12 Days Beijing-Lhasa-Xian-Shanghai Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to our 12-day China tour package from Beijing! Our tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit of Beijing Airport, holding a welcome sign with your name on it. Then you will be transferred to the hotel we booked for you and check in. In the rest of the day, take the time to relax yourself or explore the city

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Highlights Tour
   Explore Royal Heritage and Appreciate Chinese Kung Fu Show

   After breakfast, we will begin our China tour from Tiananmen Square, which is known as the world’s largest urban center square. The Square has an area of 44 hectares (109 acres) that can accommodate as many as one million people for public gatherings. It has witnessed many historical events in China’s modern history.

   Next, be guided to explore the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex, the Forbidden City, located in the center of China’s capital. It displays an extraordinarily harmonious balance between buildings and open space within a more or less symmetrical layout.

   

   After lunch, continue the tour in Beijing to the Temple of Heaven, the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world. Finishing the day tour, you will appreciate a lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at night. Different from traditional Kung Fu shows, this show features a story of dramatic interest, which makes it more interesting and attractive. Last, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Great Wall of China Tour
   Hike the Greatest Wonder of Humanity

   Today, you will be transferred to hike the Badaling Great Wall. As one of the greatest wonders of mankind, the majestic Great Wall is always a must-see attraction for many visitors to Beijing. Nowadays, the Great Wall has become the symbol of the Chinese nation and its culture. Of course, you can also choose to pay extra to take the cable car, which can save energy and time (optional).

   After the Great Wall tour, go to visit the Ming Tomb. On the way to the Ming Tomb, you will pass through the Sacred Way. The Ming Tomb is the place where 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) were buried. On the way back to the downtown center, see the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) from outside, which is the main assembly hall of the 29th Olympic sports games in Beijing in the year of 2008.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Lhasa Tour by Flight

   After breakfast, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your noon flight to Lhasa. Upon your arrival in Lhasa, a local private guide will pick you up from the airport and then transfer you to the hotel.

   It is suggested that you have a good rest at the hotel to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude of the city.

   Notes:

   • To reduce or avoid symptoms of altitude sickness, you are advised to avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa.
   • Do not take a shower to avoid catching a cold.
   • Avoid drinking alcohol.
   • Drink plenty of water and get enough rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

5. Day 5: Lhasa City Tour
   Visit the Highest Palace in the World

   Today is a highlight of your 12-day tour in China. After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the majestc Potala Palace. The Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet.

   

   After lunch, the guide will take you to the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. You will be treated to the sight of various exotic and sacred sculptures. Around the Jokhang Temple, there is the ancient Barkhor Street. With the establishment of Jokhang Temple, this street became a prosperous one which is not only a long circumambulation path but also a walking street with many shops and stores. After the Lhasa tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

6. Day 6: Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake Tour
   Take a Walk on One of the Holy Lakes in Lhasa

   Today you'll visit one of the most famous lakes in Tibet - Yamdroktso Lake. It is famed as “the Most Beautiful Lake in the World”. Three other lakes are creeping on the earth with Yamdorktso Lake, connecting each other and consisting of an endless holy lake beyond the horizon.

   When looking at it from a map or sky, you will be surprised to see the lake embedded in this land, glittering like an earring under the sunshine at different times. Optional: Take pictures on a yak (at your own expense).

   In the afternoon, we will visit a Tibetan family. You can have a chance to see the real daily life of the local people.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

7. Day 7: Lhasa to Xian Tour by Flight
   Witness Monks Debating Scriptures

   In the morning, you will go to explore more interesting places in Lhasa. Drepung Monastery is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Founded in 1416, this sprawling monastery houses exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals, and other valuable art treasures. It showcases Tibetan architectural brilliance and artistic splendor.

   Continue your Tibet tour to the renowned Sera Monastery. Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, this temple is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa and is the latest of the three to be built. Here you will witness the monks engaging in lively debates, a centuries-old tradition. Sera Monastery is also home to many ancient murals and tens of thousands of Vajra statues, both locally made and a few brought from India.

   At the end of the tour in Lhasa, you will take a flight to Xian, where our local guide is waiting for you at the Xian airport and transfer you to the downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

8. Day 8: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
   Appreciate the Miracles from the Terracotta Warriors to the City Wall

   After breakfast, your China private tour in Xian first takes you to visit the ‘Eighth Wonder’ of the world, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. This is the most significant archeological excavation of the 20th century. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

   

   After lunch, go back to Xian downtown to  Xian Ancient City Wall. It is not only the unique and intact city wall that has survived in China but also the biggest and most complete military system of defense in the world. The next stop today is Shuyuanmen Ancient Cultural Street where you can find many ancient Chinese stationery, Chinese painting, and calligraphy. Afterward, come to Yongxingfang Food Street. The whole street was built in ancient Ming and Qing Dynasty style. Many family-handmade foods that have been lost in big cities can be found here.

   Optional activity in the evening: If interested, you can have a Dumpling Dinner and enjoy a marvelous Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. The show will bring you back to 1400 years ago – the dreamy and glorious Tang Dynasty.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

9. Day 9: Xian Cultural & Food Tour
   Admire Tang Dynasty Buddhist Pagodas and Taste Local Snacks

   Your today's Xian tour leads you to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in the Tang Dynasty, 652 A.D.

   Afterward, continue to visit the Xi'an Museum, where you can learn about the thousand year history and development of Xi'an as a capital. Discover ancient artifacts, intricate artwork, and archaeological treasures that depict the region's past. In this scenic area, you can also see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It attracts visitors with its special charms that keep quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area.

   

   After that, be transferred to Bell & Drum Tower Square to take photos of the iconic landmarks in Xian. Nearby, walk around the Muslim Quarter, a famous food street in Xian where you can find many authentic local snacks and handicrafts.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

10. Day 10: Xian to Shanghai Tour by Flight

    Today our driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and we will take a morning flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport, our local driver will be waiting for you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this metropolis by yourself.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

11. Day 11: Shanghai Classic Tour
    Understand the Past and Future of Shanghai

    In the morning, take a guided Shanghai tour of the Shanghai Museum. It is a large museum exhibiting ancient art while featuring bronze ware, chinaware, calligraphy, and painting. Then, proceed to the Yuyuan Garden. It is one of the most famous southern China gardens, where you can appreciate the typical architecture of Chinese gardens.

    

    In the afternoon, wander around Shanghai Old Street which combines sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions. Then, go to visit the former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943. The following stop is Xin Tian Di, a walking street converted based on the old Shikumen building district where you can find nice bars, cafes, and squares.

    In the late afternoon, enjoy a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River where you will see totally different scenes about Shanghai along the banks of Huangpu River. Disembarked at the Bund area, you will have some free time to walk around.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: Shanghai Departure

    Our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport for your flight back home after this pleasant 12-day China tour from Beijing to Lhasa, Xian, and Shanghai. Hope you had a great time with us. Look forward to seeing you on your next tour in China.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A