Day 1

Shanghai arrival

Welcome to China! Upon arrival, receive a warm greeting from your local guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel and then release from the jet lag after long-time flight.

Day 2

Shanghai tour

Today firstly visit Yuyuan Garden, and then walk in the Former French Concession. Go through Nanjing Pedestrian, coming to Shanghai’s landmark, the Bund. It mainly includes Oriental Pearl TV Tower and 52 distinctive mansions in different styles. Enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai from the 100th floor at “the Eye of Shanghai” - Shanghai World Financial Center.

Day 3

Shanghai to Yichang, Yichang tour, board Yangtze River Cruise

Take the flight to Yichang, where you will board the Yangtze River Cruise. If  time permits, pay a visit to Yichang Museum. Or hang out in downtown Yichang to get prepared for the following trip. In the afternoon, be sent to East Yichang Station or Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal where there are buses to the wharf. Board the cruise and check in. Sail out in the evening. 

Day 4

Yangtze River Cruise

On board you have the chance to enjoy diverse activities like practicing Tai Chi, attending a Yangtze River culture lecture, or taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party and evening shows. Today you will make a visit to the top of  Three Gorges Dam. You will learn about the world's biggest hydroelectric project seeing the vast ship locks. There are optional tours to take Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the largest ship lift in the world, or a shore excursion to the Tribe of Three Gorges.

Day 5

Yangtze River Cruise

The cruise today passes through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge with magnificent views. As drift through Wu Gorge, you can take an enjoyable adventure to the primitive Goddess Stream. Switch to a small boat, sailing down the beautiful stream running in a narrow gorge, you will have a close view of hanging coffins on the steep cliff faces. You would be entertained with music and dance offered by Tujia ethnics. Optional excursion to White Emperor City if you are interested in that. 

Day 6

Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy the wonderful landscape of  Yangtze, the amazing nature show all of people its miraculous side. Have a short visit to Shibaozhai, which is an exquisite pavilion with a walkway to the top of a solo hill in the river. You can have the chance to  take a look at the spectacular views of Three Gorges. There is an optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City if you are interested. Enjoy Captain’s Farewell Party and cherish your last night on the relaxing Yangtze River Cruise. 

Day 7

Chongqing arrival, Chongqing to Chengdu, Chengdu tour

In the morning, the cruise shall arrive at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port. Check out and disembark. You will be picked up at the wharf and then sent to the railway station. Take the bullet train to Chengdu, the biggest city in southwest China. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Shuijingfang Wine Museum, where shows traditional skills of brewing Chinese wine. Later walk leisurely on Jinli Old Street, whose wooden stele and the brick-walls exhibit an ancient charm.

Day 8

Chengdu tour

As the hometown of Giant Panda, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding should not be missed when you come to Chengdu. Strolling through the bamboo groves, you will find lovely pandas eating bamboo, playing or sleeping. After a nice time in the park-like panda base, transfer to Leshan, ride on a boat to view the largest carved sitting Buddha in the world. Transfer back to downtown Chengdu, enjoy a nice evening free on own.

Day 9

Chengdu to Lhasa

According to flight time, the tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and then transfer to the airport. Take the flight to Lhasa. You will be warmly welcome to Tibet by saying Tashi Delek. Be sent to the hotel and then have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude in the rest of the day. 

Day 10

Lhasa tour

Today enjoy a whole-day Lhasa City tour including the grandest of this myriad chapels Potala Palace,  Jorkhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet, and Barkhor Street, which is the most famous Kora in Tibet. As the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhism pilgrims, Jorkhang Temple is an irreplaceable sanctuary of peace and power. Many people call Barkhor Street “the window of Tibet” as it exhibits typical Tibetan life. 

Day 11

Lhasa tour

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung Monastery used to be the imperial palace of Dalai Lamas for short stays away from capital before the reconstruction of Potala Palace. Next, transfer to visit Sera Monastery. If you are very lucky, you may come across Sera Monastery’s monks debating which is held in the courtyard at around 15:00-17:30. In the evening, enjoy a Tibetan style farewell dinner with dancing and singing. 

