From Pandas to Palaces: China's Cultural Core & Himalayan Heights Tour

• Sunrise On The Bund
• None

Your English-speaking guide will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel. Check in and take some time to recover from any jet lag.

• Sunrise On The Bund
• Breakfast, lunch

Your local guide will lead you to ascend Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, offering a monumental view over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a sweeping panorama of the city.

Amidst the bustling crowds, board a public ferry across the Huangpu River, drifting slowly from the modernity of Pudong to the historical depths of old Shanghai, crafting the latest chapter of its story.

Begin your historical journey at the Bund, the landing site of foreigners centuries ago. Each building narrates tales of its golden era, and you'll discover the traces of time etched into their structures, reflecting the ebb and flow of history.

Wander through alleys to observe local life, where residents cope with the city's housing pressures by dwelling in confined spaces.  

Take a moment to relax in a restaurant, savoring exquisite Shanghai delicacies. You'll also have the chance to experience China's most popular method of ordering takeout.

Enjoying lunch at a local restaurant offers the opportunity to relish a diverse array of exquisite cuisines.

After lunch, continue your tour with an afternoon visit to the Former French Concession Precinct. 

A walking tour through this area unveils significant historical structures and numerous French colonial-style buildings, most of which are over a century old. On clear, warm days, the shadows of the plane trees add a touch of romance. At night, cafes, bars, and restaurants entice patrons with the alluring aroma of coffee.

After concluding today's tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest. 

• Chengdu Minyoun Royal Hotel
• Breakfast

Meet your guide in your hotel lobby to commence your day tour. You will visit the Yuyuan Garden and the Jade Buddha Temple.

The Yuyuan Garden is the first destination. With a history of more than 400 years, this classical southern garden has much to offer, from the dragon line walls, ancient trees, and the tranquil paths to the ancient halls with valuable antiques. 

Continue our visit to the hundreds-year-old Jade Buddha Temple, a cherished Buddhist sanctuary in the region.

Its treasures include two jade Buddhas from Myanmar, exquisitely carved from precious white jade and adorned with gems, which give the temple its name. The temple is teeming with monks, devotees, and visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere. 

After concluding your visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, you will proceed to Shanghai Pudong International Airport to board your flight to Chengdu.

You are expected to arrive at Chengdu Tianfu Airport around 7 PM, where the guide will greet you and accompany you to your hotel, assisting with the check-in process. 

• Chengdu Minyoun Royal Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After savoring breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on today's itinerary with a visit to the Panda Breeding and Research Center in the morning.

Situated 6 miles north of Chengdu City, the Panda Breeding and Research Center is home to giant pandas, red pandas, and other endangered species. Stroll through the bamboo groves and shady walkways to visit the nursery, where you can witness their highly successful breeding program and observe pandas at rest or play.

We will arrange for the lunch at popular local restaurants. Your local tour guide will recommend specific restaurants based on your interests and itinerary.

Chengdu is the ideal place to savor authentic Sichuan cuisine, celebrated for its deep and rich flavors, particularly the distinctive taste of Sichuan pepper, which is seldom found in other regional cuisines. Notable Sichuan dishes include Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, and Fish Flavored Shredded Pork.

After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Chengdu People's Park and Kuanzhai Alley.

Chengdu is often deemed the most relaxed city among China's emerging first-tier cities. Sit down and savor a cup of tea in People's Park, where your guide will elucidate the etiquette of tea drinking and the meanings behind the positions of the lid, bowl, and tray.

You'll also witness vibrant scenes unique to Chengdu: anxious parents posting messages in a marriage market seeking partners for their unmarried children, a local man indulging in a traditional teahouse ear massage, and residents playing mahjong everywhere during the summer.

Stroll through the ancient alleys of the historic Kuanzhai Lane, where the air is filled with the enticing aroma of Sichuan snacks. Sample the diverse array of local delicacies, each embodying the region's unique culinary flair. This is not merely a gastronomic adventure, but a vibrant journey through local street life, offering you a chance to savor the classic flavors loved by the locals.

Upon concluding the tour of Jinli Old Street, the guide will accompany you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

• Chengdu Minyoun Royal Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, the guide and driver will pick you up to continue today's tour.

