13 days China Golden Tour with Tibet Exploration
- Tour Route: Beijing (China's Capital)
Chengde (Imperial Summer Resort)Lhasa (Holy Tibetan City)Xian (Home of the Terracotta Warriors)Shanghai (Cosmopolitan Metropolis) - Trip Highlights: This history and culture exploration tour will take you to experience two of the most remarkable civilizations in Asia: Han Chinese and Tibetan. You will get insights of their past and present through sightseeing at classic landmarks in ancient Chinese and Tibetan capitals, and modern economic and financial center of China.
- Tour Code: COT-P-102
- Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
- Starts/Ends: Beijing/Shanghai
- Trip Type: Culture and History Journey, 13 Days China Vacations
- Activity Level: Regular itinerary, Moderate walking
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Special Experiences:
- Explore Chinese imperial culture in Beijing and the nearby city Chengde, where locates China's largest imperial summer villa
- Take a pilgrim trip to Tibet and pay a visit to a Tibetan family
- Marvel at the 7000-strong underground Terracotta Army of China's First Emperor, and stroll on the ancient city walls of Xian
- Enjoy an awesome acrobatic show in Shanghai where has long-standing reputation in international circus-acrobatic circles
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Accommodatoins: Beijing Guangzhou Hotel 
Upon your arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest, relax and recover from the jetlag after the long flight.
Day 2 Beijing (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Beijing Guangzhou Hotel
Sites visited: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven
After a good night's rest, this morning you will start out with the historic Tiananmen Square. Walk through the Tiananmen Gate and you will go to the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the Temple of Heaven which is truly magnificent.
Day 3 Beijing (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Beijing Guangzhou Hotel
Sites visited: Great Wall, Sacred Road, Ding Tomb
This morning, drive about 70 kilometers to the Great Wall, perhaps China's best-known landmark, at Badaling. Though it is quite challenging as it is quite steep, it is definitely worth climbing as much as you could. The experience will last a lifetime. After having lunch at a nearby restaurant, walk along the Sacred Road to visit the Ding Tomb of the Ming Dynasty emperors.
Emperor gold crown unearthed from Ding Tomb
China's largest imperial summer villa in Chengde
Day 4 Beijing - Chengde (B,L)
Transfer via: Soft-seat train on our arrangement (about 4 hours)
Accommodatoins: ShengHua Hotel
Sites visited: Imperial Summer Villa
In the morning, our local guide will escort you to the railway station for your train to Chengde. Upon arrival at Chengde, you will be met and transfered to the hotel. The tour this afternoon will bring you to the Imperial Summer Villa.
Day 5 Chengde - Beijing (B,L)
Transfer via: Soft-seat train on our arrangement (about 4 hours)
Accommodatoins: Beijing Guangzhou Hotel
Sites visited: Putuozongcheng Temple, Puning Temple
Enjoy a tour to Putuozongcheng Temple and Puning Temple before your train back to Beijing. Our local guide in Beijing will meet you at the railway station and escort you back to the hotel.
Day 6 Beijing - Lhasa (B,L)
Transfer via: China domestic flight from Beijing to Lhasa on our arrangement (about 6 hours)
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Lhasa
Enjoy free time to explore this ancient but lively capital city on your own until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to Lhasa, the holy city of Tibet. Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Lhasa city (2-hour drive), and you will view the Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face en route. After checking in the hotel, rest in the afternoon to get adapted to the high altitude.
Day 7 Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Today appreciate the architecture wonders of Tibet and feel the real religious atmosphere by visiting Lhasa's cardinal landmark -- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and flourishing Barkhor Street.
Potala Palace, a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims
Barkhor, a circular street around Jokhang Temple
Day 8 Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Norbulingka Park, Sera Monastery, Tibetan Family
The whole day tour will first bring you to the Norbulingka Park - the summer palace for the Dalai Lama., and then the Sera Monastery. Pay a visit to a local Tibetan family home, where you will be greeted and warmly welcomed by common Tibetan people in their traditional way and entertained with their typical food.
