11-Day Beijing-Xi'an-Lhasa-Shanghai Tour
Be amazed and inspired by China’s incredible history, natural beauty, cultural diversity and exciting cuisine on a journey of a lifetime.
What better way to experience a remarkable country like China? Start your adventure in Beijing and experience the vision of emperors when you walk through the imposing Forbidden City, visit the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, and finally scale the Great Wall. It seems everything in China is built on a grand scale and it’s hard not to be impressed by the industry of the many involved in creation of these iconic sights. Experience modern China first hand when you board one of the newest bullet trains and travel to Xi’an. Sit back and relax, admiring the ever changing views en route to this ancient capital that is still fully alive with a dynamic energy. Once the starting point for travelers and traders venturing onto the Silk Road, Xi’an is a crucible of cultures and cuisines that has endured for millenia. Be awestruck by the Terracotta Army, still standing guard for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, then enjoy Xi’an’s lighter side with a walk down Muslim Quarter and along the original city wall offering views out over the red lantern lined city streets. Xi’an’s food will surprise and delight, so prepare for a culinary adventure each day. Fly to Lhasa and experience a complete change of tempo. Discover what draws so many to this holy place. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, and Drepung Monastery await, not to mention the reverential presence of monks and nuns who still maintain Buddhist practices and traditions. Walking amongst it, you can’t help but feel a little closer to your best self. Fly to Shanghai for the final stage of this life-changing journey. Shanghai is China’s style capital, a title earned through its many international and maritime influences over hundreds of years. Visit traditional Chinese highlights like the Yuyuan Garden, then explore Shanghai’s more recent past along the Bund, in New Spot and the Former French Concession. A wonderful tour that includes 10 nights accommodation with a choice of four or five star hotels, daily breakfasts, enthusiastic local guides ready to share their city with you, in country transfers, and so much more. Why not make this adventure your next beautiful travel memory?
Itinerary
On arrival into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), you will be met by your dedicated tour guide outside the baggage claim area. On the way to your pre-booked four or five star inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Beijing. Spend the rest of the day exploring this incredible city.
Meals included: None
After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from the hotel. Visit the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty and courtiers for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, exploration continues with a visit to the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty and courtiers who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing’s stadium and pool – the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics – provides a modern contrast to China’s ancient history. Return to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.
In the morning, commence the day’s adventure with exploration of the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China’s 1,400-year-old iconic landmark, located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, exploration continues with a visit to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum. Stroll through the hutongs nearby and experience local life as you wander through quaint shops, enjoy a coffee, and gain an insider’s view of a real Beijing community.
Meals included: Breakfast
Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail journey to Xi’an. Approximately a five-hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xi’an North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archaeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi’an. You may have a chance to explore the top of the pagoda and look out over Xi’an’s 1,400 years of history, before enjoying a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Continue on and take in the quiet of Xi’an’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and travel souvenirs. Today’s final destination is Xi’an’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening or book a dinner, show, or both for an evening of entertainment.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometers long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. Following on from the morning’s activities, you’ll be driven to the Xi’an airport for your flight to Lhasa. On arrival in Lhasa, your local guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel. Take time on your first afternoon to explore the town and acclimatize to the altitude.
Meals included: Breakfast
Experience a little of Tibet’s mystery by visiting the Dalai Lama’s former residence, the holy Potala Palace, located in the city’s centre. Comprised of the central Red Palace and rooftop White Palace, you will wonder at the Buddha statues, Thangka, murals and traditional Tibetan holy scriptures. Move from the Potala Palace to the Jokhang Temple, considered the spiritual heart of Tibet. View the solid gold statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, visited by Tibetan pilgrims for centuries. Proceed to Barkhor Circuit and be carried along with locals and tourists enjoying the atmosphere and markets. Here you can source mementos from your travel adventures. The final destination for the day is the Ani Tsankhung Nunnery.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Taking photos and videos, wearing skirts, short pants, sunglasses and hats are all prohibited inside the palace.
Discover more about the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, Norbulingka, where you will learn about the production process of Thangka, a uniquely Tibetan scroll painting on silk or cotton. Move from Norbulingka to the Drepung Monastery, which sits highest among the Gelugpa monasteries. This large complex is home to monks as well as a valuable collection of porcelain, Thangka, scriptures, Buddha statues, armor and weapons. Sample a true taste of Tibet when you visit the magnificent Sera Monastery and watch the monks practice their physical form of debating which involves an unusual amount of hand slapping and pushing.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Monk Debating is held every day, excluding Sundays between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. For a close view of this unique event, early arrival is recommended
After breakfast and check out, your guide will drive you back to the Lhasa airport for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel where you will have the opportunity to relax in luxurious surrounds.
Meals included: Breakfast
Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, a massive museum housing over 140,000 artifacts, presenting the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a walk along The Bund, iconic and prestigious, one of the most well-preserved examples of old Shanghai glamour. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the artistically designed traditional Chinese gardens; then stroll around the nearby Yu Garden Bazaar that offers an eclectic cross-section of goods, from souvenirs, antiques, crafts, fresh produce, and food. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: As the Shanghai Museum is closed to public on Mondays, a visit to the Shanghai History Museum is arranged as an alternative.
Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home, or if you haven’t yet finished your intrepid adventure, you’ll board a plane for your next exciting destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: For small group tour travelers, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary.
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide.
- Transportation: high-speed train between Beijing/Xi’an (First class seat for Luxury tours; second class seat for Superior tours). Economy class domestic flights from Xi’an/Lhasa/Shanghai.
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified.
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour.
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions:
- International flights to/from China.
- China visa fees.
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
Important information – PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you.
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- A good healthy physical condition is required to help manage the high altitude conditions.
- All reasonable care must be taken to dress appropriately for the colder conditions in Tibet.
- Travelers are encouraged to avoid excessive physical activity and the consumption of alcohol in Tibet to reduce the likelihood of altitude sickness.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available.
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be added to this tour and taken as an addition to this Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
Important information – FOR SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with a fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
You will travel with other people (maximum of 12). - Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- A good healthy physical condition is required to help manage the high altitude conditions.
- All reasonable care must be taken to dress appropriately for the colder conditions in Tibet.
- Travelers are encouraged to avoid excessive physical activity and the consumption of alcohol in Tibet to reduce the likelihood of altitude sickness.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available.
- At the conclusion of the tour, a transfer from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai is available upon request at a surcharge.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The maximum number of passengers in a small group tour is 12 people.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.
Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.
High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.
High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.
Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
Post Tour Airport Transfer
At the completion of your tour, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request. Additional charges apply.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.
Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.
Meals
All breakfasts included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.
Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and visa processing times.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge.
- For all subsequent changes – USD50.
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.
Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:
- More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
- 45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
- 30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
- 15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
- Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.
Please note the Tibet Travel Permit is required for all foreigners travelling to Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit, is required for entry to Lhasa or any other part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and is obtained for travelers as part of tour arrangements for travel to Tibet.
We will arrange the Tibet Travel Permit for you free of charge when you book a tour with us. It is usually issued one week prior to your entry to Tibet. You will be required to submit your personal information to us beforehand by providing your full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, occupation, copies of your China visa and passport.
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