13 Days Essential China Group Tour with Lhasa & Chengdu Pandas

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 $3,099 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 Train Station Transfer | Xian Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in

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 Train Station Transfer | Xian Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in: Transfer via: High speed train Beijing-Xian arranged by AOT (second class seat).
• Day 5 — 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 6 — Xian Tour: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter | Chengdu Train Station Pick-up and 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 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 be escorted to airport for your flight to Lhasa (Economy Class Flight Ticket arranged by AOT).
• Day 9 — Lhasa Culture Tour | Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center, Sera Monastery (BD): Today, have fun in the Lhasa Traditional Handicraft Art Center for a close touch of Tibetan culture, and you will experience Tibetan Buddhism by witnessing the Monks' Debating in Sera Monastery.
• Day 10 — Lhasa City Tour | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (B): 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 11 — Lhasa - Shanghai | Hotel Check-out and Airport Transfer (B): 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 13 — 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.