Day 9 Lhasa - Xian (B,L)
Transfer via: China domestic flight from Lhasa to Xian on our arrangement (about 4 hours)
Accommodatoins: Grand New World Hotel
Enjoy free time to explore the holy city on your own until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination - Xian. Upon your arrival at Xian, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
Day 10 Xian (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Grand New World Hotel
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Walls, Bell Tower
Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the incredible life-size Terracotta Army of Warriors and Horses, the highlight of Xian, an unbelievable archeological treasure, which is absolutely a must-see for anyone visiting China. After lunch, take a stroll on the top of the Ancient City Walls to feel the ambience of this ancient capital, and then visit the Bell Tower.
The 2000-year-old Terracotta Warriors in Xian
Xian City Walls have turrets, battlements & a moat.
Day 11 Xian - Shanghai (B,L)
Transfer via: China domestic flight from Xian to Shanghai on our arrangement (about 2 hours)
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Hanyang Tombs, Nanjing Road, The Bund
After breakfast, you will tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Hangyang Tomb before your guide escorts you to the airport your flight to Shanghai.Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, our local guide will meet you at the airport. Then you will have a fabulous visiting of the Bund and Nanjing Road under the gorgeous lights.
Day 12 Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Jade Buddha Temple
Unique Cultural Performance: Acrobatic Show
On this day you will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, which chronicles Shanghai's past, present and future, then take a stroll through the Yu Garden. After, you can observe local people's life at the Yuyuan Market and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening you enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.
Lively Yuyuan Market sells traditional Chinese crafts
Shanghai has China's most famous acrobatic troupe
Day 13 Shanghai - Final departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Enjoy free time to explore this lively city on your own until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Price & Included Features
- China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: for 12 nights at four star hotels in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with twin-beds, a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar
- 23 meals: 12 full breakfasts, 11 lunches and 0 dinners
- 1 unique cultural performance-- Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
- Round-trip transfers between airports, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers
- A local English-speaking guide in each city
- Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
- China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
- Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
Accommodation
Beijing - Beijing Guangzhou Hotel
The four-star Beijing Guangzhou Hotel, opened on November 26, 1999, is equipped with latest facilities and finest comforts for its guests. The intelligent commercial hotel has excellent dining, lodging and entertainment functions. It's a fine example of Guangzhou culture in Beijing. The hotel aims to demonstrate the flavor and the splendid food culture of GuangDong Province and guests here can better understand the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou with a little taste of the life there. Detail
The Shenghua Hotel Chengde, belonging to the Chengde Transportation Bureau, is a 4-star hotel which adopts advanced management methods. It is situated in the center of the city at the Golden Zone of Wulie Road, adjacent to the Long Distance Bus Station and the railway station.
Tibet Hotel is an enterprise under the administration of Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, which is a luxurious three-star hotel with traditional Tibetan style. The hotel is constructed in granite in shape of the Potala Palace. The hotel is near to the Potala Palace and Norbulinka with comfortable environment and convenient transportation. After finish the Building for the Honored Guests of Tibet Hotel which is built with the standard of four-star hotel and invested 50 million Yuan, Tibet Hotel will welcome you with a new appearance. Tibet Hotel has 258 super-decorated guest rooms and suites including 2 luxurious presidential suites, 8 luxurious suites, 5 economic suites, 220 standard rooms, 20 single rooms, 8 triple rooms and 3 special rooms for the disabled. All these rooms are equipped with sanitary ware from U.S.A., coded safe, central heating system, in-room safe, hair dryer, private bathroom, weight, color TV, refrigerator, mini-bar and etc. Besides these, there are also living-room, office, chess-room and sona-bath. Detail
The Grand New World Hotel in Xian is rated as one of the outstanding 4 Star Hotels in Xian in China. The hotel offers a host of amenities and facilities. It stands out among the other 4 star hotels due to its superior deliverance in customer satisfaction. Detail
Shanghai - Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
The Four-star Holiday Inn Shanghai is strategically located with easy accessibility to shopping and tourist attractions. Combining a central location with excellent service and facilities, the Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai is an ideal choice for visitors to Shanghai. Detail
Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.
Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.
Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.
Transfer and Transport Service
China Odyssey Tours has received wide recognition for its transfer service. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".
With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family.
