain, the source of the Yangtse River. We can take a hot spring bath at our own expense. Proceed to Gnam Mtsho, which means ‘tian hu’ (‘heavenly lake’) in the Tibetan language. It is located between Lhasa and Dangxiong County, accessible via the Qingzang Highway. The highest lake in the world, it is located at 4,718m above sea level, and with an area of 1,961km2, it is the second-largest inland saltwater lake in China. It blue waters are clear like the sky, mirroring snowy peaks. The lake, together with the lush greenery by the lakeside, forms a characteristic scene of the beautiful highlands. Continue to Lhasa.

DAY 7 Lhasa/ Yamzho Yumco Lake (Baidi Lake)/Karola Glacier/Gyantse/Palkhor Monastery (Hundred Thousand Buddha Stupa)/Xigaze (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Following breakfast, we continue to Gyantse. Along the way, we pass Yamzo Yumco Lake, whose name means ‘swan lake’. Also known as Baidi Lake, it is wedged between two mountains, hence like a swan spanning its wings. The crystal-clear lake, located over 4,000m above sea level, has an area of 638m2, about the size of Singapore. It is the largest freshwater lake in Tibet, with a depth of up to 59m. Thereafter, we proceed to Karola Glacier before we continue to Gyantse. Upon arrival, we visit Palkhor Monastery, located in the northeastern part of Gyantse. Located some 3,900m above sea level, it was first built in 1427AD during the Ming Dynasty. The construction took ten years, at a time when various Buddhist orders flourished in Tibet. It features halls that belong to various orders, including the Gelug, Sakya and Buton orders. It is indeed remarkable that the different orders have come to coexist harmoniously side by side. Thereafter, we continue to Xigaze.

DAY 8 Xigaze/Tashi-Lhunpo Monastery/Panchen Lama’s Stupa/Yarlung Zangbo Gorge/Scenic Tsang Desert (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, we coach to the Tashi-Lhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery of the Tibetan Buddhist Yellow Sect and seat of the Panchen Lama. This monastery, whose beauty is on par with that of Potala Palace, is located 2km west of Xigaze. It was founded by the first Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Drup, in 1447AD. Its name means ‘all fortune and happiness gather here’. Built against the mountain, this complex of overlapping buildings looks like a little town from afar. Covering 300,000m2, the complex is enclosed by a wall of 1,500m. The oldest building is the Main Chanting Hall. Constructed over 12 years, it is fronted by a courtyard where Panchen Lamas presided over Buddhist lectures. The courtyard walls are covered with Buddha images. The Main Chanting Hall houses the Panchen Lama’s throne and several chapels, including a Sakyamuni chapel, Bodhisattva chapel and Tara chapel. Don’t miss the Tenth Panchen Lama’s Stupa. The Tenth Panchen Lama was a highly respected Tibetan Buddhist leader. After touring the monastery, we proceed back to Lhasa. On the way, we can enjoy scenic views of the Yarlung Zangbo Gorge and Tsang Desert.

DAY 9 Lhasa/Chongqing (Breakfast)
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Lunch and dinner are at own expense.

DAY 10 Chongqing/Great Hall of the People/Erling Park/Ciqikou Ancient Town/Bayu Silk Factory/Jiefangbei (Liberation Memorial) Square/Singapore (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Meals on Board)
After breakfast, we proceed on a sightseeing tour of the Chongqing Great Hall of the People, Erling Park and Ciqikou Ancient Town. The Chongqing Great Hall of the People may not be as grand as its counterpart in Beijing, but it sports a unique, artistic architectural design that is worth viewing. Following this, we proceed to Ciqikou Ancient Town that is located in the suburbs of Chongqing. Three majestic mountains are in this millennia-old town: Mt Ma’an stands in the middle, flanked by Mt Jinbi on the left and Mt Fenghuang on the right. The Jialing River that flows in from the north has given rise to an excellent harbour since the olden days; Ciqikou was a major ceramics export port from the Song to the Ming dynasties. Thereafter, we have the opportunity to purchase exquisite silk products at the famous Bayu Silk Factory. Then, if time permits, we continue to Jiefangbei (Liberation Memorial) Square pedestrian street to spend some time free at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our SilkAir flight back to Singapore. Sequence of itinerary is subject to change without prior notice at the local agent’s discretion.