China’s only Orient Express Train joins with ASA Holidays Unprecedentedly Presents
13D Roof of the World Tibet +
Exotic Desert Grassland (OETM3) Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse-Qinghai Tibet Railway-Hoh XIL-Xining-Lanzhou- Shapotou-Yinchuan-Hohhot-Gegentala Grassland-Beijing
Orient Express Western Style Deluxe Special Train Most Luxurious & Most Stylish Enjoy Good Sightseeing Of Desert Grassland Tour Only Four luxurious Special Trains claimed to be “Orient Express” We are the ONLY One, No other competitors
Special Departure: 31 May’2018 China Orient Express splendidly presented : "Roof of the world, the Holy City of Lhasa and the magic road, Qinghai Beauty, the mysterious Western Xia, Prairie pride, Vast Desert solitary smoke.....", all wonderful for your rendering!
Best traveling seasons, organize one in a year
(1) Experience pure land of mankind "roof of the world--the Holy City of Lhasa" mystery. (2) Comfortably explore the three great----one of the no man's land of Hoh XIL (3) Qinghai Xining, the origin of Yangtze River, Yellow River and Lancang River (4) Understands the north vigorous with south of the Yangtze River Yinchuan that interweaves elegantly harmoniously, appreciates "lone smoke on the desert, the perpetual flow setting sun" the friendly unusual landscapeIn one of China's four major sand "sand waves", play the China Geographic magazine as "China top ten most fun place". (5) Visit the "China Eastern gold Tower" of Xixia Mausoleums; explore the mysterious ancient Western Xia Kingdom. (6) Roam the beautiful "Gegentala" Prairie, experience “Clear skies, sweeping plains, the grass bowing before the wind, revealing grazing horses and sheep.” Handsome Prairie boy is riding a horse, you are welcome to come. Passionate girl will give you pure white Hada and singing a song "wishes drinking songs". At the same time you can enjoy the horse races, camel, wrestling performance
Throughout the journey Accommodation: 2 nights onboard China Orient Express + 1 night High-altitude train (Qinghai-Tibet Train @ One cabin for 4 persons, 2 upper beds and 2 lower beds) + 9 nights @ Local 5 star Hotel and local best Hotel
1. China Orient Express Special Arrangement 1. Guests will enjoy 2 sweet night in Orient Express, 1 sweet night in Qinghai Tibet High Altitude Train* and the balance of 9 nights will lodge in local luxury or distinctive hotels.
OETM3 1/4 Updated 4Jan2018@8pm convenient for you not to worry about your luggage, you just have to carry the handy belongings and happily enjoy the whole journey relaxedly. 3. The temperature of China Orient Express is generally 72 degree centigrade in winter spring time and it will be fully air-conditioned when guests aboard the train during spring time. You will feel comfortable like return home after you have completed your tour. 4. There is bar facility in the Orient Express. You may savour the fragrant and strong on-the-spot ground brewed Coffee either playing chess with your friends or thoroughly enjoy with Karaoke. 5. National class chefs will be on the spot to cook special sumptuous cuisines to whet your appetite. Guests will enjoy different flavours of every regular meal scrupulously cooked to let them have a chance to savour the sort of Chinese dishes from different areas. There will be complimentary of red wine, beer, beverage and fruits after each regular meal. 6. Onboard Doctors and medical facilities. To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. 7. Fresh and sumptuous fruits will be free offer to your privacy cabin. You can leisurely and carefree sit in your luxury privacy cabin to enjoy the dainty fresh fruits of Tibet and Middle Asia as well as appreciate the most primeval scenery of Silk Road along the journey. 8. There are only 4 Luxury Special Rails to be qualified and claimed “Orient Express Trains” in the world. Those who aboard the Orient Express will get a unique “Boarding Certificate” personally signed by the captain for your memorabilia forever.