Today, you will journey to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha along the way.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is situated to the east of Leshan City in Sichuan Province, perched on Lingyun Mountain at the confluence of the Min, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers. It remains the largest stone-carved sitting Buddha statue in the world. You can sit aboard a boat to gaze at the Leshan Giant Buddha from a distance.

Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant in Leshan, though options are limited. Your guide will select the venue based on the season and surroundings.

After lunch, you will drive back to Chengdu, concluding today's itinerary. Have a restful evening.

•  Tangka Hotel 
• Breakfast

Today, you will take a noon flight to Lhasa. The guide will meet you at the hotel at the agreed time and escort you to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, where you'll board your flight to Lhasa.

You’ll arrive in Lhasa Gonggar Airport at approximately 2:50 PM. After being greeted by your guide and driver at the airport, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Once check-in is complete, you may retire to your room for some rest. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. 

To better acclimate to the high-altitude area, it is advisable to reduce activity today and rest well. 

• Tangka Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Yomdrok Lake. 

Peppered with numerous islands and rich in natural resources, Lake Yamdrok stands as the largest water bird habitat in Tibet, drawing countless swans and gulls. On clear days, it transforms into a splendid shade of deep turquoise. With its stunning blue waters, the lake is encircled by snow-capped mountains.

In autumn and winter, the shores and islands offer a breathtaking spectacle of thousands of white birds soaring above the lake, tending to their young.

We will arrange for the lunch at popular local restaurants. Your local tour guide will recommend specific restaurants based on your interests and itinerary. 

Concluding your visit to Lake Yamdrok, you will return by car to your hotel in Lhasa for some rest.

• Tangka Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Potala Palace and the Old Barkhor Street Walking Tour. 

The Potala Palace, originally constructed in the 7th century AD, was built by King Songtsen Gampo for the Tang dynasty's Princess Wencheng, who married into Tibet. It boasts an astonishing array of labyrinthine corridors and staircases leading through countless ornately decorated rooms filled with statues, tombs, murals, and antiques.

You will traverse the white buildings that serve as monks' quarters and then arrive at the entrance to the White Palace, the former residence and office of the Dalai Lama. In this section, your guide will explain why the palace is considered an architectural marvel and highlight its unique construction techniques.

After your visit to the Potala Palace, your guide will arrange for lunch at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, you will embark on a walking tour of Barkhor Street.

This walking tour will lead you to uncover the history of Lhasa, the daily lives of its people, and their spiritual realm.

First, you will visit the Jokhang Temple, a four-story sanctuary adorned with a golden roof, which stands as the vibrant heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Your guide will elucidate its profound significance to the Tibetan people.

The next stop is the Pandatsang Compound, a quintessential example of traditional Tibetan architecture, once home to Lhasa’s prominent merchant family, the Pandatsangs. Allow your guide to reveal intriguing tales of this family's ventures on the Tea Horse Road.

To conclude the tour, you'll savor a cup of Tibetan sweet tea at Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery, a convent where women study Buddhism.

After exploring the Barkhor Street, today's itinerary concludes. The guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest.

• Tangka Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on your day’s journey. The guide will meet you at the hotel at the agreed time and take you to visit Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery.

Norbulingka, meaning "Jeweled Garden," was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later accommodated the entire government administration. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama, it served both administrative and religious purposes.

Constructed in 1416, Drepung Monastery is regarded as one of the largest among the six principal monasteries of the Gelug Sect in China. It was once the residence of the Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of the Potala Palace, which was granted to the 5th Dalai Lama by the Qing Emperor Qianlong.

The grand Shoton Festival is celebrated annually in early August, attracting large crowds and offering a chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the festival.

Lunch today will be arranged at a popular local restaurant. Your local guide will recommend a suitable spot based on your interests and itinerary.

After lunch, you'll continue with today's itinerary, visiting Sera Monastery in the afternoon.

Located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, Sera Monastery is an intricate complex comprising the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges. Established in 1419 by Jamchen Choje (1355–1435), a disciple of Tsongkhapa, its name, "Sera," means ‘wild roses’ due to the surrounding flora. As one of Lhasa's three principal monasteries, it is renowned for the monks' "famous daily debates."

