Ancient China & Tibet Discovery Tour
- Tour Code: CHT-WH-02
- Duration: 16 days
- Departure Date: You Choose!
- Tour Type: Land tour + well selected hotel + Your own English speaking guide (otherwise specified), your own driver at your own pace and schedule.
History oozes from your destinations. This odyssey will take you to some of the oldest and the famous historical sites in the world. From the grandeur of Beijing's Forbidden City to the incredible Entombed Warriors, plus the unforgettable sights of Tibet, your will be enthralled at every turn.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 2
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip), Temple of Heaven, Cloisonne Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant
- Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip): It is a challenging climb up to the Mutianyu Great Wall for it is much steeper than Badaling section. Here you have the option of taking the Cable car to the highest point or down to the foot in a few minutes instead of climbing more than 1,400 steps, while you can also have a bird view of the wall.
- Temple of Heaven: Situated in the southern part of the city, the temple of heaven covers the total area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420A.D. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activities, particularly weekend mornings.
- Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant: Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant is near Great Wall of Mutianyu section. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout, sturgeon and salmon. Its use of natural ingredients and fabulous taste will leave you with great memories.
- Cloisonne Factory: Cloisonne is an intricate and detailed process, dating back over 700 years, to produce fine enamel on a copper base. You can watch the workers at all stages of the process to see how these beautiful objects are produced. There’s a showroom attached for those who would like a souvenir of the visit, big or small, and all objects are guaranteed.
Tel: 010-69620914
Address: No.488, Wujia villege, Huanrou town, Beijing City
Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Treasure Houses, Hutong Tours in a Rickshaw
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Traditional Mongolia Restaurant
- Tiananmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Treasure Houses: Treasure house has undergone 4 time renovations, the present one takes up almost 220 square metres, more than 440 treasures on display belonged to Qing dynasty royalty, half of which have not never been on display in the old one. It's worthy of visiting.
- Hutong Tours in a Rickshaw: Hutong is a maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. In this one hour tour, you can hop on a rickshaw through the narrow alley and back sea area, finally go visiting the local family.
- Traditional Mongolia Restaurant: Traditional Mongolia Restaurant is located near the Forbidden City. It serves northern Chinese food based on Mongolia cuisine. It brings Mongolia's long and distinguished cultural and literary history. A traditional Mongolian yurt (tent) is available on the third floor but a reservation is needed and a surcharge applies. Live performances of Mongolian music are sometimes preformed in the restaurant.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Beijing to Xian, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Summer Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant
- Summer Palace: Much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the lovely landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are set around the lake and rivers in natural harmony. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours here. Renovations (complete in 2010) mean that an individual section or building may be closed at any one time, but this is a huge site. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant: Ba Guo Bu Yi is located in Xizhimen next to the Beijing Youth Palace at No. 68 Nanxiao Road. It serves some of the heartiest and most authentic Sichuan fare in town with its traditional Chinese style decorations. Favorite dishes include mapo dofu (tofu braised in chili oil with brown peppers), dandan noodles in spicy peanut-sesame-garlic sauce, lazi jiding (chicken smothered by chilies), steamed fish served with chili-oil sauce and huiguorou (twice-cooked pork).
Day 5
Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Ancient City Wall, Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Shaanxi Provincial Museum: The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Ancient City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre. You can walk, rent a bike,rickshaw or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. If the weather is not good for biking on the city wall, we will substitute a visit to the Bell Tower. Your guide will be very glad to take you the Bell Tower after you have been to look at the city wall.
- Minjianwagang restaurant(A La Carte): Min Jian Wa Gang Restaurant is located next to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and features for Guizhou cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and the Hunan cuisine, providing a fantastic opportunity for diners to taste food different regions.
- Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory: Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory manufactures the copies of terra-cotta warriors and horses of Jing De porcelain. It has become a popular spot for foreign tourists looking for special, quality souvenirs.For the clients coming from China Highlights, you will have the chance to see the making process and have a try on your own hands. This only happens in Xian with China Highlights. Do not miss it!
Tel: 029-83577031
Address: No.2 East Chanhe bridge, Hua Qing Rd., Xian.
Day 6
Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch): A Wa Village Restaurant was established in 2004, mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine. It provides delicacy by using the material from xancin, obtaining a nationwide reputation from customers. It would be a nice choice to dine while traveling the nearby Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.
Day 8
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Potala Palace: Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for the long stairways.
- Jokhang Temple: Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.
- Barkhor Street: Watch the pilgrims, wearing local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate themselves near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.
