16 Days Beijing Xian Lhasa Chengdu Shanghai In-depth China Tour

Summary

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing: Tian'an men Square, Forbidden City, Summer Place, Acrobatics Show
Day 3 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Bird'Nest & Water Cube
Day 4 Beijing-Xi'an by Bullet Trian
Day 5 Xi'an: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum
Day 6 Xi'an: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Muslim Quarter
Day 7 Xi'an - Lhasa by Flight
Day 8 Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
Day 9 Lhasa: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
Day 10 Lhasa--Chengdu by Flight
Day 11 Chengdu: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Breeding, Wenshu Temple, Jinli Ancient Street
Day 12 Chengdu--Shanghai by flight: Arrive in Shanghai, the rest time is free on your own
Day 13 Shanghai: Shanghai Musuem, Yu Garden, Yu yuan Bazaar, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 15 Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
Day 16 Shanghai Depature

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing

Upon on your arrival, our guide will meet you at Beijing Airport with a welcome signage "China Private Tour". And then, drive you to your hotel in Beijing downtown. The rest day is free on your own to explore the city or recover the jetlag.

Day 2: Beijing

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at appointed time. The first place for Beijing is Tiananmen Square, Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres), and able to accommodate 1,000,000 people at one time.

After sightseeing, walk into the Tiananmen you will meet the one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of five world-famous palaces with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in England, the White House in the U.S. and the Kremlin in Russia.

Have lunch at the local famous Peking Roast Duck restaurant, taste the most famous duck in Beijing and try some local cuisine in Beijing.Roast duck — or Peking Duck, as it's often known — has been served in Beijing for around 600 years, according to Liu. First served by palace chefs during the Ming dynasty, it has royal pedigree.

In the afternoon, you will head to visit Summer Palace, it is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China. It serves as a popular tourist destination and recreational park. Mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, it covers an expanse of 2.9 square kilometres (1.1 sq mi), three-quarters of which is water.  After 1949, the Summer Palace briefly housed the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China. Many of Mao Zedong's friends and key figures in the Communist Party, such as Liu Yazi and Jiang Qing, also lived there. Since 1953, many major restoration and renovation works have been done on the Summer Palace, which is now open to the public as a tourist attraction and park.

After dinner, you will enjoy a Acrobatics Show at Red Theatre. The Kungfu show was amazing with some acrobat. It is an amazing performance. The show was well-performed, with very high skill levels. It lasts around 1 hour. After the show, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 3 Beijing

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and continue your Beijing tour.

Firstly, drive about 70km (1.5 h) to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Great Wall. The less-crowded Mutianyu. "If you haven't climbed the Great Wall, you haven't seen China." Many of your friends who visited China before might have told you this. It is indeed an experience of life. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Mutianyu section of Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It's known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. Good sightseeing with nature, take photos from different places and angles so you’ll have plenty of memories you can share with your friends when going back home.

Your lunch is offered near the Great Wall in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will pay a visit for Ming Tombs, it is a main attractions arranged for you. The Ming Tombs lie in Changping County, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest from the urban area of Beijing. It is actually a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including thirteen emperor's mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines and one grave for eunuchs. It was listed in the World Heritage List in 2003. Each emperor's tomb was constructed at the foot of a separate small hill, but they all share a main road called the Sacred Way.

You will pay a visit for the Olympic Sites on the way back to your hotel. You can take some photos from outside,Both designed as the main stadiums of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, they now become the popular landmarks of Beijing.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 4: Beijing

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel. You will visit Temple of Heaven at first, which is a royal sacred site where prayers for good harvests, prosperity and harmonious life are offered.It is one of landmarks of Beijing. The temple was constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was enlarged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is the grandest cult architecture complex in the world and a masterpiece of the Chinese people created in ancient times.

Next, drive you to Nanluoguxiang Hutong, it's one of the best preserved historical areas in downtown Beijing, is famous for its hutong and siheyuan courtyards. Recently the popularity of Nanluoguxiang has increased noticeably with tourist numbers on the rise after 2008 Olympic Games. You will do a short walking along the authentic Beijing Hutong. will give you a deep impression of the local residents’ live. You will have lunch at local family, to taste the home cooking style.

After lunch, pay a visit for Lama Temple in Beijing. This exceptional temple is a glittering attraction in Beijing’s Buddhist firmament. If you only have time for one temple (the Temple of Heaven isn’t really a temple) make it this one, where riveting roofs, fabulous frescoes, magnificent decorative arches, tapestries, eye-popping carpentry, Tibetan prayer wheels, tantric statues and a superb pair of Chinese lions mingle with dense clouds of incense.

