Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
The prelude of your exciting China tour starts when you meet our professional local guide at Beijing Airport after reclaiming your luggage and clearing the customs. The guide will accompany you in a comfortable vehicle to the hotel and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with our capital city by yourself.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing sightseeing-Great Wall and Ming Tombs
This morning you will be taken to Badaling where you will experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. Standing on the wall and looking at it stretching up and down into boundless distance is an exciting experience and will leave you a life-long memory. To celebrate and commemorate this moment, we specially provide red wine for a group-toasting on the Great Wall. Later the journey will take you to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb in the peaceful shadow of Longevity Mountain.
The Sacred Way is a road in the front of the body part of the imperial necropolises, which means the road leading to the heaven. Among all the existing Sacred Ways, the one of the Ming Tomb is the best preserved and complete. 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.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 3: Beijing Sightseeing - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
In the morning, you will head to the first stop today, the impressive Tian'anmen 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. From there you will enter the "Imperial Palace" known as the Forbidden City to explore its many fascinating halls and pavilions.Here, you will not only get to know how the emperor handled political affairs and lived their lives, but also appreciate numerous ancient art treasures.
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 4: Beijing - Day tour to roam around Hutong- Nanluoguxiang and do some shopping
Hutong is the small ancient alley formed by traditional courtyard residences (Siheyuan). Nanluoguxiang is one of the most famous Hutongs in Beijing. There are a larger number of snack bars and artifact stores in the Nanluoguxiang. Strolling along the Nanluoguxiang, it is a feast for your eyes, mouth, and spirit. After visit Hutong, you can do some shopping freely in Beijing and prepare for your tomorrow Beijing Xining flight journey
Overnight in Beijing.
Day 5: Fly to Xining
Take the morning flight from Beijing to Xining. Tour guide will pick you up at Xining airport and you will be transferred to your hotel. You can have a good rest or walk around in the city. You can visit Museum of Tibetan Medicine Culture. This is a good place for you to explore Tibetan history and culture. In the evening, you can eat some local snacks in Mo Street, the famous food court in Xining.
Stay overnight in Xinning.
Day 6: Day tour to Qinghai Lake
In the morning, you will drive to Qinghai Lake. Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, and is a paradise for a huge variety of local and migrant birds. You can see a large area of clear water and reflections of distant snowcapped mountains. Every summer, Qinghai Lake is surrounded by Cole flowers in full bloom. The blue sky and golden yellow rapeseed fields constitute a beautiful landscape painting.
Stay overnight in Xining.
Day 7: Visit Kumbum Monastery and Board the Overnight Train to Lhasa
In the morning, you will visit Kumbum Monastery, lies on 25 km to the northeast of Xining. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa. In the afternoon, you can do some shopping. Board the train from Xining to Lhasa in the evening. The train departs from Xining Railway Station. Please arrive in train station at least 1 hour in advance.
Stay overnight in the train.
Day 8: 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. Tour guide will meet you at railway station.
Stay Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: Lhasa (3650m) to Shigatse (3900m)
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and tourists will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, clients can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Gyantse was historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, tourists will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 12: Shigatse (3900m) to EBC (5200m)
Drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where tourists can have lunch. Then, head to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough then on the way down to Shegar tourists will view the Mount Everest in the distance. After 4 to 6 hours’ drive, tourists will arrive at Rongbuk monastery but on the way, they will pass one of the highest Passes in Tibet (pang la pass height 5050m) from that’s pass they will view the whole five highest peaks in the world.
Stay overnight in Rongbuk Tent Guest house or local Tibetan Tent.
Day 13: EBC (5200m) to Gyirong (3900m)
Open your eyes, and wake up to the first sunlight shining over the pyramid-shaped summit of imposing Mount Everest. Grab your camera for an epic shot and stroll to the Rongbuk Monastery, exploring this world’s highest Buddhist compound. If you wish, you can do the meditation and experience the unparalleled tranquility and harmony there. Or you can interact with monks and nuns with the help of guide to learn more of their unique spiritual life.
Then, you will head for Gyirong, where you will leave from China. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning scene of Himalaya and Gangdise Mountain.
Stay overnight in Gyirong.
Day 14: Exit Tibet via Gyirong Border to Kathmandu
In the morning, our Tibetan guide will escort you to Gyirong border. Then, you are kindly required to hike on your own to cross the border bridge which is 50m long, then check in Nepal side, you can get the Nepal visa upon arrival with US$30, please prepare one photo at passport size to get Nepal Visa.
After you get to Nepal side, please find our guide. The guide will accompany you in a comfortable vehicle to the hotel in downtown (7-8hours’ ride) and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with the capital city of Nepal by yourself.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Kathmandu Day Tour - Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan City
Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies taken place. Swayambhunath the golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa is adorned with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu.
The last site we visit for today is Patan City which is the second largest town in Kathmandu valley. Patan's central Durbar Square is entitled in the World Heritage Site and absolutely packed with temples, the Golden Temple which is the unique Buddhist Monastery was founded in the 12th century, is a large rectangular building has three roofs and a copper gilded facade with the images of Buddha and Avalokitesvara where there are Buddha images and illustrations on the walls.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 16: Day tour to Pashupatinath, Bodhnath and Bhaktapur City
Pashupatinath the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, the old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images. Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Fly from Kathmandu to Paro, then Drive to Thimphu
During your flight to Paro, you will experience breathtaking views of the Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by our guide. Then drive for 1 hr 30 min to Thimphu.
In the afternoon, we will head to visit the landmarks in Thimphu, including the Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro Rinpung Dzong. Kyichu Lhakhang is also known as Kyerchu Temple and is the oldest and most beautiful temple in Bhutan. Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century as a fortress to protect Paro valley, offers you picturesque scenery and a sense of inner peace.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Day 18: Thimphu Sightseeing and Drive to Punakha
In the Morning, we will continue sightseeing in Thimphu. You will pay a visit to National Library that houses the world’s largest book and many ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, Painting School which is famous for traditional Thangkha paintings, Traditional Medicine Institute where the centuries old herbal medicine is still practiced and the folk heritage museum. And the highlight comes as you tour the Tashichho Dzong, the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of Bhutan government.
After lunch, we will drive from Thimphu to Punakha crossing Dochula pass at 3100mtrs where you can see the 108 beautiful chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Day 19: Punakha Sightseeing and Drive back to Paro
Get up in the morning to visit Punakha Dzong, widely believed to be the most beautiful Bhutanese Dzong, built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. Never miss the Punakha festival around mid-Feb if you come at the right time.
After touring Punakha, we are about to drive back to Paro. In the afternoon, we head to the National Museum of Bhutan, which looks like a round watchtower. You can trace back to the ancient Bhutan history and explore the diverse wild lives as well as splendid local culture and arts. Then we drive to visit Drukgyel Dzong, where you can enjoy the enchanting village lying at its foot.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Day 20: Trek to Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)
Today, we will enjoy the wonderful trek to Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Perched on the cliff of Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3120 meters) is the landmark of Paro as well as the holiest temple in Bhutan. It’s said that Guru Rinpoche had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of Paro Valley.
In the afternoon, you may opt for a stone bath or enjoy free exploration nearby.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Day 21: Departure from Paro
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport so that you can board the flight back home after this pleasant tour. Tour service end.