Our clients at the Forbidden City, Beijing

Day 01Arrival in Beijing

Our guide will meet wating for your arrival at baggage claim area at Beijing Airport holding a card with TravelChinaGuide and transfer you by private car to the well-located 5-star Crowne Plaza hotel located in the center of Beijing city. (Address: No. 48 Wangfujing Avenue, Beijing, 100006). The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Tips: if you arrive in Beijing in the morning, we suggest you have a good rest at the hotel first, and then if you feel energetic,  take a 10 minute taxi ride to the restored Qianmen street.  This area is the commercial center and has been prosperous since Ming dynasty for over 600 years. With the length of no more than 2 kilometers, Qianmen street embodies both the old and new architectures of China. The reopening of Qianmen street presents the new face of old Beijing.

Chinese calligraphy

Day 02Beijing

The day will see you visit some of Beijing's most famous sites so don't forget to take your camera, film or spare batteries. The day will see you visit the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Beijing Duck Dinner is served at a famous restaurant followed by a lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre. A day to remember.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Tips: It is quite possible that you are eager to share your excitement and pleasure with your families or friends far away from your country after one day enjoyable trip. Access to the internet at the hotel room is the most convenient and comfortable way if you take your personal computer, the charge is CNY3.00 net per minute. As long as you surf online over 40 minutes, you will be charged at about USD17.00 for one day for the deluxe room. If you don't take your own computer, broadband access is available from the business center.

Day 03Beijing

Another spectacular day of sightseeing awaits you when you visit the Badaling Great Wall. To avoid having lunch at shopping site restaurants, you will be driven to have Sichuan food at a local popular restaurant. Visit the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb in the afternoon. On the way back to downtown Beijing, you will drive by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium). It can be seen at  a distance. A la carte dinner will be served at a famous Cantonese cuisine restaurant in the Wangfujing area.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Descriptions:
Badaling Great Wall - As one of the most magnificent structure built in ancient times, the Great Wall of China, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Due to various factors, this time-worn structure has been seriously damaged. Today, most parts of the Great Wall that can be seen were built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); while few parts built in the previous dynasties are still recognizable as a cultural relic site. According to a survey, less than 2,500 km (1553 miles), which is only half of its original length, still remains.

Appreciating the terracotta warriors and horses, Xian

Day 04Beijing - Xian

Today you will see the spectacular Summer Palace and the lovely pandas in Beijing Zoo. From here you will take a flight to Xian and transfer to the 5-star Sheraton Xian Hotel (Address: No. 262 Feng Hao East Rd, Xian, 710077). A sumptuous buffet dinner will be served for you at the hotel this evening.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Tips: After having a nice dinner in the luxurious hotel, it is advisable to take a taxi to the Bell Tower - the ancient Xian city center to enjoy the extraordinary night view by yourself. Famous for its glory of ancient times, now the nightlife of Xian is starting to sparkle. Walking along the South Avenue and turn right at the crossing beside KFC, you can easily find a famous bar street called Defuxiang to relax yourself. Of course, the bars are not usually that quiet, but not too noisy either. You may savor the tea, wine or coffee of exotic flavors accompanied with the soft and light music.

Our clients at the Norbulingka Park, Lhasa

Day 05Xian

Today you will visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. To avoid having the poor food at the site, you will take the highway back to downtown to have lunch at a well known Cantonese cuisine restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. This evening you will be entertained with the marvelous Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in Tang Dynasty Palace. (Add: No.75, Chang'an Road, Xian)(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Descriptions:
Terracotta Warriors - The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses is worth visiting when you come to Xian, the ancient capital with a long history. Of the three pits, the Pit No.2 is the most spectacular one. It is a combined operation, composed of cavalry, infantry and chariot. 
 
Big Wild Goose Pagoda - The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, also called Ci'en Temple Pagoda, is not only a famed Buddhist pagoda, but also a symbol of ladder of success. In the Tang Dynasty, many new successful candidates in the highest imperial examination would inscribe their poems and names on the brick wall of the pagoda.

Day 06Xian

A day of history is in store for you today. After visiting the Provincial History Museum, you will enjoy the an a la carte lunch at a famous local restaurant, visit the Great Mosque and a local family.(B+L)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Descriptions: 
Provincial History Museum - Architecturally designed in Tang style, Shaanxi Historical Museum has neat, balanced but also spectacular layout with a big hall in the center and storied buildings in corners. It well shows the elegant and dignifies characters that Shaaxi's history and the exhibits of the museum reveal. The central exhibition hall is divided into three, one in the first floor and the other two in the second floor. They are arranged in chronological order, gathering the cream of thousands of relics unearthed in Shaanxi.

