Day 1: Arrival in Lijiang and Visit Lijiang Ancient Town and Lion Hill
Welcome to Lijiang! As you arrive in Lijiang, our guide will meet you outside of the airport and transfer you to the hotel. After a short rest, you will explore Lijiang Ancient Town, a national historical and cultural city. It is the most preserved and most Naxi-style ancient town in China. You can stroll in the streets of ancient town, buy some exquisite souvenir, and drink a cup coffee or wine in cafes and bars, and so on. Besides, you can also climb to Wangu Tower of the Lion Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the entire ancient town.
Stay overnight in Lijiang.
Day 2: Lijiang Day Tour: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool
Today, you will firstly tour Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost snow mountain in China. The Jade Dragon Snow mountain is surrounded by clouds and fog, looking like a silver-white dragon. Then, head to Black Dragon Pool, built in 1737 during the Qing dynasty.
Stay overnight in Lijiang.
Day 3: Fly from Lijiang to Chengdu and Visit Wide and Narrow Alley
In the morning, you will fly from Lijiang to Chengdu. After arrive in Chengdu, tour guide will escort you to the hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit Wide and Narrow Alley in downtown Chengdu. You can eat special snacks, drink tea, and buy some souvenirs there.
Stay overnight in Chengdu.
Day 4: Chengdu Day Tour: Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center, Jinsha Site Museum, and Jin Li Street
In the morning, you will have a special date with the adorable giant pandas in Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center. You could also learn more about the life and habits of the national treasure of China. Then head for Jinsha Site Museum to see the historical items of more than 3,000 years ago. Finally, it is suggested that you take a leisure stroll along Jinli Street. It is a famous commercial pedestrian street in the City, boasting rows of old-style buildings, delicious local snacks, interesting handicrafts and elegant restaurants.
Stay overnight in Chengdu.
Day 5: Board the Train to Lhasa and Enjoy the Train Ride
Today, you will board the train from Chengdu to Lhasa. The train departs from Chengdu North Railway Station. Please arrive in train station at least 1 hour in advance.
Stay overnight in the train.
Day 6: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Sightseeing by train, arrive in Lhasa
The train will move on Qinghai Tibet Plateau, and you will pass by Yuzhufeng, which is the main peak of Kunlun Mountain, World Natural Heritage Kekexili Naturel Preserve, Tuotuo River-the resource of Yangtze River, Naqu Grassland and Cuona Lake. In the morning of the next day, the train will arrive in Lhasa. Tour guide will meet you at railway station.
Stay Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Lhasa Sightseeing - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun, spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and the many Buddhist icons within.
In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.
Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor Street of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.
Stay Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 8: Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
In the morning, you will have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever-largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.
In the afternoon, you are going to visit Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You may have the chance to watch the famous Monks Debate (usually from 15:00 to 17:00) before returning to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 9: Fly from Lhasa to Xi’an
Today, fly from Lhasa to Xi’an. Our guide will transfer you to the airport and help you get on board. As you arrive in Xi’an, our local guide will meet you outside of the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is on your own to have a rest or explore the city.
Stay overnight in Xi’an.
Day 10: Xi’an tour: Terra-Cotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Today, you will visit Terra-Cotta Warriors, which is one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor in a vast underground palace. Then, you head for Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang are reserved here.
Stay overnight in Xi’an.
Day 11: Fly from Xi’an to Beijing and visit Tiananmen Square
In the morning, taking the flight from Xi’an to Beijing. Upon you arrive in Beijing, the guide will escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tiananmen Square, which is the biggest urban city square in the world. Nowadays, many constructions of great historical importance have been built on and around it.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 12: Beijing Tour: Great Wall at Badaling and Forbidden City
Today, you will firstly visit magnificent Great Wall at Badaling. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. Walking on the Great Wall, you will marvel at the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.
In the afternoon, head to the world-famous Forbidden City which once served as the imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is the most complete imperial palace in China.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 13: Beijing Sightseeing - Ming Tombs, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
In the morning, leave for Ming Tombs. Although it has a history of more than 600 years, the Ming Tomb has been perfectly preserved. The encircled mountains, meandering river and grand mausoleum architecture have formed a majestic and large-scaled mausoleum group of integrate structure.
In the afternoon, you will visit Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. Summer Palace was an imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. Temple of Heaven is the place where the emperors worshipped the heaven for good harvests. As the dwelling of the God of Heaven, it covers an area even larger than the dwelling of the emperor, Forbidden City.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 14: Fly from Beijing to Shanghai and Visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the Bund
Take the morning flight from Beijing to Shanghai. As you arrive in Shanghai, our guide will meet you outside of the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
In the evening, we will visit the most iconic building of Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will get amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and dazzling light from buildings of Pudong.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 15: Shanghai Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden
Today we are about to visit some of the highlights of Shanghai Tour. Starting with fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.
Next comes the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 16: Departure from Shanghai
Our guide will transfer you to the airport and help you get on board.
