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Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour

Duration:
15 Days
Route:
Beijing-Xi'an-Lhasa-Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Private Tour
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Overview

During the tour, you can explore the profound history of Beijing in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty, witness the man-made wonder in Xi'an- the Terracotta Warriors, appreciate the holy Potala Palace in Lhasa, and enjoy relaxing pace on the Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang. The final destination of this tour is Shanghai where the ancient and modern elements combine.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities
1 Arrival in Beijing Pick up and transfer to the hotel
2 Beijing Sightseeing Forbidden City and Hutongs
3 Beijing Sightseeing Temple of Heaven Park, Less-Crowded Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
4 Visit the Summer Palace and Olympic Stadiums – Flight to Xi'an Summer Palace, Olympic Stadiums
5 Xi'an Sightseeing Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
6 Xi'an Sightseeing Xián Museum, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
7 Flight: Xián - Lhasa (3,650) Send off and pick up
8 Lhasa Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
9 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
10 Arrival in Chongqing Ciqikou Old Town
11 Yangtze River Cruise Fengdu "Jade Emperor", Three Gorges
12 Yangtze River Cruise Three Gorges
13 Yangtze Cruise to Yichang & Yichang - Shanghai Three Gorges Dam
14 Shanghai Sightseeing Shanghai Tower, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund
15 Departure from Shanghai Send off to the airport

Daily Itinerary

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Welcome to Beijing! Your guide will greet you at Beijing Airport holding your name sign. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Beijing. Enjoy yourself in the rest of the day to recover from your longtime international flight or explore the city on your own.

Stay overnight in Beijing

In the morning, we will set out to see the mysterious Forbidden City which is the world's largest imperial palace complex. Since it was built in Ming Dynasty, The Forbidden City was home for 24 emperors (from 1420 to 1911 AD). It's said to have 9,999½ forbidden imperial chambers. After that, you are moving to Tian'anmen Square with a great cultural significance which has been the site of several key events in Chinese history. Later, you can take a rickshaw going through a maze of Hutongs to explore old Beijing neighborhoods, discover the courtyard house of traditional Chinese characters.

Stay overnight in Beijing

You will have many interesting things to do today. In the morning, you are suggested to do Morning Exercises at the Temple of Heaven, which was founded in the early 15th century. Known as the Imperial Sacrificial Altar, Temple of Heaven always attracts numerous tourists. To avoid crowds and enjoy local people's morning exercises, we are going to this place in the morning. After visiting Temple of Heaven, we'll drive 2.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where you can go through the watchtowers and enjoy breathtaking views as it snakes across the hills and mountains.

Stay overnight in Beijing

Today we are going to visit the Summer Palace - the royal garden, which has a larger scale and more imperial flavor than gardens in Suzhou. Then we will move to Beijing Olympic Stadium to see the famous Olympic site of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games - the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. After visiting the Summer Palace and Olympic Stadiums, you will take a flight from Beijing to the ancient city Xi'an in the late afternoon or at night.

Stay overnight in Xi'an

In the morning, we will drive to the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses which is considered as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Here you can see the life-sized warrior figures and horses with distinct facial expressions and positions. You may be surprised by the various kinds of ancient weapons that reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago. It is a great chance for you to experience the profound and amazing history of the Qin Dynasty, the first United Dynasty in ancient China. It may give you an impressive image of the Period of the Warring States in ancient China.

After that, we are going to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty, the most prosperous dynasty in ancient China. The Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang from ancient India are well preserved in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Stay overnight in Xi'an

In the morning, you will visit the Xi'an Museum. It has a large collection of precious historical relics, showcasing the long history and splendid culture of Xi'an and the whole Shaanxi region.

In the afternoon you can cycle on the top of Ancient City Wall. The wall is about 14 kilometers at the perimeter, with 98 defensive ramparts, four main gates, and a moat around it. The city wall is a wonderful example of an ancient defensive building. You can walk or cycle on the wall to get some good views of the city.

Later, we are going to the Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an where you can chat with street vendors of Muslims and buy some exquisite handicrafts and enjoy delicious local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

We will pick you up from your hotel in Xi’an and then take you to the airport. Today you will catch the flight to Lhasa, at an altitude of 3,650( 12,000 ft). You may feel a few symptoms of altitude sickness like headache, inability to exercise, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. a few hours after you arrive in Lhasa. Take it easy. It’s normal as you suddenly get to a high-altitude place from a plain. Most travelers will recover in 2 days.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it is a museum and world heritage site. 

In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today’s first attraction is Drepung Monastery. Drepung means "piles of rice" in Tibetan, which symbolizes prosperity. It's the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Also, It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect. After lunch, you will continue to visit Sera Monastery, the most beautiful Tibetan monastery in Lhasa. The Buddhist scripture debating is the highlight of Sera Monastery.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you will fly from Lhasa to Chongqing.

After lunch, you will head to Ciqikou Old Town (Porcelain Village) built in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It's a famous historical and cultural street in Chongqing. In this ancient town, despite the modern influence, you will find that local people are living their own traditional ways of life.

