MYSTERIOUS TIBET & YANGTZE CRUISE

Tour Code: GOLDEN-1004

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15 Days Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai
Starting from $2699 per person Price Details
Day by Day Itinerary


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)

Departure Dates and Prices (based on per person and shown in US dollars)

Guaranteed Departures with Even 1 Person!

Group Code Arrival Date Departure Date Double Occupancy Sole Occupancy Status  
10-TY0414 Apr 14(Wed) Apr 28(Wed) $2909 $3979 Open 
10-TY0519 May 19(Wed) Jun 02(Wed) $2909 $3979 Open 
10-TY0616 Jun 16(Wed) Jun 30(Wed) $2699 $3569 Open 
10-TY0714 Jul 14(Wed) Jul 28(Wed) $2749 $3679 Open 
10-TY0814 Aug 14(Sat) Aug 28(Sat) $2769 $3719 Open 
10-TY0915 Sep 15(Wed) Sep 29(Wed) $2949 $4049 Open 
10-TY1013 Oct 13(Wed) Oct 27(Wed) $2949 $4049 Open 
10-TY1110 Nov 10(Wed) Nov 24(Wed) $2789 $3759 Open 

For our special terms of quotation inclusions & exclusions, reservation, payment and cancellation, Please click Terms and Conditions.

Questions & Reviews

1.

May. 22,2009 17:17 Reply

Ms.Mary Gabra said:

When the day says B+L+D, does it mean that the cost of the food is already included?

May. 22,2009 23:54
Nicole replied:

Yes, the prices on the webpage have included the meals specified on the webpage. For your information, B refers to Breakfast, L is for Lunch and D for Dinner.

2.

May. 5,2009 11:20 Reply

Mr.Robin said:

my wife and I would like to start the tour 09-TY0801 on 3 August. Is that possible? please advise average number of people in group. Which airlines are used for travel inside China? Do you obtain travel documents for clients? What is weather for areas visited in August? What type of clothing is recommended?

May. 6,2009 02:41
Dora replied:

> my wife and I would like to start the tour 09-TY0801 on 3 August. Is that possible?

As the tour date and itinerary for the Small Group Tours are all fixed, we suggest you arrive in Beijing on August 01 and departure on Aug 12 from Shanghai. If you can not change the tour date, we can arrange a private tour for you. The tour date and itinerary are all flexible. Please advise.

> please advise average number of people in group.

Usually there will be 6-18 people on the group.

> Which airlines are used for travel inside China?

We usually book with the reliable airline company like Air China(CA), China Eastern Airline (MU), Shanghai Airline (FM).

> Do you obtain travel documents for clients?

The Tibet Permit is required to visit Lhasa and surrounding cities. We will apply for the Tibet Permit for you if you book with us and we will get it 10 days prior to your entry Lhasa. Then we will give it to you in Xian.

>What is weather for areas visited in August? What type of clothing is recommended?

Please check the following website for the yearly info. of the city you are going to visit:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/index.htm

Hereunder is the closing information:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/clothing.htm

Hope the information is helpful.

3.

Sep. 30,2007 17:10 Reply

Mr.Jose Eduardo (Malaysia) said:

Dial 96965,96822,96961,96840 or 62580000 for taxi reservation, coz they are big companies, or have the hotel do it for you.

The cars in blue(Dazhong)is the best, and followed by orange and light green ones which are always good.

Do not forget to ask for a receipt when you get to your destination.

Call 962000 to complain if the charge is unreasonable.

If you encouter any troubles or emergency, remember the license plate number and dont hesitate to dial 110 for calling the police immediately.

Dont believe in the tout drivers.

4.

Aug. 31,2007 17:03 Reply

Mr.Kenneth Hadwiger(United States) said:

I enjoyed my time in China. Your tours were very convenient. I would encourage more "western" meals on the tours--sampling Chinese cuisine is fun, but a repetitive diet of another culture's food is more than most travellers (in either country) can enjoy for very long.I would suggest that at least one of every five evening meals be from the traveller's native culture.

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