22 Days China trekking tour with Tibet: Beijing-Xi’an-Tibet-Chengdu

Your China tour starts from the moment you land in Beijing. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from your guide who is waiting at the arrival hall with your name sign. Be escorted to the hotel in a comfortable vehicle. After a worry-free check in, rest to adjust the jet lag or walk around the hotel if you are not tired.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

• Hotels: Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Regent Beijing, Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing, Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel

Beijing

Begin your Beijing exploration from a stroll at Tian’anmen Square. Then walk to Forbidden City, which was once the political center over 5 centuries in Ming and Qing dynasties. With its garden views and huge architectural complex, it has become a priceless historical witness to the Chinese civilization in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Treasure House is included for you to appreciate the art works. Continue the tour to Jingshan Park and walk up for 10 minutes to the top, where you can enjoy a bird view of Forbidden City.

After a Dim Sum meal at Jindingxuan, be transported to visit Hutong, the small alleyways that make up old Beijinger’s’ life. Walk through the narrow alleys and step into a local family who still live there to learn about their lifestyle. Night is free on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Jindingxuan Restaurant with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Peking Roast Duck(Dadong Peking Duck, Qianmen Quanjude Peking Duck), Fangshan Restaurant, Mei Family Restaurant, Bai Family Restaurant)

Optional evening activity: Peking Opera, Kungfu Show

Note: It takes about 3 hours walking in the Forbidden City. You can ask the guide to stop for some rest if you are tired.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Tian’anmen Square

Today’s first stop is Temple of Heaven, the world’s largest architectural complex used for offering sacrifice to heaven. Many locals usually do some morning exercise there. Meet your Taichi master and experience the Chinese martial art for an hour.

The Great Wall was an ancient Chinese military fortification used to limit the movement of enemy horsemen. Today follow your experienced guide to explore the Mutianyu Section, where is less crowded and more charming. Usually the other sections of the Wall only have crenel on one side. One of the factors makes Mutianyu special is that you are able to see crenels on both side of the Wall. Round way’s cable car is included to save your time and energy.

Note: Cable care, chairlift and toboggan are at your choice. We can arrange it based on your preference.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Mutianyu Great Wall

After breakfast, tour Summer Palace. Harmoniously blending man-made landscapes with nature, it is an outstanding demonstration of the art of landscape gardening in China. Cruise the Kunming Lake for about 10 minute.

After lunch, you will be driven to the train station and take the bullet train to Xi’an.

Note: Boat cruise on Kunming Lake is not available from December to March.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Wyndham Grand Xian South

Summer Palace

As the guards of Qin shi Huang, the first feudal emperor in Chinese history, Terracotta Armies were huge and orderly. Uncover the mysterious veil of this historical site with the introduction of the guide. You will be amazed by these fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.

After Lunch, you will be transferred back to the city area to wander leisurely around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture. What you should not miss is the Great Mosque. It is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, hidden in the bustling streets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant near the Terra-Cotta Warriors scenic area with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Defachang Dumpling Restaurant, Lao Sun Jia Muslim Restaurant, First Noodle under the Sun

Optional evening activity: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dumpling Banquet

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Terra-Cotta Warriors

After breakfast, you will be taken to Mt. Huashan (about 1.5 hours from Xi’an). Upon arrival, take the public sightseeing bus from tourist center to the foot of North Peak. Take the cable car up to North Peak, which is the starting point. Start your hiking from the North Peak, via Heavenward Ladder, Riyue Cliff, Black Dragon Ridge, Golden Lock Pass, East Peak, Heavenly South Gate, Changkong Plank Trail, South Peak (the highest peak), West Peak and end at West Peak, where you will take the cableway down.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Mount Huashan

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. You will step your feet on where the ancients stood in the past, the ancient City Wall. It's the most completed city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. You can explore this ancient wall in different ways, biking, golf car or a leisure walk based on your preference. Later, you will get close to the local people by taking a dumpling making lesson in a local family. You will enjoy the dumplings made by yourself after the lesson. After lunch, you will be transferred to one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

City Wall

Be ready to say goodbye to your Xi’an guide and driver today. You will arrive at Lhasa by the direct flight, where you will be escorted to the hotel by our Lhasa guide and driver. Rest of the day is on your own to get used to the high altitude.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Lhasa

Today is your first day to explore the highland. We specially arrange you the attractions needing smaller physical strength. As the largest monastery of Tibet constructed in 1416, Drepung Monastery plays an important role in Tibet Buddhism. Sera Monastery is also one of Lhasa’s three largest monasteries (Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery) and is the place where Buddhist maters preach. There are thousands of sculptures of Buddha some of which are from India. Lunch will be arranged in a well-chosen local restaurant, after which a visit to Norbulingka will take place. As the biggest manmade garden in Tibet Autonomous Region, Norbulingka, in Tibetan, refers to “Park of Treasure” and used to be the summer palace of Dalai Lamas to deal with the government issues and hold religious activities.

