China & Tibet Cultural Journey

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Beijing (D)

Arrive in Beijing at any time. Spend the day resting or taking in the local surroundings. In the evening, we will have a welcome meeting where you will meet our Tour Leader and fellow travel companions, followed by a scrumptious Beijing Duck dinner.

Day 2 Beijing (B,L)

We will get an early start today and travel two hours outside bustling Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. We will spend time exploring the towers, views and the magnificent structure of the wall. We will have some time for shopping or resting in the afternoon. In the evening, attend a colorful martial arts performance featuring the monks of Shaolin.

Day 3 Beijing and Overnight Sleeper Train (B,L)

Today we will delve into the history of Beijing, visiting the dramatic Forbidden City and the immense Tiananmen Square. Hear the tales of the emperors and their concubines, a long crafted culture and rich tradition. We will see for ourselves exactly how ancient Chinese customs are still valued today, yet blended with modern technology and western influence. We also visit the Temple of Heaven and its surrounding grounds offering a chance to see locals whiling the hours away, practicing water calligraphy and Tai Chi, playing cards and walking pet crickets, with the colourful Temple of Heaven in the background. Afterward, we will have time to prepare for our overnight sleeper train journey to Xi’an, which we board in the evening.

Day 4 Xi'an (B,L)

The train arrives in Xi’an early in the morning. After settling in, we will gather for an orientation walk exploring the inner city which is surrounded by 14.6km of ancient city walls. In the afternoon we will take a class in the ancient art of calligraphy made famous during the Tang dynasty, when Xi’an was flourishing. In the evening, we will explore the Muslim Quarter, with its Great Mosque, multi-cultural feel, shopping lanes, and street-side food stalls selling nan, kebabs, and a fine array of sweets.

Day 5 Xi'an (B,D)

We will enjoy a guided tour of Xi’an's famous Terracotta Warriors, built over 2000 years ago. Emperor Qinshi Huangdi arranged for the thousands of warriors and their horses to be crafted and aligned so as to eternally protect his maseloum. After a bit of free time in the afternoon, we will gather for a Tang Dynasty Dinner, sampling a banquet of local cuisine in true style of an emperor and empress.

Day 6 Lhasa (B,D)

Today we will embark on a spectacular morning flight over the Himalayas to Lhasa, Tibet, the roof of the world at an altitude of 3700m. We will have a relaxed pace this afternoon to adjust to the altitude, visiting the holiest temple in Tibet: Jokhang, set in the middle of Barkhor square. In the evening, we will learn about Tibetan culture through food, costume, song and dance as we will take in a traditional Tibetan feast and cultural show.

Day 7-8 Lhasa (2B,L)

Today we will visit Potala Palace. We will immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring inner rooms where the Dalai Lamas would meditate, handle affairs of state, and eventually hold their burial stupas. From the golden statues, three dimensional mandalas, ancient cloth bound scriptures, to the devoted pilgrims who circle the palace day and night, this is truly a remarkable place to behold. We will also visit Sera Monastery, where we will witness the monks very actively debating, a philosophical practice they have held for hundreds of years. Day 8 is at our leisure for optional activities. There will be time to take optional hikes around the monasteries outside of Lhasa, to visit more monasteries within the city, to shop for beautiful Tibetan artwork, jewelry, and crafts, or to sit at a rooftop café and sip tea while taking in the unbelievable setting.

Day 9 Chengdu (B,D)

Today we will fly down into the Sichuan Valley, leaving the arid Tibetan plateau far behind. Be prepared to try some of the spiciest food in all of China in Chengdu. Sichuan Hot Pot is on the To Do list, and our Tour Leader will lead us straight to spice-lovers heaven! Sichaun is also famous for its opera, which we will enjoy on an included Sichuanese Opera and Cultural Performance.

Day 10 Chongqing (B)

The majority of the world’s remaining pandas live in the mountains of Sichuan. China has for good reason adopted these playful black and while darlings as their national animal and have formed the Panda Breeding Center to help them survive. We will visit the Breeding Center early in the morning to see the pandas stretch after a long night’s slumber, and dig in to a healthy bamboo breakfast. After this we will set off to Chongqing, where our Yangtze River cruise boat is docked. We will have a brief visit to the city of Chongqing and then board our vessel and settle in for the upcoming cruise.