2. Qinghai Tibet High Altitude Train The "Sky Train", "Lhasa Express", "Rocket to the rooftop of the world", "World's highest railway"; regardless of what it is called, this Qinghai Tibet train is truly an engineering wonder. The train is equipped with 2 Oxygen sources, 1) released throughout the cabins when reaching Golmud and heading into Tibet and 2) Personal Oxygen Canisters in case you feel light headed and only available from Tibet to Golmud or from Golmud to Tibet
3. Hotel Arrangement 1. Hotel arrangement: Elaborate guest of the hotel, all in the downtown area with sumptuous breakfast 2. Local Delicacies/Meal arrangement ：Full meal around the selected features gourmet flavors, arrangements to enjoy around the flavor. We selected for you in various areas of the restaurant, is no ordinary team dinner restaurant. Features of Tibetan meal, Palace Mushroom Soup, Yinchuan Boiled Meat , Inner Mongolia Roasted Lamb, Beijing Quanjude Roasted Duck . 3. Coach Arrangement ：All use of air conditioning seated coach makes your trip even more distinguished and comfortable. 4. Guide: Chinese tour guide in the wonderful explanation and Chinese professional full service national guide on the Orient Express. 5. Specially selected wonderful attractions, covers the essence of mysterious Tibet culture, and the ancient Han & Tang Dynasties 6. The intimate arrangement ：Tibet sectors coaches equipped with oxygen cylinders, mineral water; Terracotta warriors & horses Museum with battery vehicle access. 7. VIP tours with ONE Shopping Stop throughout
Day 1 (31 May) Singapore Q Beijing (Meal on board/Dinner) Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Beijing . Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Accommodation: Beijing Sheraton Hotel or similar
Day 2 (01 Jun) Beijing Q Lhasa (Packed Breakfast/Dinner) Transfer to domestic flight to Lhasa , the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Upon arrival Lhasa airport, our tour guide will meet you and transfer you to hotel. For the rest of the day you will be at leisure for acclimatization to the altitude of the Tibetan plateau. Accommodation: Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel or similar
Day 3 (02 Jun) Lhasa (B/L/D) 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 7 th century AD by King Songtsen Gampo to mark his marriage with the Tang
OETM3 2/4 Updated 4Jan2018@8pm princess Wencheng as well as to house the Buddha images brought by Wencheng and the Nepalese princess Bhrikuti Devi. The palace also houses priceless artefacts and artworks. 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. 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. After a sumptuous Tibet style dinner and Tibetan folk songs and dances show , we drive pass and take a view of the Potala palace from the Potala Square at night is a must, as it is beautifully lit. Accommodation: Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel or similar
Day 4 (03 Jun) Lhasa/Shigatse (B/L/D) Depart for Shigatse . 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. It was founded by the first Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Drup, in 1447AD. Its name means ‘all fortune and happiness gather here’. 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. Accommodation: Shihatse Hotel or similar
Day 5 (04 Jun) Shigatse/Gyantse/Lhasa (B/L/D) Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake in Tibet, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. Lake Yamdrok is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. We proceed back to Lhasa . On the way, we can enjoy scenic views of the Yarlung Zangbo Gorge. Stay Overnight in Lhasa. Accommodation: Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel or similar
Day 6 (05 Jun) Lhasa/Scenic Journey on the World’s Highest Railway (B)(L/D onboard the train) After breakfast, free at own leisure till we onboard the most luxurious train on the world’s highest railway. Thereafter, we begin the scenic extraordinary and unforgettable 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. Overnight Qingzhai-Tibet High Altitude Train (4paxs in 1 cabin)
Day 7 (06 Jun) Arrive Xining (B’fast onboard the train)(L/D) You could enjoy the fabulous scenery along your train trip. By noon, you will arrive Xining station. visit the 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. Accommodation: Xining Sanwang Hotel or similar
