China 17 Days Ultimate Explore Tour

• Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the hotel
• 4+stars Hotel
• None

Welcome on your journey to Beijing! Arriving in China's capital, you will experience the unique charm of the city.

Our professional tour guide will be waiting at the airport and arrange a comfortable car to transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival, you can take a short break to recover from jet lag.
If you would like to explore the surroundings in advance, your guide will provide you with practical advice.

Recommend for Free Time

Experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
Watch Peking Opera Show, Acrobatic Show or Kung fu Show(Performances are usually from 19:15 to 20:15)

• Tian'anmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan Park - Summer Palace
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, our guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby to start today's journey.

First, we will reach the Tian'anmen Square. Standing in the North Square, you can look up at the Tian'anmen Tower, where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Passing through Tian'anmen Square, you will step into the Forbidden City, a magnificent palace complex that was once home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Then we will make a short trip to Jingshan Park, where we will enjoy the entire Forbidden City from the Watchtower at the top of the hill.

In the afternoon, we will drive to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Here, you can stroll among the ancient pavilions, mansions and temples, enjoying the beauty of small bridges and winding corridors.

Recommend for Activities

You can choose foot massage, houhai night bars or Sanlitun bar street at night.

• The Great Wall - Bird's Nest/Water Cube
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will drive about 70 kilometers to the Mutianyu section of the world-famous Great Wall. It is well-preserved and relatively unvisited and impresses visitors with its rich vegetation and magnificent natural scenery.

You will take an easy cable car ride up the Great Wall. Then Climbing up to the towering towers overlooking the Great Wall as it winds along the ridge will surely keep you coming back for more. At the end of the Great Wall tour, we will take the cable car down the mountain.
(Note: If you are physically fit, you may also choose to hike up and down).

Afterwards, we will return to Beijing, stopping on the way to visit the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube from the outside in the Olympic Village.

Recommend for Dinner

After a full day of sightseeing, you can plan for the Peking duck dinner at Quanjude.

• Temple of Heaven - Hutongs - High-speed Train to Xi'an
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast&Lunch

We will visit the Temple of Heaven, a sacred site used in ancient times to worship the heavens and pray for a good harvest. Nowadays, it has become a lively place where locals perform traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying and calligraphy.

Then we will visit the Hutongs(old alleyways) and take a rickshaw ride through Beijing's hutongs. For lunch you will learn to make and eat dumplings in the hutongs for an in-depth experience Beijing local lifestyle.

After lunch, we will go to the railway station for the high speed train(about 5hrs) to Xi'an. Our Xi'an guide will meet you at Xi'an North Railway Station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming ancient capital.

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses - Da Ci'en Temple - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

In the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel and drive about 40 kilometers to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These Terracotta Warriors were built by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional culture by making a miniature pottery figurine.

After lunch, we will return to downtown Xi'an and visit the Da Ci'en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site for Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. If you are interested in Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can climb it (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city. Then you can also try on the Chinese traditional dress for free to experience the solemnity and elegance of ancient China.

As night falls, we will take you to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. This is a great place to enjoy the charming night view where you can reminisce the prosperity and splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

• Xi'an Museum - Small Wild Goose Pagoda - Ancient City Wall - Flight to Tibet
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

In the morning we will visit Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda learn learn about the profound historical and cultural heritage of Xi'an.

In the afternoon, we will go to the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. You can rent a bicycle (extra charge applies) for a leisurely ride on the ancient city wall and enjoy the panoramic view of Xi'an.

Then we will also take you to visit the bustling Muslim Quarter to taste the authentic local snacks and experience the different cultural atmosphere.

Take a flight from Xi'an to Lhasa. The Lhasa tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Tips

After arrive in Lhasa, you are advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise as this may cause altitude sickness and affect your travel experience and health.

• The Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will begin the day's adventure in Lhasa. First you will visit the majestic Potala Palace, which has spanned more than 1,300 years and still stands proudly in the skies of Lhasa. It is not only the political center of Tibet, but also a holy place of religion, which was once the temple of the Dalai Lama to rule and preach Buddhism.

In the afternoon, we turn to the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet - Jokhang Temple. As a spiritual beacon for Tibetans, it attracts countless devout pilgrims every day.

Outside the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, where pilgrims dressed in colorful costumes stroll along the street. You can follow in the footsteps of pilgrims.

• Norbulingka Park - Drepung Monastery - Sera Monastery
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will embark on a new journey with our first stop at Norbulingka Park - known as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama - the most splendid oasis in Dhaxi Tibet.

Continuing westward for about 5 kilometers you will arrive at the Drepung Monastery. In its heyday, more than 10,000 monks studied here. On festive occasions, the monastery organizes grand Buddhist ceremonies, the most spectacular being the annual presentation of the Buddha statue at the Songtung Festival.

Then turn our attention to the 600-year-old Sera Monastery, famous for its grand Buddhist ceremonies and exquisite architecture.

