About This Trip
Experience China's fascinating culture and history on this 13-day trip. You'll tour Shanghai's top sites like the Bund and Yu Garden. Get up close to adorable pandas in Chengdu. Step into the mysterious Potala Palace in Lhasa. Marvel at the impressive army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and the magnificent Great Wall in Beijing.
Itinerary Summary
- DAYPLACE
- 1 - 3Shanghai
- 4 - 5Chengdu
- 6 - 8Lhasa
- 9 - 10Xi'an
- 11 - 13Beijing
Itinerary
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Day 1: Shanghai, Arrival
Welcome to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city!
A local tour guide will greet you at the airport exit and transfer you in a comfortable vehicle to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore this great city on your own.
- Shanghai
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Day 2: Shanghai City Tour
Start your exploration from the Bund, a well-known waterfront promenade on the west bank of Huangpu River, to admire century-old buildings in various architectural styles and take in the picturesque skyline on the east bank. Visit the Yu Garden later, followed by a stop at a silk workshop.
Afterward, stroll from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli for about an hour to experience local's life. You will see how inhabitants pass their free time, discover traditional Shanghai dwellings, and sample some famous dim sum at a food market. End the day with a stunning panoramic view of the city from the Shanghai Tower Observation Deck.
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- Shanghai
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Day 3: Shanghai - Chengdu
Have some free time before the transfer to the airport for the flight to Chengdu. Get picked up and taken to your hotel after you arrive.
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- Chengdu
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Day 4: Chengdu, Get Close to Giant Pandas
Spend the morning at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to nearly 120 pandas of various ages, from tiny newborns to adults. You can watch them play, eat, and climb trees with lots of energy.
Enjoy the Buddhist architecture and culture of Wenshu Temple in the afternoon, then unwind with a cup of Chinese tea at a teahouse. Finally, go around Jinli Old Street to experience Sichuan customs, folk arts, and daily life in Chengdu.
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- Chengdu
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Day 5: Chengdu - Lhasa
Take some time to explore the city on your own until being escorted to the airport for your flight to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet at an altitude of 3,658 meters.
Your Lhasa tour guide will welcome you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel. It is advised to spend the rest of the day resting in the hotel to adjust to the high altitude.
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- Lhasa
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Day 6: Lhasa, Explore the Potala Palace
Check out the overwhelming Potala Palace first. This emblem of Tibet once served as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas and the seat of Tibetan theocracy. You'll be in awe of the brilliant religious architecture and splendid artworks, especially murals and exquisite Tangkas, inside the palace complex.
In the afternoon, visit the centuries-old Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in the heart of the Tibetans. Don't miss Barkhor Street around the temple, where you may find devout Tibetans worshiping, dressed in traditional costumes, chanting sutras while turning prayer wheels in their hands.
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- Lhasa
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Day 7: Lhasa, Monastery Sightseeing
Begin the day at Norbulingka, a classic Tibetan garden that once served as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas. Visit the historic Drepung Monastery later, which was the largest monastery in Tibet and once housed around 7,700 monks at its peak.
Visit the Sera Monastery in the afternoon to experience the unique Buddhism scripture debating culture. Lamas in red robes debate all aspects of Tibetan Buddhism in exaggerated gestures.
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- Lhasa
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Day 8: Lhasa - Xi'an
Enjoy some free time in the morning until you are escorted to the airport to catch your flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in.
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- Xi'an
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Day 9: Xi'an, Marvel at the Incredible Terracotta Warriors
Visit Terracotta Warriors this morning. To defend himself in the afterlife, Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, constructed this amazing army of over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, chariots, and horses over 2,200 years ago. You may get a glimpse of military power at that time through these life-size clay models.
Later, go back to the city and stroll around Muslim Street to get a feel for Chinese Muslim culture. Within walking distance, the Great Mosque is also worth a visit.
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- Xi'an
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Day 10: Enjoy Calligraphy Class before Heading to Beijing by Train
Visit Tang Bo Art Museum this morning to enjoy Shaanxi folk arts and ancient Chinese paintings. You'll learn about various Chinese art forms like farmers' paintings, shadow puppets, and paper cuts. Additionally, you can pick up a brush and try to create your calligraphy masterpieces on rice paper.
After the tour, head to the railway station to board your high-speed train to Beijing. On arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
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- Beijing
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Day 11: Beijing, Visit the Majestic Forbidden City
Start your exploration of Beijing from Tian'anmen Square. Following it, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese emperors and their families in ancient China. Stroll around the grand buildings to admire exquisite ornaments, and priceless treasures while listening to your guide sharing interesting tales about China's royal families.
After that, explore local Hutongs, where narrow paths are lined with lots of courtyard homes, to observe the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens.
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- Beijing
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Day 12: Beijing, Hiking on the Great Wall
After breakfast, you will tour the Temple of Heaven to see the locals practicing Tai chi. If you are interested, join them and try this traditional activity.
After that, drive about two hours to visit the magnificent Great Wall at Mutianyu. With round-way cable cars, you can easily reach the watchtower and have more time to explore further. Walking on the venerable ramparts, you may be overwhelmed by the unbelievable constructions and picturesque surroundings.
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- Beijing
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Day 13: Beijing, Departure
Enjoy your free time until being escorted to the airport for your departure flight. Hope to travel with you again.
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