China 12 Days Private Memory Tour of Beijing, Lhasa, Xi'an and Shanghai

Attractions: Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

Beijing Airport Parking Lot

Upon your arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax in the hotel during the remainder of the day, or you can have a self-exploration with suggestions from your guide.

Attractions: Tian'anmen Square, Exterior of the National Centre, Forbidden City, Tea ceremony, Temple of Heaven

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

Tour guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and start to explore the Great Wall.Firstly visit Temple of Heaven, the World Heritage List in 1998. The temple is China's existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven and was used to pray for harvest by the emperors. Almost the local resident will do morning exercises in the square and full of vigor. You will have chance to watch Chinese Kongfu, Taichi, square dancing, etc. and get to know the real folk master there 

Explore Beijing from the world’s largest public square, Tiananmen Square. It is one of the largest city squares in the world, located in the centre of Beijing, and is one of the symbols of China. The square is vast and often hosts a variety of grand events and celebrations, such as the annual flag-raising ceremony for National Day.Walk to the Forbidden City from Tiananmen Square. It was the imperial palace of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is located on the central axis in the centre of Beijing，learning the legendary story of the emperors and how the royal family lived there.

Attractions: Juyongguan Great Wall, jade carving factory, Exterior of Bird Nest and Water Cube, National Museum of China

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight Beijing

It will be an exciting day today. In the morning, guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. We will visit the essential part of Beijing great wall---Juyongguan Great Wall, ranked as one of the eight splendid sceneries in Beijing 800 years ago. In Chinese, "guan" means mountain pass, so Juyongguan Section is a part lying through mountains as a wall to prevent the enemies. It is a national cultural protection unit enlisted in the World Heritage Directory in 1987. It takes about 1 hour driving from the downtown of Beijing to Juyongguan Great Wall. You could walk up and down on the Great Wall to enjoy the terrific view.A la carte lunch will be arranged in a picked local restaurant at the foot of Juyongguan Great Wall.

Drive back to downtown of Beijing. We will have a stop at a jade carving factory en route. When we reach Beijing, we will have a photo stop outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, which were the famous sites constructed for 2008 Beijing Olympic. After that you will experience Chinese tea at tea house. Back to the hotel, en route you can plan for the night activities, such as foot massage, houhai night bars and Sanlitun bar street. If you desire, you can also enjoy the Kung Fu Show tonight as your optional activity.

Afterwards, we visit the famous National Museum of China, one of the largest museums in the world, playing an important role in displaying systematically Chinese culture, cultivating national spirit, leading the development of the cultural relics and museum field. The number of collections in the museum is more than 120 million pieces, being the richest museums with the largest number of collections. There are a total of 48 exhibition halls and there are exhibitions showing the collections and Chinese culture often. It is closed on Monday.

Attractions: Lhasa 

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa 

You will take a morning flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide at the airport on time. In addition to a brief introduction of the city, the guide will also give you some useful tips on obviating high altitude reaction when the car is driving to the downtown area. Later what you need to do is have a good rest in your hotel to adapt yourself to the environment.

Attractions: Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa 

The first spot you will visit is the Tibet Museum, which well describes the peculiar Tibetan culture and history via plenty of collections.After having lunch at a fancy local restaurant, you will get to the Sera Monastery, one of the greatest monasteries for Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Norbulingka at the southwest of Potala Palace is listed as the "World Cultural Heritage Site" and "National AAAA Scenic Spot". First built during the 1740 s by the 7th Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, meaning the "Park of Treasure", is also called Norbulingka Palace, Norbulingka Park and the Precious Stone Garden. Norbulingka is reputed as "Plateau Botanic Garden" as well as the "Summer Palace in Lhasa", because it is a warm growing paradise for more than 100 rare species of rare plants from Himalaya and all over the world within its 3.6 million square meters wide area.

Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa 

Today's first stop is Potala Palace, which was built 1,300 years ago. You will wonder at the splendor of its beautiful architecture that combines the styles of Tibetan temple and palace.The Potala Palace was named a World Heritage site in 1994 by UNESCO, and the neighboring Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka and were added on as extensions in 2000 and 2001, respectively. 

Then you will proceed to the 1370-year-old Jokhang Temple, the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. You will get close to Tibetan Buddhism here and learn about the loyal believers.Next, you will continue to the iconic Barkhor Street, where you will find the original look of Lhasa. Strolling on the stone road, you will enjoy the quaint ancient buildings and the delicate handicrafts. Finally, you will head to a Nunnery to get close to the lifestyle of Buddhist nuns.

Attractions: Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xi'an

The morning is free for you to have a rest at the hotel. Around noon, you will take a flight to Xi’an, where your local guide is waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you the downtown hotel.

Attractions: The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Small Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xi’an

Today we start to explore the ancient city by driving to Terracotta Warriors and explore one of the world's most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation. It is the guardian of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and is a magnificent group of terracotta warriors considered one of the eighth wonders of the world.A Chinese Lunch will be arranged nearby the scenic area of Terracotta Warriors.

In the afternoon, you will visit Xi'an Museum and then the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built about 1,300 years ago in the Tang Dynasty to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from ancient India.One of the most well-preserved Tang Dynasty Buddha temples. It is reputed as the Tang Dynasty elaborate and valuable Buddhist architectural heritage. Visit the Provincial History Museum, which is a crucial window to display the excellent culture of this ancient city and China, as well as a connecting bridge for cultural exchange with the outside world.

Attractions: Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang), Great Mosque of Xi'an

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xi'an

The day begins with a leisure visit to the City Wall Park, where you can observe the day-to-day life of the locals. After that, you will pay a visit to the City Wall. It is the most complete existing urban fortification in China.which represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. You may choose to ride a bicycle(optional) on the wall to go around.The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby. You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.Next, you will visit the Great Mosque, a remarkable Islamic cultural relic, which perfectly combines Chinese traditional with Islamic architectural styles.

Attractions: Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Shanghai

You will take a morning flight to Shanghai and then your local guide will expect you at the airport and escort you to check in the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this city by yourself.

Attractions: Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan), Yu Garden (Yuyuan), Huangpu River, The Bund (Wai Tan), Tianzifang

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

You will take a full day of sightseeing to explore both the past and present of Shanghai. Your first stop is Shanghai Museum, one of the Best Four Museums in China. To help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily, an Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you. Then you will take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan.

Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Next, you will drive several kilometers to enjoy a panoramic view of the modern face of Shanghai from the 100th floor (474m) of “the Eye of Shanghai” Shanghai World Financial Center. You will then be transferred to another popular landmark of Shanghai, Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise as well as a great place to take a wonderful walk to experience the modern atmosphere of the City.

Then back to the Bund, admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River. which is one of the most famous landmarks in Shanghai, where you will find the high buildings such as Oriental Pearl TV Tower are just on the opposite of Huangpu River. Enjoy a local lunch in a local restaurant nearby the bund. You will stroll along the Bund, seeing and feeling the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time taking in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes!The last stop is a traditional street named Tianzifang, where is full of a sense of culture and arts.

Attractions: Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Not Included

Shanghai

After breakfast at the hotel, your private guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport on time. We wish you have a pleasant journey home.