Then visit Panjiayuan Antiques Market. It is the largest, most complete, cheapest and most popular market selling second hand goods and curios in China. There are so many types of goods in the market that it is like a museum. It is a heaven for buying and appreciating antiques, crafts, collectibles and decorations. 

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 5 Beijing-Xi'an

In the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby, transfer to train station for the high-speed trian to Xi'an. it takes around 5 hours

Upon on your arrival, our Xi'an local guide will meet you at the exit of train station with a sign" China Private Tour", drive you to restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, you will  you will visit one of the most popular sites in Xi'an, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 652, the pagoda is a repository of Buddhist figures and scriptures brought to Xi'an from India by, Xuanzang, the first abbot of Daci'en Temple.

Afterwards, you will head to Shanxi History Museum, where you can take in the glory and ancient history of China. The museum holds artifacts that date back as far as the Paleolithic era, up to the more recent Qing Dynasty. The museum is packed with thousands of exhibits from all periods of history, and is a busy, popular attraction.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 6 Xi'an

In the morning, you will visit the Museum of Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, a must-see when in Xi'an. Around 8,000 ancient, life-sized figures were created to accompany the first Emperor of China to the afterlife and were part of his mausoleum. Each figure has a unique facial structure and expression as if they had been made from living people. The warriors were buried with the Emperor in 208BC and were not discovered until 1974.

After lunch, you will back to Xi'an city. You will head over to the Xi'an Ancient City Wall for a leisure bicycle tour.as one of the UNESCO's World Heritage Site, Xi'an Ancient City Wall was built in the 14th century, under the regime of Emperor Zhuyuanzhang in Ming dynasty, had the function of protecting the cities or towns as military defense systems in ancient China. Xi'an Ancient City Wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls.

Then you will travel to the Muslim Quarter, is the most famous food street in Xi'an. It consists of Islamic food area, ethnic group shopping center, Great mosque and living area of Hui people. It is a place distinct for its delicious food and Islamic culture, with a history of more than 1000 years. The streets are paved by gray flagstone and the buildings are of Ming style. About 2000 years ago in the Han Dynasty after the opening of Silk Road, Changan welcomed the first Muslims: Muslim businessmen, envoys, and students.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Xi'an.

Day 7 Xi'an-Lhasa

Free on your own until our driver transfer you to the airport and you'll take flight to Tibet. Once arrived in Lhasa, our local tour guide will pick you up at the exit of airport with a welcome signage "China Private Tour" and drive you to you hotel directly. Make the most of the rest of the day to relax and recover or adapt yourself to the  

 (The best way acclimatize to the increased elevation, to prevent altitude sickness is rest in the hotel and minimizing any physical exertion for the first-time traveller.)

Day 8 Lhasa

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Today, you'll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world cultural heritage, also the landmark of Lhasa. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and a tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, Thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

You will have a lunch at local restaurant with authentic Tibetan Food.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. 

Next you will walk around the famous Barkor Street, which close to monastery and where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. We'll go to explore the old market and you may have the chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, you'll taste Tibetan tea with locals in the tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night. After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 9 Lhasa

Today, our guide will take you to visit these two prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. 

Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you'll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 10 Lhasa-Chengdu

Today free on your own until our guide and driver transfer you to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. It takes around 2 hours for one way. Upon arrived, our Chengdu local tour guide will meet you at the exit of the airport with a welcome sign "China Private Tour". 

And then drive you to your hotel directly, the rest day is free on your own to explore the city and have rest at your hotel. You can ask some recommendation from our guide.

Day 11 Chengdu

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Today, you will visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Breeding, Chengdu is the hometown of giant pandas, where you will catch pandas' feeding time. They are at their most active, both Adults and Babies. There's a wealth of information and a panda museum in this 230-hectare park 10 km (6 miles) north of Chengdu. It takes about 2.5 hours to visit this site.

You will have lunch after Panda Base in a local Chinese reastaurant to eat authentic Sichuan Cuisine.

After lunch, you will visit Wenshu Temple. Wenshu Monastery is the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu, serving as the home of Buddhist Association of Sichuan Province now.Wenshu Temple is famous for its exquisite gardens and halls. 

