Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Beijing
You'll be met at the airport and taken straight to your hotel in Beijing. Get settled in, rest up, and take it easy after traveling.
- Day 2
Beijing
Start with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City this morning. After lunch, head to the Temple of Heaven, then take a rickshaw through the narrow hutongs of a traditional neighborhood to get a feel for local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Visit Forbidden City
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Rickshaw ride through hutongs
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven - Day 3
Beijing to Great Wall (Mutianyu)
Drive about 1.5 hours to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time walking the wall and checking out the views, grab lunch on site, then head back by cable car.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall (Mutianyu section)
- Cable car ride (return)
- Lunch included
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China (Mutianyu Section) - Day 4
Beijing to Xian
Take a leisurely cruise around the Summer Palace, the Qing Dynasty's imperial retreat with beautiful buildings and gardens spread out across the grounds. Later in the afternoon, catch a flight to Xian and settle into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise at Summer Palace
Landmarks/POIs Summer Palace - Day 5
Xian
See the Terracotta Warriors this morning, one of the most significant archaeological finds. After lunch, walk along the City Walls that ring inner Xian, which give you nice views of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Warriors
- Stroll along City Walls
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Warriors Xian City Walls - Day 6
Xian to Lhasa
Check out Muslim Street in the morning, a historic hub from the Silk Road where you'll find Arab influences, street food, and local cuisines. Fly to Lhasa in the afternoon, then have an authentic Tibetan dinner after checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Tibetan dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Muslim Street
- Authentic Tibetan dinner
Landmarks/POIs Muslim Street (Huimin Street) - Day 7
Lhasa
Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, the two largest in Lhasa. Watch monks debate and see special dance performances. In the afternoon, walk through Barkhor Street market to find Tibetan crafts and goods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Visit Sera Monastery
- Watch monks' debate
- Watch monks' special dance
- Visit Barkhor Street market
Landmarks/POIs Drepung Monastery Sera Monastery Barkhor Street - Day 8
Lhasa
Climb the stairs and explore Potala Palace, Tibet's iconic symbol and the highest palace around. Then see Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer home. Later, visit a local Tibetan home to see how people live day to day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike and explore Potala Palace
- Visit Norbulingka
- Visit local Tibetan home
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Norbulingka - Day 9
Lhasa to Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu and transfer to your hotel. Take a walk around People's Park and stop at a local teahouse where there's a tea demonstration to watch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stroll around People's Park
- Tea demonstration at local teahouse
Landmarks/POIs People's Park - Day 10
Chengdu
Spend the morning at the Chengdu Research Base to see giant pandas. Then head to Wenshu Temple where you can relax in the teahouse with traditional Chinese tea. Later, wander through Jinli Old Street.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding program
- Visit Wenshu Temple
- Tea house at Wenshu Temple
- Explore Jinli Old Street
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Wenshu Temple Jinli Old Street - Day 11
Chengdu to Chongqing
Take the bullet train from Chengdu to Chongqing. Have lunch and a quick city tour, then board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer for a three-night cruise through the Three Gorges.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Chongqing
- Board Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer cruise ship
- Day 12
Three Gorges Cruise
Start early with tea or coffee and a traditional Tai Chi lesson while cruising through the Three Gorges. Enjoy the buffet breakfast as the boat moves through the scenic region.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast on board), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early bird tea or coffee
- Traditional Tai Chi lesson
- Buffet breakfast on board
- Day 13
Three Gorges Cruise
Begin with morning tea and Tai Chi practice. Visit White King Town in the morning and get commentary on Qutang Gorge. See a traditional trackers village to learn about rural life. Tonight there's a farewell dinner, Three Gorges lecture, and live music onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (A Taste of China - special farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Tea or coffee and Tai Chi practice
- Excursion to White King Town
- Commentary on Qutang Gorge
- Visit traditional trackers village
- Special farewell dinner - A Taste of China
- Three Gorges Project lecture
- Live band performance
Landmarks/POIs White King Town Qutang Gorge Wu Gorge Xiling Gorge - Day 14
Yichang to Shanghai
Leave the boat in Yichang this morning and fly to Shanghai. After arriving, you'll be transferred to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Shanghai
Explore Shanghai's modern side starting with the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, and Yu Market. Walk the famous Bund, then head up the Shanghai World Financial Center for views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- Visit Yu Garden
- Visit Yu Market
- Visit the Bund
- Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
Landmarks/POIs Shanghai Museum Yu Garden The Bund Shanghai World Financial Center - Day 16
Shanghai
You have the day free to explore Shanghai at your own pace. In the afternoon, join other travelers for a special farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Special farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Special farewell dinner
- Day 17
Departure from Shanghai
Get transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