Day 11 Yangtze River Boat (B,L,D)

The mighty Yangtze River splits China into North and South, and runs all the way from Chongqing to Shanghai. We will cruise through one of the most geographically dramatic sections of the river, called the Three Gorges. Here the scenery is wonderfully impressive, as we will see the rock formations change as we pass village after village. While on the boat, several optional activities will be planned. We will have the choice to simply laze the days away, writing in a journal or taking photos of the environment. Shore excursions are also included over the next few days, to various temples and walled cities which we will pass along the way. Local guides give us a bit of flavor for the areas we will float past. Meals are served three times a day in the dining room, and no cruise boat would be complete without a cocktail bar.

Day 12 Yangtze River Boat (B,L,D)

We will stretch our legs before boarding the smaller vessels and tour the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennon Stream this afternoon. Where we will go depends on the season. Other activities will be planned on board today. It is a good time to relax before we will disembark the following morning and make our way to the bright lights of Shanghai.

Day 13 Shanghai (B)

After a goodbye to the our boat crew, we will take a short ride to the site of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam in the entire world. We will tour this massive engineering complex and hear about its construction and the reasons for building such an enormous concrete structure. Following the dam tour, we will make our way to the airport, where we will fly to our next destination, Shanghai. After checking into our lovely hotel, we will meet for an orientation walk along the Bund area. The Bund at night is the time and place for viewing the futuristic skyline that defines this booming metropolis.

Day 14 Zhujiajiao / Shanghai (B,L)

Today we will take a short drive to Zhujiajiao, a charming town lined with canals, bridges, and perfect reflections. We will spend some time floating down the canals, browsing at the crafts and beautiful artwork, taking a break for a relaxed lunch. Afterward, we will get back to the big city of Shanghai, where we will have a bit of free time before we will have our final evening activity, which is a performance by the world-famous Shanghai Acrobats.

Day 15 Shanghai (B)

After choosing your desired tour, you will need to select a departure date that works for you. You can view all of our dates and prices on any tour page. You may also want to consider the need for a private room during the tour. Please remember to ask for an air quote. It is important however that you do not purchase tickets that carry cancellations penalties until your trip is guaranteed to run.

Availability Options

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• Please refer to your invoice for a recap of the total cost of services and tours you have requested. Once you have confirmed that your booking details are correct, it is time to book.
• “Hold an option,” means you will have 48 hours to decide, without being charged on your credit card. If you do not confirm, we will release your space for someone else.
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Upon receipt of your request, our reservations team will prepare your invoices and documents, and review any special requirements for the tour(s) and services you have requested. You will hear from us within 24 hours of your request by email.

• Please note, even if your online booking went through and you’ve received your booking number, a quality control check is required for all bookings before we can advise to book airfare or extra services.
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Any other questions you may have before then can probably be answered by visiting our FAQs and links to our Terms and Conditions.

Good things to know before you go on your Discovery Adventures trip.

Our Discovery Adventures Specialists will take care of all the details of your trip, however some travelers enjoy doing a little research on their own to be ahead of the game. Here are some tips and links to get you started.

• Passport: Make sure your passport is valid up to 6 months from your return date.
• Travel Visas - Requirements change frequently and are dependent upon your nationality and your destination. You are responsible for obtaining your own Visas. Check the Plan Your Trip page to determine if a Visa is required for your specific trip.
• Travel Reports: Most governments have websites dedicated to providing the most up-to-date travel information including recent news and background information on every country. Please visit the US State site for information about your destination and international travel
• Arrival and Departure taxes/fees: Check your tour confirmation documents and speak with a Discovery Adventure Specialist if you have any questions.
• Immunizations and travel health issues: Be sure to get the most accurate and up-to-date health information for the region you will be visiting. Check with your general physician or a specialist from your local travel health clinic.
• Good Health Practices: Adjusting to new climates and cultural conditions can cause some minor complications. This guide will help you stay healthy while you travel.
• Travel Insurance: Be sure to acquire the necessary travel insurance before your trip. You will not be allowed to participate without showing proof of adequate coverage.
• Packing Tips: Create your own packing list based on your destination, accommodations, weather and tour activities. Leave jewelery at home and keep makeup to a minimum. Travel size toiletries stored in a waterproof kit are recommended. Pack once…divide it in half and pack again. (Please verify weight and carry on restrictions with your airline carrier.)