Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and head to your hotel after clearing customs. This city of over 15 million people serves as China's largest commercial port and most international hub, so there's plenty to see once you settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start your day in Pudong checking out the Pearl Tower and the modern financial district. Take a ferry across the Huangpu River, then move on to Yuyuan Garden where you'll experience a traditional tea ceremony. After lunch, walk through Xintiandi's trendy shops, then head to Tianzifang to wander the maze-like alleys and art galleries. By afternoon you'll stroll along The Bund seeing those grand colonial-era buildings. Your free afternoon is yours to decide if you want the optional night boat trip.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- City tour of Shanghai
- Visit Pudong financial district
- Scenic ferry ride across Huangpu River
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony demonstration
- Explore Xintiandi neighborhood
- Explore Tianzifang district
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks/POIs Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden Xintiandi Tianzifang The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to the train station early for the 7:17 a.m. high-speed train heading to Luoyang, a five-hour journey covering about 1,000 km through countryside. Once you arrive, visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves with over 100,000 Buddha statues carved into rocky cliffs, plus take a scenic boat ride along the river. Later, transfer into ancient Luoyang where you'll explore the illuminated streets, imposing walls, and local atmosphere.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Shanghai to Luoyang
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along river at Longmen Caves
- Explore ancient city of Luoyang
Landmarks/POIs Longmen Buddhist Caves - Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Start early at the White Horse Buddhist Monastery on Luoyang's outskirts, a historic center of Buddhist learning. From there, travel to Sanmenxia to see the powerful Yellow River, then visit the striking Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda. You'll explore the Guo Museum to see ancient funeral carriages, and pass by Mount Hua on your way to Xian, arriving by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Visit Guo Museum
- View Mount Hua
Landmarks/POIs White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua 
- Day 5
Xian
Xian is where the Silk Road began, and your main stop is the Terracotta Army with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding an emperor's tomb. Return to the city and see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, then walk through the historic walled center and the vibrant Muslim Quarter. Visit the Great Mosque and catch a short traditional music performance at the Drum Tower. The rest of your day is free to explore at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Explore historic walled center
- Visit Great Mosque
- Visit Drum Tower with traditional Chinese music performance
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 6
Xian to Chengdu
Board a high-speed train in the morning for the three-hour journey to Chengdu, covering about 700 km. Once there, head to the Panda Bear research and breeding centre where you'll see about 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas. In the afternoon, take a walk through People's Park with its small lake, watch locals doing Tai Chi, and relax in traditional tea houses.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Xian to Chengdu
- Visit Panda Bear research and breeding centre
- Stroll through People's Park
- Visit tea houses in People's Park
Landmarks/POIs Panda Bear Research and Breeding Centre People's Park 
- Day 7
Sichuan Province
Spend the day exploring Sichuan Province's landscapes and traditional villages. Visit Dujiangyan to see an irrigation system that's been working for over 2,000 years, a UNESCO site. Continue on to Quingcheng Shan, the Taoist holy mountain, where you'll hike paths through forests and find caves, pavilions, and centuries-old wooden temples. Stop in the ancient city of Jiezi with its thousand-year-old alleys, then return to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- Full-day tour of Sichuan Province
- Visit traditional irrigation system in Dujiangyan
- Visit Quingcheng Shan (Sacred Mountain)
- Explore ancient city of Jiezi
- Return to Chengdu
Landmarks/POIs Dujiangyan Irrigation System Quingcheng Shan Jiezi Ancient City - Day 8
Chengdu to Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa from Chengdu and arrive at Gonggar Airport. Your guide meets you there for the bus ride to Lhasa at 3,700m elevation, which takes about an hour and a half. Check in at the hotel and take the evening easy to adjust to the altitude. You'll have time to wander through local bazaars if you're up for it.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tsedang)
Included Activities
- Flight Chengdu to Lhasa
- Transfer from Gonggar Airport to Lhasa
- Explore local bazaars
- Day 9
Lhasa
After breakfast, start with a guided tour of the Potala Palace, a 13-story structure that once served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas dating back to the 7th century. This was the tallest building of its time. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery founded in 1419 to see the famous 'Debate on Buddhist Scriptures,' a unique tradition held there. Return to the hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tsedang)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Potala Palace
- Visit Sera Monastery
- Watch Debate on Buddhist Scriptures
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Sera Monastery 
- Day 10
Lhasa
Take a guided tour of Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most revered religious structure, which is said to hold a statue crafted by Buddha Sakyamuni himself. The temple is where Tibetan spiritual and secular life converge, drawing people from all Tibetan tribes. Explore the surrounding Barkhor Market, an important religious route and lively gathering place. Later, visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer residence, then head back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tsedang)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Jokhang Temple
- Explore Barkhor Market
- Visit Norbulingka
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Barkhor Market Norbulingka - Day 11
Lhasa to Beijing
Fly from Lhasa to Beijing, China's capital, and get transferred to your hotel. By late afternoon, head to Wangfujing Street, a busy pedestrian avenue filled with shops and restaurants. Grab dinner at a local place and return to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Flight Lhasa to Beijing
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Visit Wangfujing Street
Landmarks/POIs Wangfujing Street 
- Day 12
Beijing
Your full-day Beijing tour covers a lot. Start at the Forbidden City where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years, then head to Jingshan Park and Coal Hill for views of the Forbidden City from above. Walk through Tiananmen Square and see the Great National Theater, then visit the Summer Palace with its gardens and serene lakes. Take a tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods, explore traditional shops, and visit a Siheyuan courtyard house. End the day with a foot massage, Tai Chi class, and Peking duck dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Forbidden City (or Confucius Temple and Lama Temple if Forbidden City unavailable)
- Visit Jingshan Park
- Explore Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit Siheyuan courtyard house
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Jingshan Park Tiananmen Square Summer Palace Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 13
Great Wall
Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, an iconic landmark spanning over 2,000 years through mountain landscapes. Take a cable car up and down to scenic sections with great views. On the way back to Beijing, stop at the 798 Art District, a former military factory now full of galleries, studios, and creative spaces. Visit the Temple of Heaven, one of China's largest sacred complexes and a UNESCO site where emperors once prayed. Finish with a foot massage and Tai Chi class.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section
- Cable car ride at Great Wall
- Visit 798 Art District
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China - Mutianyu Section 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 14
Beijing
After breakfast, your tour through China ends here, leaving you with lasting memories of everything you've seen and experienced.
- Meals
- Breakfast
