Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Day 01Arrival in Beijing

Your China tour starts with your arrival at Beijing International Airport. Your guide will be waiting to meet you and welcome you to China just outside the Baggage Claim Area. You will then be transferred to a highly recommended Holiday Inn Hotel where you will be able to relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Deluxe Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in Beijing (3 nights)

Day 02Beijing

After breakfast, all the group members will gather for a brief meeting in the hotel. Then the tour will begin. Your first day is a busy one, filled with the sights of the city including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. In the evening you will enjoy one of Beijing's specialty Duck Dinners at a famous restaurant, CNY122.00 net per person (price included), as well as a brilliant Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre. (B+L+D)

Day 03Beijing

Make sure you have a big breakfast this morning as you will climb the Badaling Great Wall today. After this there will be time for a short rest and lunch at a local Sichuan food restaurant. In the afternoon you will be able to explore China's historical sites of the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb, with the Bird's Nest, as the Olympic National Stadium has become known, visible on the way back to the city center. (B+L+D)

Our group enjoying their dinner Photo by our client Mr. Robin Pollock

Day 04Beijing - Xian

After a visit to the Summer Palace and the lovable pandas in Beijing Zoo, your tour continues with a flight to Xian. Here you will stay in a downtown hotel which is very close to East Street, a popular and lively commercial street in Xian. After a relaxing afternoon in your hotel we have arranged for a western style, buffet dinner at the hotel, valued at CNY170.00 net per person (price included). (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel - downtown (3 nights)

Day 05Xian

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before being driven to visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Following this an a la carte lunch valued at CNY80.00 net per person (price included) awaits you downtown at a notable restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be able to explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. A marvelous Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the Tang Dynasty Palace (Add: No.75, Chang'an Road, Xian) will add sparkle to your night. (B+L+D)

Day 06Xian

Today's trip will take you to the City Wall, see you visiting a local family and also take you to the Great Mosque. Surrounding the mosque is the famous Muslim Bazaar in Xian, a good place for you to pick up souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Don't forget that the shopkeepers will expect you to bargain over the prices. Both an a la carte lunch and dinner, each valued at CNY80.00 net per person (price included) will be reserved for you at well selected local restaurants. (B+L+D)

Our group in front of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

Day 07Xian - Lhasa

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa, where the altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to check in at the best local hotel. The rest of the day you are free to relax and acclimatize yourself to the high altitude. Your guide will give you some advice and tips on the best way to get used to the altitude, such as not walking too fast, not swimming or taking a shower on the first day. To ensure you have enough time to rest we have arranged for you to have dinner at your hotel.(B+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa (3 nights)

Day 08Lhasa

A full day tour takes you to visit  the Norbulingka Park, to meet a typical Tibetan family and the Sera Monastery. A reservation has been made at a highly recommended restaurant for a western-style lunch. This evening, an a la carte dinner of Sichuan cuisine awaits you at one of the best local restaurants, valued at CNY120.00 net per person (price included).(B+L+D)

Day 09Lhasa

Your guide will take you to visit the Potala Palace. After a western-style lunch, you will visit  the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street as well as the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital in the afternoon. Tonight during dinner, you will be entertained by a memorable Tibetan dance and fashion show performed by a small group of local Tibetans.(B+L+D)

Exciting Yangtze Shennong Stream cruise Photo by our clients Carol and Trevor Murray

Day 10Lhasa - Chongqing

After a two-day trip to Lhasa, you will have learnt a great deal about Tibetan religion and customs. On the way to the airport, you will have your last opportunity to ask your guide questions about the Tibetan people and lifestyle. You leave for Chongqing by a morning flight. Upon arrival, our Chongqing guide will accompany you on a short tour of the Residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell. After a rich buffet dinner at a 5-star hotel, you will be transferred to board the deluxe New Century cruise ship. Your leisurely Yangtze River vacation begins when the ship departs at about 23:30.(B+D)

Accommodation: New Century Cruises (3 nights)

Day 11Chongqing - Fengdu

The river guide will give a brief introduction to the cruise after breakfast. According to the sailing schedule, your first onshore excursion will be to the Snowy Jade Cave. Afterwards, you will continue sailing to the Three Gorges. The Captain's Welcome Party will be held tonight. (B+L+D)

Day 12Badong - Xiling Gorge - Sandouping

After breakfast, disembark at Badong for the wonderful experience of floating in a pea-boat along the Shennong Stream. You will return to the ship for lunch and then continue the cruise into the western section of the Xiling Gorge. In the evening the cruise passes through the splendid five-step ship lock. (B+L+D)

Shanghai Bund

Day 13Yichang - Shanghai

Disembark for an excursion to the under-construction Three Gorges Dam. Then pack your luggage and complete check-out procedures. Your Yichang local guide will greet you as you leave the cruise and transfer you to have lunch. If time allows, you will visit the Yichang Museum. Following this you will be seen off at the airport where you depart to your last stop - Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.(B+L)

Accommodation: JC Mandarin Hotel - Deluxe room (2 nights)

Day 14Shanghai

The last day trip of your China vacation includes the Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden and a Huangpu River cruise tour. Tonight, you will be invited to a farewell dinner valued at CNY105.00 net per person (price included), at the 260 years old Wang Bao He restaurant in the Central Hotel, and an exciting Portman Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Centre Theatre. Upon returning to the hotel, your guide will see you into the lobby to wish you 'bon voyage'. If you have any problem with exchanging money or the next day's airport transfer, our guide is always happy to help you. (B+L+D)

Day 15Departure from Shanghai

An American Breakfast is served this morning. After that, you will head to the airport independently. Shanghai has two airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). In general, international flights depart from PVG, but you are advised to check carefully with your flight agent or ask your local guide to ensure that you know which airport you are departing from. We suggest you take a taxi to the airport. The price is about CNY150.00 to CNY200.00. Should you wish to stay on in China, please consult your travel counselor about an extension tour. (B)