Yangtze Cruise & Tibet Highland 15 Days |
from only $2436 |
Tour Code: GYT15
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 Beijing Capital International Aiport (PEK)
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Forbidden City (the Imperial Palaces)
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Great Wall of China(Chang Cheng)
Day 4. Beijing (AB, L, D)
The Great Wall of China is another world heritage site, also considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is the dream destination for millions of Chinese and people around the world to fulfill the famous Chinese saying "One cannot be a successful person without a visit to the Great Wall". A stone monument can be found on site with the late Chairman Mao's inscription of the same phrase in Chinese. You will then have a Seminar on Chinese Jade Culture at a local Jade Museum. Admire the beautiful Bird's Nest National Stadium and the Water Cube up close before you spend the rest of the day at Beijing Zoo; Watch the 'Legend of Kungfu' after dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Beijing 5 star |
Day 5. Beijing/Xi'an (AB,SL, D)
Visit the historic Hutong and Alley of Beijing old town via Rickshaw. Here you can sense the many different sights and sounds of historic Beijing. Gain a little knowledge of Yin and Yang with Tai Chi Master, walk along Lotus Flower Market, make your own dumpling lunch at a local family. Later in the day, you will catch a flight to Xi'an. Xi'an, also known as Chang'an in the old days, was the starting point of the historic Silk Road. You will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Da Yan Ta), the most distinctive landmark in Xi'an. It was constructed for a Buddhist monk from Tang dynasty, Xuan Zang, whose pilgrimage to India was immortalized in one of the famous Chinese classical novel "Journey to the West". The pagoda was used to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought back from India. He asked 50 hierarchs to the temple to translate Sanskrit sutras into Chinese. With translated scripts of 1,335 volumes, this heralded a new era in the history of translation. After dinner, you can stroll down the Muslim district to see traditional Muslin culture alive in Xi'an. Hotel: Titan Times Hotel 5 star |
Terra Cotta Warriors (Bing Ma Yong)
Day 6. Xi'an (AB, L, SD)
Xi'an, the former capital of many Chinese dynasties, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Even in the prehistoric era, it is believed that the Lantian man lived here 500,000 years ago. The first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, unified China in 201 BC and made significant influence in Chinese history. When he died, an entire Terra Cotta Army was buried with the emperor in the mausoleum. It was well documented by Chinese historian about this mausoleum, but it wasn't until 1974 that this site was uncovered serendipitously by a team of farmers. This became one of the greatest archeological discoveries in history. You will visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum (Bing Ma Yong). It's known as the 8th miracle in the world. The whole mausoleum is like a cultural treasure vault with large collections of relics. After a stop at the Bell Tower, you can enjoy an Imperial Dumpling Banquet (Jiao Zi) and shortly after watch the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show. Hotel: Titan Times Hotel 5 star |
Ancient City Wall (Cheng Qiang)
Day 7. Xi'an/Lhasa (AB, SL, D)
To Finish up our tour in Xi'an with a visit to the Ancient City Wall (Cheng Qiang), Xi'an's 14th-century wall is one of the most complete city walls in China and certainly one of the best examples from the Ming dynasty. You may ride a bike to enjoy the scenery. After the morning exercise you'll depart Xi'an for Lhasa by air. To fulfill your craving for western food, you will be offered some western style hamburgers for lunch today. Lhasa is called 'City of Sunshine', elevates over 12000 ft. Landing on the Gongka airport, you will feel the difference of plateau immediately both physically and psychologically, tour guide welcomes you at airport, with oxygen bags in the air- conditioning sightseeing bus. take a good rest after arrival. Hotel: Lhasa Jardin Secret Hotel 4 star |
Day 8. Lhasa (AB, L, SD)
Built in the 17th century, the Potala Palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues, it is the largest lamasery in the world. The 13-story-building measures 1300 feet east-west and 1150 feet north-south, with sloping stone walls averaging 10 feet thick, and 16 feet thick at the base, and with copper poured into the foundations to help proof it against earthquakes, it took 7,000 workers and 1,500 artists and craftsmen more than 50 years to build the adjoining White and Red Palaces. Walking along Barkhor Bazaar, we have the opportunity to experience the Tibetan culture and buy colorful ethnic handicrafts. A Tibetan style dinner in Yak Restaurant and watching Tibetan dancing show in the evening will be the highlight of the trip. Hotel: Lhasa Jardin Secret Hotel 4 star |
