China & Holy Tibet

17 Days Beijing - Xi’an - Lhasa - Chengdu - Chongqing - Zhangjiajie - Shanghai
Tour Type: Budget tour with mini groups in Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa & Zhangjiajie.
Transportation: high speed trains, domestic flights & air-conditioned vehicles.
Accommodation: 3-star well-selected brand hotels, also open to your own choice of hotels
Meals: All breakfasts at hotels & 1 dinner.
Code: E-501
From USD2639 per person Free Inquiry
Trip Highlights
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Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival at the airport, please go to the hotel we booked for you on your own. After checking in, you could take a break and get familiar with the surroundings. For the following two days, you will join our Beijing mini group day tours to get insights into the capital city.

 Transportation Tips:
1. From Beijing Capital Airport: Take Beijing Capital Airport Express Train to Dongzhimen Station, take Subway Line 2 Inner Ring to Qianmen Station, and then transfer to Line 8 to Tianqiao Station (Exit D), which costs CNY 29 (USD 4) in total. Walk west for about 15 minutes to the hotel after getting out of the station. If you travel with heavy luggage, we suggest taking a taxi from the airport, which takes one hour and costs around CNY 150 (USD 21). 
2. From Beijing Daxing Airport: Take Daxing Airport Express Train to Caoqiao station to take Subway Line 19 to Jingfengmen Station, transfer to Line 14 to Yongdingmenwai Station and then transfer to Line 8 to Tianqiao Station (Exit D). Walk west for 15 minutes to the hotel. The cost is CNY 39 (USD 5.5) in total. A taxi ride takes 50 minutes and costs CNY 170 (USD 24).

★ Why Choose Our Budget Tours?

Our budget China tours help you save money and visit the highlights of cities while ensuring you have a good travel experience, without the hassle of booking hotels and tickets. There will be plenty of time for you to explore the cities at your own pace. For some cities, we offer you the most cost-effective guided tours in small groups.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)
Day 2 Beijing Mini Group Day Tour: Temple of Heaven, Hutong Alleys, Lama Temple & Summer Palace
Today, join our classic Beijing mini group tour. In the morning, the guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at the agreed time. We’ll start from the Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420 AD, it is China’s largest ancient worship complex. As a place where Chinese emperors prayed for good harvests and harmony between heaven and earth, it’s even 4 times the size of the Forbidden City! The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, standing 38 meters high (125 ft.), is the most striking architecture of the temple. Supported by 28 massive wooden columns, it has a graceful red and blue hue. The Circular Mound Altar was the main sacrificial place for ancient ceremonies, where the emperor would dress formally, kneeling and burning incense to pray to Heaven.
 Tip: If it happens to be a Monday, the temple will be closed and we’ll go to Beihai Park instead, which is one of the oldest classical imperial gardens in China carrying a rich history. 

Next, let’s explore the Hutong alleys. Since the 13th century, thousands of narrow alleys called Hutong have spread like a maze among traditional quadrangle courtyard houses and royal sites, which have become an integral part of culture unique to Beijing. Hop on a rickshaw and embark on a time travel through the Hutongs in a retro yet efficient way.
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Rickshaw Ride at the Hutong Alleys
Rickshaw Ride at the Hutong Alleys
In the afternoon, head to the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), which was built in 1694 AD as the imperial residence of the fourth crown prince at that time. After he died, the tiled roofs of the temple were changed from its original green color to golden we see now, and the temple has since evolved into one of the highest-ranking Tibetan Buddhist temples in China. The 18-meter-high (60 ft.) Maitreya statue in Wanfu Pavilion is a highlight of the temple. Next, let’s go to the Summer Palace, built in 1750 AD, one of the most beautiful UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites in Beijing. As a summer retreat for ancient emperors, it boasts over a hundred graceful palaces, showcasing a perfect blend of natural beauty and Chinese classic garden aesthetics. Kunming Lake is a vast artificial lake that takes up three quarters of the Summer Palace, and the excavated soil from the lake was used to construct Longevity Hill, upon which most of the palace buildings were situated. At sunset, admire the tiled roofs and the water shimmering in the golden sunlight. In the end, your guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)
Our Guests at the Summer Palace
Our Guests at the Summer Palace
Forbidden City
Forbidden City, Beijing
Day 3 Beijing Mini Group Day Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Mutianyu Great Wall
Today, join another Beijing mini group day tour to explore the highlights of the capital. At the appointed time, the guide and driver will wait for you in the hotel and let’s first visit Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. Every early morning, a solemn flag-raising ceremony is held here to the sound of the national anthem. Admire the majestic Tiananmen Tower, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and other iconic buildings. Afterward, we’ll step into the Forbidden City, one of the world’s largest wooden palace complexes. Housing over 8,700 rooms, this city within a city, built in 1406 AD, was once exclusive to the emperor and a forbidden place for commoners. The magnificent palaces feature golden-glazed tiles and intricate carvings and paintings. The roofs were particularly designed with steep slopes and smooth surface, so that no birds could land on to ensure their pristine and majestic look. Visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where important ceremonies were held, as well as the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the emperors rested.

