China Golden Triangle with Tibet Exploration

• Day 1 Beijing

  Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore China's historic and vibrant capital city on your own.

• Day 2 Beijing

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Your first peek into Beijing begins with Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place.
  Then walk into the Forbidden City (UNESCO), where the 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards and private quarters.
  After the lunch, continue the Summer Palace (UNESCO), the largest imperial garden in the world,

• Day 3 Beijing

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Special Dinner

  Today setting out to the China's most renowned monument, Great Wall (UNESCO) that is the most spectacular structures ever built by human and as the only one visible from space.
  After lunch, visit the Ming Tomb, ancient burial ground of the Chinese emperors.
  In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Beijing Duck Dinner, a Chinese delicacy

• Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an (by air)

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Today you will visit another renowned imperial site –the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where ancient Chinese emperors would make sacrifices to Heaven and pray for bountiful harvests. This construction is supreme achievement of Chinese traditional architecture.
  Continue to take a Hutong Tour by old–fashioned pedicab to explore the oldest part of the city for a real sight into the traditional Chinese life style.
  Then you are transferred to take a flight to Xi’an, which was the ancient capital for 11 dynasties and was east end of the Silk Road. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Day 5 Xi'an

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Special Dinner

  Today's excursion will take you to the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (UNESCO), one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. More than 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots silently guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor for over 2,200 years.
  Then head to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark. This seven-story pagoda was initially constructed in 652 AD, and a larger team of scholars was organized here for translation of the Buddhist sutras brought back from India and it became a holy place for pilgrimages.
  In the evening, appreciate a tasteful Dumpling Feast followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

• Day 6 Xi'an - Lhasa (by air)

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Your day will start with a tour of Ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest walls in China and still compasses the center of Xi'an.
  Then fly to Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Upon arrival at Gongkar Airport, you will meet your guide and driver, and take a scenic drive to the holy city. The remainder of the day is for relaxing and acclimatizing to the altitude

• Day 7 Lhasa

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  An unforgettable day begins with a tour to the monumental Potala Palace (UNESCO). Once the residence of the Dalai Lama, and seat of the Tibetan government, the 13-story building is currently converted into a museum, which is comprised of over 200,000 statues, temples, shrines, and historical Tibetan articles.
  Afterwards explore the summer palace of the Dalai Lama - Norbulingkha (UNESCO).

• Day 8 Lhasa

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  In the morning visit the 1,300 years-old Jokhang Temple (UNESCO), which commemorates the marriage of Tang princess Wencheng to King Songtsen Gampo. It reputed as the first Buddhist temple in Tibet and as the Sacred Temple of all Tibetan Buddhists.
  Surrounding Jokhang is the Barkhor Street, Lhasa's old market. This area is full of vendors selling their wares, yak butter wafting in the air and hundreds of people moving in a clockwise direction. Continue to visit to the Drepung Monastery. Founded in the year 1416, the Drepung Monastery was recognized as the world’s largest monastery housing over 10,000 monks.

• Day 9 Lhasa - Chengdu (by air)

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Your morning will begin with a flight to Chengdu. You enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center. This massive ecological and zoological park offers a wonderful chance to get face-to-face with China's "National Treasure". There is also a panda museum that has detailed exhibitions on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts.

• Day 10 Chengdu- Shanghai (by air)

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  In the morning fly to Shanghai. Shanghai is China's largest and most dynamic city.
  On arrival, visit the Yu Garden (UNESCO). Owing to its ingenious design in Ming and Qing dynasties, it becomes a real museum of Chinese ancient architecture. Walk around the Old Downtown with its maze of walkways, reflecting ponds, pavilions and stone bridges.

• Day 11 Shanghai

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  Enjoy a stunning view of Shanghai from the 88th floor of the Jinmao Tower. At 1,380 feet, it is the world's third tallest building, as well as home to the world's tallest hotel, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.
  Continue to visit the Shanghai Museum, with its 120,000 piece collection of Chinese ancient treasures.
  Wander through the bustling Bund, featuring outstanding European colonial architectures, new skyscrapers and historical buildings in Shanghai.
  After your dinner, enjoy a spectacular Acrobatic Show, known as one of the most fabulous performance arts in China.

• Day 12 Shanghai

  Meals: Breakfast

  Today you will be transferred to the airport for homeward flight.
  Service ends.

• About Tibet Travel Permits:

  All foreign travelers entering Tibet must hold Tibet Travel Permit (or Tibet Entry Permit). The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by Tibet Administration. The Tibet Administration only issues the permit to the certified travel operators, not availed to any requirement by the individual travelers.
   

  To get the Tibet Travel Permits:

  CITS will assist travelers to apply Tibet Entry Permit for a more flexible and efficient journey. To get the Tibet travel permit you need hold a valid passport with valid Chinese visa and should submit the following information at least 15 days prior to arrival in Tibet:
  
  1. A scanned copy of your Passport (page with your picture);
  2. A scanned copy of your China visa (tourist visa);
  3. Full names, gender, date of birth, passport number, nationality and occupation;
  
  Customers who booked their tours with CITS will receive their Tibet Travel Permit from our local office in the city where they depart for Tibet.
  
  Note: All kinds of travelers can get Tibet Permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

Tour includes:
-- Hotel accommodations with breakfast
-- Sightseeing with lunch and dinner as listed in above itinerary
-- Professional tour guide service
-- Land transfers between airport, railway station and hotel
-- Domestic air tickets with the airport tax and train tickets as listed
-- River Cruises tickets as listed

Tour excludes:
-- International flights & airport tax.
-- Personal expenses & gratuities to guide, driver & porters
-- China Entry Visa, travel insurance