China 15 Days Private Memorial Tour of Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa, Xining 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: Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), Forbidden City-The Palace Museum, Hutong Tour

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

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.

In the afternoon, you will see the Temple of Heaven with its unique architectures, where the emperors worshiped the heavens in hopes of good harvests.Originally a site used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for good harvests, it is now a bustling place where locals take part in traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, and others.Savor an authentic stir-fried lunch in the Hutong. It is where local beijingners lives. The Hutong date back to Yuan Dynasty with over 700 years history. Stroll along the Back Lakes (Houhai) , Hou Lake, Yandai Xie Street, Yinding Bridge, Beigongfang Hutong, Shichahai Scenic Resort and experience people's life, culture and history. It is the true gem of Beijing.

Attractions: Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird Nest and Water Cube

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

In the morning, Take to visit Summer Palace, which is China existing largest and best preserved imperial garden, also is one of the four famous gardens in China. Then take a driving for a visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall(2 hours) - one of the best-preserved and most accessible sections. The round-trip cable car will be arranged. Standing on the wall and looking at it stretching up and down into boundless distance is an exciting experience and will leave you a life-long memory. Lunch is on your own and your guide will gladly assist.

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: Hutong Tour, High speed train to Xian

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xian

After breakfast, drive to Drum Tower area for taking a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw.You will enjoy a Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with a local family visit, which will give you a deep impression of the local residents' live.Then our group will move to a less commercial Hutong nearby.After you lunch in Beijing, be transferred to Beijing Western Railway Station to catch a high speed train to Xian. Your Xian tour guide will wait for you at the exit of Xian North Railway Station and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Attractions: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, Xian City Wall

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.

Drive back to the downtown to visit the Xian City Wall - represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. 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 on the wall to go around.

Then walk around Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, from which you can have a panoramic view of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After that, drive back to your hotel and free of the rest time.

Attractions: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Flight to Xining

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xining

Pick up from hotel in the morning, and transfer to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda,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. 

After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for a 1.5 hours flight to Xining,one of the major gateways to the Tibetan Plateau. Your Xining tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to check in the hotel. After that, have a rest of this day.

Attractions: Qinghai Lake, Sun and Moon Mountain

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xining

After breakfast, you will start your tour to Qinghai Lake .Qinghai Lake is a typical representative of inland lakes and wetlands on the plateau of the world, and is an important water source and water and gas circulation channel in western China, known as the "climate regulator", "air humidifier" in northwestern China and the gene pool of species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

After 2.5 hours driving, you will reach this largest inland and salty lake of China. During the way, you can have a short stop at the Sun & Moon Mountain site - a natural boundary of the Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In the late afternoon, be transferred back to Xining and have a rest of this day.

Attractions: Ta'er Monastery, Train to Lhasa

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa

Today, you will first take a 0.5 hour driving to Ta’er Monastery (2 hours) - one of the six grandest monasteries of Tibetan Dge Lugs School, for your half day religious tour there. The Ta’er Monastery, or Kumbum Monastery, is located in Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province, 25 kilometers away from Xining. Now the Ta’er Monastery is considered a sacred place in China.After lunch and free at the leisure till be transferred to Xinning train station for your overnight train to Lhasa.

Attractions:Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa

It will be a tired day because you need to stay on the train for more than half of this day. After arrival Lhasa (altitude: 3600m), your Lhasa tour guide will wait for you at the train station. Be transferred to the hotel and have a rest of this day.

Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, 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:Drepung Monastery, Sera Monaster, Norbulingka Park

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Lhasa

After breakfast, enjoy your one day city tour today that starts with a visit to Drepung Monastery (1.5 hours) - one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. 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:Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

Feel free in this day till be transferred to the airport for a 3-hour flight to Shanghai. Upon the arrival, your Shanghai tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to check in the hotel. Have a rest in the hotel in this day.

Attractions:Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Chenghuangmiao, Oriental Pearl TV Towe,The Bund

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

You will take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan.Then visit the nearby Chenghuangmiao Old Street (1 hour). After lunch time, continue to have a bird-eye view of the city after ascending Shanghai’s new landmark- Shanghai World Financial Center .

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: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Free at leisure in the afternoon

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

Today, have a leisure visit to Zhujiajiao Water Town, a picturesque and classic water village, over 400 years old with a signature five-arch bridge spanning the Cao Gang River. It was an important town for local trade, shipping goods in and out of its manmade canals to the river. You will take a leisure stroll around the maze of paths and bridges, and take a boat ride to view the residences of this nicely-preserved water village. Then be transferred back to Shanghai. Free at leisure in the afternoon.

Attractions:Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Not Included

Be transferred to the airport for the flight to your next stop.