Next, we’ll drive 1.5 hours from the downtown area to Mutianyu Great Wall. During the ride, the guide will share some facts and history about the Great Wall with you. The construction history of China’s Great Wall can be traced back to 550 AD. Mutianyu Great Wall has undergone expansion and reconstruction since 1368 AD, making it one of the best-preserved original sections. The 2.5-kilometer (1.5 mi.) wall open to the public boasts 23 watchtowers used to observe enemy movements in ancient times. Let’s walk along this historic architectural wonder, admiring the winding hills and overlooking the surrounding villages.
Forbidden City, Beijing
Forbidden City, Beijing
Our Guests at Mutianyu Great Wall
Our Guests at Mutianyu Great Wall
 Tips:
1. There are cable car, chairlift and toboggan for you to easily go up and down the Great Wall. Your guide will assist you with ticket purchases on-site if you need.
2. We arrange this afternoon tour to help you avoid crowds and enjoy a better experience. However, it could be very hot in summer (June to August) on the Great Wall, and we may sometimes reschedule the visit to the Great Wall for the morning.

Then, we’ll drive back to downtown Beijing and stop at Houhai Bar Street and Tobacco Pipe Lane, which are the best spots to experience the lively nightlife of Beijing. Traditional restaurants, teahouses, and quaint bars are lined up by the Houhai Lake, captivating passers-by with handwritten signs or stylish decors. Soak up the enchanting atmosphere, enjoying the music or having a drink in the evening. According to your wish, we could also escort you back to the hotel directly after returning from the Great Wall.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)
Day 4 Beijing to Xi’an by High Speed Train
This morning, please make your own way from the hotel to the railway station to take the high speed train to Xi’an. The journey takes about 4.5 hours, and we will book and include your train tickets in advance.

Transportation Tips:
From your hotel to Beijing West Railway Station, a taxi ride takes about half an hour and costs CNY 50 (USD 7). Alternatively, you could take Subway Line 8 to Zhushikou Station, and transfer to Line 7 to the railway station for CNY 4 (50 US cents). Upon arrival in Xi’an, take Metro Line 2 from North Railway Station to Beidajie Station (Exit C) for CNY 4, and walk south for approximately 10 minutes to your hotel in the downtown. Taking a taxi costs about CNY 40 (USD 6) and takes 40 minutes.

Free Time Recommendations in Xi’an: (at your own expense)
About a 10-minute walk south from your hotel stands the tall and majestic Bell Tower. This striking landmark of Xi’an is over 600 years old and 36 meters tall (120 ft.), located at the intersection of Xi’an’s four main streets toward east, west, south, and north. As it’s getting dark, tourists wearing traditional Chinese costumes will gather around the illuminated tower, taking photos and exploring the surrounding bustling square. Why not immerse yourself in the intoxicating night atmosphere of this ancient city?

