13 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Lhasa & Chengdu

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to our 13-day China tour from Beijing! Upon your arrival at Beijing International Airport, your private driver will pick you up and escort you to a hotel in the city center. At the hotel, have a good rest and then explore Beijing on your own.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Tour
   An Exploration of Beijing's Historical Treasures

   After breakfast, you will be guided to some city highlights of today's Beijing tour. Go to visit the Tiananmen Square first, located in the center of Beijing. The square covers an area of 440,000 square meters and can accommodate one million people at the same time. You will see the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall and the Zhengyangmen Gate along the central axis from north to south. Continue walking a short distance to the Forbidden City.

   

   Aka the "Palace Museum", it used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and is the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture. Learn some basic facts from your well-informed tour guide, such as when it was built, why it was built, and how many rooms it has. Next, hike up to Jingshan Park to enjoy the panoramic views of the Forbidden City and Beijing's skyline.

   In the afternoon, you will hop into a rickshaw to traditional hutong (narrow alley). Here, your guide provides you an insight into the daily life of old Beijingers.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Tour
   Great Wall Adventure and Cultural Exploration

   The highlight of today's Beijing trip is the Mutianyu Great Wall. From your hotel, the car ride takes 1.5 to 2 hours, during which, your guide will tell you the facts about the construction of the Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall has dense enemy buildings and high vegetation coverage, which is not found in other sections of the Great Wall.

   You will hike up to the Great Wall or you can choose to go up in a more relaxing way - cable car to the Great Wall. Learn about its history and importance over the centuries while exploring the wall. Your tour guide will point out some of the best locations for you to take unforgettable photos.

   

   After the exploration, you have the option to ride a thrilling toboggan down the Great Wall. This is a unique experience, full of fun and adventure. En route back to Beijing, we'll make a stop at the Sacred Way.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by High-speed Train
   Visit a Local Food Market and Marvel at UNESCO-list Temple

   After breakfast, follow your guide to visit a local morning food market. Your tour guide will introduce you to some traditional Chinese ingredients and local snacks.

   Then, transfer you to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of Heaven. This magnificent royal structure served as a complex of sacrificial buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest. In the nearby park, you can watch local people practicing water calligraphy and flying kites.

   

   After the experience, your driver will escort you to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xi'an.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xian

5. Day 5: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
   Explore Ancient Clay Warriors and City Wall with Optional Bike Ride

   This morning, the local English-speaking tour guide will greet you in the hotel lobby. After an hour's drive from the city center, you will visit the Terra Cotta Warriors, an archeological miracle with thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses and chariots. Over 2000 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built this world heritage site. You will be surprised that each soldier displays a unique expression.

   Optional: If you are interested in making a replica small terracotta soldier, we'd like to arrange that for you. (Around 1 hour, RMB 90 per person)

   

   In the afternoon, go back to downtown area for visiting Xi'an Ancient City Wall. You will be introduced to the most complete and oldest city defenses with ancient walls, ramparts, gates, watchtowers, and horse passages. Walk on the massive wall (tall, long, and thick), or rent a bicycle (optional, rent the bike at your own expense) to get some good views of the city and the surrounding moat.

   As night falls, you will explore the bustling Muslim Street. Here, you can taste snacks from all over Shaanxi and famous local cuisine in Xi'an.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

6. Day 6: Xian to Lhasa Tour by Flight

   After a hearty breakfast, say goodbye to Beijing. Then your private driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa.

   Welcome to Lhasa, Tibet! Aka the City of Light, Lhasa is the ultimate faith of pilgrims. Upon your arrival, a local driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Along the way you will enjoy the unique Tibetan architecture and beautiful Himalayan landscape. Check in and have the rest of the day free to acclimate to the high altitude.

