China and Tibet Tour

20 Day Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: Essential Tour-Spectacular-07

• Day 1-3 in Shanghai
• Day 1

  On your arrival at Shanghai Pudong airport, your local guide will greet you and take you to experience the Maglev Train, the world's fastest train running at a speed of 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 your 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 architectures 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 Yichang. Upon your arrival in Yichang, your local guide will meet and transfer you to your Yangtze Cruise ship.

• Day 4-7 Yangtze River Cruise
• Day 4

  It is time to enjoy your Yangtze cruise. Wake up in the morning, step out of the cabin, and enjoy the gentle breeze and enchanting scenery of the Yangtze valley. Today’s highlight is the shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Standing on this huge dam, you can see a vast, beautiful lake created by the dam on one side and thundering water discharges on the other. After the excursion, return to your ship and dress up for the Welcome Dinner hosted by the captain in the evening.

  Day 5

  Today you will sail through the famous Three Gorges, the most beautiful part of the Yangtze River. You will take a sampan, a traditional Chinese wooden boat, to explore the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream (The ship company will choose one spot according to weather conditions). Take your camera and be ready to take some fascinating photos of the picturesque landscape. Sailing on the mirror-like waters through green gorges, you will regain the wonderful feel of returning to Nature. Re-board the ship after the excursion.

  Day 6

  On this day you will take a shore excursion to visit Fengdu Ghost City. Perched on the Mingshan Hill by the river bank, Fengdu is called Ghost City because of the legend that two officials, Yin and Yang (their combination means Ghost King in Chinese), became immortals 1,700 years ago and govern people’s afterlife here. Now various temples, vivid statues and ancient paintings in the city depict the afterlife world and show the mysterious Chinese ghost culture. Return to ship after the tour.

  Day 7

  After breakfast, you will disembark at 9:00 am in Chongqing where your local guide is ready to pick you up and escort you to the railway station for a train to Chengdu, home to the giant pandas. Upon arriving in Chengdu, you will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

• Day 11-12 in Chengdu
• Day 11

  On this day you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas Breeding to enjoy close-up visites 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. A 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 12

  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 welcomed and accompanied to your hotel by your local guide. For the remainder day, you’re advised to relax in your hotel to adapt to the high altitude.

• Day 8-10 in Guilin
• Day 8

  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 on 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 9

  The morning tour begins with Li River Cruise, the highlight of any Guilin visits. You will board your ship at Zhujiang Pier and cruise downstream along the picturesque river until 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 10

  After a cozy night in Yangshuo, you will be driven back to Guilin to have 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 13-14 in Lhasa
• Day 13

  The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, the Palace was built in 641 AD and was 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 14

  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 famous for its Buddhism Scriptures Debates.

• Day 15-16 in Xian
• Day 15

  Free in the day until your local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Xian, the historiacl 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 16

  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 17-20 in Beijing
• Day 17

  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 18

  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 grandest and best-kept integral palace complex in China. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heave, a holy temple in which emperors worshiped Heaven for a good harvest, and then stop by a Pearl Store.

  Day 19

  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 structure 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 20

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