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn City Centre Xi’an (3 stars)
Day 5 Xi’an Mini Group Day Tour: Terracotta Army, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall, Muslim Quarter
Today, join our mini group day tour to see the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Xi’an. At around 8:00 in the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to the Terracotta Army Museum. The Terracotta Army is a large burial complex built by China’s first emperor for himself, which could date back over 2,200 years. Since the site was discovered in 1974 AD, over 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses have been excavated. The emperor’s practice to use clay to create an underground army was undoubtedly groundbreaking in an era when human sacrifice was still common across the world. Although most of the figures we see today are earth-colored, they were actually brightly painted in various colors, including purple, which was extremely difficult to extract 2,000 years ago. You may notice burn marks in Pit No. 1 and Pit No. 2. The cause of the burning remains a mystery, which may explain why the entire mausoleum of the emperor is still unexcavated as no one knows whether there are dangerous traps or devices to prevent grave-robbing.
The Vivid Terracotta Warriors
The Vivid Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army
Later, we’ll drive back to downtown Xi’an to visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 652 AD, it was used to house Buddhist scriptures, statues and other relics brought back by the renowned Master Xuanzang (602-664 AD) after his 17-year pilgrimage to India. Unlike most ancient structures in China, the pagoda was constructed with bricks to imitate wood, without using any cement. It is now dedicated to the precious Buddha Sarira and palm-leaf scriptures. Next, we’ll go up the City Wall, which is China’s largest existing ancient city wall. Constructed in 1370 AD and stretching 13.74 kilometers (8.5 mi.), the City Wall features gates, watchtowers, battlements, and a moat that combine defensive functions with architectural aesthetics. Walking along the wall, admire the old city gates and see locals exercising and relaxing in the park underneath. A more enjoyable and less strenuous way to explore the City Wall is by bicycle. If you are interested, your guide can assist you to rent a bicycle at your own expense.

At last, we will escort you back to your hotel, or drop you off at the famous Muslim Quarter if you like. You can enjoy independent exploration here and finally return to the hotel by yourself. The Muslim Quarter is one of the most vibrant food districts in Xi’an, and also home to over 20,000 Muslims, whose ancestors, mainly Persians and Arabs, brought their cuisine and culture to Xi’an over a thousand years ago. The streets are packed up with stalls of snacks, dessert, and souvenirs, with the cries of vendors coming with the aroma of food. Wake up your taste buds and try some authentic local flavors, such as Chinese hamburger and lamb and beef kebabs.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn City Centre Xi’an (3 stars)
Our Guests at the City Wall
Our Guests at the City Wall
Muslim Quarter, Xi’an
Muslim Quarter, Xi’an
Day 6 Xi’an to Lhasa by Plane
Say goodbye to Xi’an and leave for Lhasa today. Please go to the airport by yourself and take the 3.5-hour flight with the tickets we booked for you in advance. For the following 2 days, we’ll arrange for you the best Lhasa guided group tour welcomed by budget travelers.

 Transportation Suggestions:
1. From your hotel to Xi’an Airport: Walk north to Beidajie Station, take Metro Line 2 to North Railway Station, and transfer to Line 14 to Airport West Station for CNY 8 (USD 1); otherwise, walk south from your hotel for 15 minutes to Bell Tower Hotel and take the Bell Tower - Airport shuttle bus to Terminal 2 for CNY 25 (USD 3.5), which takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
2. From Lhasa Gonggar Airport to the hotel in Lhasa: We offer pick-up service at 10:00, 13:30, 16:00, and 18:30, so please arrange your time accordingly if you need a pick-up. Also you could get to the hotel independently. It costs about CNY 230 (USD 32) by taxi and takes about 2 hours. Or, you could take an airport shuttle bus to Liuwu Bridge Station, take Bus No. K04 and get off at Chongsaikang Station, and then walk 100 meters west to the hotel. The fare is CNY 31 (USD 4.5) and it takes about 2 hours. 

 Warm Tips: 
1. Please note that our group tour in Lhasa is not available every day. Our travel consultant will communicate with you based on your travel date in advance.
2. The average altitude of Lhasa is 3,650 meters (12,000 ft.), making it one of the highest cities in China. Therefore, after arrival, you may experience varying degrees of altitude sickness. We suggest you have a good rest to adapt to the climate change and avoid doing strenuous exercise.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars)
Day 7 Lhasa Guided Group Tour to Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery
This morning, the guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and accompany you to first visit Drepung Monastery. Seeing the majestic white buildings scattered on the hillside like rice heaps, we’ll reach this one of the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Founded in 1416 AD and expanded in the 17th century, the monastery housed over 10,000 monks at its peak, making it a cradle of Tibetan Buddhist scholarship. You could see prayer flags fluttering in the wind, conveying good wishes. Coqen Hall, the heart of Drepung Monastery, has a vast collection of Buddha statues, sutras, thangkas, and ritual objects, with its walls adorned with exquisite murals depicting Buddhist deities.

