Tour Code: TG-321-BXTS-13D
Beijing, Xi’an, Tibet, Shanghai
Upon arrival at Beijing airport, you will be warmly greeted by your local guide and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, recover from your journey, and ease into your time in China.
Accommodation: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel in Beijing
Meals: None
Morning:
Begin the day at Tiananmen Square, where the vast open space and solemn setting offer a powerful introduction to modern China. Continue to the Forbidden City and walk along its historic central axis, passing through grand courtyards, ceremonial halls, and imperial gates. As you move deeper into the palace complex, the legacy of the Ming and Qing dynasties unfolds in layers, revealing the scale, order, and symbolism of China’s former imperial world.
Afternoon:
Continue to Jingshan Park and climb to one of the best viewpoints in central Beijing. From the top, take in a sweeping view over the Forbidden City, where golden roofs, red walls, and orderly palace compounds stretch across the heart of the old capital. It is one of the most rewarding places to appreciate the grandeur of Beijing’s imperial layout.
Accommodation: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel in Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Morning:
Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the most scenic and best-preserved stretches near Beijing. Take the cable car up and step onto the ancient ramparts, where the wall rises and falls across the mountains in powerful curves. Walking along its weathered stones and watchtowers, you will experience the grandeur, strength, and lasting legacy of one of China’s most iconic landmarks.
Afternoon:
Return to the city and continue to Olympic Park for outside views of the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. With their bold lines and modern architectural character, these landmark venues reveal a different side of Beijing — energetic, contemporary, and full of urban vitality.
Accommodation: Beijing
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning:
visit the Summer Palace or the Temple of Heaven, depending on your final arrangements. Both sites offer a meaningful introduction to China’s imperial past. Whether strolling through the graceful royal gardens of the Summer Palace or exploring the ceremonial architecture of the Temple of Heaven, you will gain a deeper appreciation of traditional Chinese aesthetics and royal culture.
Afternoon:
Based on your train schedule, you will be transferred to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the station and escort you to your hotel for check-in, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transfer to the next stage of your journey.
Accommodation: Xi’an
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning:
Begin the day with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in China. Standing before this vast underground army, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, you will gain a vivid sense of the power, ambition, and enduring legacy of the Qin Empire.
Afternoon:
Later, ascend the Ancient City Wall of Xi’an, where broad views over the old city reveal the lasting imprint of Xi’an’s imperial past. In the evening, continue to Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, a lively cultural quarter known for its glowing lights, Tang-style architecture, and festive atmosphere, offering an immersive taste of the grandeur and charm of the Tang era after dark.
Accommodation: Xi’an
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Morning:
Start the day at the Lesser Wild Goose Pagoda, where the quiet setting and ancient temple atmosphere offer a more peaceful side of Xi’an. Here, you can appreciate the pagoda’s long history and learn about its famous story of “three splits and three reunions,” a remarkable episode that has become part of local legend. Then continue to the nearby Xi’an Museum, whose rich collection of artifacts unearthed in and around the city provides a clear and engaging introduction to Xi’an’s historical development through different dynasties.
Afternoon:
Later, visit the iconic Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two of Xi’an’s best-known landmarks, and take in the timeless charm associated with the old saying of “the morning bell and evening drum.” This is also a wonderful place to capture the contrast between the city’s historic architecture and its lively modern streetscape. Afterwards, head to the bustling Muslim Quarter, where narrow lanes, local snacks, and an unmistakably vibrant street atmosphere reveal the everyday character and culinary appeal of Xi’an.
Accommodation: Xi’an
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning:
This morning, transfer to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport for your direct flight to Lhasa.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be met by our local representative and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the city. After check-in, the rest of the day is left at a gentle pace so you can begin adjusting to the high altitude. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of water, and allow your body time to acclimatize.
Later, enjoy some free time at your own pace. A light meal is recommended, and if you wish, you may try simple local Tibetan dishes at a nearby restaurant, such as butter tea or tsampa. An early night is highly recommended to help you adapt more comfortably to the plateau environment.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Travel Tip: Upon arrival in Lhasa, it is best to rest well and allow your body time to adjust to the high altitude. We suggest avoiding a shower on the first day, or keeping it short if necessary. Please stay well hydrated and avoid strenuous activity. For your comfort, we always prioritize plateau hotels with oxygen supply facilities whenever possible.