Day 8 (07 Jun) Xining/Lanzhou (B/L/D) The Yellow River Iron Bridge , as the first real bridge and the bridge with longest history striding above the Yellow River in Lanzhou. A huge stele on a turtle inscribed with the words – The First Bridge over the Yellow River Giant ancient waterwheels, invented by Duan Xu, an official and a scholar in the Ming Dynasty, were used for irrigation of the farming fields along the Yellow River in ancient Lanzhou City. The Lanzhou waterwheel was a famous invention of ancient China, and it was named "Heaven Wheel", "Fan Wheel", "Irrigative Wheel" and "Tiger Wheel" at different times of the history. Hence the Waterwheel Garden was built to honor the invention of this ancient irrigation instrument. Accommodation: Gansu Zugong Building Hotel or similar
Day 9 (08 Jun) Lanzhou/Zhongwei/Yinchuan (B/L/D) 07:00hrs we will onboard the ‘Orient Express’ Charter Train to Zhongwei 13:00hrs arrived in Zhongwei. Proceed to Shapotou Scenic Spots , the biggest natural sand slide field in China. It is also one of China’s Four Resonant Sand Fields, and also been praised as ‘China’s top 10 fun place’ by the China Geographic Magazine. When
OETM3 3/4 Updated 4Jan2018@8pm the weather is great, you are able to sliding down the sand hill can hear the sound of sand, like tolling bells, underneath. The experience there is quite adventurous and breathtaking. Thereafter, onboard the coach to Yinchuan . Accommodation: Holiday Inn Yinchuan Int’l Trade Centre or similar
Day 10 (09 Jun) Yinchuan - Hohhot (B/L/D) Around the hillsides of the Helanshan, there are several tens of thousands of rock carvings which are known as Helanshan Rock Carvings , by ancient nomadic tribes. The carvings were drawn in various styles with profound connotation and scattered only in certain areas. Amongst the animal paintings, there are running deers, blue sheep, tigers and leopards, duckbills, and flying birds. The Helanshan was not only a place rich in old rock arts, but also the center for ancient nomads to hold sacrifices. Visit the Xixia (Western Xia) Imperial Tombs which are located on the eastern slopes of the Helan Mountains, about 30 kilometers west of the city of Yinchuan. It is unique amongst royal burials. The layout is patterned after the celestial bodies. At 20:00hrs, we embark the ‘Orient Express’ Charter Overnight Train to Capital of Inner Mongolia - Hohhot , which is in Mongolian means "Green City". It dates back to 306 B.C. and has been an important cultural center of the region. Accommodation: Orient Express’ Charter Overnight Train
Day 11 (10 Jun) Hohhot (B/L/D) 08:30hrs arrived in Hohhot. Disembark and drive to Gegentala Grassland . Spend the whole day on the vast plains and expansive grasslands. Take a walk and enjoy watching the traditional Mongolian-style wrestling, horse-riding, camel-riding, archery etc. You can enjoy a wide variety of activities at your own account. Accommodation: Hohhot Sheraton Hotel or similar
Day 12 (11 Jun) Gegentala Grassland v Hohhot - Beijing (B/L/D) Visit the 400 years old Dazhao Temple Zhaojun Tomb in memory of one of the four ancient beauties, Wang Zhaojun. At 20:30hrs , we embark the ‘Orient Express’ Charter Overnight Train to Beijing .
Day 13 (12 Jun) Beijing Q Singapore (B/L) Arrived in Beijing at 09:00hrs . We make one stop with a visit to the Yuyu Jade Garden for a tour of the Jade Showroom. After an authentic Beijing Roast Duck lunch , we transfer to airport for our international flight back to Singapore . We hope you had a memorable vacation with ASA Holiday and thank you for your support.
Groups Shopping for Tour: Jade Garden ** Purchase at designated shops will be at your own discretion. You are not obligated to buy if you do not wish. **
1. Time of departure and arrival of the train is subject to Department of Railways Authority 2. Gratuity: A nominal fee of total USD160 per person will be given to the guide & driver in reciprocation for the service rendered. 3. Tour groups on different flight schedule may be merged. 4. Tour is conducted in Mandarin . 5. In the event of local religious festivals, unforeseen circumstances and/or bad weather conditions, the sequence of the itinerary may be changed or altered. Alternative attractions will be substituted without prior notice and/or at short notice in order to ensure a smoother journey and tour. 6. All hotel ratings are based on local standards. In the event that accommodation in the stated hotel is unavailable, it will be replaced by another hotel of similar standards. 7. ASA Holidays recommends you to buy travel insurance for your travel to ensure coverage. 8. All flights are subject to change without prior notice 9. In the event of discrepancies between English and Chinese itinerary, please refer to Chinese version. 10. Room types are based on run of the house and allocated by respective hotels. ASA Holidays will not be responsible for the differences of the room allocated. (4/1)
OETM3 4/4 Updated 4Jan2018@8pm