13 Days China Group Tour from Shanghai with Holy Tibet Discovery

The journey

Tour type: Small group of maximum 16 travelers, guaranteed departures. The published day-by-day itinerary below is supplied for this route.

From $3,299 per person

Highlights

• Arrival in Shanghai | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in
• Shanghai City Tour | Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Nanjing Road & The Bund (BL)
• Shanghai to Lhasa by Air (B)
• Lhasa Tour | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (BD)

Day by day

• Day 1 — Arrival in Shanghai | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in: Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Shanghai's long-term fusion of Eastern and Western cultures has contributed to Shanghai's unique culture. Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Shanghai, the driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Shanghai. 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 — 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 3 — Shanghai to Lhasa by Air (B): After breakfast, you will have some time in Shanghai and explore more on your own till be escorted to the airport for your flight to Lhasa (Economy Class Flight Ticket arranged by AOT).
• Day 4 — Lhasa 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 5 — 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 6 — Shigatse - Mt. Everest | Mount Everest, Rongbuk Monastery, EBC (BD): 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 7 — 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 8 — Shigatse to Lhasa by High Speed Train | Lhasa Airport Transfer; Xian Airport Pick-up & Hotel Check-in（B）: On this day, you will be transferred to Xian by flight. Welcome to Xian, the capital of 13 ancient China dynasties! Upon your arrival in Xian, the driver will greet you at the exit of the airport, and then escort you to your hotel in Xian downtown area. Enjoy some time on your own after the hotel check-in.
• Day 9 — Xian City Tour | Terracotta Warriors, Ancient Wall, Bell Tower （BL）: 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 10 — Xian tour: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Quarter; Train Station Transfer | Beijing Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in (B): This morning, you will go to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi'an's most recognizable landmarks and symbol of the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. This seven-story pagoda standing in the tranquil Da Ci'en Temple is one of China's best examples of a Tang-style pagoda (squarish rather than round). It was completed in AD 652 to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. His travels inspired one of the best-known works of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. Later, you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant and bustling Muslim Quarter (Muslim Street). This historic quarter, situated just behind the Drum Tower about 430 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xian, has been around for over 1,000 years.
• Day 11 — Beijing City Tour | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, 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 12 — 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 13 — Departure from Beijing | Hotel Check-out and Airport See-off (B): It is time to end your 8-day China group tour. You will have some time in Beijing and explore more on your own till be escorted to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.