A tour of the places and sights most travellers wish to have incorporated in their China itinerary! From the grandeur of Beijing, to the Great Wall, the mighty Yangtze River and modern city of Shanghai; these will all be experienced along with a journey on the world’s highest railway and a stay in Lhasa, Tibet.
Day 1 – Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Stay four nights at the Novotel Peace Hotel.
Day 2 – Beijing
Today you will visit the famous sights of Beijing including the majestic Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Hutongs, Beijing’s ancient, narrow streets. In the evening attend a performance of the Chinese Kong Fu Show. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Great Wall excursion
Travel north from the city to the Great Wall of China. Visit the section known as Badaling Remnant, a little way off the usual tourist route, and known for its beautiful natural setting. You can walk on top of the wall and appreciate the scale of this remarkable structure as it snakes down valleys and along ridge lines as far as the eye can see. On the way back to Beijing stop at the Ming Tombs to stroll along the Sacred Way lined with animal statues, and see the Olympic Park. (B,L)
Day 4 – Beijing
Visit the Temple of Heaven for a one hour class with a Tai Chi master. Be delighted by the antics of the Pandas at Beijing Zoo before experiencing the graceful gardens and lakeside setting of the Summer Palace. This evening enjoy a Beijing specialty – a Peking Duck Banquet. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Beijing to Lhasa
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Lhasa where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. We recommend you rest for the remainder of the day to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Stay four nights at the Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel. (B,L)
Day 6 – Lhasa
Your sightseeing begins with a visit to the imposing Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lama. Chapels and galleries within the palace are open to visitors. Visit Jokhang Monastery, home of the most precious Buddha image in Tibet. Pilgrims holding prayer wheels can be seen walking in a clockwise direction around the monastery. Browse through the Barkhor Bazaar where a wide variety of Tibetan handicrafts are on display. (B,L)
Day 7 – Lhasa
Travel to Drepung Monastery, a Yellow Hat Sect where the Dalai Lamas were trained, and on to Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of the 7th Dalai Lama. Also visit Sera Monastery where the monks can be seen in red robes and curved yellow hats. (B,L)
Day 8 – Lhasa
Travel outside Lhasa on the road to Gyantse to enjoy some of the mountain scenery. View one of the four holy lakes of Tibet – Yamdrok Lake which on a clear day is a sparkling deep turquoise colour. (B,L)
Day 9 – Lhasa – Qinghai rail journey
Begin your journey on the world’s highest and longest plateau railroad today as you board the train to Xining. Travel during the day and overnight at altitudes of up to 5,000 metres through some spectacular scenery. Accommodation is in soft class, four-share compartments. Meals can be purchased on the train. (B)
Day 10 – Xining to Chongqing
Arrive in Xining this morning and if time permits take a tour of the city before transferring to the airport for a flight to Chongqing to board your five star ship for a Yangtze River cruise. All cabins on board this luxurious vessel have their own balconies. A variety of entertainments and shore excursions are included during the cruise. Settle in and become familiar with the ship’s facilities and sailing schedule, which may differ slightly to the cruise described below.
Cruise for three nights onboard the Century Paragon. (B,L,D)
Day 11 – Yangtze River Cruise
The shore excursion today is to the striking wooden structure on the cliff face at Shibaozhai, or perhaps the ‘Ghost City’ of Fengdu with its temple devoted to the king of the underworld. (B,L,D)
Day 12 – Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Qutang and Wu Gorges, the first two of the famous Three Gorges. Transfer to row boats for an excursion along the Shennon Stream. Back on board, enter Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges. (B,L,D)
Day 13 – Yichang to Suzhou
Disembark at Maoping and visit the Three Gorges Dam. Travel by coach to Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai and a coach transfer to Suzhou, famous for its silk production, exquisite gardens and traditional canal living.
Stay two nights at the Garden Hotel in Suzhou. (B,L)
Day 14 – Suzhou
Visit Tongli, an ancient canal town, stroll through the Lingering Garden, and marvel at the fine work at the Silk Embroidery Institute. (B,L)
Day 15 – Suzhou to Shanghai
Cruise the small canals of Suzhou seeing stone houses and arched bridges. See highly skilled textile work at the Silk Factory, then travel to Shanghai. See the city lights on an evening Huangpu River Cruise.
Stay two nights at the SSAW Shanghai the Bund. (B,L,D)
Day 16 – Shanghai
Start the day with a panoramic view over the city from the sightseeing floor in the 2nd Sphere of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Learn about Shanghai’s development from a small village to the present metropolis at the History Museum at the base of the tower. Stroll along the Bund, and in the evening attend an acrobatic show. (B,L,D)
Day 17 – Depart Shanghai
Free until transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)
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Prices are per person, in Australian dollars. Please confirm prices when booking.
Price Excludes:
Tour prices and inclusions based on a minimum of 2 passengers. Surcharges may apply during local holidays and events.
