Overview
Comprehensive China tour with highlights in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Tibet
Beijing – Xi’an – Lhasa – Shanghai
Journeying north from the China’s capital of Beijing to historic walled city of Xi’an, continuing to the west of scared Lhasa to the east of fashion Shanghai is a dreamy trip for experiencing the past and present China. This tour displays the contrasts of China, the magnificence of its traditional lifestyles as well as the modern perspectives. Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an, the China’s key metropolises, also the country’s crucial tour stops, are as the essence for the one first time or only chance to visit China, where you go back on a glorious cultural odyssey, and back in time for a glimpse of contemporary Chinese society. It could be satiating in imperial palaces skirted by slick skyscrapers, or could be the delight walking in the maze of narrow alleyways to find a way out for Maglve trains. One of the bracing segments is on the ‘roof of the world’, Tibet, offering an intriguing and exotic exploration for its legends, myths and nature wonders, is the fascinated add-up for the tour with the perfect connection and true captures of comprehensive China all in one.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Day 04 Flight to Xi’an (B)
Day 05 Xian Sightseeing (B)
Day 06 Flight to Lhasa (B / D)
Day 07 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 08 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 09 Excursion at Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Day 10 Flight to Shanghai (B)
Day 11 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 12 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 13 Shanghai Departure (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around Houhai Lake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. Dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish. In the afternoon return to Beijing downtown, rest time is free leisure.
Day 04: Flight to Xi’an (B)
Get up morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China, was the capital for 11 dynasties and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Today visit Ancient City Walls, built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km. Walk or bicycle ride on the wall. Later visit Wide Goose Pagoda, one of China’s best remains Tang-style architecture, housing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. Then visit Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China, blending of Chinese and Islamic features; wander in Muslim Quarter for night market and local snacks, where is home to the city’s Hui community for centuries since Tang dynasty.
Day 05: Xian Sightseeing (B)
Visit Forest of Steles, witness more than 1000 stone tablets including collections of ancient calligraphy, maps, portraits and sculpture stelae. Following is the highlight of any trip to Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. In this world’s archeological wonder, thousands of life-sized armies and horses silently stood guard the tomb of the China’s first unifier of Qin Emperor for over two millennia. Return to downtown of Xi’an in the late afternoon.
Day 06: Flight to Lhasa (B / D)
Flight to Lhasa. Upon arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 07: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 08: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 09: Excursion at Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Morning drive 162km to Nakhartse, the southwest of Lhasa, where is the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake located. You will pass by Chuchui and Gangpa La Pass (4,990m). At this Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will first come into the eyesight. Standing at 4,441 meters above the sea level, Yamdrok Yumtso is one of three sacred lakes in Tibet. Excursion at the long lake side, visit such turquoise lake surrounded by Mt. Nyinchenkhasa, Mt. Chetungsu and Mt. Changsamlhamo. Visit the villages and local Tibetans nearby the lake. Return to Lhasa in the late afternoon.
Day 10: Flight to Shanghai (B)
Flight to Shanghai, the China’s modest and crucial city. Upon arrived at airport, the local guide and driver will pick you up there and transfer you to the hotel located in downtown. Rest time is free, you can rest in the hotel or explore the city by your own.
Day 11: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Visit Shanghai’s major highlights including Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful Ming-style garden over 400 years; Jade Buddha Temple, a century-old Buddhist temple housed a 1.9m high pale green Jade Buddha; The Bund, a famous waterfront alongside with array symbolic architectures of Shanghai; Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Asia’s highest TV Tower topping its height to 468 meters. In the evening time, cruise on Huangpu River, enjoy the amazing night scenery of Shanghai.
Day 12: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Out of Shanghai downtown and head to the rural of Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town dominated by the unique old bridges, well-structured courtyards and calm rivers. Boating on the river. In the afternoon, return to downtown and visit old French Concession site in Xuhui District. Established in 1849, it was developed into the premier residential area of Shanghai during the 1920s. Later visit the old alleyways of Nongtang and traditional Shikumen houses, explore the contrast of the old quarter lifestyles embedded in modern Shanghai. In the evening time, wander in Xintiandi, a complex area good for leisure, dining and relax.
Day 13: Shanghai Departure (B)
Maglev train to Pudong International Airport for exit.
Experiences & Activities
Visits:
- Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, Houhai Lake, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
- Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Walls, Wide Goose Pagoda, Grand Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Forest of Steles
- Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Bazaar, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
- Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Water town of Zhujiajiao, French Concession, Xintiandi
Experiences:
- Pedicab Hutong (alleyways) tour and Hutong family visit;
- Dumpling making;
- Public subway and Magleve train;
- Bicycle ride on the century-old city walls;
- Village visit with traditional cave-houses
- Tibetan food with the cultural show;
- Huangpujiang River cruise and Shanghai’s night scenery
- Water town stream boating
- Nongtang (alleyways) visit and old Shikumen houses