- Lhasa Kitchen: Lhasa Kitchen is near the Jokhang Temple. It is decorated by merging Tibetan style with Indian, Nepalese, Chinese and Italian architecture. It serves a variety of styles of food.
Day 9
Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Sera Monastery: It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place.
- Norbulingka: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.
- Drepung Monastery: Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). The grand Shonton Festival is hold in the early part of August every year. That is the busiest day there with crowds of people. It is an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this festival.
- Steak House Restaurant: Steak House is near the Potala Palace and serves mainly Western and Tibetan cuisine. Surrounded by the alluring landscape, it is a great dining experience while traveling in Tibet.
Day 10
Place & Transport: Lhasa to Shigatse
Today's Activities: Yomdrok Lake, The Palgor Chorten
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Yomdrok Lake: It lies within the boundary of Nankartse county, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhokha Prefecture, surrounded by mountains. Beautiful Holy lake which everybody is looking forward to.
- The Palgor Chorten : Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.
Day 11
Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhasa
Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Tashilunpo Monastery: Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. The Kloster attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists from domestic and abroad to travel and worship every year.
Day 13
Place & Transport: Chengdu
Today's Activities: Wu Hou Temple, Jinli Old Street, Panda Breeding and Research Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Qin Shan Zhai Restaurant
- Wu Hou Temple: The Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang (181-234) was the outstanding military strategist immortalized in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and in the saying wise as "the Marquis of Wu". Peaceful and attractive gardens surround several halls, including one dedicated to his memory and another to that of his emperor Liu Bei, some impressive statues, a small museum, a famous Tang Dynasty stele and the classic red wall leading to Liu Bei's tomb. A delightful complex.
- Jinli Old Street: Once the commercial heart of the old kingdoms this ancient street has been fully restored in traditional Sichuan style. Picturesque, bustling, and cheerful, you can sample local arts and craft, traditional Chinese goods, food and delicacies, and even a Starbucks, local style.
- Panda Breeding and Research Centre: 10km north of Chengdu this beautifully laid-out 230 hectare park is home to giant pandas, the endearing red, or lesser panda, and other endangered species. Visit the nursery to see the highly successful breeding program, and the many enclosures among lakes, bamboo groves and shady walkways, to view the pandas at rest and play. There's a wealth of information, a panda museum, and of course the engaging animals themselves.
- Qin Shan Zhai Restaurant: It is famous for its restorative, which has two types with one is fried dish and the other is hotpot. The restaurant is decorated in ancient style with water and bridge. The soup is cooked in light taste and good for your health.
Day 14
Place & Transport: Chengdu to Shanghai, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Chengdu), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai), Nanjing Road, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Home's Restaurant (Set Menu)
- Nanjing Road: One of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Giant shopping centers, specialist boutiques, international brands, local upmarket goods - it's all here; it's very busy, and at night it really glitters. It's a fascinating glimpse of modern, commercial China.
- The Bund: Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do – and by night it's magic!
- Home's Restaurant (Set Menu): Home's Restaurant is located near the Nanjing Road. It specializes in Shanghai cuisine using the best local ingredients. Smoked fish and red jujube with sticky rice are well known in Shanghai. The restaurant enjoys a great reputation with diners from many parts of China and abroad.
Day 15
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today's Activities: Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, The Shanghai World Financial Center, Julong Silk Exhibition
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Lv Bo Lang Restaurant
- Yuyuan Garden: Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yu Gardens, you can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, teahouses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenghuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- Yuyuan Market : Located next to the Yuyuan Garden and also known today as the City God Temple, it was built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. The City God Temple is a Taoist temple which is composed of many halls such as the Grand Hall, Middle Hall, Bedroom Palace, Star Gods Hall and etc. The City God Temple has a great influence on the residents of Shanghai. The religious festivals of the temple are considered to be the festivals for all Shanghai people.
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall: A short walk across Renmin Square from the Shanghai Museum, this is a fascinating insight into Shanghai's future. The 2nd floor has a giant walkaround model of the city, and other floors have great displays, interactive exhibitions and walkthroughs of aspects such as the ports, greening, leisure etc.
- The Shanghai World Financial Center : The Shanghai World Financial Center is a super tall skyscraper. It is a mixed use skyscraper, which will consist of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the lower floors. The hotel component has 175 rooms and suites and goes by the name: The Park Hyatt, Shanghai. On September 14, 2007, the skyscraper reached 492.3 meters (1,615.2 ft) and became the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong, as well as the world's third tallest building (including unfinished ones), after the Burj Dubai and Taipei 101.
