Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and head to your hotel to get settled. This cosmopolitan city sits on China's largest commercial port and you're in the heart of a major hub with millions of people around.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start in Pudong's financial district checking out the skyscrapers and Pearl Tower. Take a ferry across the Shanghai River, then walk through the Old City and Yuyuan Garden where you'll have a traditional tea ceremony. Later you'll see Xintiandi's boutiques and cafes, then wander Tianzifang's alleys and galleries. The Bund awaits with its colonial buildings. Afternoon is free, and there's an optional night boat trip if you want it.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pudong financial district
- Ferry ride across Shanghai River
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Explore Xintiandi neighborhood
- Walk along The Bund
- Explore Tianzifang
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks/POIs Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden The Bund Xintiandi Tianzifang - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to the train station for a 07:17 a.m. departure on the high-speed train. Five hours later you'll cover 1,000 km and reach Luoyang. From there, visit Longmen Buddhist Caves with over 100,000 Buddha statues carved into cliffs, then take a scenic boat ride along the river. Transfer to Luoyang and walk through illuminated streets with traditional charm and local energy.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang)
Included Activities
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river at Longmen
- Explore Luoyang's ancient walled city
Landmarks/POIs Longmen Buddhist Caves - Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Start early at White Horse Buddhist Monastery on Luoyang's outskirts. Continue to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River, then visit Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda. The Guo Museum shows ancient funeral carriages from the former State of Guo. Pass Mount Hua, one of China's holiest mountains, and arrive in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- View the Yellow River
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Explore Guo Museum
Landmarks/POIs White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Mount Hua Guo Museum - Day 5
Xian
Morning brings you to the Terracotta Army with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor. Return to see Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure standing over a thousand years. Head into the Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque. A short performance of traditional Chinese music plays at the Drum Tower. After that, you'll have free time to explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Explore Muslim Quarter
- Visit Great Mosque
- Attend traditional Chinese music performance at Drum Tower
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 6
Xian to Chengdu
Board a high-speed train covering 700 km in just over three hours to Chengdu. Upon arrival, visit the Panda Bear research center with 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas. Afternoon brings a leisurely stroll through People's Park where you'll see a small lake, locals doing Tai Chi, and traditional tea houses.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Bear research and breeding centre
Optional Activities
- Stroll through People's Park
Landmarks/POIs Panda Bear Research and Breeding Centre People's Park - Day 7
Chengdu to Sichuan Province and return
Spend the day touring Sichuan Province's landscapes and traditional villages. In Dujiangyan, see the traditional irrigation system that's a world heritage site and has functioned for over 2,000 years. Explore Quingcheng Shan, a Taoist holy mountain with forest paths, caves, and centuries-old wooden temples. Visit the ancient city of Jiezi with alleys over a thousand years old before returning to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional irrigation system in Dujiangyan
- Explore Quingcheng Shan mountain
- Visit ancient city of Jiezi
Landmarks/POIs Dujiangyan Irrigation System Quingcheng Shan Jiezi Ancient City - Day 8
Chengdu to Lhasa
Head to the airport for your included flight to Lhasa. After landing at Gonggar Airport, meet your guide and take a bus to Lhasa (3,700m), about an hour and a half away. Check in and have a free evening to acclimatize to the altitude. You can take a leisurely stroll through local bazaars if you feel up to it.
Included Activities
- Explore local bazaars
- Day 9
Lhasa
After breakfast, tour the Potala Palace, a 13-story structure that served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas dating back to the 7th century. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery founded in 1419, where you'll see the famous 'Debate on Buddhist Scriptures,' a tradition unique to this monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Potala Palace
- Visit Sera Monastery
- Witness Debate on Buddhist Scriptures at Sera
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Sera Monastery - Day 10
Lhasa
Tour Jokhang Temple, known as the 'House of Buddha' and said to hold a statue personally crafted by Buddha Sakyamuni. The temple brings together Tibetan spiritual and secular life where people from all Tibetan tribes gather. Browse Barkhor Market, an important religious route and lively gathering place. Afternoon takes you to Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer residence.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Jokhang Temple
- Explore Barkhor Market
- Visit Norbulingka
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Barkhor Market Norbulingka - Day 11
Lhasa to Beijing
After breakfast, head to the airport for your included flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Late afternoon takes you to Wangfujing Street, a lively pedestrian and commercial avenue filled with shops and restaurants for your first introduction to the capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Wangfujing Street
Landmarks/POIs Wangfujing Street 
- Day 12
Beijing
Explore Beijing's highlights on a full-day tour visiting the Forbidden City where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. Head to Jingshan Park and Coal Hill for panoramic views of the Forbidden City. Stroll through Tiananmen Square and see the Great National Theater. Later, explore the Summer Palace with its gardens and serene lakes. Take a tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods and visit a classic Siheyuan courtyard house. End with a foot massage and Tai Chi class.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Forbidden City
- Visit Jingshan Park and Coal Hill
- Stroll through Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit traditional Siheyuan courtyard house
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
Optional Activities
- Visit Confucius Temple (if Forbidden City access unavailable)
- Visit Lama Temple (if Forbidden City access unavailable)
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Jingshan Park Coal Hill Tiananmen Square Great National Theater Summer Palace Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 13
Beijing to Great Wall and return
Journey to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, an architectural masterpiece spanning over 2,000 years through mountain landscapes. Take a cable car up and down to one of the most scenic sections. On the way back, visit 798 Art District, a former military factory now full of galleries and studios. Stop at the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors prayed for good harvests. Finish with a foot massage, Tai Chi class, and lacquered duck dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
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
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China - Mutianyu Section 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 14
Beijing
After breakfast, your China tour comes to an end, leaving you with wonderful memories of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
