China & Tibet Highlights

You will meet your English-speaking guide on arrival at the airport and have a private transfer to your city center hotel. There will be an evening meeting where you can ask any questions before taking a short walk near the hotel to get your bearings and enjoying a delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Immerse yourself in the busy streets of the capital as you visit Tiananmen Square and the breath-taking Forbidden City, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later you will enjoy walking through the traditional Hutong streets, admiring the well-preserved buildings and vibrant energy of Beijing.

Today you will visit one of the most iconic sites in the whole of China as you explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Sitting atop the ancient structure, you will soak up panoramic views of lush greenery and craggy mountains, before admiring the weathered watchtowers perched proudly along the wall, many centuries after they were first built. You will travel first-class on the overnight sleeper train to Xian.

Having spent the night on the sleeper train, you will transfer to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy a good breakfast. Afterwards you will visit the Terracotta Warriors, perfectly preserved underground for 2000 years where they were buried to protect the spirit of the emperor in the afterlife. Later, you will visit a 400-year-old residence of Gao family, an important family in the royal court of Chin before enjoying a tour of the Muslim quarter, local markets and ancient Bell and Drum Tower.

Dive into the history of Xian as you explore the impressive ancient wall with its deep moat before heading to the airport. You will fly from Xian to Lhasa airport, then take a private coach through the valley to reach the holy city of Lhasa. The city is the most important location in the world of Tibetan Buddhism and lies at an impressive altitude of 3,290 meters. You will acclimatize by taking a guided walk through the lovely streets.

Today you will take a tour of Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama and one of the most spectacular structures in the world. Later you will visit both Jokhang temple, the holiest temple in Tibet and the ancient Sera monastery, where you will interact with the resident monks.

You will travel to Yamdrok Lake to enjoy stunning Tibetan views. You will drive over the Kamba-la Pass and over the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Yamdrok Lake is a sacred, freshwater lake that covers over 72 km and is surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped peaks. Lose yourself in the perfect turquoise waters, fed constantly by pretty streams that come winding out of the mountains. After spending some time at this picturesque location, you will head back to Lhasa where you will spend the night.

Having dipped your toes into the magical culture of Tibet, you will return to China by flight. Arriving in the city of Chengdu, you will enjoy a tour of Jinli Street, famous for its weird and wonderful local cuisine and friendly, buzzing atmosphere. After sampling some sweet rice Jelly, beef pancakes or local rabbits’ head you will go on to explore the historical Kuanxhai valley with your guide.

You’re in for a real treat today as you visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, home to 80% of the 1,000 pandas now left in the world. The research base offers a safe parkland home for these adorable characters, who spend all day eating bamboo, napping and having a good old play. After hanging out with the Pandas, you will head to the train station to take a bullet train to Chongqing, where you will spend the first of two nights on a luxury river cruise.

After a peaceful night’s rest on the Yangtze River, you will start the day with a nourishing Tai Chi class and delicious breakfast. Floating along the river, you will visit the Fengdu Ghost City, a collection of temples and shrines built to honour the afterlife. In the afternoon you will visit a lovely wooden pavilion by the riverside before attending a cultural show to learn more about the Chinese ethnic minorities.

Continuing your wonderful river cruise, you will sail through two of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. Enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery in style before visiting the Shennv valley. You will be able to see thousands of cliffs at this location, famous throughout the world for its outstanding natural beauty. You will enjoy a lovely farewell dinner in the evening, before laying your head down for the last time on the river cruise.

You will the world-famous Three Gorges Dam today, an innovative hydro-electric project that encompasses flood control, energy production and nature preservation. The Dam also transfers water from the South to the North of China and plays a vital role in Chinese agriculture. It cost an incredible 40 billion dollars to finish the project and 1.3 million people were displaced due to its construction. After visiting the Dam, you will end your river cruise at Yichang Pier and head to the airport for a flight to Shanghai.

Shanghai is the most important economic, political and cultural city in the east of China. You will explore some of its most iconic sites, visiting the City God’s Temple and Yuyuan Garden. Later you will explore the teahouses, restaurants and shops of the Shanghai French concession before settling down in your hotel for your final evening on this extraordinary journey through China and Tibet.

Your wonderful guided tour has sadly come to an end. No activities have been planned for today, giving you time to say your goodbyes and prepare for your onward journey at your own pace. A private transfer will be arranged for you at your convenience to ensure a safe onward journey to the airport.