Great Tibet Tour Logo GREAT TIBET TOUR ®

Shanghai Xi'an Tibet Beijing Tour

Duration:
12 Days
Route:
Shanghai-Xi'an-Tibet-Beijing
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Private Tour
Add to Favorites

Overview

This China Tibet Tour is for you who are keen to experience Chinese ancient civilization as well as Tibetan religious culture. Your journey will start at the star city of China - Shanghai. In this prosperous city, you will walk along the Bund, and visit the elegant Yu Garden, and the Jade Buddha Temple. After two days of sightseeing in Shanghai, you will depart by plane to Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties. In this archaeological treasure trove, you are going to visit the Muslim district of Xi’an and have a taste of local foods. On the next day, you will have a visit to the must-see spot, Terracotta Warriors and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Then, you should prepare yourself for the sacred destination, “the roof of the world”, Tibet. On the snowy plateau, you will pay a visit to the splendid Potala Palace, bustling Barkhor Street, the holy Jokhang Temple, and the amazing Sera Monastery. After your Tibet trip, you will take a flight to Beijing, the majestic capital of China. In the centuries-old city, you will enter the glorious residence of Chinese Emperors - Forbidden City and end the remarkable journey at the most beautiful Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities
1 Arrive in Shanghai Transfer to Hotel
2 Shanghai Sightseeing Yu Garden, Chenghuang Temple, Nanjing Road, Huangpu River Cruise
3 Shanghai – Zhujiajiao – Shanghai Zhujiajiao Water Town
4 Arrive in Xi'an - an Archaeological Treasure Trove Muslim District of Xi'an
5 Xi'an Sightseeing Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
6 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) Pick up and transfer to the hotel
7 Lhasa Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
8 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
9 Flight: Lhasa - Beijing Send off and pick up
10 Beijing Sightseeing Forbidden City and Hutongs
11 Beijing Sightseeing Temple of Heaven Park, Less-Crowded Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
12 Depart China Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Daily Itinerary

Collapse

When you arrive at the airport in Shanghai, your tour guide and driver will greet you by holding your name sign at the exit, then drive you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the jet lag.

Stay overnight in Shanghai.

After having breakfast, you will start the tour in Shanghai. First of all, you will visit the Yu Garden -- It is a typical private garden in China with nearly 500 years of history, located in Shanghai old town. Then you will continue to the Bund, which is a Chinese historical and cultural block, also one of the landmarks of Shanghai. Most of the buildings here were erected before 1937. It used to be a British concession. Now it is called an exhibition of international architecture. At noon, you will have lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you can wander around Nanjing Road, a must-see metropolitan destination that attracts thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world. Finally, you will take a Huangpu River Cruise, to admire the bright lights and unique architectural styles on both sides of the river and feel the charm of Shanghai.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Today you are going to take a day trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town, which is a well-known tourist attraction in China.

Located on the outskirts of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao (Zhu Family Settlement) is an ancient water town with history more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. The village prospered through clothing and rice businesses. There are many ancient shops here, such as rice shops, banks, spice stores, etc. You can even see a Qing dynasty post office, which could bring you back to the old-time to feel the unique charm of China culture.

After having lunch at the local restaurant, we will drive back to Shanghai.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Zhujiajiao is a typical ancient water town in the south of the Yangtze River.
Zhujiajiao Water Town

Leave for Xi'an by plane, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties dotted with archaeological sites. Transfer to your hotel, and relax before visiting the Muslim District of Xi'an in the late afternoon. You’ll watch Chinese Muslims prepare local cuisine and learn more about them. We’ve prepared a unique dumpling banquet for this evening, which features over 20 varieties of dumplings with rice wine and hot pot soup. Enjoy the feast this evening!

Stay overnight in Xián

In the morning, we will drive to the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, a vast collection of more than 7,000 vivid life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots near the tomb of China's first Emperor. It may give you an impressive image of the Period of the Warring States in ancient China. Here you can see 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.

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 Xián

This is the first day in Tibet. Your guide will greet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport/Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel. It usually takes around 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa and takes about 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station. Tourists could have a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the largest and longest river in Tibet on their way to the hotel. After check-in, you can have a good rest first. And if you feel like going out, you can wander around the city. But just remember that don't take too much stuff, try to go with a light pack. Meanwhile, drink some more water, and do not move strenuously. It’s really useful to get acclimatized to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and first 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's a museum and world heritage site. 