The debate held at Sera Monastery is a captivating spectacle. Monks engage in animated discussions, demonstrating their knowledge through vigorous gestures and articulate arguments. This practice is an essential aspect of their spiritual education, providing a dynamic and lively atmosphere that visitors find both fascinating and enlightening. 

Note: Monk debates are not available on Sundays.

Should you be interested, your guide can also lead you to the hill behind the monastery to admire the thangka painted on large rocks, a sight often overlooked by tourists. This vantage point offers a splendid panoramic view of Sera Monastery.

After visiting Sera Monastery, the day's itinerary concludes. Your guide will escort you back to the hotel for a restful evening.

•  Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel 
• Breakfast

Today, you will fly to Xi'an. The guide will meet you at the hotel at the agreed time and escort you to Lhasa Airport.

You are expected to arrive at Xi'an Xianyang Airport around 3:40 PM. Your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Xi'an. The rest of the day's itinerary is at your discretion.

• Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Terracotta Army. 

The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is situated at the northern foothills of Mount Li in Lintong District, Xi'an, approximately 37.5 kilometers from the city center. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the site from central Xi'an. 

Here, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors, experience Qin Dynasty artifacts, and partake in a restoration activity.

Follow a professional guide to explore the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors.

At a nearby museum, get an up-close look at the first batch of restored warriors, including the renowned First Warrior, and learn about the visionary curator's initial restoration efforts.

Then, in the conservation lab, touch authentic Qin Dynasty artifacts, deepening your connection to history.

Finally, participate in a hands-on mini restoration experience guided by professional conservators, and take home your creation as a unique memento.

After concluding your visit to the Terracotta Warriors, the guide will arrange lunch for you at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, you will return to Xi'an's city center and visit the City Wall of Xi'an.

The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, it s surrounding the city centre. You can walk alon the wall with great views of the city on either side. 

After exploring the City Wall, today's itinerary concludes, and the guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest.

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, you will take a train to Beijing. After the guide meets you at the hotel, they will escort you to the Xi'an North Station.

Around 1 p.m., you will arrive at Beijing West Station. After the guide welcomes you, you will be taken to your hotel in Beijing.

After a short rest, you will set out to explore the Summer Palace. 

The Summer Palace is the largest and most impeccably preserved royal park in China. Renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance, the Palace has profoundly influenced Chinese horticulture and landscape design, earning the title 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. 

Today's dinner will be served at a local restaurant, where your will savor Beijing Roast Duck. 

After dinner, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for a restful evening.

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• Breakfast, lunch

Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing.

In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14.

Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route".

Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences.

After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Hutongs in Beijing's Dongcheng district for a walking tour, where you'll also have the opportunity to learn about applying Peking Opera facial makeup.

Hutongs are historic alleyways flanked by traditional single-story courtyard houses, relics of old Beijing that are rapidly fading. As you wander through these narrow paths, you can visit local residents to experience the traditional lifestyle and learn about the preservation of these unique homes and their culture.

In a workshop within the hutongs, you'll also learn how to create Peking Opera masks. Additionally, you can ascend the Bell Tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the hutongs.

After concluding the hutong tour, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel for some rest, with dinner on your own.

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, you will visit Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares.

Continue northwest to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, which served as the imperial residence for over 500 years.

Your guide will unveil the stories behind the emperors and concubines who once resided within its walls.

Today's lunch will be at a local restaurant, where you will savor regional delicacies, with the guide recommending dishes based on your preferences.

After lunch,  enjoy a leisurely visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once worshiped.

Wander through the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven as you immerse yourself in the history of this ancient religious complex. Take time to explore the surrounding Tiantan Park, with its beautiful green spaces, scenic walking paths, and tranquil retreat from the bustling city. 

Conclude your visit to the Temple of Heaven as the guide takes you back to your hotel. Dinner will be on your own. 

• Breakfast

Aligned with your departure schedule, your guide will arrive at the hotel at the designated time to accompany you to Beijing Capital International Airport, where you will board your flight and conclude your journey through China.