Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll land in Shanghai and head to your hotel to settle in. This city of over 15 million people serves as China's largest port and most international hub, so there's plenty to discover once you're ready. Take the evening to get oriented and rest up before the days ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start in Pudong's financial district to see the Pearl Tower, then catch a scenic ferry across the Shanghai River. After that, head to Yuyuan Garden for a traditional tea ceremony and walk through the trendy shops at Xintiandi. Later, wander the artsy alleys of Tianzifang before finishing with a stroll along The Bund's colonial-era buildings. The afternoon is free, so you can relax at your hotel or book an optional night boat tour for views of the city lights.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pudong financial district
- Scenic ferry ride across Shanghai River
- Visit Yuyuan Garden with traditional tea ceremony
- Explore Xintiandi neighborhood
- Explore Tianzifang district
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden The Bund Xintiandi Tianzifang - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Get to the train station early for your 07:17 a.m. departure on a high-speed train. The five-plus hour journey covers 1,000 km through countryside into Luoyang. After lunch, you'll visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves, where over 100,000 Buddha statues are carved into rocky cliffs. Later, take a scenic boat ride along the river before exploring Luoyang's ancient walled city with its lit streets.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along river at Longmen
Landmarks Longmen Buddhist Caves 
- Day 4
Luoyang - Sanmenxia - Xian
Start early at the White Horse Buddhist Monastery on Luoyang's outskirts, a major center of Buddhist learning. Travel to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River, then visit Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda and the Guo Museum with ancient funeral carriages. After lunch, you'll pass Mount Hua before arriving in Xian by late afternoon, about 56°F/13°C.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Visit Guo Museum
Landmarks White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua - Day 5
Xian
Xian is where the ancient Silk Road began. Visit the Terracotta Army with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the first emperor's tomb. From there, see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and explore the walled city center and Muslim Quarter. Stop at the Great Mosque and catch a short traditional Chinese music performance at the Drum Tower. The rest of your day is free to wander at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Explore Muslim Quarter
- Visit Great Mosque
- Drum Tower with traditional Chinese music performance
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 6
Xian to Chengdu
Board a modern high-speed train covering 700 km in just over three hours to Chengdu. Once you arrive, visit the Panda Bear Research and Breeding Centre, which houses 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through People's Park with its small lake, watch locals doing Tai Chi, and relax in a traditional tea house.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Bear Research and Breeding Centre
- Stroll through People's Park
Landmarks Panda Bear Research and Breeding Centre People's Park 
- Day 7
Chengdu
Spend the day exploring Sichuan Province's landscapes and villages. Visit Dujiangyan to see the ancient irrigation system that's functioned for over 2,000 years and is now a UNESCO site. Hike through Quingcheng Shan, a Taoist holy mountain with forest paths, caves, and old wooden temples. Later, discover the ancient city of Jiezi with its thousand-year-old alleys. Lunch is included before you head back to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dorsett Chengdu)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional irrigation system in Dujiangyan
- Explore Quingcheng Shan mountain
- Visit ancient city of Jiezi
Landmarks Dujiangyan Irrigation System Quingcheng Shan Jiezi - Day 8
Chengdu to Lhasa
Head to the airport for your included flight to Lhasa. After landing at Gonggar Airport, your guide meets you for the bus ride to Lhasa at 3,700m elevation, about an hour and a half away. Check into your hotel and take the evening to acclimatize to the altitude. If you're feeling up to it, stroll through the local bazaars, but it's fine to rest and adjust instead.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through local bazaars
Landmarks Gonggar Airport 
- Day 9
Lhasa
After breakfast, explore the Potala Palace, Lhasa's most iconic landmark. This 13-story structure dates back to the 7th century and was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Later, visit Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, where you can watch the famous Debate on Buddhist Scriptures, a unique Tibetan tradition. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Potala Palace
- Visit Sera Monastery
- Watch Debate on Buddhist Scriptures at Sera Monastery
Landmarks Potala Palace Sera Monastery 
- Day 10
Lhasa
Take a guided tour of Jokhang Temple, known as the 'House of Buddha' in Tibetan, where a statue said to be personally crafted by Buddha Sakyamuni is held. The temple is a vibrant hub where Tibetan spiritual and secular life come together. Explore the surrounding Barkhor Market, an important religious route and gathering place. After lunch, visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer residence, then return to the hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Jokhang Temple
- Explore Barkhor Market
- Visit Norbulingka (Dalai Lama's summer residence)
Landmarks Jokhang Temple Barkhor Market Norbulingka - Day 11
Lhasa to Beijing
Head to the airport for your included flight to Beijing, China's capital. Transfer to your hotel and rest for a bit. In the late afternoon, visit Wangfujing Street, a lively pedestrian avenue filled with shops and restaurants. Grab dinner at one of the local spots before heading back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Wangfujing Street
Landmarks Wangfujing Street 
- Day 12
Beijing
Visit the Forbidden City, the most important architectural complex in China where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. From there, climb Jingshan Park's Coal Hill for views of the Forbidden City below. Wander through Tiananmen Square and see the Great National Theater. After lunch, head to the Summer Palace with its gardens and serene lakes. Later, take a traditional tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods and visit a classic Siheyuan courtyard house. If the Forbidden City is full, you'll visit the Confucius Temple and Lama Temple instead.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Forbidden City (or Confucius Temple and Lama Temple if unavailable)
- Climb Jingshan Park (Coal Hill)
- Explore Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit Siheyuan courtyard house
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Tiananmen Square Great National Theater (Beijing Opera House) Summer Palace Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 13
Beijing
Travel to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, an architectural feat spanning over 2,000 years through mountain landscapes. Take a cable car up and down this scenic section for views of the surrounding area. On the way back to Beijing, visit the 798 Art District, a former military factory now filled with contemporary art galleries and studios. Then explore the Temple of Heaven, one of China's largest sacred complexes where emperors once prayed for good harvests. End with a foot massage and Tai Chi class to experience traditional Chinese balance. Finish dinner with Peking duck, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section)
- Cable car up and down Great Wall
- Visit 798 Art District
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section) 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 14
Beijing
After breakfast, your journey through China comes to an end. Head out with memories of incredible experiences across Shanghai, Luoyang, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, and Beijing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
