Welcome to China! Upon your arrival, your friendly tour guide holding a welcome sign with your name will greet you and 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 the Palace Museum. As the imperial palace for both Ming and Qing Dynasty, Forbidden City witnessed the rises and falls of the two dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Your professional guide will walk you through different halls and exquisite architectures of the Palace, which leads you to travel back into the history of ancient China.

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

The Forbidden City

Today, get ready to capture the magnificence of the Great Wall as you head to the less-crowded Mutianyu, the longest section of the greatest defensive system. With the history stretching over 2000 years, it has stood as the majestic fortification to defend central Chinese state against the nomadic invasion. Conquer the top of the Wall, appreciate the natural scenery of the Wall snaking across the verdant mountains and feel awe for the architectural wonder built by ancient Chinese. 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. Stroll along the peaceful lake, taking in the picturesque scenery of gardens, halls, and pavilions. 

The Mutianyu Great Wall

The Summer Palace

Visit Temple of Heaven in the morning, soak up the beautiful architectures where emperors used to hold ceremonies to pray for peace and harvest for the whole nation. Encounter locals gathering here for morning exercises which is another highlight of Temple of Heaven. You are more than welcome to join these friendly local people to exercise together.

Afterwards, be escorted to the railway station to take a 4.5-hour high-speed train to travel to Xian. Upon arrival, meet your friendly Xian guide and get back to your 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 and appropriate word to describe the silent underground army after seeing their sizes, unique faces, distinctive facial expressions, hair styles, figures as well as uniforms. Both Great Wall and Terra-cotta Army were built by the order of the same emperor-Shihuang Emperor (First Emperor), who actually created history of Chinese feudal society.

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 the best angles to shoot some photos of the great architecture or cycle around the wall if you would like to.

Afterwards, drive to the bustling Muslim Quarter and marvel at the ancient Great Mosque built in traditional Chinese style. Enjoy some free time and bargained shopping in the bazaar.

Infantrymen in Pit No.1

Biking Riding on the City Wall

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. 

Join the Tai Chi Class to refresh 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.

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

You will embark on a shore excursion to visit Shennv Stream by a small boat to go deeper into the gorge to admire the hidden beauty or visit Lesser Three Gorges by a smaller boat. 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. Have a fun night! 

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

Then please take all your luggage to check out and your guide will meet you and transfer 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 catch the sight of the city's beautiful night view on the way back to your hotel.

Today, you will first pay a visit to Yu Garden and enjoy the beautiful layout which presents the philosophy of Chinese people's life.

Then head to 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 peaceful Jade Buddha Temple built in 1882, housing the famous Reclining Jade Buddha statue imported from Burma.

Farewell to China. Your memorable China trip concludes and your guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your flight home.