In the afternoon, let’s proceed to Sera Monastery, which is known as one of the “Great Three Gelug Monasteries” in Tibet, along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery. Nestled on the hillside with a river flowing in front, Sera Monastery is serene and solemn with lush verdant trees, housing thousands of Buddha statues, including some bronze statues brought from India. The grand Coqen Assembly Hall supported by 125 stone pillars can accommodate over 8,000 monks. Around mid-afternoon, we’ll see red-robed monks flooding into the Debating Courtyard, where the lively debates take place regularly. It’s an interesting scene that some monks are sitting on the ground while others are standing and asking questions passionately. They are all debating spiritedly about Buddhist concepts, and the atmosphere is about to reach its climax. After all the visits, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional local restaurant and taste Tibetan cuisine. Finally, the guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars)
Sera Monastery, Lhasa
Sera Monastery, Lhasa
Rock Paintings at Drepung Monastery
Rock Paintings at Drepung Monastery
Day 8 Lhasa Guided Group Tour to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
This morning, the guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel, and then let’s head to the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace. It could be the most vivid example of Tibetan architecture, most of which share a common characteristic: building down the hillside. Towering above the Red Hill, this “Pearl on the Roof of the World” has a history of over 1,300 years. It stands majestically amidst the mountains, with its golden rooftops gleaming in the sunlight. As the world’s highest and most iconic palace complex, Potala Palace is composed of the imposing White Palace and the nine-story Red Palace. The interiors are lavishly adorned with gold and jewels, and house over 70,000 cultural relics.

Next, go to another pilgrimage site - Jokhang Temple, founded in 647 AD. In Tibet’s history, the construction of Jokhang Temple and the surrounding Barkhor Street marked the emergence of the city’s name “Lhasa”, which means “Land of the Gods”. If Potala Palace is the political center of Lhasa, then Jokhang Temple could be its spiritual heart. Feel the smell of incense, and see how the devoted pilgrims and worshippers pay homage in the temple. Then, take a stroll around Barkhor Street, which is lined with shops selling prayer wheels, traditional robes, thangkas, and religious items, as well as food stalls, steeped in the rich flavor of Tibetan life. Follow your guide to a sweet tea house, sample special Tibetan tea, and learn about the local culture. Afterward, the guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, tea break
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars)
Potala Palace, Lhasa
Potala Palace, Lhasa
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Day 9 Lhasa to Chengdu by Plane
Today, your Lhasa guided group tour comes to an end. We offer Lhasa Airport drop-off service at 06:30, 08:00, and 12:00, so please tell us in advance your preferred time for hotel-airport transfer. Board the flight to Chengdu with tickets booked by us in advance and included in our price.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you need to go to the hotel on your own, which can be conveniently reached by public transport. Take Metro Line 10 to Hongpailou Station (Exit C), and walk northeast for about 10 minutes to the hotel. The cost is CNY 4 (USD 0.5). Also, you could take a taxi to the hotel at a cost of CNY 90 (USD 12.5) in about 40 minutes.

Recommended Activities in Chengdu: (at your own expense)
Take a short break after check-in, you may go to Jinli Ancient Street on your own, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from your hotel. The street, full of folk culture, history, and local street food, is one of the best places to experience Chengdu’s lively atmosphere. No one could leave here with an empty stomach. The baked egg cakes, ice jelly, and tofu pudding are the must-try snacks to satisfy your appetite. As evening approaches, colorful lanterns will illuminate the alleys, giving the street an even charming vibe.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)
Day 10 Chengdu Free Day
Enjoy your free day in Chengdu and soak up the unmissable views of the city.