• Lhasa - Yarlung Tsangpo River - Yarlung Tsangpo Valley - Gambala Pass - Lake Yamdrok - Karola Glacier
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After Breakfast, we will drive to the Yarlung Tsangpo River. In Chinese, Yarlung Tsangpo River means water flowing down from the crest. There is a Galaxy in the heaven and a Sky River (Tianhe) on the earth, which is Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Subsequently, we will pass through the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, where you can overlook the vast scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and have the opportunity to take a close photo with the Tibetan mastiffs and sheep.

Next, we will arrive at the Gambara Hillside Observation Deck, which is an excellent location overlooking the panoramic view of the Lake Yamdrok.

Continuing on, you will have the opportunity to experience the charm of the Lake Yamdrokl. It is the habitat of many aquatic birds in Tibet.

Eventually, we will arrive at the Karo La Glacier to see the majesty of the glacier. It will takes about 40 minutes hiking from the entrance to the Chayangtso lake to see the glacier. Hiking distance of about 3 kilometers, the altitude of 4500-4800 meters between.(Note: This section includes hiking, guests who are worried about plateau reaction can choose to rest in the car, while those who want to challenge themselves can continue to go forward)

• Lhasa - Flight to Chengdu - Free Time
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will start from the holy land Tibet to the hometown of pandas-Chengdu.

Your Chengdu tour guide will wait for you at airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Upon arrival, you are free to stroll through the city.

Recommend for Free Time

1. Take a stroll down Chunxi Road and have some snacks.
2. Watch a Chinese kung fu or theater show and you can ask guide to buy tickets for you.
3. Take a walk around Chengdu on your own to experience Chengdu's residential life.

• The Sanxingdui Ruins - Chengdu People's Park - Jinli Street
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

In the morning, you will visit the Sanxingdui Ruins, which is dubbed as one of the world's greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century.

In the afternoon, you will step into Chengdu People's Park to experience the unique leisure and ease of this city. The relaxation of napping, the clash of mahjong, the joy of natural ear cleaning.

At nightfall, you will step into the old streets of Jinli. You will be tempted by a wide range of food, exquisite handicrafts and interesting folklore performances.

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding - High-speed train to Chongqing
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

Early in the morning, you will visit the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu. Here is the cozy home of more than a hundred of pandas of different ages.You can observe pandas up close and learn facts about pandas.

Then you'll go to a local restaurant for a Sichuan specialty hot pot that spicy and flavorful.

After the lunch, you will go to train station and take a high speed train to Chongqing. Your Chongqing tour guide will wait for you and help you to transfer to the Yangtze River Cruise ship.

• Yangtze River Cruise - Fengdu Ghost City
• 4+stars Cruise Ship
• Breakfast

Wake up in the morning, Enjoy the serenity of the Yangtze River and the leisure time on board. You can practice Tai Chi to harmonize your body and mind with nature or attend lectures on the history and culture of the Yangtze River. In the evening, there will be a captain's welcome party and evening show on board.

You can choose to join the activities on the cruise or take an optional tour to Fengdu County .
Fengdu County is an important part of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area and boasts unique natural and cultural landscapes, including Fengdu Ghost City, Shuanggui Mountain, Xueyu Cave, etc.

Note

Exploring Fengdu Ghost City requires a lot of walking, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes

• White Emperor City(Optional), Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge
• 4+stars Cruise Ship
• Breakfast

Today you will sail through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Travel through the Qutang Gorges and Wu Gorges.

Today's shore excursion will take you deep into Fengjie County, Wu County or Badong along the Three Gorges, each journey carrying a different history and legend. You can also choose to theBaidi City (Note: this tour requires an additional fee)

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Wu Gorges. Here, you will change to a small boat and travel gently along the stream and deep into the narrow gorge.

In the evening there will be a Captain's Farewell Party and have a great night.

• Three Gorge Dam - High-speed train to Shanghai
• 4+stars Cruise Ship
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will visit the Three Gorge Dam - learn more about the historical background of it and enjoy the beautiful scenery around .

After the visiting, You will be picked up from the ship and transferred to Yichang Dong Station for your high speed train to Shanghai.

• Yu Garden - Shanghai World Financial Center - Nanjing Road - the Bund
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will head to Yu Garden, the jewel of classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River. Adjacent to the Yuyuan Garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar, a great place to sample local cuisine and explore traditional Chinese handicrafts.
Next, we will drive to the Shanghai World Financial Center, known as the "Eye of Shanghai", which is 474 meters high. From its 100th floor, you will have a panoramic view of Shanghai.
In the afternoon, we will take you on a stroll along Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise that is not only perfect for shopping but also for experiencing the modern atmosphere of Shanghai.
Afterwards, we'll head to the Bund, famous for groups of buildings known as "a Gallery of world architecture".

• Jade Buddha Temple - Tianzifang - Transfer to airport
• None
• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, which houses the world's largest collection of Jade Buddhas as well as numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures. Then you will go to the Tianzifang which is touristic arts and crafts place that has developed from a traditional residential area.

In the afternoon, our driver will pick up you and transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home. We wish you a wonderful memory of your trip to Shanghai and look forward to meeting you again.