On Day 11 we tour Tibet’s Potala Palace, traditional seat of the Dalai Lamas, active Buddhist temple, and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Beijing, China
Day 2: Arrive Beijing We arrive in the Chinese
capital and transfer to our hotel. After time to relax,
we embark on a brief walking tour. Dinner tonight is
on our own.
Day 3: Beijing After this morning’s briefing about
the journey ahead, we begin our discovery of this
2,000-year-old city at vast Tiananmen Square, and
the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power from
1368–1911. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Peking
Duck dinner at a local restaurant. B,D
Day 4: Beijing/Great Wall This morning we enjoy
a small group highlight, as we ride rickshaws through
Beijing’s ancient back roads and alleys (hutongs) and
enjoy a home visit, giving us a glimpse of the traditional
communal lifestyle. Then we stop at Olympic Park,
site of the 2008 Olympic Games. This afternoon we
head to the Mu Tian Yu section of the Great Wall,
the network of ancient defense installations that
stretches more than 5,500 miles. B,L,D
Day 5: Beijing This morning we tour the splendid
Temple of Heaven complex, where China’s rulers once
worshipped. This afternoon we visit the Summer
Palace, the former royal retreat now a lovely park. B,L
Day 6: Beijing/Xian We fly this morning to Xian,
a provincial backwater until the accidental discovery
of the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974. Upon arrival
we visit the Yangling Mausoleum, a Han Dynasty tomb
dating to 153 CE. After lunch at a local restaurant we
tour Xian’s impressive nine-mile city wall and moat.
Tonight we enjoy a special dumpling dinner. B,L,D
Day 7: Xian Our day begins with a visit to the
revered Small Wild Goose Pagoda (c. 652 CE). After
lunch we tour the museum housing the army of 7,000
life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors that had lain buried
and forgotten for more than two millennia. B,L,D
Day 8: Xian This morning we tour the Shanxi
Provincial Museum, with an acclaimed collection of
historic and cultural artifacts. We eat lunch in a local
restaurant then visit a typical farming village where
we meet the local people and see their lifestyle up
close. B,L
Day 9: Xian/Lhasa Early today we fly to Lhasa,
Tibet’s capital and only major city. Sitting on a plateau
between two Himalayan ridges, the Chinese province
of Tibet covers an area as large as Western Europe.
On the way to our hotel we stop to visit with a Tibetan
family in their home. Since the altitude here is
19 days from $6,387 total price
from Los Angeles, San Francisco
($5,895 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $492
airline taxes and fees)
This distinctive small group journey combines a special visit to remote, spiritual
Tibet with a memorable cruise on the Yangtze,
China’s fabled “long river.” Adding grace
notes to this highly popular itinerary: intrigu-
ing Beijing, the extraordinary Terra Cotta
Warriors of Xian, and cosmopolitan Shanghai.
East meets West in a joyful convergence.
CHINA, TIBET & THE YANGTZE RIVER
Your Small Group Tour Highlights
Beijing touring, including Tiananmen Square, Temple of
Heaven, Great Wall • Beijing hutong tour and home visit •
Dazu Rock Carvings • Three-night visit to fascinating Tibet
• Lhasa’s 1,000-room Potala Palace • Visit with a Tibetan
family • Three-night Yangtze River cruise, including Three
Gorges • Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian • Shanghai touring
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating
1 Depart U.S. for Beijing
2-5 Beijing Sofitel Wanda Deluxe Beijing
6-8 Xian Wyndham Grand Deluxe Xian South
9-11 Lhasa, Tibet Shangri-La Deluxe Hotel Lhasa
12 Chongqing JW Marriott Deluxe Chongqing
13-15 Yangtze Cruise Victoria Cruises Sup. First Class
16-18 Shanghai Hilton Shanghai Deluxe
19 Depart Shanghai for U.S.
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel
industry standard reference.
Avg.High(°F) Mar Apr May Aug Sep Oct Nov
Beijing 52 70 81 86 77 66 55
Lhasa 53 60 66 70 67 61 52
Shanghai 55 66 74 88 79 72 63
East
China Sea
Destination
Air
River Cruise
Entry/Departure
Map Legend