- Lv Bo Lang Restaurant: Lv Bo Lang Restaurant is located near the Yuyuan Garden and specializes in 4 types of Shanghai-style food, Shanghai-style snacks, shark's fin dishes and crab feasts. The restaurant has hosted heads of state from more than 40 foreign countries including President Clinton.
- Julong Silk Exhibition: Julong Silk Exhibition is a window into Suzhou Maowang embroidery group situated Shanghai. There are two exhibition where you can see how silk is produced from the silk cocoons and turned into the fabric. It has become a popular spot for foreign tourists looking for authentic, quality products.
Address: Dagu Road, Shanghai
- Enrich Your Tour
- Apr. 01 - Nov. 31
High Season - Dec. 01 - Mar. 31
Low Season(2010)
| Your Group Size | Tour Class | Tour Price Per Person | Single Room Supplement | Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Superior Class | $6083 | $0 |
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| Deluxe Class | $5263 | $0 |
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| Tourist Class | $4604 | $0 |
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| 2-5 Person | Superior Class | $3671 | $1324 |
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| Deluxe Class | $3261 | $914 |
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| Tourist Class | $2931 | $584 |
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| 6-9 Person | Superior Class | $3246 | $1324 |
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| Deluxe Class | $2811 | $914 |
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| Tourist Class | $2506 | $584 |
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Hotels
| City | Superior Class | Deluxe Class | Tourist Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Crowne Plaza Beijing | Sunworld Hotel Beijing | Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing |
| Xian | Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian | Bell Tower Hotel Xian | Xian Skyview Hotel |
| Lhasa | Brahmaputra Grand Hotel | Lhasa Manasarovar hotel | Shangbala Hotel Lhasa |
| Shigatse | Shigatse Hotel | Shigatse Hotel | Shigatse Shandong Hotel |
| Lhasa | Brahmaputra Grand Hotel | Lhasa Manasarovar hotel | Shangbala Hotel Lhasa |
| Chengdu | Crowne Plaza Chengdu | Tianfu Sunshine Hotel Chengdu | Lhasa Grand Hotel |
| Shanghai | Radisson Shanghai New World | The Bund Hotel Shanghai | HengSheng Peninsula International Hotel Shanghai |
* Price is in US dollars, for one person. Price is for references only, may vary according to your travel time Please inquire for more details. Click here to change prices to your Currency
* Better discount is available when travel in low season from Nov to March or when travel in a large group. Please Contact Us for more details.
* If only one person is traveling then the single room supplement is not required. If, for example, three people book a hotel, with two in one room and one in another room, the single room supplement must be paid.
Price Inclusions and Exclusions
Price Inclusions:
- Entrance Fees:
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary. - Meals:
All meals as specified in the itinerary.
If the restaurant indicated is not available on the day, your guide will arrange another restaurant from our list of approved restaurants. Breakfast is usually a western style buffet. We endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Chinese breakfasts is supplied, however there may be occasions when only a Chinese breakfast is available in some remote locations. - Private Transfers:
Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in Beijing, Xian, Lhasa, Shigatse, Chengdu, Shanghai by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as listed above).
Your comfort is our priority! Click here to get a description of the vehicles that we use for our tours. - Guide:
As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available. - Hotels:
Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds.
All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified. - Transportation:
Beijing To Xian Transfer via: Flight, TBA (Our arrangements)
XIAN To LASA Transfer via: Flight, MU2335 (Our arrangements)
Lhasa To Chengdu Transfer via: Flight, TBA (Our arrangements)
Chengdu To Shanghai Transfer via: Flight, TBA (Our arrangements)
Shanghai To Departure City Transfer via: Flight, TBA (Our arrangements) - Airport Tax for Domestic Flights
Airport Tax and Fuel Fee for Flights if applicable - Service Charge & Government Taxes:
- Insurance
The insurance is China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
Click here to learn more about the insurance coverage and the sum insured. - Luggage Transfers:
Between airports and hotels. - Arrangements:
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Price Exclusions:
- International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China.
USA-CHINA/CHINA-USA: China Highlights has negotiated special discount fares (restrictions apply) for selected flights operated by Air China from major US and China gateways. We are able to offer these special deals to confirmed customers. Discount US to China Flights - China Entry Visa Fees.
- Excess Baggage Charges.
Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carryon baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20x40x 55cm. More - Personal Expenses:
Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary. - Meals:
Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary. - Single Room Supplement.
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