China and Tibet Tour

16 Day Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: Essential Tour-Spectacular-04

• Day 1-3 in Shanghai
• Day 1

  On your arrival at Shanghai Pudong airport, your guide will greet you and take you to experience the Maglev Train, the world's fastest train running 430 km per hour.

     Only 8 minutes later, you will get to Longyang Road Station in the downtown where your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

  Day 2

  Today you will first visit the Shanghai Urban Exhibition Hall to witness how Shanghai become a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. Then proceed to the French Concession to find out what Shanghai was like in 1930s. Later, drop by a Silk Workshop to discover the mystery of silk making. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll in the beautiful Yu Garden and try some local snacks at the hustle Yuyuan Market. Evening is free, optional to enjoy the fabulous Acrobatic Show.

  Day 3

  In the morning, you will stroll along the famous Bund, an iconic waterfront along the Huangpu River, to see historic architecture built by foreign colonial powers in the 1900s. Then be immersed in the city’s modernity on Nanjing Road and ascend China’s second highest building Jinmao Tower. After the tour, you will be escorted to the airport for the flight to Guilin, Upon your arrival in Guilin, your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel.

• Day 4-6 in Guilin
• Day 4

  Today’s excursion will take you to the scenic Longji Terraced Fields in Longsheng County (2-hour drive). First established in Yuan Dynasty, Longji rice terraces have lined the hillside for over 700 years. Two ethnic minorities, Zhuang People and Miao People, have made their living on these fertile terraces for generations. You will trek along the quiet field paths, see the beautiful idyllic views, explore minority villages, admire their colorful clothes and primitive farming life and taste some self-made delicacies. Transfer back to Guilin after the excursion.

  Day 5

  The morning tour begins with Li River Cruise, the highlight of any Guilin visit. You will board your ship at Zhujiang Pier and cruise downstream along the picturesque river to Yangshuo County. Along the journey, you will enjoy Guilin’s terrific landscape comprised of towering peaks & pinnacles, crystal waters, thriving groves, grazing cattle, and local farmers working on their fields. After arriving in Yangshuo and check-in, you will visit the famous West Street. The optional Impression Liu Sanjie tribal show would be a nice choice for you to spend the evening.

  Day 6

  After a cozy night in Yangshuo, you will be driven back to Guilin for a city tour. First tour Elephant Trunk Hill, the city symbol of Guilin, and drop by a Pearl Store, then visit Reed Flute Cave to see the incredible stalactites & stalagmites illuminated by the lights of various colors and learn how they were formed. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, home to the cute giant pandas.

• Day 7-8 in Chengdu
• Day 7

  On this day you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas Breeding to enjoy close-up visits with pandas. Here you will see pandas’ easy life, walking leisurely on meadows, eating bamboo, playing with their mates, or sleeping soundly in a tree. Panda-hug is available but requires an extra cost. Then sip fragrant Chinese tea at a teahouse and explore Jinli Old Street to absorb the city’s special leisure atmosphere. The exotic Sichuan Opera is a nice option for you in the evening.

  Day 8

  You will be free to pursue your personal activities until being escorted to the airport for your flight to Lhasa, capital of the mysterious Tibet. Upon your arrival at Gonggar Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. For the remainder day, you’re advised to relax at your hotel to adapt to the high altitude.

• Day 9-10 in Lhasa
• Day 9

  The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, the Palace was built in 641 AD and wss a winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit. Later, you will visit the age-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet, and walk the special circular pilgrim route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.

  Day 10

  After breakfast, you will tour the charming Norbulingka Park, which is known as "the Summer Palace of Tibet", and then come to Drepung Monastery, an ancient temple that once housed 10,000 monks in its heyday.

  You tour ends at Sera Monastery. Built in 1419, the monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet and is famous for its Buddhism Scriptures Debates.

• Day 11-12 in Xian
• Day 11

  Free in the day until your local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Xian, the historical capital of 12 dynasties. Upon your arrival, your local guide will meet you and guide you to your hotel. After a rest, you will head to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Regarded as the symbol of Xian, the Pagoda houses columns of sutras brought back from India by the eminent monk Xuan Zang in Tang Dynasty.

  Day 12

  Today you will inspect the incredible Terracotta Warriors. As one of the most significant archeological finds of 20th Century, the terra legions amaze every visitor with its 6,000 life-size terra soldiers and horses and the exquisiteness of each statue. In the afternoon, you will take a walk along the Ancient City Walls, the largest city walls in the world, drop by a Jade Gallery and appreciate Chinese calligraphy at the Forest of Stone Steles Museum.

• Day 13-16 in Beijing
• Day 13

  On this day you will be free until being escorted to the airport for your flight to Beijing, the capital of China. Upon your arrival in Beijing airport, your local guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Then, you will visit stunning Olympic venues including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube and see the Olympic Village where the athletes were housed during the 2008 Olympic Games.

  Day 14

  In the morning, you will visit the vast Tiananmen Square where you can see the China National Museum, Grand Hall of the People and other landmarks. Heading north and walking through Tiananmen Gate, you will enter Forbidden City, the most grand and best-kept integral palace complex in China. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy temple in which emperors worshiped Heaven for a good harvest, and then stop at a Pearl Store.

  Day 15

  Today’s sightseeing begins with the world-famous Great Wall (Mutianyu Section). Reputed as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Wall was first built over 2,000 years ago as a complicated defensive stucture for ancient China. Winding some 4,000 miles through mountain ridges, grasslands and deserts in Northern China, the Great Wall is considered as one of the world’s most remarkable architectural wonders. In the afternoon, you will walk along the Sacred Road, a tranquil royal path lined with vivid stone statues of divine beasts and officers.

  Day 16

  How times flies. It’s time to bid farewell to China. You will be free to continue your self-guided exploration or relax at your hotel to pack luggage and your sweet memories. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.