In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. 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 - 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‘s also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are heading to Drepung Monastery, which means Monastery of Rice Heaps in the Tibetan language. It’s a white magnificent building complex that looks also like rice heaps in the distance. Drepung monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, where lived more than 10 thousand monks in the past.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from around 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also see the three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha. Besides, the sight here is quite good because you can see wild roses around. That’s why people also call it “the Court of Wild Roses”.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Your flight will transport you to Beijing - the majestic capital of China. You’ll immediately see the astonishing contrasts of architecture and affected by the long history. For the rest of the day, you can wander around and explore this 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

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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 Rebe***

Hi, I am looking to arrange a holiday to China and Tibet for me and my husband. We would be looking at September 2025. We would want to start in Beijing for 3-4 nights, then train to Xian for 2 or 3 nights ( open to suggestions on length etc) then fly to Lhasa for 7-8 nights in Tibet including EBC. We would then want to fly to Chengdu for 2 nights to see the Pandas and back to Beijing for an overnight (airport hotel is fine) for the flight back to London the next day. we would be looking for 4-5 star hotels where possible. We are both gluten introllerant so would need hotels that have a wide range of meal options and during the day hopefully the guide can help us naviagate dining options. Ideally we would want to do this as a private tour. Alternatively, happy to join a group tour in Tibet and private arrangements elsewhere. thanks

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Rebe****, 

As per your request, we can arrange Beijing-Xi'an-Lhasa & Chengdu private tour in Sep.2025 for you.

On the last day, I think you can take a connecting flight via Beijing from Chengdu to Lhasa. What's your idea?

Asked by Chet***

We want to do shanghai, beijing, chendgu and Tibet tour with lhasa/kailash kora/ man sarovar. Can you help us with it. Thank you,

beatrice
Answered by Beatrice

Dear Chetan**,

We can arrange your Tibet tour with Kailash and Manasarovar Lake, as well as your Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu tour. Could you please let me know how long you plan for this vacation? If you are visiting Kailash and so many cities in China, also prefer taking a train, it would be above 20 days. In addition, may I know if you are going to Kathmandu after your Tibet trip? Or return to Lhasa?

If you agree, I will send you the itineraries separately.

Please let me know without hesitation if you have any further questions or doubts. It is my pleasure to work with you at any time.

Asked by ole ***

what is the price per person?

Catherine
Answered by Catherine

In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have 12 Days Shanghai Xi'an Tibet Beijing Tour which is a private tour. When do you plan to do this tour? The tour cost depends on the season. What kind of accommodation you would like to get? An economic 3-star hotel, a comfortable 4-star hotel or a luxury 5-star hotel. Regarding domestic transportation, what is your preferred method? It would be much appreciated to have all the answers before I quote you.

Asked by Patr***

Possibly planning for next year will be 2 adults. Both of us are active.

Catherine
Answered by Catherine

You mentioned you would like to have a tour to Tibet in 2020. We can arrange a tour for you. We will handle all your permits after you book the tour with us. What you need to do is to send us a scan of your valid passport photo page and china visa. And we will help you book the train tickets to Lhasa.

May I know how long do you plan to stay in Tibet? I will recommend an itinerary for you accordingly.

When would like to do this tour? Different month, the cost will be different.

If you have any further questions or doubts please let me know without hesitation, it is my pleasure to work with you at any time.

Asked by Laks***

I am interested in the 12 day tour - we want to do the tour from the 3rd of August starting at Shanghai and ending in Beijing. We would like to leave China on August the 12th

Catherine
Answered by Catherine

You mentioned you would like to start your tour on Aug.3 and must leave China from Beijing on 12th. However, the 12 days tour starting on Aug.3, will end on 14th. May I do some adjustment to meet your time schedule?

Read More ...

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...
INQUIRY ABOUT THE TRIP
Email response within 0.5~24 hours.
You may also like
Lhasa Tsedang Beijing Ulaanbaatar Tour
Lhasa - Tsedang - Lhasa - Beijing - Ulaanbaatar

14 Days Lhasa Tsedang Beijing Ulaanbaatar Tour

View more
Xi'an Lhasa Essential Tour
Xi'an - Lhasa

7 Days Xi'an Lhasa Essential Tour

View more
Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour
Beijing-Xi'an-Lhasa-Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai

15 Days Beijing Xi'an Lhasa Yangtze River Cruise Shanghai Tour

View more
Xi'an Lhasa EBC Train Tour
Xián - Lhasa - Shigatse- EBC - Lhasa

12 Days Xi'an Lhasa EBC Train Tour

View more

Tailor-made your tours within 0.5~24 hours

Want something different and unique? Just let us know! Please send us your ideas about the travel plans, destinations, attractions, your group, hotel class, etc. We specialize in planning your journey based on our first-hand experience, your budget, style, and interest!