Day 02: Beijing
Your first day of touring in our capital city will begin with strolling across the Tiananmen Square which is regarded as the largest square of its kind in the world. Tiananmen (Heaven Peace Gate) is situated at the north of the square. The design of the tower has been used as a symbol on the national emblem. Then walk to the Forbidden City which is near to the Tiananmen Square. Dominating the heart of the city, the Forbidden City is a range of well-preserved palace architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among the four gates, the southern gate, Wumen (Meridian Gate) is the main entrance for most visitors to the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to visit the Temple of Heaven. It is enclosed by a long wall. The northern part is semicircular symbolizing Heaven and the southern part is square symbolizing Earth. This design reflects ancient Chinese thought of 'The heaven is round and the earth is square'. In the evening, the Beijing Duck Dinner is served at a renowned restaurant, followed by a fascinating Peking Opera performance. (B, L, D)

 

 Day 03: Beijing
The day's highlight is the visit to the Badaling Great Wall which is the grandest ancient military fortification in the world and a must for every traveler to China. The ancient Qin wall has experienced continuous extensions and restorations throughout the 2,000-year history of Chinese feudal society. Two construction campaigns in the Han (206 B.C. - 220) and Ming (1368 - 1644) dynasties brought about the remarkable extensions to the wall. The present wall remains in Beijing are mainly the result of the Ming period. To celebrate this historic visit, your lunch is specially arranged at a local popular Sichuan cuisine restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. The Sacred Way was a road usually built in front of an ancient Chinese mausoleum, which symbolically led emperors to Heaven. The Sacred Way in the Ming Tomb is a typical example. After that you will be transferred back to downtown and driven by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) to see its appearance at a distance. The a la carte dinner is served at a famous Cantonese cuisine restaurant in the Wangfujing area. (B, L, D)
 
Note: A la carte dinner is served for Luxury series while Standard series will have the dinner on your own.

 

 Day 04: Beijing - Xian

Great Mosque, Xian

The last two stops in Beijing are the Summer Palace and the lovely pandas in Beijing Zoo. Summer Palace is reputed to be the best preserved Museum of Imperial Garden Architecture in China. Originally built in 1750, the imperial garden complex underwent several times renovations and extensions throughout the late Qing Dynasty (1368 - 1644). And the present patterns are the result of the restoration in 1902. After the visit of the lovely pandas in Beijing Zoo, you will take a flight to Xian, one of the four ancient civilized capital cities in the world and be transferred to the hotel. A sumptuous buffet dinner will be served for you at the hotel this evening. (B, L, D)
 
Note: Buffet dinner is served for Luxury series while Standard series will have the dinner on your own.

 

 Day 05: Xian
The morning highlight excursion takes you to visit the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum which is called 'the Eighth Wonder of the World'. Along with the nearby Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, it is the first Chinese relics listed in the World Heritage Directory. These two are the remains of Qinshihuang, the founder of the Qin Dynasty and the first emperor of unified China. A decent lunch will be served at a well-known Cantonese cuisine restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall which boasts the most complete city wall to have survived through China's long history. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 by the hierarch Xuanzang, is a seven-storey square tower. It is said that Xuanzang traveled along the Silk Road from Chang'an (now Xian) to India, where he learned and preached Buddhism. Seventeen years later he came back with many volumes of sutras, Buddha figures and relics. In order to preserve these treasures, Emperor Gaozong permitted him to build the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight you will enjoy the wonderful Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (B, L, D) 
 
Note: Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the Tang Dynasty Palace is arranged for Luxury series while Standard series will have the Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Music and Dances Show at Shaanxi Opera Theater.

 

 

 Day 06: Xian - Lhasa
Visit the Hanyangling Museum, the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi on the way to the airport. The painted nude figures on pottery discovered in the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, called 'Oriental Venus', caused another shock to the world. Then take a flight to Lhasa where the altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. It is one of the world's cities nearest to the sky and one of the cleanest. For a millennium, this city has stunned the world with its majestic landscapes, unique culture, strong religious aura and exotic ethnic people. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel and acclimatize yourself to the high altitude. Dinner is served at your hotel. (B, D)

 

 Day 07: Lhasa
In the morning, visit the Tibet Museum and the Carpet Factory. After having a western-style lunch, go ahead to visit the Sera Monastery which is located at the foot of Tatipu Hill, some 3 kilometers (about 1.86 miles) north from Potala Palace. Then continue your visit to the Norbulingka, meaning Jewel Park, which was the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas. The a la carte dinner will be arranged for you at a local best Sichuan cuisine restaurant. (B, L, D)
 