Day 12

Board the train to Xining

Wave goodbye to marvelous Tibet! You will be transferred to the railway station for the train to Xining, the capital city of Xining Province. On board, you can sit and leisurely enjoy the marvelous view from the window of train: snow mountain ranges, Mani prayer stone piles, Golmud Grassland...Just imagine how hard to build the longest plateau railway in the world.  

Day 13

Xining arrival, Xining tour

Arrive in Xining after a special experience on the night train. Be warmly greeted by local tour guide and driver. Make a visit to Ta'er Monastery, whose three treasures are mural, bar bola and butter sculptures. Later transfer back to downtown Xining, you will go to Dongguan Grand Mosque, the highest learning institution of Islam. It boasts a history of more than 600 years and is famous for its magnificent architecture style. 

Day 14

Xining to Chaka Town, Qinghai Lake tour

Drive to Qinghai Lake after breakfast, you will stop at Riyue Mountains, which also known as “Sun and Moon Mountain” part of the splendid Qilian Mountain Range. In the afternoon, visit Bird Island of Qinghai Lake, known for the hundreds of thousands of migrant birds there. It is exactly a wonderful sight to see the flying birds with the pure lake water extending into the sky. After the visit, drive to Chaka Town for overnight.

Day 15

Chaka Salt Lake tour, Chaka Town back to Xining

Get up early to admire the sunrise of Chaka Salt Lake. The Lake is as beautiful as a fairyland, it is also named "the mirror of the sky" by reflecting shadows on the lake face. After sightseeing, transfer back to Xining. On the way, visit Jinyintan Prairie, a typical pastoral area, where there are over 300,000 cattle and sheep hanging out. Arrive in Xining downtown in the late afternoon, then you are free to explore this city mixed with diverse folklore of ethnic minorities.

Day 16

Xining to Xi'an, Xi'an tour

In the morning, take the flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital city for 13 dynasties. In the afternoon, have a leisure walk on the Ancient City Wall. Built in Ming Dynasty, this old architecture has an honored history of over 600 years and is the best preserved ancient city wall in China. There is a Muslim Quarter near the Great Mosque that you should never miss. Enjoy yourselves by bargaining with the strollers, or tasting some local snacks. 

Day 17

Xi'an tour

In the morning, transfer to visit the Terracotta Army, which is now the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It is a must-see place when you travelled to Xi'an. Even 2000 years has passed, the wood protects of the warriors are still clear to see. Return to downtown Xi'an, learning China's long history in Shaanxi History Museum followed by visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of Xi’an City.

Day 18

Xi'an to Beijing, Beijing tour

Be taken to the airport for a morning flight to Beijing, the capital of People's Republic of China. On arrival in Beijing, be met by your escorted tour guide and driver. In t he afternoon, go sightseeing in Summer Palace, once "the Garden of Thousands Gardens" royally built in Qing Dynasty. Then experience the rickshaw in Hutongs. Hutong is perhaps the traditional Beijing alleys that show the real old Beijing.

Day 19

Beijing tour

Today firstly visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors sacrificed the heaven. Continue sightseeing to Tian’anmen Square, the largest central square in the world. And then enter the Forbidden City. For almost 500 years, it serves as the ceremonial and political center of central court. Looking at the yellow roof, glazed tile and red wall, just imagine what emperors’ daily life would be. Have a whole view of this magnificent palace from Jingshan Park.

Day 20

Beijing tour

In the morning, pay a visit to the Great Wall, its grey stones, lofty watchtowers and winding routes all tell a story of soul-stirring history. Later move steps to the Ming Tombs, the biggest imperial mausoleum complex in China. You will visit Dingling, the tomb of Wanli, which is the only excavated one of the Ming Dynasty Tombs. Enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner Peking Roast Duck that absolutely comfort your spirit and stomach after a whole-day sightseeing.

Day 21

Beijing departure

You will be dropped off at the airport for flight back sweet home. Recollect wonderful pieces happening these days. China, Zai Jian(Goodbye)!