This remarkable tour takes you to seven major centres in China. In Beijing you visit the great imperial sites as well as other significant places of interest. The archaeological wonders of Xian rise before you in the form of the Terracotta Warriors. You will visit the famous Buddhist monastery at Xining and move on to Lhasa in legendary Tibet and marvel at the wonders there. In Chengdu you will visit the panda bears and then move on to Chongqing to board your relaxing Yangtze River cruise with all the sights it presents. At tour end you will experience the pulsating vitality of Shanghai so bringing to an end your tour of classic China and Tibet which will not quickly escape your memory.
You transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast you will visit Tiananmen Square, look across thevast space to the Great Hall of the People and stand before the massive Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace) Gate bearing a huge portrait of Mao Zedong where he proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949. Lying behind is the Forbidden City, as the former imperial palace is called, where the magnificent marble courtyards, huge halls, gilded temples and ornate pavilions, the residence of the emperors and their families, are now open to your wonderment. After lunch there will be a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old Hutong district, a fascinating maze of narrow alleys, old houses and hidden courtyards dating from Yuan Dynasty times (14th century), where people who live and work here welcome you into their homes. (B/L)
You will be taken north today to pace the ramparts of China’s famed Great Wall, originally constructed over 2000 years ago to keep northern invaders at bay. On the way back to your hotel, you will make a stop at the National Olympic Stadium. This evening a traditional Peking Duck dinner completes a very special day. (B/L/D)
Today you will visit the Summer Palace, the famed pleasure gardens of the Qing emperors. Beautiful ornamental plantings, languid willows and painted pavilions surround a scenic lake, across which are enchanting views to the pagoda-capped Jade Spring Hill and the mountains beyond. Finally you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors, for the good of the empire, carried out the most important sacrifices and ceremonies of the year. Set in a huge park planted with conifers, the beautiful blue tiled buildings here represent the epitome of Ming architecture. (B/L)
You transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian Over 1,000 years ago, Xian was the capital city of the Tang Dynasty and then the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world. This afternoon you walk along the top of the Xian City Wall and this evening you will enjoy the lavish spectacle of the Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show. (B/L/D)
Today you will visit the remarkable archaeological site where the Terracotta Warriors, who guarded the tomb of China’s great unifier and first emperor, Qinshihuang who died in 210 BC, were discovered. View the army of some 6000 life-size terracotta warriors and their horses made and buried, lined up facing east in battle array. (B/L)
You fly to Xining and on arrival, you will have a city tour including the monastery and the restored residence of the Muslim Warlord Mabufang.
You transfer to the t
rain station to board a very special train, the ‘Lhasa Express’ to travel across the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa. (B/L/D)
You will be met on arrival in Lhasa and taken to your hotel. Lhasa is at 3500m and you will be able to rest and further adjust to the altitude. Dinner at the hotel. (D)
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Lhasa, including the holy monastery of Drepung,which was originally the largest and richest monastery in Tibet and housed the Nechung, the State Oracle. Then go on to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple around which pilgrims follow the Barkhor, the holy path of transformation. Lining this circuit are fascinating shops, stalls and teahouses. You also visit a local Tibetan Family. (B/L)
Today you visit the imposing Potala Palace, once the centre of Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Later you explore Norbu Linka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama, a pleasant park containing small palaces and chapels. You then take a visit to the famous Sera Monastery, dating back to the 15th century. (B/L/D)
Day at your leisure. (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chengdu The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Today you will experience one of the most unique and special moments on this trip – a visit to see the pandas. Sichuan Province is home to China’s most celebrated animal. After lunch you will be transferred to the station for your fast train to Chongqing. On arrival you enjoy an orientation tour of this enormous modern city of 30 million on the banks of the Yangtze River. You will be transferred to your luxurious Yangtze River cruise ship. (B/L/D)
You cruise the famous Yangtze River in a superbly appointed cruise ship as it winds its way through the spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. For many people, a cruise along this famous river is a lifelong dream. At 6300km, the Yangtze is the third longest river in the world, made famous today by its spectacular Three Gorges and the controversial Three Gorges Dam. The Three Gorges stretch for 193km, along which are many historic sites such as Baidi City, cliff inscriptions, suspended coffins of the Ba Tribe, tombs of the Han Dynasty (prior to 220 AD) and battlefields of the Three Kingdoms period. Where the river widens, terraced fields spread out up mountain slopes, interspersed with orange orchards and tea gardens. The mist-shrouded landscape of the Yangtze Gorges is as lovely as a traditional Chinese painting. Along the way you stop and visit interesting places. (All meals on board)
You disembark in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (B/L)
Dominating the Yangtze Delta, Shanghai is the pulsating commercial heart of China. Walk along the famous Bund past the facades of the colonial buildings lining the Huangpu River and look across to the fantastic skyscrapers of the Pudong district on the opposite side. After lunch you will visit the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century, now surrounded by a bustling market area. Later you will ascend the Shanghai World Financial Centre Observatory Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city. This evening you will be entertained by one of Shanghai’s famous acrobatic troupes. (B/L)
Today is at your leisure. (B)
You transfer to the airport. (B)
| Daily Departure | **** | ***** | ||
| Twin Share | Single Supplement | Twin Share | Single Supplement | |
| Apr, Nov 11 | $5155 | $1535 | $5865 | $2195 |
| May, Sep-Oct 11 | $5480 | $1785 | $6305 | $2555 |
| Jun-Aug 11 | $5155 | $1535 | $5865 | $2195 |
| Dec 11, Jan-Feb 12 | $4698 | $1178 | $5380 | $1815 |
The prices of above tour are based on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.
For more details on what is included in this tour please click here