Chengdu is particularly known as the hometown of giant pandas, so a morning tour to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is recommended. The base is home to the world’s largest captive breeding population of giant pandas. Besides adorable pandas and their cubs, you could see the lovely red pandas, black-necked cranes and other rare species.
Tips:
1. Transportation: Take Metro Line 3 from Hongpailou Station to Chengdu Junqu General Hospital Station (Exit A), and transfer to Bus No. 409 to the Panda Base, which costs CNY 7 (USD 1) and takes about 1 hour. A taxi ride is about CNY 60 (USD 8.5).
2. Giant pandas are generally more active in the early morning and evening, so it’s best to reach the base around 8:30 am. There is no ticket office on the site, so please remember to book your online ticket up to 7 days in advance.

After returning to downtown in the afternoon, maybe explore the Wide and Narrow Alley to savor Chengdu cuisine and experience courtyard culture through the quaint buildings. Then, walk southeast for about 15 minutes to People’s Park to appreciate the scenic lake and gardens and get a glimpse of the real life of locals. Sip some tea at the inviting Heming Tea House, and watch incredible tea or opera performances. Don’t miss the Match-making Corner in the park, where you could discover how Chinese parents find a partner for their children in a unique way.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)
Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Research Base
Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Research Base
Wide and Narrow Alley, Chengdu
Wide and Narrow Alley, Chengdu
Day 11 Chengdu to Chongqing by High Speed Train
Today, please get to the railway station for the train to Chongqing by yourself (train tickets reserved and included).

Transportation Tips:
There are a lot of trains operating from Chengdu to Chongqing, and our travel consultant will contact you about the specific train you will take. Here’s some transportation information for your reference: from your hotel to the train stations in Chengdu, it takes approximately 35 minutes and costs CNY 40 (USD 6); while upon arrival in Chongqing, from the train stations to your hotel, it takes about 40 minutes and costs CNY 40 (USD 6).

Free Time Suggestions in Chongqing: (at your own expense)
Chongqing is attracting more and more tourists from across the world by its distinctive three-dimensional cityscape. Linjiangmen Station, about a 15-minute walk northwest of your hotel, offers a chance to visit the renowned Kuixing Building, being both the ground floor and also the 22nd floor. Sounds insane, but you’ll understand the magic of this building once you see it. Be sure not to miss the intriguing spectacle: a light rail passing through a building! From Linjiangmen Station, take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba Station (Exit 1). From the observation platform, you could witness the incredible sight of the light rail passing through the 19th floors of a residential building. In the evening, you may visit Hongya Cave, Chongqing’s most iconic Instagrammable site with a cluster of 13-story stilt buildings perched on a sheer cliff face. These wooden houses now offer a wide range of leisure and dining options. When neon lights are turned on at night, Hongya Cave would look surreal and give a cyberpunk feel with its mesmerizing night scene. Savor authentic Chongqing street food like glutinous rice cakes and skewered hotpot.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Chongqing Downtown (3 stars)
Local Snacks in Chengdu
Local Snacks in Chengdu
Hongya Cave, Chongqing
Hongya Cave, Chongqing
Day 12 Free Morning in Chongqing; Take a High Speed Train to Zhangjiajie
This morning, you could further explore the city by yourself. Here are some suggestions: Jiefangbei Monument, one of Chongqing’s landmarks, is a 10-minute walk southwest from your hotel. Built in 1940 AD, this 27.5-meter-tall (90 ft.), 8-story monument stands as a vital witness to the city’s history. The surrounding area has evolved into Jiefangbei CBD with towering skyscrapers, modern plazas, and shopping malls. Afterward, you can take a 15-minute walk to Yangtze River Cableway North Station and experience a 1,166-meter (3,825 ft.) exciting ride across the river. See the breathtaking scenery of the running water, Yangtze River Bridge, and the city skyline unfolding beneath you. Capture these stunning moments with your camera. The tickets are priced at CNY 30 (USD 4.2) for a one-way trip and CNY 50 (USD 7) for a round trip.

In the afternoon, please proceed to the railway station by yourself to take the 2.5-hour high speed train to Zhangjiajie with tickets provided by us. Upon arrival, please head to our well-selected hotel on your own. During your stay in Zhangjiajie, you’ll enjoy our mini group day tours to discover its natural beauty.

