Welcome to China! Upon your arrival, your friendly tour guide holding your name sign will greet you at the arrival hall, then transfer you to the hotel and have a rest to recover from jet lag.

After a night's sound sleep, get refreshed for today's exploration. First, visit Tiananmen Square and then move to the Forbidden City, the largest collection of wooden constructions preserved today. Housing over a million incomparable treasures, it is also known as Palace Museum. As imperial palace for both Ming and Qing Dynasty, Forbidden City witnessed the rise and fall of the two dynasties from the year 1420 to 1912. Walking through different halls and exquisite architectures of the Palace, travel back into the history of ancient China with your professional guide.

Then get into traditional Hutongs where common people used to live. Take a rickshaw ride into the small alleys to explore ordinary people's houses and local life. Learn to paint a facial mask in the famous Peking Opera and learn the traditional art of Beijing. Bring this memorable souvenir home with you when you finish. Then transfer back to your hotel.

Forbidden City

Morning sightseeing starts with the Mutianyu Great Wall, the extant longest rampart (54.km, 3.4mi) of the Great Wall with fewer tourists and wild sceneries. Meandering its way across the majestic mountains, it has perfectly guarded central China from nomadic groups' invasion over 2,000 years. Ascend to the top to absorb the majestic natural scenery and wonder at the amazing defensive work built by the ancient Chinese. What's more, round-trip cable car is included to save more time and energy for hiking on top of the Wall.

Afterwards, drive back to the city and have a stopover to the iconic Bird's Nest and Water Cube to take some great photos.

Then, drive to the imperial garden Summer Palace and stroll along the peaceful lake, taking in the picturesque scenery of gardens, halls, and pavilions. 

Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning, soak up the beautiful architectures where emperors used to hold ceremonies. Encounter the locals gathering here for morning exercise which is quite popular among locals. You are more than welcome to join these friendly local people to exercise together.

Afterwards, you will be taken to the railway station to take a 4.5-hour high-speed train to travel to Xi'an, another ancient capital of China. Upon arrival, meet your friendly Xi'an guide and get back to hotel.

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest at Temple of Heaven

About 1-hour drive from the downtown area, you will get to Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. ‘Incredible’ is the most frequently used word to describe the underground army after people see the vividly made clay figures, each owning distinctive facial expression, hair style, figure as well as uniform, protecting the emperor in his afterlife.

Then drive back to the city to visit the largest and best-preserved City Wall and have an overview of this old capital. Follow your guide to take a stroll on top and find some best angles to shoot some photos of the great architecture or cycle around a bit based on your preference.

Afterwards, drive to the famous local Muslim Quarter and the ancient Great Mosque built in traditional Chinese style and enjoy some free time in the famous bazaar.

After breakfast, drive to Big Wild Goose Pagoda built for storage of Buddhism scriptures that the great monk Xuanzang took back when he travelled to India on foot during early 7th century.

Then visit Shaanxi History Museum where demonstrates the rich history of the ancient capital Xi'an and Shaanxi Province proved by over 37, 000 relics stored here including a lot of national treasures.

Afterwards, take the high-speed train to Chengdu and get ready to meet China's star mammals.

Gold-inlaid Tiger-Shaped Tally with Inscription

Drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda and enjoy your time visiting these adorable star mammals where you will see adult pandas and panda cubs or even some new born babies if you are lucky.

Then move to Jinli Old Street and admire the old constructions and fun stalls together with famous Chengdu snacks.

Afterwards, enjoy a leisure walk in Wangjiang Park that can best present Chengdu’s leisure life from its tea houses, ear-cleaning vendors, group activities such as Taichi, Mahjong and folk dances.

Jinli Old Street

Catch a morning flight to fly to Lhasa, which will take 3.5 hours. Please take a break in the hotel upon arrival and gradually get used to the high altitudes. Lhasa's altitude is around 3658 meters (12,000ft) and Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery is at a higher altitude of 3800 meters (around 12,500ft). 

Note: You will need to show your Tibet Permit while boarding the plane. And upon arrival, please do not take a shower the first two days upon arrival, drink alcohol or smoke. Keeping warm is also important. 

Today head to Potala Palace, highlight of Tibet. Feast your eyes with exquisite Tibetan treasures, Buddhism statues and eye-catching murals. Learn about the history of the palace and the legendary stories of the Dalai Lamas.

Afterwards, move to Jokang Temple, the holiest and most divine temple for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, whom you will see prostrating or spinning prayer wheels around.

Take a stroll along Barkhor Street to see local life and get some boutique Tibetan souvenirs. 

Your exploration today starts with a visit to the Norblingka which used to serve as summer palace for Dalai Lamas. Stroll in the beautiful gardens, appreciating various plants and grand Tibetan architectures.

Then proceed to the Drepung Monastery, a large complex of constructions built along the slope of the mountain and you will find out the reason why it is named Drepung.

At last, end your day with a visit to the Sera Monastery highlighted in its famous fierce Debate Over Buddhism Scriptures and admire their pursuit of the Buddhism belief.

Sera Monastery

Your exploration at this holy land ends and you will fly to Chongqing for the leisurely Yangtze River Cruise. Upon arrival, meet your Chongqing guide and drive to the dock to get onboard the luxury cruise ship.

Get refreshed by taking a Tai Chi Class in the morning.

After breakfast, discover Shibaozhai, a 500-year old wooden construction on an isolated mountain along the Yangtze River. Follow your river guide to explore its famous unique architecture and learn the Chinese mythologies.

Tonight, you are invited to participate the Captain's Welcome Party and enjoy the crew's music and dance performances. Have a wonderful night!

The Cruise will first sail through Qutang Gorge and then the most spectacular Wu Gorge.

And you will embark on a shore excursion to visit Shennong Stream by a small wooden boat to go deeper into the gorge to admire the hidden beauty or visit Shennv Stream and take in its charming view.

Then you will sail to the longest Xiling Gorge featuring rapid water, rare stones and twisted course.

The Captain's Farewell Party is held tonight.

This morning, you will disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity.

Then meet your guide and travel to Binjiang Park. Stroll along the bank of Yangtze River, where you will find vivid scene of local life that seniors having fun singing, playing cards, dancing and fishing.

Then get oriented to Yichang Museum and appreciate the treasures stored here, some of which can date back to Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-221BC).

Afterwards, catch your flight to Shanghai and enjoy the city's beautiful night view on the way back to your hotel.

Visit the essence of traditional Chinese garden Yu Garden and enjoy the beautiful layout which also presents the philosophy of Chinese people's life.

Then head to the bustling Nanjing Road and the Bund which is granted World Architecture Museum.

Get on top of Shanghai World Financial Center to get a bird's view of Shanghai, which may change your impression of China.

Continue to visit Xintiandi (New World of Shanghai) to see Shanghai's traditional Shikumen constructions.

At last, visit the Propaganda Poster Art Center to feel the passion and energy of people in 1960s.

Zig zag bridge of Yu Garden

Farewell to China! Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your homeward flight. Wish you a nice journey home!