Tibet: Roof of the World
15 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai
15 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai
Just thinking of traveling to Tibet is an exciting prospect. We are filled with images of a mysterious and amazing land in the mountains, a world apart from our own, with an altitude that makes it the highest region in the world. This 15-day trip takes you there, and provides an enlightening look into the "Roof of the World." Our travels start in Beijing, the capital of China's capital city and political and cultural center. Visit the Forbidden City, home to the Emperors of China for almost 500 years, travel outside the city to see the Great Wall of China, and dine on a delectable meal of Peking Duck, Beijing's signature dish. From here we fly to Xi'an, one of China's oldest cities, dating back 3,100 years. Starting point of the ancient silk route, it is home to one of China's most amazing treasures, the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. His tomb is guarded by an amazing army of life-size terra cotta warriors, and is truly one of the world's most important archeological sites. A flight takes us to Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, where we unlock some of the mysteries of this remote and spiritual land. A highlight is a visit to the Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama, it is truly an amazing sight. We will also see some of Lhasa's most famous and important temples and monasteries, and a stroll along ancient Barkhor Street is an experience not to be missed. Leaving Lhasa we fly to Chengdu, home to the Giant Panda, and famous Sichuan cuisine. We'll have the chance to see the Giant Panda at the Panda Breeding and Research Base, dedicated to the preservation of these beautiful and endangered animals. Then it's over to scenic Guilin, where the natural beauty of the Karst mountains and meandering Li River are a sight to behold. See the Reed Flute Cave, and enjoy a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, the lovely town filled with wonderful shops and restaurants, and surrounded by the magnificent scenic beauty of the area. We finish in Shanghai, the famous port city and financial powerhouse situated on China's east coast. Visit the popular Bund area to see the many historical buildings that line the banks of the Huangpu River, and tour Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and Shanghai Museum. Also see the Xiantiandi area, one of Shanghai's premier restaurant and nightlife areas.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Beijing. Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Full-day private tour of Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and tour the Hutongs (backstreets of Beijing). In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3: Beijing. Full-day private excursion to the Great Wall of China. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Xi'an. Tour the Temple of Heaven this morning. After lunch fly to Xi'an and transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Xi'an. Full-day tour to see the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, guarded by more than seven thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 6: Lhasa. Fly to Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. At an altitude of 11,450 feet, it is one of the world's highest cities. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. The balance of today is free at leisure to adjust to the high altitude. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Lhasa. Visit one of Tibet's most iconic sights today, the Potala Palace. Constructed in 1645, it was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, and is Tibet's greatest monumental structure. Also visit Norbulingka, the Summer Palace situated in the western suburb of the city. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Lhasa. Set out on a full-day tour. Visit Jokhang, one of Tibet's most famous and sacred temples, nearby Barkhor Street, an ancient round street and pilgrim route with shops selling uniquely Tibetan items, and Drepung Monastery, one of the "great three" monasteries of Tibet. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Chengdu. In the morning tour Sera Monastery, situated on 28 acres, it is dedicated to the Gelugpa branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Later fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Guilin. Tour the Panda Breeding and Research base, dedicated to caring for the Giant Panda and providing the finest natural habitat, and Sanxingdui, recognized as one of the world's most important ancient remains sites. Later fly to Guilin, known for it's lovely scenery that has inspired poets and painters throughout the years. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11 Guilin. Take a cruise on the Li River today. Wind your way through an amazing landscape of karst topography, where beautiful limestone peaks rise from the green plain at odd angles, and daily life happens alongs the riverbanks. Visit a local market in Yanghuo; a picturesque town of wonderful shops and restaurants, surrounded by karst mountains and bordering the Li River. Return to Guilin in the evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 12: Shanghai. Tour Reed Flute Cave, where amazing stone formations of stalactites and stalagmites take on familiar shapes of people, nature, food, and other familiar objects. Later transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 13: Shanghai. Full-day private tour of Shanghai. Visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Xintiandi area. In the evening enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 14: Suzhou/Shanghai. Embark by private sedan for a full-day excursion to Suzhou, nicknamed "Venice of the East." Visit the Master of the Nets Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, and take a canal cruise with lunch. Afterwards return to Shanghai and your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 15: Depart Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (14), thirteen lunches, and three dinners.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Day 1: Beijing. Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Full-day private tour of Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and tour the Hutongs (backstreets of Beijing). In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3: Beijing. Full-day private excursion to the Great Wall of China. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Xi'an. Tour the Temple of Heaven this morning. After lunch fly to Xi'an and transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Xi'an. Full-day tour to see the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, guarded by more than seven thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 6: Lhasa. Fly to Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. At an altitude of 11,450 feet, it is one of the world's highest cities. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. The balance of today is free at leisure to adjust to the high altitude. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Lhasa. Visit one of Tibet's most iconic sights today, the Potala Palace. Constructed in 1645, it was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, and is Tibet's greatest monumental structure. Also visit Norbulingka, the Summer Palace situated in the western suburb of the city. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Lhasa. Set out on a full-day tour. Visit Jokhang, one of Tibet's most famous and sacred temples, nearby Barkhor Street, an ancient round street and pilgrim route with shops selling uniquely Tibetan items, and Drepung Monastery, one of the "great three" monasteries of Tibet. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Chengdu. In the morning tour Sera Monastery, situated on 28 acres, it is dedicated to the Gelugpa branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Later fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Guilin. Tour the Panda Breeding and Research base, dedicated to caring for the Giant Panda and providing the finest natural habitat, and Sanxingdui, recognized as one of the world's most important ancient remains sites. Later fly to Guilin, known for it's lovely scenery that has inspired poets and painters throughout the years. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11 Guilin. Take a cruise on the Li River today. Wind your way through an amazing landscape of karst topography, where beautiful limestone peaks rise from the green plain at odd angles, and daily life happens alongs the riverbanks. Visit a local market in Yanghuo; a picturesque town of wonderful shops and restaurants, surrounded by karst mountains and bordering the Li River. Return to Guilin in the evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 12: Shanghai. Tour Reed Flute Cave, where amazing stone formations of stalactites and stalagmites take on familiar shapes of people, nature, food, and other familiar objects. Later transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 13: Shanghai. Full-day private tour of Shanghai. Visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Xintiandi area. In the evening enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 14: Suzhou/Shanghai. Embark by private sedan for a full-day excursion to Suzhou, nicknamed "Venice of the East." Visit the Master of the Nets Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, and take a canal cruise with lunch. Afterwards return to Shanghai and your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 15: Depart Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (14), thirteen lunches, and three dinners.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Our deluxe China tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
