We used Chengdu as a stopover on the way. Ord to Shanghai then on to chengdu for a couple of days to see the pandas and enjoy excellent Sichuan food, especially hot pot. The train was not yet completed, nor the st Regis. .although I have mixed feelings go about that kind of development. We were on 2 persons our own, but needed to pick up the permit and airline tickets in China which were delivered to us at the shanghai airport.The arrangements were made with a Nepalese travel agent. Things may have changed but that was our experience. Tibet was wonderful, but sad. You might also like Yunnan province which is the Closest Chinese province to Tibet. Banyan tree has so e terrific hotels and scenery is great.