Our clients in front of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

Day 07Xian - Lhasa

After visiting the Hanyangling Museum, the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, you will be taken to the airport to take a flight to Lhasa where the altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. You will be transferred to the finest 4-star Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa hotel (Address: No. 5, Section 1 Lin Kuo East, Lhasa, 850000) and given time to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude in the afternoon. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Tips: Tibet is a land of mystery and surprise. Please make sure you have a good rest and adaptation to the high altitude after arrival. Avoid some strenuous activities such as walking so fast, running, swimming and bathing on the first day. Be sure to take necessary medication and ensure you are in good health before entering Tibet. In case you feel uncomfortable, oxygen tanks are available both in the car and your hotel.

Lamas in the Tashilunpo Monastery, Shigatse

Day 08Lhasa

Visit the Tibet Museum and the Carpet Factory. After having a western-style lunch, go head to visit the Sera Monastery and the Norbulingka Park. The a la carte dinner will be arranged for you at a local best Sichuan cuisine restaurant.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Tips: Shoton Festival means Yoghurt drinking feast in Tibetan language. It is the most ceremonious festival in Tibet, which is held from late June to early July each year on the basis of the Tibetan calendar, while in August in normal calendar. Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims flood to Lhasa to celebrate the holiday by singing and dancing. Displaying of the huge Tangka painting bearing the image of the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni marks the opening of the festival. The highlight also comes from the Tibet Opera performed by different troupes, yak race and horsemanship. During the festivals, the Norbulingka Park is permeated with a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere,  colorful tents are pitched and the streets are beautifully decorated. It is no doubt a precious opportunity for tourists to explore more authentic Tibet.

Lamas in Drepung Monastery, Tibet

Day 09Lhasa

Today you will visit the magnificent Potala Palace. After a western-style lunch, you will be guided through Jokhang Temple, the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street and the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Tips: As the oldest street in Lhasa, the Barkhor Street epitomizes the unique features of Lhasa or even Tibet. The time-honored street welcomes thousands of tourists and pilgrims every day and appears to tell the long story of Tibet. It is not only a venue for prayers but the most prosperous commercial district for local people and tourists. It is lined with the stalls and stores on both sides. The majority of the commodities are of the Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan style. Care must be taken when picking up goods as some fake products may be amongst originals.

A Tibetan woman Photo by our client Mr. Max Garrick

Day 10Lhasa - Shanghai

Today you will witness life with a Tibetan Family. Then take a flight to Shanghai and transfer to the 5-star hotel.(B+L)

Accommodation: Majesty Plaza Shanghai

Tips: When you visit a local family in Tibet, the friendly hosts will feast you with the typical Tibetan food like Tibetan butter tea, barley beer, tsamba to show their hospitality. Tibetan butter tea is the main beverage for locals. The course of processing is like this, firstly involves boiling the brick tea into strong tea juice, and then pour it into a wooden bucket of about 1 meter in length and 10 centimeters in diameter. After adding adequate salt and butter, it is churned up and down until the water and butter mix together. When ready, it is white with a buttery surface. Consider trying the buttery tea as it is very nutritious and easily digested.

Day 11Shanghai

Before lunch, you will visit the Shanghai Museum and the Yuyuan Garden. Then transferred to the Bund area, where you will take a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. The cruise will start at 14:00, reach the Wusongkou pier and then get back to the Bund at 17:00. This will leave you some free time to explore the Bund area at your leisure. Tonight an a la carte farewell dinner is served at Central Hotel, whose restaurant Wang Bao He has a history of around 260 years and is the best place to serve Shanghai Cuisine. This memorable dinner will be followed by the Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Majesty Plaza Shanghai

Descriptions:
Shanghai City - Shanghai is a blend city of Chinese and western elements. In Chinese eyes, it is so modern, fashionable and exotic. Foreigners, bars and cafes are everywhere in the city. In westerners' eyes, Shanghai is oriental and traditional. The Bund and the architecture are still typically oriental. Particularly, the Shikumen (a type of housing) embodies the traditional Chinese alley culture.
 
Huangpu River cruise - Cruising on Huangpu River is an important tourist festival in Shanghai. It helps you understand the past, see the present and look into the future of Shanghai. Huangpu River is the symbol and miniature of this modern city. During the cruise, you will see Yangpu Bridge, Nanpu Bridge and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which forms a splendid scroll painting of “Two Dragons Playing with the Pearl”.

Our clients enjoying their a la carte lunch Photo by our client Mr. Robin Pollock

Day 12Departure from Shanghai

Today we will transfer you to the airport for the return flight. Have a pleasant trip home!(B)

Tips: If your international flight takes off late in the afternoon or evening, it is a good idea for you to do some shopping in Nanjing road by yourself. Alternatively, we recommend another site Qibao Old Town for you. It is only 18 kilometers (11.18 miles) from the downtown area, the nearest old town around Shanghai. Not only can you satisfy your curiosity of this water town, but also your lure for appetizing food can be met. There is a diversity of choices, such as the dried bean curd wrapped in lotus leaves, different flavored cakes and roasted sweet potatoes. Whatever your interests, you are advised to see more of this city before you say good bye.

B-- Breakfast     L-- Lunch     D-- Dinner