15 Days China Grand Tour with Tibet Discovery & Yangtze Cruise

Welcome to Beijing! Clear the customs and retrieve your baggage by yourself upon arrival, be greeted by our tour guide in the Arrival Hall who is holding a sign on which says your name; transferred by your private car/van to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is your own time.

Today you will first visit the world's biggest city plaza, the Tiananmen Square; then walk to the marvelous "Egg" (National Centre for the Performing Arts) to take some pictures from its outside; subsequently, go to the Forbidden City, the most complete imperial palace in China; and later proceed to the impressive Temple of Heaven. After the sightseeing tour, be driven back to your hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Badaling Great Wall (about 80 km, 1.5hours) where you will experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. For lunch you'll sample some delicious fare in a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Sacred Way and Changling, one of the Ming Tombs; on the way back to your hotel, you might make a stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to take some photos of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube from the outside; Feel a little bit tired? Not to worry! We will arrange a foot massage (free of charge) for you, just relax and enjoy it! With a Peking Roast Duck dinner you will complete today's tour!

After breakfast, you will marvel at the exquisite Summer Palace, the imperial garden.

Then head to visit the Drum Tower dating from 1420. Ascending the big Drum Tower, you will have a bird's eye view of the surrounding communities of Hutongs and Siheyuan from here. And then move on to an ordinary family courtyard home for a tea break. Afterwards, take a rickshaw to visit the most famous Hutongs keeping the original layout in the Shichahai area. Then move on to the Prince Gong's Mansion.

After the tour, our guide will escort you to the airport and take the flight to Xian.

In the morning be picked up at your hotel then driven to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses; the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, It is one of the most popular tourist spots not to be missed by any visitor to China. After lunch, move on to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall; enjoy the local specialty Dumpling Dinner served in a fine restaurant in the evening.

After breakfast today, you will visit the Shanxi History Museum and the Grand Mosque. After lunch, you will be escorted to the airport and take the flight to Lhasa from Xian.

After Lhasa arrival, you'll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. The rest of today is free to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude in the afternoon.

Visit Lhasa's cardinal landmark Potala Palace, the spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple, and stroll around at the famous Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace is known as the highest palace in the world, well worth visiting for its artistic value, historic purposes, and cultural awareness, has been regarded as the No. 1 must-see attraction in Tibet.

Jokhang Temple (or Jokhang Monastery), situated at the heart of the old town of Lhasa, is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims, as well as a prime seat of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism.

Explore the Drepung Monastery up on the hillside, experience wonderful views of the whole of Lhasa city on the roof of the hillside, visit Norbulingka - the summer palace of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy interesting "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" at the Sera Monastery.

Today is free until your guide will pick you up and escort you to the airport and take the flight to Chengdu from Lhasa.

After arrival in Chengdu, be transferred to your hotel in Chengdu. After a little bit rest and having a local lunch, head to visit the Jinli Old Street, once the commercial heart of the old kingdoms. Then, go to the Panda Breeding and Research Center to visit the Pandas.

Shore excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City to check why it has been regarded as the "City of Ghosts".

Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels.

The Lesser Three Gorges, like a shinning pearl hiddden in remote mountains, are much smaller, narrower and have some dramatic scenery to offer. That is the most splendid river adventure throughout China for you.

Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Shennong Stream. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!

Today's highlight is your morning excursion to the world-famous Three Gorges Dam. Be prepared for your check-out procedure and the ship will arrive in Yichang at about 11:30. Our guide will expect you on board and visit the Yichang Museum if time permits. After lunch at a local famous restaurant, drive to the Yichang airport and take the flight to Shanghai from Yichang.

After arrival in Shanghai, transferred to your hotel in Shanghai. Rest of the day is free to explore the metropolis on your own.

Today you will first visit the magnificent Yu Garden. Right out of the Yu Garden, you can observe local people's life at the Yuyuan Market (Yu Garden Market). Proceed to the Temple of Jade Buddha. Take a stroll or shop in the famed Nanjing Road and then down to the Bund alongside the Huangpu River to explore the modern aspect of Shanghai. Drive to the Pudong New Area to enjoy a bird's eye view of Shanghai from the Jinmao Tower.

After breakfast, be free until the tour guide escorts you to the airport to your next destination, or back to home.