In the evening, you will board the ship and start your tours of Yangtze River Cruise. Yangtze River, also known as Changjiang River, is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world. Along the downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, you will get a view of the steep natural scenery of three gorges.

Stay overnight on the ship

Ciqikou Old Town is the epitome and symbol of the ancient city of Chongqing.
Ciqikou Old Town

Wake up in the morning and enjoy the sunshine on the tranquil Yangtze River. You can start your day with a tai chi on the balcony of your room, or enjoy a cup of coffee to stretch your mood. Whether you are onboard or ashore, you will enjoy a variety of cultural activities and entertainment, such as attending the Yangtze River history and culture lectures to understand the Three Gorges in depth.

In addition, you will also follow the local English tour guide to Fengdu Jade Emperor for shore excursions. You will admire the great statue of the Jade Emperor. In the evening, a Captain's Welcome Reception will be held for all the passengers. You can enjoy your buffet dinner in the cool breeze of the Yangtze River.

Stay overnight on the ship

Today, you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges. Along with its cross-straits are the fancy vertical cliffs lining the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge from west to east. Since it was formed due to the continuous rise of the earth’s crust that caused the water of the Yangtze River to flow downward dramatically, it is an abundant water resource. Three Gorges is one of the Top 10 scenic spots and historic sites in China, and also among the first batch of national scenic spots in China.

When you reach Wushan County, you will take a boat ride to Goddess Stream through a narrow canyon where you can admire the scenic landscape of steep cliffs. In the evening, Captain's Farewell Banquet will be held for you. After dinner, you can enjoy Minorities and Crew cabaret.

Stay overnight on ship

After breakfast, you will join the shore tour of the world-famous project - the Three Gorges Dam. The dam is the largest hydropower station in the world, with an annual generating capacity of 84.7 billion kWh.

After your visit to the dam, return to your ship and continue your cruise to Yichang. Your ship will arrive at Yichang Port. You may take a high-speed train to Shanghai this afternoon. After you arrive in Shanghai, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the train station and transfer you to the hotel.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Three Gorges Dam
Three Gorges Dam

Today begins with Shanghai Tower, the tallest landmark in Shanghai. Take the world's fastest elevator, overlooking the city of Shanghai. Then explore the ancient part of Shanghai Yuyuan Garden. This is the representative of the old city of Shanghai.

The last spot of the day will be at the Bund. Walk slowly and observe the sharp contrast between old and new buildings on both sides.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

It’s time to say goodbye, your tour guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your next destination according to your flight schedule.

Our Service

INCLUSIONS

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
  • Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
  • Breakfasts provided by hotels;
  • Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
  • Travel Agency Liability insurance;
  • Government tax;
  • Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
  • Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
  • Oxygen tank for emergency use;
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.

EXCLUSIONS

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
  • Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
  • Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
  • While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
  • All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
  • Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Dr.A***

My wife and I will take this trip-Mainly sightseeing with Moderate activities

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Dr.Asg**** ,

We can arrange the Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour for you. You can get a glimpse of China's very different culture and scenery on this tour, its modern and ancient elements.

Asked by Geor***

We are a couple coming to China on August. Our plan is to visit first Beijing and Xian and then Tibet tour with drop off at Nepal borders. Maybe we would like to have one extra day to go to Namtso lake or somewhere else around.

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Geor***,

We can arrange a Lhasa Gyirong Tour for you. I suggest the 7-day Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour.

If you want to visit Namtso, we can arrange a semi-group or private tour for you.

Asked by sand***

Could you please let me know the approximate cost of this tour and if this type of tour is available in Fe buary 2020. I am looking for a tour in China that includes at least Lhasa and Xian and probably Beijing

Cherry
Answered by Cherry

In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have the 15 Days Beijing Xian Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour which is a private tour. 

According to the regulations, Tibet is closed to foreigner travelers from the end of January to the whole of March. Is it aviable to have a Tibet tour in early April?

Asked by Bee ***

Hi, we are hoping to take this tour in early September 2019. At this point in time the party will consist of three to six women. Please give us the price for the tour for each individual.

We would prefer to cut out the visit to the Beijing Olympic site, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube and replace it with a visit to another section of the Great Wall.

Thanks you. Bee Lian Sim

Catherine
Answered by Catherine

In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have 15 Days Beijing Xian Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour in early Sept. We can arrange this tour for you. Noted with your preference in Beijing sightseeing, we customized the itinerary and added the Badaling section of Great Wall on Day 3 for you.

Asked by Terr***

I just sent an inquiry to you about the 15 Day Beijing Sian Lhasa Yngtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour, but I forgot to mention that we are looking at next year--April 18--May 2, 2020.

Cherry
Answered by Cherry

In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have the 16 Days Beijing Xian Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour which is a private tour. You can have your own departure date. 

I will quote for you after you confirm the itinerary. By the way, which hotel star do you prefer? Economy 3-star hotel or comfortable 4-star hotel. 

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What Our Customers Say

I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....

Read more testimonials...
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