16 - Day Tour of Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Xigaze and Guangzhou
- Day 1
Welcome to Beijing, capital of China. Upon arrival you will be met by CITS guides and transferred to hotel.
- Day 2
Morning tour to Tian An Men Square, located in the heart of the capital, and the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) - one of the greatest feats of ancient Chinese architecture.
Afternoon sightseeing includes Summer Palace - a former summer resort area of the royal family, or a visit to the Temple of Heaven where the emperors prayed for good harvest. Dinner is the famous Beijing roasted duck at local restaurant.
- Day 3
A full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of human labor - the only man-made construction on earth visible from outer space. After lunch, a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
- Day 4
Beijing - Xi'an by air
A 2-hour flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road.
City tour begins with a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 A.D. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang.
A cultural performance will be provided if available.
- Day 5
A full day visit includes the unparalleled highlight of an excursion to the incredible Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Din emperor. Added highlights are a visit to the Huaqing Hot Spring - a former resort area especially for the emperors and the royal family and a visit to the Banpo Village-the remains of a Neolithic village dating back 6,000 years. Primitive tools and household utensils are displayed in the Banpo Museum.
- Day 6
Xi'an - Chengdu by air
A 2-hours flight to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province and a place known as "the Land of Abundance". City tour begins with Wu Hou Shrine and Du Fu's Thatched Cottage - home of a great poet of Tang Dynasty.
- Day 7
Today, on to your exploration to the Dujiang Dam, a famous historical engineering marvel conceived and designed in 250 BC as a mammoth irrigation project. If time permits, further to the Precious Light Monastery, built in the 2nd century.
- Day 8
Chengdu - Lhasa by air
Today, fly to Lhasa, capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, famed as the "City of Sunshine", an enchanting city with numerous historic sites and famous relics.
- Day 9
Your visit in Lhasa begins with the highest palace in the world, the Potala Palace, famed as a bright pearl on "the Roof of the World" and Jokang Temple, one of Buddhism's holiest shrines, Drepong Monastery and a Tibetan carpet factory.
- Day 10
Lhasa - Xigaze by bus
Leaving early in the morning, we drive through astonishingly varied scenery and part nomadic settlements to Xigaze, Tibet's second largest city.
- Day 11
Today, you visit the Panchen Lama's home and Tashilumpo Monastery, built in 1447, which is a mystical assembly of gold, red and white, where you can see monks at prayer. There is also a stop to see the Kumbun Stupa at Gyantse.
- Day 12
Xigaze - Lhasa by bus
Moving through the rapidly changing scenery of central Tibet and descend to the valley of the holy river, we finally drive back to Lhasa.
- Day 13
Sightseeing today includes the Norbulingka Park, the Sera Monastery, then a visit to a hospitable Tibetan family and take a stroll in the open market at Barkhor.
- Day 14
Lhasa - Chengdu by air
Return to Chengdu by air, where you stay overnight.
- Day 15
Chengdu - Guangzhou by air
Leave for Guangzhou, the southern gateway to China. Sightseeing features the Memorial Hall of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Six Banyan Pagoda and Temple. Time permitting, visit the Yue Xiu Park, the Pearl River and Shamian Island.
- Day 16
Your exciting journey draws to a close this morning as you board an express train for Hong Kong.
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