17 days, 15 nights tour to Beijing, Lhasa, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Yichang and Shanghai
Day 01 US / China
Board your flight to China today.
Day 02 Beijing
You will be greeted at Beijing airport and transferred to your hotel
Day 03 Beijing (B/L)
A morning tour of Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City. The complexes of imperial palaces were home to the emperor for over 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some of the grand halls have been used as museums for fine collections of Chinese treasures. After lunch you will be driven to visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the royal family, and take a boat ride on the great and beautiful Lake Kunming.
Day 04 Beijing (B/L)
A full day excursion to the Great Wall, the most well-known landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of human labor that has ever existed. After lunch, a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD).
Day 05 Beijing (B/L/D)
Your sightseeing this morning begins with the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvest for the people. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. After lunch, you will visit the National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre. The National Stadium is where the 2008 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies were held. This evening you will be treated to a delicious Beijing roasted duck dinner before you are transferred to the railway station where you'll board your Beijing - Tibet Train. This unique, 45-hour journey will carry you across the "roof of the world." Due to the high elevations (portions of your ride include travel at altitudes hovering around 16,000 feet) your railcar's air is enriched with additional oxygen - a unique amenity of this fascinating rail journey. Though cabin availabilities may vary, sleeping accommodations aboard the train generally include semi-private, quad-occupancy cabins. Restroom facilities are provided within each car.
Day 06 Beijing - Tibet
From From the windows of your train you'll see the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Kunlun Mountains. Outside those windows lies some of the world's harshest environments: high, arid, salty plateaus with sparse vegetation, but the views are spectacular. You'll travel across many miles of Northern Tibet Grass, through the Kekexili Nature Preserve - home to 16 mammal and 30 bird species. All are acclimated to the dry, cold, high-altitude climate. Here roam snow leopards, yaks, Tibet antelope, and wild donkeys while the golden eagles soar above. Today's journey carries you over the Tanggula Pass - traveling along the world's highest passenger railway tracks (elevation - 16,649 ft. or 5072m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available for purchase aboard your train as you travel southwest to Lhasa.
Day 07 Lhasa
Following your evening arrival at the Lhasa Railway Station, your guide will pick you up & transfer to your hotel directly. In the evening, you may be at leisure for acclimatization and to visit the local bazaar.
Day 08 Lhasa (B/L)
After breakfast, a guided sightseeing tour to Lhasa’s cultural landmark, the Potala Palace. This massive 13-soreyed building used to be the highest building prior to the early period of last century and it used to be the former winter abode for the Dalai Lama. As the nation’s supreme relic, the palace dates back to 7th century A.D. In the afternoon, you will visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous indeed.
Day 09 Lhasa (B/L)
Today you will visit the most revered religious structure in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, translates loosely as “Buddha’s House” in Tibetan language because the main statue enshrined is said to be made by Buddha Sakyamuni himself during his lifetime. Jokhang Temple is the convergence of Tibet’s Spiritual and secular life, like Mecca for the Muslims, here you can meet all the tribes from Tibetan plateau. The surrounding market is called Barkhor, one of the most important religious paths, which is also an assembly place for shopping. In the afternoon, a visit to the Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.
Day 10 Lhasa / Xian (B)
Free at your leisure in the morning and lunch on your own in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will board your flight to Xian, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. An evening city tour of the ancient city wall, one of the most well-preserved ancient structures in all of China.
Day 11 Xian (B/L)
This exciting day of sightseeing will include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, and the Bronze Chariots. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 AD. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang,. Remainder of day is at your own leisure.
Day 12 Xian - Chongqing (B/L)
This morning, visit the Shanxi Provincial Museum where you will discover how Xian became the capital and cradle of Chinese culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a brief time flight to Chongqing , the wondrous mountain city. You will check in and depart to the mountain city this evening.
Day 13 Yangtze River (B/L/D)
Navigate the Qutang Gorge (8km), the third gorge of the Yangtze. Shore excursion to the Ghost City and the Fengdu and Shibaozhai Pagoda
Day 14 Yangtze River (B/L/D)
Sail through Wu Gorge and the West section of Xiling Gorge. Shore excursion to the Shennong Lesser Gorges.
Day 15 Yangtze River - Yichang / Shanghai (B/L)
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, known as the Big Dam. Navigate the east section of Xiling Gorge (76km), the first gorge of the Yangtze. Arrival at Yichang after lunch. Later today you will board your flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, bustling and heavily populated city on China’s east coast. You are free to enjoy the remainder of your day in incredible Shanghai.
Day 16 Shanghai (B/L/D)
Your sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Yuyuan Garden, the old area of the city and a stroll along the lively waterfront, known as the "Bund". After lunch, a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. An acrobatic show will entertain all you after dinner.
Day 17 Shanghai / US (B)
At leisure in the morning until your transfer to the airport for departure.
Departure Dates: Every Monday (arrival Beijing date)
Tour Code: MC-TB-CITS
Price: $2980 per person based on twin share
Single supplement: $990 per person (hotel only)
Package includes:
- 4 star hotel accommodation based on twin share (except in Tibet, 3 star)
- Deluxe cruise sailing Yangtze River
- Train ride from Beijing to Lhasa, soft berth
- Lhasa to Xian, Xian to Shanghai airfare
- Daily meals as specified in the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner, SD-Special Dinner)
- All sightseeing and entrance fees
- English speaking guides
- Round trip airport/hotel or train station/hotel transfers as specified in the itinerary
Package does NOT include:
- International air ticket
- Fuel surcharges & taxes
- Visa application fees and travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
*** To get the travel permits to Tibet
All Americans can get Tibet permit throught CIAC Travel except diplomats, journalists, and senior government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government. To get the Tibet travel permit you need hold a valid passport with valid Chinese visa and should submit the following information at least 20 days prior to arrival in Tibet:
Full name, Sex, Date of birth, Passport number, Nationality, Occupation |
