DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for China. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment |
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Beijing |
DAY 3, Thursday - Forbidden City & Summer Palace Tour
Enjoy a full day tour of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated and renamed two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site is comprised of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Chinese Restaurant close to the Forbidden City, before a visit to the Summer Palace
Optional: Peking Duck Dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 4 , Friday - Great Wall of China
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest man-made structure on Earth, spanning nearly 4,000 miles of China's northern frontier. Walk along the promenades and enjoy the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century defensive fortification. Afterwards, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs and a visit to a local jade factory before returning to Beijing
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 5, Saturday - Temple of Heaven Tour, Flight to Xian
This morning enjoy a tour to the 15th century Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor, once considered the "Son of Heaven," displayed his respect to the heavens through ceremonial prayer. The Temple is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing and is famous for its white-marbled, circular altar. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 6, Sunday - Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Army
This morning enjoy a full-day tour of Xian's antiquities. Your tour includes the archaeological site at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), where more than 8,000 finely sculpted, life-size terracotta soldiers and horses were discovered by local farmers in 1974. The archaeological excavation of the three pits where the Terracotta Army was found continues today, more than thirty years since the time of its unearthing. Later, trace the beginnings of Chinese civilization at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. Opened to the public in 1991, the museum is in southern Xian, and is home to a wealth of historical artifacts and treasures from the Han and Tang dynasties. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a porcelain and terracotta factory before returning to your hotel
Optional: Xian Dumpling Dinner
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 7, Monday - Flight to Chengdu, Panda Research Center
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival, enjoy a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. The breeding research base imitates the Giant Panda's natural habitat and was created in an effort to protect this endangered native animal, of which there are fewer than 1000 living in the wild. Tonight, enjoy dinner in a local Chinese restaurant
Overnight: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
DAY 8, Tuesday - Flight to Lhasa
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. You will be greeted upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
Overnight: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
DAY 9, Wednesday - Lhasa City Tour
Today, enjoy a full-day tour of Lhasa, one of the highest cities in the world, at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Your tour of this ancient Tibetan capital begins with a visit to Potala Palace, the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. Built in the 7th century, the palace is the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama, and is considered the political center of Tibet. Later, visit the 15th-century Sera Monastery, situated in the foothills of Tatipu. One of the "great three" Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet, the Sera was built by the Dharma King of Great Mercy to house and preserve the treasures bestowed upon him by Emperor Chengzu. Lastly visit the Jokhang Monastery, which houses a collection of cultural relics that date back to the Tang Dynasty. Before returning to the hotel, visit a local Tibetan carpet factory
Overnight: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 10, Thursday - Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, visit a local Tibetan family
Today, visit the sacred Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, one of the three largest holy lakes in Tibet. Then, proceed to visit a local Tibetan family. The hostess will prepare a traditional snack, Yak butter tea, and barley wine. Additionally, take the opportunity to chat with the hostess with the assistance of a local guide. Afterwards, browse the local arts and crafts shops on Bakhor Street. Here you will have a chance to shop for local arts and savor the flavors of Tibet. This evening, enjoy a Tibetan dinner and show at a local restaurant
Overnight: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
DAY 11, Friday - Flight to Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 12, Saturday - Shanghai City Tour
This morning, tour the major attractions of Shanghai. Wander the classical Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty by the high-ranking government official Pan Yunduan. The Gardens' total area occupies approximately five acres, and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters, and streams all within six scenic zones, including the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence for 400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for Pan's aging parents as a sanctuary in which to live out their lives. Next, experience the old world charm of the Bund, the former "Wall Street" of the foreign powers. Walk along its park-like waterfront promenade between the Wusong River and Old Town. Later today, enjoy a stop at a local silk factory. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
Optional: Acrobatic Show
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 13, Sunday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast |
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