Jokang Temple
Day 9. Lhasa (AB, L, D)
We take a full day tour to the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple, where we are likely to see Buddhist pilgrims making clockwise circuits on their hands and knees in reverence to one of Tibet 's most sacred sites. Thousands of yak-butter candles flicker inside beneath the enlightened gaze of the golden Jowo Sakyamuni, the 7th-century Buddha statue that the temple was built to house. Sera Monastery features the largest Tsokchen (main assembly hall) in town, it was built to house precious gifts from the Emperor to one of Je Tsongkhapa's disciples. We will also be guests in a local Tibetan family in the late afternoon. Hotel: Lhasa Jardin Secret Hotel 4 star |
Day 10. Lhasa/Chongqing/ Yangtze (AB, L, D)
Fly to Chongqing today. Chongqing is called the 'mountain city', which was the capital of China during World War II. We drive over to the zoo to see the pandas, with just an estimated 1,000 surviving in the wild. we'll visit the Stilwell Museum dedicated to "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, commander of American forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II. We'll learn about the colorful history of the American Volunteer Air Group, the "Flying Tigers", who were based here during the war. Later in the day, head to the docks where our cruise ship awaits to take us on our highly anticipated Majestic Yangtze adventure. Our cruise set sail from Chongqing in late evening. Cruise: President Prime 5 Star *March groups use Victoria or Diamond Cruise lines* |
Ghost City Fengdu
Day 11. Cruise the Yangtze (AB, L, D)
The first shore excursion will be 'Ghost City' Fengdu, which contains numerous statues of devils and ghosts that roam the afterworld. Fengdu model after the Chinese Hell in Taoist mythology, built over 1800 years ago. In the evening, join the Captin's Welcome Dinner Party. Cruise: President Prime 5 Star *March groups use Victoria or Diamond Cruise lines* |
Qutang Gorge
Day 12. Cruise the Yangtze (AB, L, D)
Sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic one of the Three Gorges. Wu Gorge is famous for its quiet beauty. Disembark at Wushan where we board small riverboat for a leisurely ride through Shennong Stream, which offers clear running waters, picturesque rock formations, and even monkeys and goat along its banks, Drifting along the Shennong Stream in sampan is the unique way experiencing the beauty of Shennong Stream, a sampan is about 40 foot long, 6 foot wide, usually steered by six boatmen. we will pass through the ship-lock of the new three gorges dam. Cruise: President Prime 5 Star *March groups use Victoria or Diamond Cruise lines* |
Three Gorges Dam Project
Day 13. Yangtze/Yichang/Shanghai (AB, L)
We disembark to visit the massive Three Gorges Dam Project in the morning, the Dam is the world's largest dam, measuring 606 feet high and 6,500 feet long. In 1997, the cofferdam was completed and the main structure begun. The dam has two five-stage locks to raise and lower ships to the different river levels. Each lock in the five stages is 65 feet high and 910 feet long. The ship sails through Xiling Gorge, the longest one of the Three Gorges. Disembark at Yichang, the terminus of our memorable Yangtze cruise, we board a flight to Shanghai, visit the famous Bund (Wai Tan) upon arrival. Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River into eastern and western sections. Modern mega high rises are seen on the eastern side while traditional European style architecture may be seen on the western side. The Bund is a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai's banks and trading houses. You will enjoy the world famous Acrobatic Show tonight. Hotel: Ramada Plaza Xuhui 5 star |
Day 14. Shanghai (AB, L, SD)
Today, the city tour starts with a visit to Shanghai Old Street (Cheng Huang Miao shopping mall). You can also experience the bustling shopping district of Nanjing Road and People's Square and use your bargaining skills to acquire memento for this visit.Walking at famous Lujiazui Financial Street and Xintiandi Stone Houses, they are unique architecture style combine western and Chinese style. After shopping, spend some free time at Shanghai Museum. With special exhibits and a collection of 120,000 precious works of art, this has become a favorite destination for tourists and local people. You can easily spend a few hours to examine its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. Tonight you will have local Shanghai Cuisine as farewell dinner party. Hotel: Ramada Plaza Xuhui 5 star |
Day 15. Shanghai/Hometown (AB)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or begin optional Post-Trip Extension. |
