13 Days Best of China: Shanghai Tibet Xi'an Beijing

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 »  Shanghai start off

• Upon arrival, your guide greets you and escorts you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 2 »  Shanghai

• After breakfast, drive to the Shanghai Museum, the exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land.
• explore the Town God Temple (Chenghuangmiao), a Taoist Temple. The street is also known as Old Chenghuangmiao, where you cannot miss typical Shanghai snacks such as steamed stuffed buns.
• Then, arrive at Yuyuan Garden, which has the exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and the artistic style of Chinese private gardens.
• Have a look around the bustling shopping district of Nanjing Road. Walk along The Bund, the Bund houses 52 buildings of various architectural styles, which have been regarded as some of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai.
• The next stop is Oriental Pearl TV Tower for its marvelous exterior appearance, the landmark of Shanghai.
• Ramble around the spectacular People's Square located in the heart of the city. Strolling along Xintiandi Area, which was built and re-orgnized on the basis of Shanghai's unqiue characteristics-Shikumen architectural structures, is well-known as a new stylish pedestrain street for Cuisines, Commerce, Entertainment and Culture tourism spot. structures, is well-known as a new stylish pedestrain street for Cuisines, Commerce, Entertainment and Culture tourism spot.

Attractions

• Huangpu River Taking a boat tour along the Huangpu River gives visitors an opportunity to see many of Shanghai's famous sites such as the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the dramatic skyli ...
• Nanjing Road As a major hotspot for travelers in Shanghai, this street is a paradise of top-tier shopping, and renowned commercial center. ...
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower The Oriental Pearl Tower is a multifunctional body with sightseeing, restaurant, shopping, entertainment, hotel, and radio and TV transmissions. It has already become one of the sy ...
• The Bund With its name given to Shanghai's waterfront area, meaning literally 'muddy embankment' in Anglo-Indian, the Bund became the city's first foreign street. ...
• Town God Temple In the old days temple fairs were held in this Taoist temple on special days. Gradually the permanent temple market was formed, encompassing the Yuyuan Garden and the Zigzag Bridge ...
• Xintiandi Area As a car-free shopping, eating and entertainment area of Shanghai, China. Xintiandi is composed of an area of restored traditional shikumen ("stone gate") houses on narrow alleys, ...
• Yuyuan Garden Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan ...

Day 3 »  Shanghai - Lhasa

• In the morning, drive to Shanghai Museum, the exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land.
• transfer you to the airport for the flight to Lhasa, On arrival, transfer to hotel for check in to generate energy for the high altitude destinations.

Attractions

• Shanghai Museum Shanghai Museum has been famous for its large collection of rare cultural piece. The museum now houses over 120,000 pieces of cultural relics in twelve categories, including Chines ...

Day 4 »  Lhasa

• Visit the most known Potala Palace, a model of Tibetan architecture. The construction of this massive, beautiful yet forbidding structure was a gigantic undertaking, and it that has bequeathed to the world one of its most unique architectural treasures.
• In the afternoon, get to the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims.
• In the Evening, browse through the Barkhor Square, the heart of the local bazaar, enjoy shopping some of the rare traditional specialties of Tibet, such as Tibetan Thangka, Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Carpet, etc.

Attractions

• Barkhor Street As a very ancient as well as the most representative street surrounding the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble. ...
• Jokhang Temple Tibetan Buddhism's most sacred temple, the Jokhang, stands broad and low in the heart of old Lhasa, the recipient of prayers of daily worshippers and once-in-a-lifetime pilgrims. ...
• Potala Palace Named as one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World' by the American television show, the Potala Palace is considered a model of Tibetan architecture, whose massive, beautiful yet ...

Day 5 »  Lhasa

• Visit Deprung Monastery, the main place where Shoton Festival takes place, to the west of which was where each reincarnation of the Dalai Lama received his training.
• Move on to the Norbulingka Park, the Summer Palace of Tibet with the highest gardening level artistic level.
• Visit Sera Monastery, one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa. A most interesting time to visit the monastery is in the afternoon when monks, after finishing their morning scripture classes, can be seen debating in the courtyard. During the remainder time we can visit the carpet factory and enjoy some beautiful Tibetan Carpets.

Attractions

• Drepung Temple As Tibet's largest and the most important temple of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism, the Drepung Temple is especially known as the site of the annual Shoton Festival, with its dramatic ...
• Norbulingka Park Both reflecting the ethnical, religious features of the Tibetan people and embodying the architecture style of inland China, Norbulingka Park is of great cultural value and was lis ...
• Sera Temple As one of three famous temples in Lhasa along with the Drepung Temple and the Ganden Temple, Sera Temple is also one of the six great temples of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet ...

Day 6 »  Lhasa - Gyantze - Shigatse

• Leave Lhasa for the Yamdrok, the transformation of a goddess according to local mythology and one of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet.
• Then drive westward to Gyangtze, stop at Palkhor Monastery, a monastery having the characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture. Palkhor Choede enjoys a high status in Tibet Buddhism history because it houses three sects -Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa together.
• Move west to Shigatse by air-conditional coach.

Attractions

• Palkhor Monastery With a unique history and a wealth of Buddhist art, Pelkhor Temple has the characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture. There are three classes of Buddhism existing har ...
• Lake Yamdrok As the transformation of a goddess according to local mythology, Lake Yamdrok is one of three holy lakes in Tibet. Lying under the sunshine, the peaceful water seems like a bright ...

