Giant Panda Breeding Sanctuary
Enjoy the cultural majesty of China and Tibet with this tour that will take you near the top of the world, and send you down the Yangtze River. From Beijing to Xian to Lhasa, experience Chinese and Tibetan culture in many diverse settings. Enjoy an unforgettable 18 nights in China and Tibet on this once in a lifetime tour experience!
Air 1: Overnight Flight
Your tour begins with an overnight flight* from North America to Beijing, China.
Day 2: Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Start your tour in China’s fascinating capital city of Beijing.
Day 3: Beijing
The tour manager will help you learn to communicate with locals through a language discovery exercise. Then a sightseeing excursion in Beijing will take you to the famed Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, once inhabited by the powerful rulers of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Day 4: Beijing - Chongqing - Board Ship
Board a short flight* to Chongqing, a gorgeous mountain town and the boarding location for you to begin a three night cruise down the Yangtze River. Before boarding your cruise ship, you will sightsee in Chongqing, including the General Stilwell Museum, birthplace of the Flying Tigers.
Day 5: Cruising - Chongqing - Fengdu
As you cruise down the Yangtze, you will visit Fengdu, also known as the “City of Ghosts” which traces back to the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago.
Day 6: Cruising - Badong - Xiling Gorge
At Badong, you will exit the cruise ship for a unique tour on a junk boat that will take you to the Shennong Stream and up the Bamboo and Xiling Gorges.
Day 7: Cruising - Three Gorges Dam Project - Disembark Ship - Xian
Travel to the Three Gorges Dam Project. When finished the dam will be the largest hydroelectric dam on the planet, spanning over 6,500 feet across and above 600 feet tall. Later you will exit the cruise ship and fly to Xian, China.
Day 8: Xian
Take the morning to explore the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors who guarded the tomb of China's first emperor. To enhance your visit a 360 degree movie will teach you more about the discovery of the site.
Day 9: Xian
Start the morning with a stop at the Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the best known Buddhist temples in the world. Next view Xian’s Islamic Mosque, before enjoying a dumpling lunch. You will also be treated to an excursion to the top of the ancient city wall where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city.
Day 10: Xian
Today you journey into the countryside to experience life in a rural Chinese village. Meet local farms and enjoy a traditional lunch in a farm home. In the evening you have the option of enjoying a Tang Dynasty dinner show.
Day 11: Xian - Xining - Overnight Train
Today you take a flight* out of Xian and head for the high mountains, landing in Xining, on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Visit a Buddhist monastery before transferring to a rial station for a train ride to Lhasa, Tibet.
Day 12: On Board Train - Lhasa, Tibet
You are now aboard the “Sky Train” on the highest train ride in the world! Cross over a 16,000 foot high mountain pass, and enjoy the incredible views of snow covered peaks as you enjoy a ride to remember!
Day 13: Lhasa
Begin the day with a visit to Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet built over 2500 years ago. In the afternoon, pay a visit to a Tibetan family to learn of their humble lifestyle. Later tour the Norbilinka Palace, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.
Day 14: Lhasa
See the Potala Palace, the most impressive monumental structure in Tibet. It was built in the year 640, destroyed in the 9th century and rebuilt during the 17th century by over 7,000 workers in 50 years of work. Following lunch, take a tour of the Tibetan Museum, before visiting the Jatson Chuming School.
Day 15: Lhasa - Chengdu
A flight* to Chengdu begins the day. After lunch, you can explore a local market before checking into your hotel for the night.
Day 16: Chengdu
Today’s highlight is a special visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Sanctuary, where a guided tour will give you the opportunity to see Giant Pandas in a natural setting.
Day 17: Chengdu - Beijing
Today you fly back to the capital city of Beijing and pay a visit to the Great Wall of China. Although you will obviously not be able to walk the entire 3700 mile perimeter, you will get a sense of what an architectural accomplishment the Great Wall is from the section you visit.
Day 18: Beijing
Visit the Temple of Heaven, a decorated sanctuary where Chinese Emperors paid homage to Gods. Later, enjoy a Chinese cooking class as the Jinshong Cooking School, and take a rickshaw tour through the narrow alleyways of old Beijing.
Day 19: Beijing - Tour Ends
Your tour of China concludes, but the memories will last a long time.
Visit Chinese landmarks like Tiananmen Square and the Wild Goose Pagoda. Travel along the highest railway in the world and down the world’s third longest river. See lively Beijing, interesting Xian, and Fengdu, the “City of Ghosts”. View Giant Pandas in a natural setting and learn Chinese cooking at the Jinshong Cooking school. This China and Tibet tour offers you many exciting activities and once in a lifetime experiences!
*Airfare not included in total price
