11 Days of Beijing - Xi'an - Lhasa - Shanghai

2019-12-14 11:00:40

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Beijing

Our guide will meet you upon your arrival at Beijing Capital Airport after you have cleared immigration and customs. You will then be transferred to the hotel where you will stay for three nights. The rest of the day is free time for resting or self-exploration of the city.

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton

Day 2 Beijing

Your tour today starts at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square in the city center. Towards the north lies the magnificent Forbidden City. Built 600 years ago, it was the residence of the royal family and the office where emperors handled all political affairs and held ceremonial activities. Nowadays, it is opened to the public as a museum where traditional Chinese architecture, cultural relics and royal families' lives are displayed.

A la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) will be at a well-known local restaurant which serves authentic Chinese food, including the famous Peking duck.

The Temple of Heaven is next. It is the imperial altar for the emperors to worship the gods of heaven. The architecture here is uniquely round and higher in the northern part but square and lower in the south. This resembles the traditional Chinese idea of 'the sky is round and the earth is square'. Finally, we will end the day with a lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch

Day 3 Beijing

A morning excursion will take you to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which winds itself up and down across mountains and resembles a gigantic dragon. It will surely give any visitor some kind of nostalgic feelings about this world wonder. We will arrange for you the round trip cable car to go up and down the wall.

Lunch is not arranged today, for there are no good restaurants in this area. Thus, our advice is having a heavy breakfast at the hotel and having some fast food around the site by yourself. One consolation, however, is that we do provide red wine for you to toast the memorable moment when you have climbed to the top of the wall.

Later we will transfer you back to the downtown area and have some free time at a popular local market.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an

In the morning, you will pay a visit to the most famous imperial garden, the Summer Palace. This garden inherited the imperial gardens concept, as well as the essence of garden construction from southern China. Therefore, it boasts the majestic features of the north and the graceful charms of the south at the same time. Next, we will drive by the Olympic National Stadium (Bird's Nest). The driver will make a short stop for you to take photo shoots.

At noon, you will enjoy a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at an elegant and decent local restaurant.

After lunch, get the opportunity to take a memorable rickshaw riding through Hutongs. Feel the special Beijing culture and history by visiting the traditional narrow alleys, as well as experiencing Chinese Paper Cutting. Then take a flight to Xi'an. Meet the local English-speaking guide upon arrival at Xi'an. You will be transferred to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

Day 5 Xi'an

Your itinerary today starts with the world's eighth wonder, the Terracotta Army. The museum houses the 2,200-year-old life size clay warriors and horses, as well as the delicate bronze vessels. It is believed that the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC) constructed such a large army format aimed to protect his mausoleum. The excavation work is still ongoing up to today.

Around noon, you will visit a local family and be served with an authentic home cooked a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price). If interested, you can join our Chinese food cooking class for free and cook with the host together step by step.

You will proceed to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum in the afternoon. Built about 1,300 years ago during the Tang Dynasty（618-907AD, the pagoda is not only a well-protected ancient structure, but also a Buddhist architectural masterpiece. A splendid night is in-stored when you enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show and partake the famous Dumpling Dinner.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner

Day 6 Xi'an - Lhasa

Take a morning flight to Lhasa. The local guide will be at the airport to meet and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free. Try adapting to the high altitude first.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Tashipozhang Hotel

Day 7 Lhasa

After breakfast at your hotel, visit the Norbulingka Park. It is also known as the 'Summer Palace' in Lhasa because successive Dalai Lamas have handled political affairs and lived here during the summer months. Wandering inside the park, you will be amazed by the unique architectural style of the Tibetan palaces.

Next is the Sera Monastery. Not only can one see the unique Tibetan Buddhist buildings but also be impressed by the precious Buddhist statues, sutras and murals in the monastery. You will be dazzled by the colorful frescos painted in the halls. The Buddha statues, sacred vessels, thangkas, Buddhist sutra streamers and sutra pillars can be found everywhere.

Then you will come to the Viewing Platform of Yaowang Hill located on the opposite side of the Potala Palace. It is the best spot for viewing and taking photos of the palace.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Lhasa

Visit the Potala Palace, the highlight of our visit to Lhasa. With a history of 1,300 years, it is the most splendid building that combines the styles of Tibetan Buddhist temple and palace. The delicate cultural relics and beautiful murals in the palace will show you the glorious history and culture of Tibet. The over 59,800 square yards of colorful frescos in it are unique and wonderful.

After lunch, proceed to the Jokhang Temple. Situated in the city center, the temple bears unparalleled status in the Tibetan Buddhism. The ancient temple, built in 647, is considered as a resourceful venue for visitors to learn about Buddhism. Continue to explore the surrounding of Barkhor Street, the symbol of the City. Paved by hand-polished stones, it is not a broad street but showing the original outlook of Lhasa. It could accommodate thousands of visitors daily. You will be fascinated by the old ethnic houses and various souvenirs available on this street. Finally, a visit to the nearby Nunnery will give you an insight of the Buddhist nuns.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Lhasa - Shanghai

This morning, our guide will take you to the airport and help you check in for your flight to Shanghai, where you will meet the local guide and be escorted to the hotel. The remaining time of the day is free on your own arrangement. You may take a good rest at the hotel or stroll around to get a first impression of the city.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Parkline Century Park Hotel Shanghai - the former Crowne Plaza

Day 10 Shanghai

After breakfast, our guide will accompany you to visit Shanghai Museum, praised as the largest Chinese ancient art gallery. Appreciate the excellent collections of potteries, porcelains, jades, paintings, seals and ancient furniture in the museum. After that, continue to the beautiful Yu Garden, an unsophisticated world in the bustling city. You will feast on the most elaborate man-made scenery of this Chinese classical garden and its traditional bazaar nearby.

Later you will have a farewell a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a famous local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will be escorted to the Former French Concession, the Bund and have a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River. You will also have free time to take a walk along the Bund area and feel the rapid changes of this metropolis. After that, we transfer you back to the hotel and bid farewell to you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch

Day 11 Departure from Shanghai

Your wonderful escorted tour ends today. We hope you have made new friends and taken memorable photos. Please make sure you get to the airport on time as airport transfer is not included in our service. We wish you a safe journey home!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Tour Type: Small Group of 2-18 travelers, guaranteed departures

Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned coach

Accommodation: 10 nights, nice 5-star & 4-star hotels

Meals: 10 western buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches with some being a la carte style, 1 dumpling dinner

Tour Highlights:

Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army

Full insight visits of the sacred Potala Palace and pure land of Tibet

View the soaring city skylines and feel the pulse of modern Shanghai

Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home

Price Includes

Domestic airfares