13-Day China Tour with Holy Tibet & Lovely Pandas

Welcome to Beijing! You will meet your local tour guide and driver at the airport or train station. Once settled in, you can explore the surroundings however you like.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Beijing

After breakfast, you will head to Tiananmen Square and visit solemn Monument to the People's Heroes. Continue to the Forbidden City (the Palace Museum) and explore this imperial palaces of Ming and Qing dynasties in China. After visiting, head to Siji Mingfu Roasted Duck Restaurant to taste the unique Beijing food, Beijing roast duck.

In the afternoon, travel to Jingshan Park and climb up Jingshan Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic vista of the Forbidden City and old Beijing city. Watch a Peking Opera in the evening and learn about China's historical stories and traditional culture. You can taste delicious snacks and tea while enjoying the wonderful performance.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Beijing

Spend a morning at Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most beautiful Great Wall sections. Take the cable car up to the Great Wall and enjoy stunning views of the Mutianyu Great Wall from the air. Hike on the Great Wall and then take the thrilling Mutianyu toboggan ride down. Have lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall.

In the afternoon, venture to the Summer Palace, an attractive imperial garden of Qing dynasty. You can climb up the mountain and stroll along the long corridor with various murals painted on the walls. Take a boat ride on Kunming Lake. In the evening, you can savor Beijing copper hot pot for dinner.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Beijing

In the morning, head to the Temple of Heaven, a site of worship for the heaven. You can appreciate nice architecture, such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar. In the morning, you can see locals do exercise. Take a rickshaw to explore Beijing's hutongs. Tour these lanes in-depth and visit various antique stores and small boutiques.

In the afternoon, your tour guide will take you to the station and take a five-hour high-speed train to Xi'an. Your local private guide and driver will meet you at the station in Xi'an and take you to your hotel for a rest. You can explore the hotel nearby.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Xi'an

This morning, you can visit the Terracotta Army at Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Observe the facial expressions and clothing of each terracotta figurine. Admire the exquisite sculpture art of the Qin Dynasty. You can make your own Terracotta Warriors at a handmade experience base.

After lunch, you will return to downtown Xi'an for a visit to the Ancient Xi'an City Wall. Walking along the largest and most well-preserved City Wall, you can appreciate the beautiful landscape of Xi'an. A cycling tour is a great way to take in the sights.

In the evening, visit the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) for local Muslim cuisine.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Xi'an

In the morning, you will have a rich breakfast at the hotel. Then you will head to the airport and fly to Tibet, the "Roof of the World". When you arrive at the airport in Lhasa, praised as the "City of Sunshine", your private tour guide and driver will meet you and take you to the hotel. Embrace your Tibet tour by enjoying unique Tibetan architecture and beautiful Himalayan along the way.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Lhasa

In the morning, you will pay a visit to Potala Palace, the holy land of pilgrims. Dalai Lama's living quarters － the White Palace is known for its white exterior walls while the Red Palace is named after its red exterior walls. You can appreciate various pagodas, Buddhist halls, and cultural relics, including statues, murals, thangkas, enamel, and more.

In the afternoon, head to Jokhang Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Tibet. You can see a 108-centimeter bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Travel to prosperous Barkhor Street where you can get a taste of local life. In this ancient street full of Tibetan culture, you can find all kinds of Tibetan handicrafts, such as thangka, Tibetan jewelry, spices, etc.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Lhasa

Today, your first stop is Norbulingka, Dalai Lama's summer residence. Stroll through the garden and appreciate lakes, colorful flowers, and unique architecture that combines Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian styles. Learn about the history of Norbulingka and its position in Tibetan Buddhism. Savor a cup of ghee tea at a teahouse and experience the Tibetan cuisine culture.

Head to Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Lhasa. Enrich your knowledge about the monastery's history and religious art through Buddhist statues, frescoes, and the historical heritage in the temple. You can watch the monks preach and chant sutras.

Visit Sera Monastery, renowned for its debating activities. In this famous monastic university in Tibet, you can see and learn the scene of monks debating Buddhist theory. Immerse yourself in the strong ambiance of learning Tibetan Buddhism.

Kind Reminder:
1. Dressing appropriately is recommended. Avoid shorts and strapless clothing.
2. Keep quiet when visiting the temples.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Lhasa

This morning, you can enjoy breakfast and leisure time at the hotel before your driver picks you up and takes you to the airport. After arriving, your private tour guide will meet you and take you to the hotel for check-in. You can freely arrange the remaining time of the day.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Chengdu

This morning, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. You can watch the most active pandas in the morning. Step into the pandas' world and learn about how to protect pandas. You can enhance your understanding of these lovely creatures by studying their breeding program.

At noon, you can enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine at a nearby Sichuan restaurant. Then you will return to downtown Chengdu and visit the ancient Wenshu Yuan Monastery, a Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Appreciate quaint architecture and immerse yourself in a peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy a cup of tea and relax at a teahouse.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Chengdu

Today you will leave the leisurely life of Chengdu and fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local private guide and driver will greet you and take you to the hotel for a rest. Then you can explore Shanghai by yourself.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Shanghai

After breakfast, start at the Shanghai Museum where you can learn about ancient Chinese art and history. Enjoy a leisurely visit to Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden with a long history. Taste delicious traditional snacks at Yuyuan Bazaar.

Follow your tour guide to the towering Shanghai World Financial Center and ascend the observation deck on the 100th floor for a breathtaking view of Shanghai. Delve into the fashion of Shanghai at Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Bund and explore Broadway Mansions. Look across the river at the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

After dinner, discover Shanghai's top landmarks on a night cruise on the Huangpu River. The contrasting neon lights make the Bund and Lujiazui on both sides more charming. Appreciate the beautiful view of Waibaidu Bridge and the surroundings.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Shanghai

Today, you will say goodbye to the 13-day China tour and depart. On this last day, you can buy some souvenirs and take them home. Then you will be transferred to the airport or train station.

Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A