15 Days Classic China, Panda & Holy Tibet Tour in Small Group

The journey

The published day-by-day itinerary below is supplied for this route.

From $3,499 per person

Highlights

• Arrival in Beijing | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in
• Beijing City Tour | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and Summer Palace （BL)
• Beijing Great Wall Tour | Mutianyu Great Wall, Glimpse of Bird’s Nest & Water Cube（BL)
• Beijing to Xian by High Speed Train | Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter（B）

Day by day

• Day 1 — Arrival in Beijing | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in: Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Beijing, the driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.
• Day 2 — Beijing City Tour | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and Summer Palace （BL): Today you will spend the whole day exploring the ancient citadel of Beijing through China's famous landmarks, imperial grandeur, and royal gardens.
• Day 3 — Beijing Great Wall Tour | Mutianyu Great Wall, Glimpse of Bird’s Nest & Water Cube（BL): In this morning, you will head northwest of Beijing (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive, 73km) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The Great Wall boasts a history over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient masterpieces on the planet. Mutianyu Great Wall is connected with the Jiankou Great Wall in the west and the Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. Mutianyu is the longest and best fully-restored Great Wall with fewer tourists and is also famed for its 23 Ming-era watchtowers and stunning views. Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and then enjoy the memorable hiking time on the wall while visiting its western route. With the green pines and cypresses covering the surrounding area, and the winding wall standing majestically on the vast land, you will capture the most stunning natural scenery in this section. Challenge yourselves while climbing up to the 20th watchtower where you could fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish the chance and take photos as many as you like!
• Day 4 — Beijing to Xian by High Speed Train | Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter（B）: After breakfast, your group will be escorted to the train station for high-speed train to Xi’an (about 4.5-5.5 hours). Welcome to Xi’an, the capital of 13 ancient Chinese dynasties! Upon arrival at the train station, your driver will greet you at the exit and escort you to your hotel in Xi’an.
• Day 5 — Xian City Tour | Terracotta Warriors, Ancient Wall, Bell Tower (B,L): After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Drive about 40km (about 1 hour) to uncover one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world - the Terracotta Army Museum, built by the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang, to protect him in the afterlife. Around 8,000 vivid life-size Terracotta Warriors have been found so far. First, visit the largest and most imposing pit, believed to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures of soldiers and horses. You will be amazed by this subterranean life-size army of thousands standing silently to guard the emperor. Marvel also at the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. Next, move to another pit where you can see around 1,300 warriors and horses. Examine the ancient army formation, including the kneeling and standing archers, the chariot war array, and numerous troopers holding weapons.
• Day 6 — Xian to Chengdu by High Speed Train | Chengdu Train Station Pick-up and Hotel Check-in（B）: On this day, you will be transferred to the train station for a high-speed train to Chengdu (about 3-4 hours). Upon your arrival in Chengdu, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station and escort you to your hotel in Chengdu downtown area. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this laid-back city well known for Giant Pandas and Sichuan cuisine.
• Day 7 — Chengdu Classic Tour | Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sanxingdui Museum, Jinli Ancient Street（BL）: After breakfast, you will travel approximately 17 kilometers by coach to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu. Here you can admire China’s endearing national treasure—the giant panda, and learn about their living habits and conservation efforts.
• Day 8 — Chengdu to Lhasa by Air (B): After breakfast, you will have some time in Chengdu and explore more on your own till you be escorted to airport for your flight to Lhasa (Economy Class Flight Ticket arranged by AOT).
• Day 9 — Lhasa City Tour | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (BD): Today, it is the time to explore Lhasa by visiting the world-famous Potala Palace, a World Heritage site and the picture behind the 50 RMB. And then, you will explore Lhasa by visiting Jokhang Temple, a world cultural heritage site renowned for its brilliant architecture, culture, art, and history. Finally, you can stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and learn more about the daily kora life of Tibetans.
• Day 10 — Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse | Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier (B): On this day, drive about 8 to 9 hours (340km) from Lhasa to Shigatse via a visit to two amazing natural landscapes - Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier on the way.
• Day 11 — Shigatse - Mt. Everest | Mt. Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery: After breakfast, drive about 6.5 hours (330km) to the peak of the world - Mount Everest, while stopping by the Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest altitude monastery before spending the night at the Everest Base Camp.
• Day 12 — Mt. Everest - Shigatse | Gyatso La Pass (B): You will get an early start to catch the sunrise over Mt. Everest, then head back to Gyatso La Pass (Gyawu La Pass, the Dingri Boundary, 122km, 3.5 hours) for a quick photo stop. After that, drive back to Shigatse (240km, about 4.5 hours). And be escorted to your hotel in Shigatse, take a shower, and prepare for the departure the next day.
• Day 13 — Shigatse to Lhasa by High Speed Train & Fly to Shanghai (Choose from 3 Transfer Plans)（B）: On this day, you will be transferred to Shanghai by flight. Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Upon your arrival in Shanghai, your driver will meet you at the exit of the airport and escort you to your hotel in downtown Shanghai. You will have some time after your hotel check-in.
• Day 14 — Shanghai City Tour | Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Nanjing Road & The Bund (BL): Today, your group will have full day to experience the perfect blend of East and West in the "Paris of the East." Explore brilliant museums, classical gardens, futuristic skyscrapers, and stunning architecture - all in one vibrant city.
• Day 15 — Departure from Shanghai | Hotel Check-out and Airport See-off (B): It is time to end your 15 days China group tour. You will have some time in Shanghai and explore more on your own till your group be escorted to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.