   Tips:

   • 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

7. Day 7: Lhasa Highlights Tour
   Cultural Insights into Lhasa Essence

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit Potala Palace, a sacred place in the hearts of all pilgrims. It contains two parts, the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace, named after the white color of its outer walls, lives the lamas. The Red Palace is located at the top center of the Potala Palace and has a red exterior wall and consists of numerous pagodas and various Buddhist temples. You will enjoy many artifacts inside the palace, including statues, murals, Thangka paintings, gold and silverware, jade, enamel and other craft treasures.

   

   In the afternoon, your Lhasa tour continues to Jokhang Temple, with a history of more than 1,300 years. This spiritual center, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. After that, stroll through the surrounding Barkhor Street, the busiest commercial street in Lhasa where you can purchase unique Tibetan souvenirs and experience vibrant local culture.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

8. Day 8: Lhasa Temple Tour
   Explore Ancient Monasteries and Witness Tibetan Debates

   Today, your China tour in Lhasa take you to Norbulingka Park, a UNESCO-listed park established in the 18th century to serve as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lama. It is a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, where you can see beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, elegant pavilions, and vivid murals.

   Then drive to Drepung Monastery, which 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.

   

   Sera Monastery, the last stop on your Tibet tour, is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa, together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery. Here you will witness one of the most famous sutra debates in Tibet. 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.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

9. Day 9: Lhasa to Chengdu Tour by Flight

   Today, bid farewell to Lhasa. The driver will escort you to the airport to board the flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. After arrival, the local driver will greet you there and take you to your hotel.

   Chengdu is famous for its Sichuan opera. You can pay at your own to watch a Sichuan Opera Face Changing performance. This is one of the traditional Chinese opera genres, popular in some areas of eastern and central Sichuan, as well as Chongqing. Performers will change masks in the blink of an eye, which is a highly skilled stunt. If you are interested, your travel consultant can help you arrange it.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

10. Day 10: Chengdu Essence Tour
    Pandas and Chengdu's City Charm

    Today is a highlight of Chengdu panda tour! After breakfast, go to visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. It is well known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas that are unique to China. It is the cradle of giant pandas, where you can observe pandas of different ages eating, playing, and resting. If you're lucky, you can watch female pandas nursing their cubs.

    

    Next, head to 1400-year-old Wenshu Temple. It is still frequented by local people who come to pray and relax themselves today. It is a good place to learn Buddhism.

    In the afternoon, go to a local tea house for a cup of tea and enjoy some relaxing time. Then, your Chengdu tour in China comes the bustling Jinli Old Street. 550 meters long, the street was once one of the oldest and most commercial streets in the history of Western Shu. You can enjoy shopping and tasting some yummy food that you never saw before.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Chengdu

11. Day 11: Chengdu to Shanghai Tour by Flight

    You are free in the morning. You can go shopping on your own or have your tour guide arrange an interesting Sichuan cuisine cooking class for you (not included in this itinerary). In the afternoon, the Chengdu driver will escort you to the airport and fly to Shanghai. After arrival, the driver in Shanghai will pick you up and take you to the hotel for rest.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

12. Day 12: Shanghai Highlights Tour
    Shanghai's Diverse Offerings Including Past and Now

    After breakfast, start your Shanghai tour from the classical Yu Garden and the nearby Yuyuan Bazaar. You will be immersed in the modernization of Shanghai. Yu Garden is a Chinese classical garden, whose history can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Your guide will take you on a tour of carefully arranged gardens, bridges, and ponds.

    

    After that, wander along the must-see site in Shanghai - the Bund. Admire buildings of various styles, enjoy the beautiful Huangpu River, and listen to your guide explaining its history. Then, head to Lujiazui, Shanghai's financial district, to ascend Shanghai Tower. This is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, where you can enjoy the breathtaking skyline as well as panoramic views of the city.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

13. Day 13: Departure from Shanghai

    Spend your last morning in China at your own pace. Depending on your departure time, your driver will then be ready to escort you to the airport or train station. The 13-day China tour of Golden Triangle cities and Chengdu and Lhasa ends here. If you are interested in other destinations in China, we are always at your service.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A