 Transportation Suggestions:
1. From your hotel to Chongqing East Railway Station: A taxi costs about CNY 30 (USD 4.5). Public transportation route: Walk northeast for 15 minutes from the hotel to Xiaoshizi Station, take Metro Line 6 to Liujiaping Station, and transfer to Line 6 Branch Line to the railway station for CNY 5 (USD 0.7), taking about 40 minutes.
2. Zhangjiajie West Railway Station to your hotel: Take bus No. 17 to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station for less than 1 US dollar, and take a shuttle bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station where you can walk to the hotel. It takes approximately 3 hours in total. Or, hail a taxi for about CNY 100 (USD 14) and get to the hotel in 40 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santo Damingo International Hotel (3 stars)
Day 13 Zhangjiajie Mini Group Day Tour: Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, Hallelujah Mountain & Tianzi Mountain
This morning, embark on a classic Zhangjiajie mini group day tour. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and depart for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Upon arrival, we’ll first take a 20-minute eco-bus of the park and then experience Bailong Elevator, known as the “world’s tallest outdoor sightseeing elevator”, which ascends into Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the major area with the most concentrated landscape of Zhangjiajie. Bailong Elevator reaches a height of 326 meters (1,070 ft.) in just 66 seconds and can carry about 7,000 people every hour. You may try to stand in the front during the ride to better appreciate the breathtaking scenery. Thereafter, let’s explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where forests of peaks and rocks seem to rise straight from the ground. The highlight is the 150-meter-tall (500 ft.) Hallelujah Mountain, which was the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie ‘Avatar’. When shrouded in clouds and mist, Yuanjiajie would look like a fairyland.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Hallelujah Mountain, Zhangjiajie
Hallelujah Mountain, Zhangjiajie
In the afternoon, we’ll take the eco-bus of the park to Yangjiajie Scenic Area, which boasts extraordinary scenery with waterfalls and crystal creeks. There are scattered peak walls formed by continuous weathering corrosion, looking thin and vertical and resembling a natural Great Wall. Next, continue to take a 30-minute eco-bus ride to Tianzi Mountain, which is praised as the “King of the Peak Forest”. It is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the resplendent scenery is like a vibrant oil painting. Overlook the peaks and sea of clouds, and get awed by the fascinating spectacle. Admire the Imperial Brush Peaks shaped like 6 writing brushes, as well as other distinctive landmarks. Finally, descend the mountain by cable car, and then the guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel.

Tips: 
1. We’ll help you book your entrance tickets in advance, and you’ll need to pay on-site for the park’s entrance fees, elevator, and cable car. Please be sure to bring your passport with you.
2. During peak season, you may face long queues for the cable car and elevator. Thank you for your understanding.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santo Damingo International Hotel (3 stars)
Day 14 Zhangjiajie Mini Group Tour: Glass Bridge in Grand Canyon, Tianmen Mountain (Heaven’s Gate)
Today, have another mini group tour to further indulge in the natural beauty of Zhangjiajie. In the morning, the guide will meet you at the hotel and lead you to first visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a natural wonder with spectacular falls, waterways, and lush vegetation. We’ll try the Glass Bridge spanning the canyon, 430 meters long (1,410 ft.) and 260 meters high (850 ft.), which is one of the tallest and longest glass bridges in the world. Walking on the bridge, you may feel like walking in the air, which could be a truly unforgettable adrenaline-pumping experience. There are also opaque areas on both sides of the bridge that can help relieve the thrill.

In the afternoon, let’s head to Tianmen Mountain, which stands 1,518.6 meters (4,982 ft.), being the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. It is home to a wealth of rare species and medicinal herbs, and full of folklore. Tianmen Mountain is named after the Heaven’s Gate, a dramatic natural archway whose records can be traced back to 263 AD. Experience the 60-meter (200 ft.) Glass Skywalk (shoe covers included), as well as the 7,500-meter (4.6 mi.) world’s longest Tianmen Mountain Cableway, and take in the stunning panoramic views. After all the sightseeing today, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santo Damingo International Hotel (3 stars)
Glass Bridge at the Grand Canyon
Glass Bridge at the Grand Canyon
Tianmen Cave, Zhangjiajie
Tianmen Cave, Zhangjiajie
Day 15 Zhangjiajie to Shanghai by Plane
Please take a taxi to Zhangjiajie Airport independently for your 2.5-hour flight to Shanghai, with the flight tickets provided by us. The taxi ride takes about 45 minutes and costs CNY 90 (USD 12.5). Upon arriving at Shanghai Pudong Airport, manage your own way to the hotel we booked for you. Take Metro Line 2 to People’s Square Station, transfer to Line 8 and get off at Dashijie Station (Exit 1), and walk northwest for about 10 minutes to the hotel. The fare is CNY 7 (USD 1). Alternatively, you could take a taxi for about CNY 200 (USD 30).