Feature Dinner option: Tibetan Family Kitchen, Phin Tsok Ge Don Restaurant

Notes:

• Slow down your movement, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid mountain sickness.
• The first two days arriving in Tibet, we suggest visitors keep warm, not take a bath, smokers smoke as little as possible, and do not drink alcohol.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Drepung Monastery

After breakfast, do some morning exercises by climbing 1080 steps to Potala Palace, which is not only a magnificent palace, but also a treasure house, where you can see precious art and learn about Tibetan culture and history.

Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant at Barkhor Street, a well-preserved ancient street in Tibet that offers a chance for travelers to explore the local customs of Tibet and various Tibetan handicrafts. Then walk to Jokhang Temple. Combining the architectural styles of Tibet, Tang, Nepal and India, the Jokhang Temple has become and classical model of the Tibetan religious architecture.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Potala Palace

Drive for about 2.5 hours to visit Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The charming lake produces abundant aquatic life. On the surrounding expansive pasture, animals and birds flourish in huge numbers. With the sun shines at different time pf the day, the water will show different levels of blue. You will have a simple lunch today.

After that, you will be transferred to Gyantse (about 3 hours).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Yeti Hotel Gyantse, Gyantse Hotel

Yamdrok Yumtso Lake

Today will be a long day as you will be on the way from Gyantse to Old Tingri via Shigatse. It will be a long drive.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Snowlands Hotel

Old Tingri

Have a big breakfast in the hotel as you will have a long hiking today. Set off after breakfast and hike about 5 hours to Lungchang Village. Along the way, you can pass through many snow-capped mountains. On both sides of the road, there are many small local villages in Tibet, where you could have a glimpse of the primitive Life of Tibetan people.

Instead of staying in the hotel, tonight you will camp.

Note: April to June, September to October is the best possible time for the hiking as the weather is much better and there is less rain. 

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Camping

Lungchang Village

After a sound sleep, continue your hike from Lungchang to Nam-La, about 8 hours. Hiking is a good way to get closer to the nature and local people.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Camping near Nam-La

Nam-La

Today, hike from Nam-La to Zommug, about 7 hours. You could do the hiking at your own pace. The trek will allow you to meet the yak herders and their families. The camp will be pitched in the small village of Zommug. Trekkers are about to view the amazing sunset in this barren village.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Camping

Zommug

This is the last day hiking. You are close to the destination. 6 hours’ hiking is needed from Zommug to EBC, including the one hour hiking from Rongbuk to EBC. Along the way we can also visit the Dza Rongbuk monastery.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Tingri Everest Hotel, Dorm or Tent with humble accommodation at Rongbuk Monastery

Mount Everest

Be ready to return to Lhasa from EBC, which needs about 2 days. On the first day, drive all the way from Rongpuk to Sakya via Shegar and Lhtase.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Yuanfu Hotel

Rongpuk

Drive about 7.5 hours back to Lhasa from Sakya. Appreciate the scenery along the way or have a good rest in the vehicle.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

Lhasa

Pack your luggage and be ready to leave Lhasa today. Fly to Chengdu to see the cute giant pandas.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, JW Marriott Hotel Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment

Chengdu pandas

Get up earlier today to have a close glimpse of the cute giant pandas in Chengdu Panda Breeding Base. Your heart may be melted when you see them playing, eating and sleeping.

Explore the Jinli Ancient Street for some local snacks. The stores and hotels with old-fashioned style are the feature of it. Close by is the Wuhou Ancestral Hall, which was an memorial temple with a history covering over one-thousand-years, established as a memorial to the prime minister of Shu (221 - 263) in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280) - Zhuge Liang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Lao Ma Tou Hotpot, Huang Cheng Lao Ma

Optional evening activity: face changing show and taste the local tea in Shufengyayun Theater

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

cute pandas

Every park in China is not only for sightseeing, but also for exercises. The People's Park is no exception. You will find lots of locals, especially seniors doing exercises in the park every day. Find a local tea shop to taste the local tea and feel the atmosphere of this city.

Eat, drink, have fun and experience the old courtyard style buildings at Kuanzhai Lane. The whole day tour will end at Jinsha Site Museum. It has become a landmark building in Chengdu, with 2235 pieces of cultural relic collections - gold ware, bronze ware, jade ware, stone ware, lacquered wood ware and pottery and ivory.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Jinsha Site Museum

This is the end of your 22-day China tour. Say goodbye to your Chengdu guide and driver. You will be taken to the airport in Chengdu according to your flight schedule. Guide will help with check in and won’t leave until you go through the security check. Wish you a safe flight.

• Meals: Breakfast,

People's Park