 Day 08: Lhasa
Start the day's tour by a visit to the magnificent Potala Palace which integrates a palace, a castle, and a monastery. Built in Chinese and Tibetan styles, Potala Palace is the largest and best-kept palace compound in Tibet. In 1994, it was listed as a world natural and cultural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The walls of the palace are red and white, the roofs resplendent and stately. It is a treasure of Tibetan architecture, a symbol of the Tibetan people's great creativity, and a unique human cultural heritage rising on the snow-capped plateau. Then visit the Jokhang Temple. Located in the center of the old Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is indeed the spiritual center of Tibet. Since it was constructed by King Songtsen Gampo in 647AD, Jokhang Temple is the oldest temple in Tibet and as such, it has held many significant political and religious events of Tibet over the centuries. Then you will visit the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street in which visitors can buy many beautiful souvenirs. Religious objects such as prayer flags, prayer wheels, thangkas (a kind of mounted scroll paintings ), sutras, prayer beads, etc. as well as jewelry, Tibetan knives, food, costume, and so on are easily found in this ancient street. In the end, visit the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital which focuses on the research of Tibetan traditional medicine as well as the calendar calculation for many years.  Dinner is served at your hotel.(B, L, D)
 

 Day 09: Lhasa - Gyangtse
Toady you will be transferred to Gyangtse. Stop off to visit the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and the Karola snow mountain. With an altitude of 4441 meters (14,570 feet) above the sea level, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake ranks among the highest lakes in China. Many isles distributed in the lake providing comfortable inhabitancies for various birds species. Grasslands around the lake are also the best place for feeding livestock. Upon arrival in Gyangtse, transfer you to the hotel. Then you will pay a visit the Palkhor Monastery. As a typical fifteenth Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique. In addition, it collects about 100 robes and costumes worn in Tibetan opera, which were all made of silk, embroidery and tapestry during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Go round in the Gyangtse Old Street before dinner is served at your hotel. (B, L, D)


 

 Day 11: Shigatse - Dingri

The Lamas are learning the sutra, Tibet

Transfer to Dingri and check in at the hotel. Visit the Sakya Monastery and Lhatse city on the way. Sakya, meaning 'gray soil', is the first monastery of Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Main Chanting Hall, or Lakhang Chenmo, is the central construction of Sakya Monastery. It is supported by 40 pillars and four bigger ones are most outstanding. It is said that these four pillars were presents from the Yuan Emperor, a wild yak, a male tiger and Nereus. All the stories are clearly depicted by the murals on the wall. The sculptures of Sakyamuni and the fifth Sakya Throne Holder are enshrined in the hall. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B, L, D)

 

 Day 13: Dingri - Shigatse
Today you will be driven back to Shigatse and transferred to the hotel. It is better to have a good rest after the day's driving journey. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B, L, D)

 

 Day 14: Shigatse - Lhasa

Our clients in front of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

Return to Lhasa and transfer to the hotel. Two days' long-way driving may weary you out and rest fully to recover from the fatigue the rest of the day. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B, L, D)

 

 Day 15: Lhasa - Shanghai
Proceed to the next stop after having a Tibetan family visit where you will be near to have a general view of the local people's daily life. Then take a flight to Shanghai,  the 'Paris of the Orient', whose modern, international and fashionable reputation entice travelers and visitors from all over the world. Upon arrival, you will be met by the local professional guide and transferred to our well-selected hotel.(B, L)

 

 Day 16: Shanghai
Take a visit to the Shanghai Museum and the Yuyuan Garden in the morning. Shanghai Museum is to the south of the People's Square in the downtown area. The construction area of the museum is about 40,000 square meters with an immense collection of Chinese ancient art which attracts many visitors. Yuyuan Garden, maybe the most celebrated classical Chinese garden in Shanghai, is characterized by an exquisite layout, beautiful scenery and artistic architecture. After lunch, different schedules are arranged for luxury and standard series. Please see the following differences. The Farewell Dinner will be arranged at the well-known Wang Bao He restaurant which has a history of over 260 years and is the best place serving Shanghai Cuisine. You will enjoy an amazing Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre after dinner.(B, L, D)
 
Note: We will arrange a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River in the afternoon for Luxury series while for Standard series the guide will accompany you walking along the Bund area and visiting a local family in the afternoon.

 

Tour Prices (based on per person and shown in US dollars, Valid from Jan. 1st, 2010 to Feb. 28th, 2011)

Class City	Luxury				Standard
Beijing	Crowne Plaza Hotel				Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Xian	Sheraton Hotel				Grand New World Hotel
Lhasa	Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa				ShangBaLa Hotel
Gyangtse	Gyangtse Hotel				Gyangtse Hotel
Shigatse	Shigatse Hotel				Shigatse Hotel
Dingri	Everest Hotel				Everest Hotel
Shanghai	Majesty Plaza Shanghai				Ya Fan Long Men Hotel
Seasons Travelers	High Season		Low Season		High Season		Low Season
	Double	Sole	Double	Sole	Double	Sole	Double	Sole
2-5	$3930	$4780	$3650	$4220	$3450	$3960	$3290	$3650
6-9	$3240	$4090	$2960	$3540	$2760	$3270	$2600	$2960
10 & above	$2890	$3700	$2590	$3100	$2430	$2900	$2250	$2570

The above private guided tour is tailored for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other participants will be in your group. In other words, others will not join in your tour and you will not take part into any tours of others on our land services.