 Shanghai Free Time Suggestions: (at your own expense)
Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai’s oldest and busiest pedestrian streets, is a 15-minute walk north from your hotel, where the signs of time-honored businesses make a contrast to the stylish street scenes. It’s easy to discover a great variety of cuisines and street food, including soup dumplings, pan-fried pork buns, and scallion oil noodles. Afterward, you may continue to walk east to the Bund, Shanghai’s most charming and bustling hub along the Huangpu River, with skyscrapers like Oriental Pearl TV Tower, World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower on the opposite side. Maybe take a Huangpu River cruise (from USD 14 per person) to enjoy the vibrant night view and admire the historical and modern architecture under the glowing lights.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (3 stars)
Day 16 Shanghai Free Day
We are glad to offer you some recommendations for your free day in Shanghai.

In the morning, visit Yu Garden, a 15-minute walk southwest from your hotel. As one of Shanghai’s five famous classical gardens, Yu Garden is a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city that takes you back to a bygone era. Built over 400 years ago, this southern China style garden features intricate designs, exquisite pavilions, and calm ponds. Strolling along the winding paths, it’s hard not to be captivated by the ancient oriental aesthetics. The garden also houses rich cultural relics, such as paintings, calligraphy, and sculptures by famous artists. For fewer crowds and better photo opportunities, it is suggested to reach there early in the morning. Located adjacent to Yu Garden, the City God Temple, built between 1403 and 1424 AD, is an older cultural icon of Shanghai. As a testament of Chinese Taoism, City God Temple enshrines the deity that protects the city. Admire the ancient architecture with red walls and glazed roofs, and immerse yourself into the peaceful atmosphere. Outside the temple are lively Yuyuan Bazaar filled with traditional local snacks and antique shops.

Later, you could go to Xintiandi Block to explore the century-old neighborhood in downtown Shanghai. Here features Shikumen, which is a unique architectural style in Shanghai and closely tied to the city’s modern history. Around the 1860s AD, foreign concession areas introduced Western architectural styles to Shanghai, and local families combined them with the traditional layout of Chinese residential buildings. These historic Shikumen buildings have now been transformed into cultural and entertainment centers for tourists to experience history and modernity at the same time.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (3 stars)
Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai
Yu Garden, Shanghai
The Bund Area, Shanghai
The Bund Area, Shanghai
Day 17 Departure from Shanghai
This is the end of your budget Tibet adventure with major China cities. Please proceed to the airport corresponding to your departure flight by yourself.

 Transportation Tips:
1. To Shanghai Pudong Airport: Take Metro Line 8 from Dashijie Station to People’s Square, transfer to Line 2, and get off at Pudong Terminal 1 Station. The fare is CNY 7 (USD 1). A taxi takes an hour and the fare is around CNY 200 (USD 30).
2. To Shanghai Hongqiao Airport: Walk southeast from the hotel for 15 minutes to Yuyuan Station, and take Metro Line 10 to Hongqiao International Airport for CNY 5 (USD 0.7). It takes an hour and the fare is around CNY 100 (USD 14) if you take a taxi.

Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Prices
2-3 travelers4-5 travelers
USD2669
USD2639
  • Prices are per person on twin sharing.
  • If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
  • Domestic airfares & train fares
  • For prices with hotels, accommodation & breakfast are included
  • English-speaking guides and drivers on guided tours
  • Entrance fees to tourist sites on guided tours except for Zhangjiajie
  • Tibet Travel Permit
Price Excludes
  • International airfares
  • For prices without hotels, accommodation & breakfast booked on your own
  • Entrance fees in Zhangjiajie: We will reserve entrance tickets in advance and guarantee the availabilities, and you just need to pay on the spot. The total entrance fees are CNY830 per person for the 2-day Zhangjiajie tour.
  • Transfers and entrance fees for free days
  • Entry visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
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