Day 7 »  Shigatse - Lhasa

• Visit the Tashilhunpo Temple, one of the Six Big Temples of Gelugpa in Tibet and the official seat of the Panchen Lama, the chief spiritual and temporal authority of Tsang. The biggest stupa - Stupa tomb of the tenth Panchen Lama is kept there.
• Go on to visit the New Palace of Panchen, famous as the summer palace of the tenth Panchen Lama. It greatly mixes both traditional and modern architectural styles.
• Later leave Shigatse for Lhasa. Visit a Tibetan family and savor local food.

Attractions

• New Palace of Panchen Famous as the summer palace of the tenth Panchen Lama, it greatly mixes both traditional and modern architectural styles. ...
• Tashilhunpo Temple As one of the Six Big Temples of Yellow Hat Sect in China and the biggest Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism temple in back Tibet area, the murals and religious and artistic treasures in the ...

Day 8 »  Lhasa - Xi'an

• In the morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi'an. Xi'an was the capital for over 1,000 years and was the starting point of ancient Silk Road.
• In Xi'an, do as the locals and try the famous Xi'an snacks - Pancake in Mutton Soup (Yangrou Paomo).

Day 9 »  Xi'an

• Today's attractions feature: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of World Cultural Heritages. The lifelike warriors of First Emperor Qin Shihuang will sure lead you back to the ancient warring times.
• Later, enjoy a tour to the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum which is an epitome of Shaanxi glamorous imperial past.
• Drive to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most famous buddhist pagodas in China, which was built in the Tang Dynasty to collect Buddhist scriptures.
• Then visit the Xi'an City Wall, an extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure. It's the best preserved ruins of city walls in China.
• In the evening, enjoy the imperial dumpling banquet and the Tang Dancing Show.

Attractions

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda As the symbol of the old-line Xian, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor G ...
• Shaanxi Provincial History Museum Be considered as an obligation to be a showcase of ancient civilizations. Shaanxi Provincial History Museum is situated in the southern suburb of Xian City, northwest of the Big Wi ...
• Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show take roots from the historical records and folk legends about the Tang Dynasty and shows to the audience the court life and social costumes of mor ...
• Terracotta Warriors and Horses A terracotta army guarding , the tomb of Qin Shihuang, which lures travelers from all over the world. In a quest for immortality and eternal power, China's first emperor chose to h ...
• Xi'an City Wall As a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xi'an, the Xi'an City Wall is the best-preserved, oldest and largest ancient city defense system in China. ...

Day 10 »  Xi'an - Beijing

• First enjoy a tour to the symbol of Xi'an - the Bell Tower.
• Later visit the Great Mosque, one of the most important islamic mosques in China, which is a combination of traditional Chinese architecture and islamic art.
• Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Beijing.
• On arrival in Beijing, enjoy a trip back to the Hutong area by a rickshaw to ride through the narrow alleys and passages. A visit to a local family is included then a walk over the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge) to hear the explanation about the different thresholds that mark the entry to the courtyard houses.

Attractions

• Bell Tower Known as the symbol of Xi'an, the Bell Tower is a classical building with carved beams and painted rafters. It houses a bell which was originally used to strike time every morning ...
• Courtyard Houses of Beijing Courtyard houses of Beijing, at the highest level and most typical specimen of its kind, boast a long history of more than 2,000 years. They are cordial and quiet, with a strong fl ...
• Great Mosque Considered to be one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China, the Great Mosque is a combination of traditional Chinese architecture and Islamic art. ...
• Hutong in Beijing People say that the real culture of Beijing is the 'culture of the Hutong' and the 'culture of the courtyard'. How true that is. Often, it is Beijing's winding Hutongs that attract ...

Day 11 »  Beijing

• After breakfast, visit the Tian'anmen Square, the largest square of its kind in the world.
• Then visit the Forbidden City, also known as Palace Museum, to enjoy an emperor's life.
• Drive to The Temple of Heaven, which is the place for imperial rituals and worship.
• In the evening, enjoy the famous Roast Duck feast which looks brilliantly dark red, shining with oil and with crisp skin and tender meat.

Attractions

• Forbidden City Nowadays, the Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum is open to tourists from home and abroad. Splendid painted decoration on these royal architectural wonders, the grand and deluxe ...
• Temple of Heaven On leaving the Forbidden City, follow in the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs and head south to the magnificent and colorful Temple of Heaven. Although the bi-ann ...
• Tian'anmen Square At the very heart of Beijing, sits Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. This vast space, measuring 40 hectares, has a historical significance to rival its size ...

Day 12 »  Beijing

• Have an excursion of Great Wall at Mutianyu section by cable car. With vegetation, green pines and cypresses covering 90 percent of the area, the sceneries here are beautiful all the year round.
• Proceed to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved Chinese imperial garden. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the enchanting Lake Kunminghu.

Attractions

• Great Wall at Mutianyu Besides its strategically important location and compact layout, Great Wall at Mutianyu is also famous for the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percen ...
• Summer Palace With its handsome buildings, pretty scenery and tumultuous history, the Summer Palace is a wonderful place to explore. The most leisurely way to escape the crowd is to take a strol ...

Day 13 »  Beijing

• Transfer to Beijing airport in prepare for your departure.
• End of service.