Trip Summary
The pilgrimage arc: acclimatize with pandas in Chengdu, then fly onto the Tibetan plateau for Potala Palace, the kora circuits of Lhasa, Yamdrok's turquoise lake, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse and an optional Everest Base Camp drive — returning via Xi'an and Beijing's imperial icons. (Tibet requires a permit + guided tour for foreign visitors — built in.)
Trip Highlights
- Potala Palace at first light — the ticket is timed; the feeling is not
- Barkhor kora with pilgrims around Jokhang Temple
- Yamdrok Lake's turquoise at 4,440 m
- Optional: Everest Base Camp north face sunrise
- Terracotta Army and the Great Wall to close
Day by Day
Day 1 — Chengdu
Arrive; easy evening; hydration starts now.
Flight in · Chengduinternational flights, destination pre-filledBook → Stay · Kuanzhai Alleyacclimatise with teahouses and hotpotBook → Car rental · Chengdupick up at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on arrivalBook → 
Day 2 — Chengdu
Pandas + Dujiangyan gentle day.
Stay · Kuanzhai Alleyacclimatise with teahouses and hotpotBook → Tickets · Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyanskip-the-line entryBook → Day 3 — Fly Lhasa
Morning flight (2 h); rest afternoon; rooftop sunset view only.
Chengdu → Lhasa flightDirect ~2.5 h — sit on the left for the HimalayaBook → Stay · Barkhor Streetold-town circuits around the Jokhang — stay low, walk slowBook → Car rental · Lhasapick up at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport on arrivalBook → 
Day 4 — Lhasa
Potala Palace (timed entry) + Jokhang Barkhor kora.
Stay · Barkhor Streetold-town circuits around the Jokhang — stay low, walk slowBook → Tickets · Potala Palaceskip-the-line entryBook → Day 5 — Lhasa
Sera monastery debating monks; Norbulingka gardens.
Stay · Barkhor Streetold-town circuits around the Jokhang — stay low, walk slowBook → Day 6 — Yamdrok day trip
Turquoise lake pass (4,440 m); back to Lhasa.
Stay · Barkhor Streetold-town circuits around the Jokhang — stay low, walk slowBook → 
Day 7 — To Shigatse
Via Yamdrok/Karo-la glacier road; Tashilhunpo's golden roofs.
Lhasa → Shigatse trainRail ~2.5 h along the Yarlung TsangpoBook → Stay · Tashilhunpo Monasterymonastery-side lanes — join the kora at duskBook → Car rental · Shigatsepick up at Shigatse Railway Station on arrivalBook → Tickets · Tashilhunpo Monasteryskip-the-line entryBook → Day 8 — Shigatse
Monastery morning; old town and free-market afternoon.
Stay · Tashilhunpo Monasterymonastery-side lanes — join the kora at duskBook → Days 9–10 — EBC option
Drive via Tingri; Everest north-face sunrise at Base Camp (5,200 m, tent lodges); return to Shigatse.
Stay · Rongbuk Monasterythe world's highest lodges, at the foot of the north faceBook → Day 11 — Return Lhasa
Scenic drive back; last plateau sunset.
Shigatse → Lhasa trainReturn rail ~2.5 h - alternative to the EBC drive-backBook → Stay · Barkhor Streetback to the old townBook → 
Day 12 — Fly Xi'an
Morning flight; wall evening.
Lhasa → Xi'an flightDirect ~3 hBook → Stay · South Gateinside the Ming wallsBook → Car rental · Xi'anpick up at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport on arrivalBook → 
Day 13 — Xi'an
Terracotta Army + Muslim quarter.
Stay · South Gateinside the Ming wallsBook → Tickets · Terracotta Army of Emperor Qinshihuangskip-the-line entryBook → 
Day 14 — Beijing
HSR 4.5 h; Forbidden City late entry.
Xi'an → Beijing trainHSR ~4.5–6 hBook → Stay · Qianmenaxis-side for the finaleBook → Car rental · Beijingpick up at Beijing South Railway Station on arrivalBook → Tickets · The Palace Museumskip-the-line entryBook → 
Day 15 — Beijing & out
Great Wall morning dash; evening flight home.
Tickets · Badaling-Mutianyu Great Wallskip-the-line entryBook → Flight out · Beijingdeparture flights from Beijing, destination openBook → 
Travel in China