Next, you will visit Jinli Ancient Street, one of the most well known and trafficked tourist areas in Chengdu, Jinli is an “ancient” pedestrian street housing dozens of food and gift vendors along an ever-expanding network of alleys.Jinli is particularly famous for its traditional Sichuanese snacks. There is an area dedicated just to snacks, where you will see dozens of vendors preparing and displaying an impressive variety of noodles and finger food to snack on. Shadow puppet performance and other traditional Chinese arts also make an appearance, and this tends to be an excellent places to procure local gifts.

After dinner, you will be taken back to our hotel in Chengdu.

Day 12 Chengdu-Shanghai

Free on you own until our guide and driver pick you up at appointed time, transfer to Chengdu Airport for your flight to Shanghai. 

Upon on your arrival Shanghai, our guide will meet you at the exit of the airport with a welcome sign"China Private Tour", drive you to your hotel in Shanghai. The rest day is free on your own to explore the city.

Day 13 Shanghai

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel after breakfast. The first stop for the tour is Shanghai Museum. It houses a comprehensive collection that perfectly showcases the Middle Kingdom’s millennia old history. Spread over five floors, covers most of the major categories of Chinese art with a collection of 12, 300 pieces in 21 categories of valuable cultural relics.

Next you will visit Yuyuan Garden, it not only regarded as best private garden in Shanghai but also the best in southeast China.The garden enjoyed a history over 400 years since its first establishment by Pan Yunduan who had intended to bring happiness and pleasure to his parents and relatives.

And then walking to nearby to Yu yuan Bazaar, there are many small streets and lanes where vendors sell their products and food stuffs to the tourists and local people.It is an ideal place for you to find some specialists.

Your lunch is arranged at Nanxiang Dumpling House to try the most famous Shanghai Xiaolongbao(soup dumpling). A favorite of dim sum eaters around the globe, are considered to be a Shanghai specialty, rumored to have originated here in the 19th century. Legend has it that this world-renowned snack started out as an experiment by a cake shop owner in Nanxiang who decided to try out a riff on his popular steamed bread. 

After lunch, drive you to the Bund area. The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai.When you come here, you can embrace the best cityscape, feast on the rich architectural fashions and know why Shanghai is glorified as "Paris of the East". There are a number of attractions in the area, such as Shanghai World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Century Park, Century Boulevard, Jinmao Tower etc. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Walking with your guide to Nanjing Road, another popular landmark of Shanghai. It is a shopping paradise as well as a ideal place tootake a wonderful walk to explore the modern atmosphere of the city.

You will have a dinner before cruise, the last thing for today is Night cruise along the Huangpu River. When traveling in Shanghai, you should not miss a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. It is the best way to admire Shanghai's classic skyline views of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers along the river.

After the cruise, you will be taken back yo your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 14 Shanghai

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Today, you will visit Jade Buddha Temple, the site of the largest jade Buddha in the world and numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures. This peaceful kingdom of Buddhism hidden among modern blocks and dominating mansions is a great place for a nice break in this very busy city.

Then, visit Old French Concession Shanghai. Shanghai is popular for many places and reasons, but the French Concession is somewhere on top of that list. Hugely popular and sought after as the preferred residential address among expats, the Former French Concession has a lot of history and beauty to its credit. 

You will have a lunch at local restaurant with authentic Shanghai food.

In the afternoon, you will ascend the 100-storey of Shanghai World Financial Center, where you could have a bird's eye view of the scenery along the Huangpu River, look straight forward to the sharp roof of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and experience the roof of Jinmao Tower under your feet. 

The last stop for today is Xin Tian Di, a former neighborhood of old Shanghai has been renewed as a fashionable pedestrian street featuring fine restaurants, upscale clubs and boutiques.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 15 Zhujiajiao Water Town

Today, drive you to Zhujiajiao Water Town, with a history of about 1,700 years, is the best-preserved ancient water town among the four ancient towns in Shanghai.Called "The Venice of Shanghai", Zhujiajiao features lovely waterways, curved rock bridges, old streets cemented with stone, and over 10,000 buildings dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911).

You will visit some major attractions. Such as Fangsheng Bridge, Baoguo Temple, Chenghuang Temple in Zhujiajiao, Zhuxi Garden, and Qibao Old Street... There are hundreds of shops on these ancient streets, where you may find some exquisite craft, local paintings or pottery. Our tour guide will help to explore these streets according to the things you are interested in. 

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 16 Shanghai Departure

Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby at appointed time, dirve you to airport for your flight to next destinastion or back home. Our service ends!

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.