Morning:
This morning, visit Drepung Monastery, once home to thousands of monks and long regarded as one of the most important monasteries of the Gelug school in Tibet. Spreading across the mountainside like white terraces, the monastery presents a striking first impression. As you walk into its grand assembly halls and quiet monastic spaces, you will gain a deeper sense of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and the enduring spiritual life that has shaped this sacred place for centuries.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, continue to Sera Monastery, best known for its famous monks’ debate. In the monastery courtyard, monks engage in animated philosophical discussion through dramatic hand claps, forceful gestures, and rhythmic body movements. More than a religious practice, this lively exchange offers a fascinating window into Tibetan Buddhist learning, discipline, and intellectual tradition.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Morning:
This morning, climb the steps to the magnificent Potala Palace, the iconic landmark rising above Red Hill and one of Tibet’s most extraordinary cultural treasures. Once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, it stands as both a symbol of Tibet’s spiritual authority and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. As you pass through its chapels, sacred halls, and mural-lined corridors, you will encounter a world of golden shrines, religious art, and centuries of Tibetan history gathered under one roof.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, continue to the revered Jokhang Temple, often regarded as the spiritual heart of Tibet. Here, you will see the precious statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha, one of the most venerated images in Tibetan Buddhism. Outside the temple, the devotional rhythm of Barkhor Street continues without pause. Walking clockwise with local pilgrims, surrounded by spinning prayer wheels and murmured prayers, offers a deeply moving glimpse into the living faith of Lhasa.
Special Experience:
Your guide will also take you into a local sweet tea house, where Lhasa residents gather in their daily lives. Sit down for a cup of sweet tea, soak up the relaxed atmosphere, and enjoy a more intimate taste of the city beyond its grand monasteries and historic landmarks.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Full Day:
Set out early this morning and drive north from Lhasa across the vast open landscapes of the Damxung Grassland, where nomadic settlements, grazing yaks, and scattered flocks of sheep create a classic Tibetan plateau scene. Along the way, you may also catch sight of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, quietly stretching through the valley beneath the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
As the journey continues across the Nyenchen Tanglha Range, pause at Lakenla Pass at an altitude of 5,190 meters, where the first breathtaking view of Namtso Lake comes into sight, its shimmering waters unfolding in the distance. From here, continue onward to the lake’s southeastern shore, where Tashi Dor Peninsula welcomes you with some of the most memorable scenery around Namtso.
Here, you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakeside, surrounded by dramatic rock formations, clear highland light, and the immense stillness of one of Tibet’s most sacred lakes. With your guide, you may also explore meditation caves once used by Tibetan practitioners and discover small scattered sacred sites across the peninsula. The combination of powerful natural beauty and deep spiritual atmosphere makes this visit to Namtso one of the most distinctive experiences of your time in Tibet.
Accommodation: Lhasa
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning:
This morning, transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your direct flight to Shanghai.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your carefully selected boutique hotel in the city. After check-in, enjoy some time to rest and unwind after the journey from Tibet.
Accommodation: Shanghai
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning:
Begin the day with a visit to Shanghai Tower, where sweeping 360-degree views reveal the full scale and energy of this dynamic metropolis. From soaring skyscrapers to the winding Huangpu River below, the city unfolds in striking contrast between modern ambition and historic character. Afterwards, continue to Yu Garden, a beautifully preserved classical garden that offers a more graceful and intimate side of Shanghai, with its elegant pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and traditional Jiangnan charm.
Afternoon:
Later, stroll along the famous Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, long celebrated as one of China’s most iconic commercial avenues, where old Shanghai glamour meets the pulse of the modern city. Then head to the Bund, Shanghai’s most storied waterfront promenade, to admire its grand collection of historic international buildings and take in the timeless views across the Huangpu River toward the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
Accommodation: Shanghai
Hotel: Carefully selected local 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today is free at your own pace until your private airport transfer.
After breakfast, enjoy some free time before departure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may simply relax at the hotel or make the most of your final moments in Shanghai at your own pace. At the arranged time, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. We hope you leave China with wonderful memories and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Carefully selected local 5-star hotels are arranged in Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa, and Shanghai for a smooth and comfortable journey. In Lhasa, we give priority to plateau hotels with oxygen supply facilities whenever available for added comfort at high altitude.
Final hotel details will be confirmed before departure, and room upgrades or alternative options can be arranged based on your preferences and budget.
Professional local English-speaking guides will be arranged in Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa, and Shanghai according to the sightseeing schedule, assisting with visits, local coordination, and on-the-ground support throughout the trip.
Guide services are organized in line with the itinerary, so each part of the journey is handled smoothly and clearly.
Admission tickets to the attractions listed in the itinerary are included.
China travel accident insurance is included for the duration of your trip.
Full policy details can be provided upon request.
International transportation to and from China is not included in the tour price. We are happy to assist with flight recommendations or booking arrangements to help ensure a smooth connection with your itinerary.
China visa application and related fees are not included.
Comprehensive international travel insurance is not included.
The travel accident insurance included during your trip in China does not replace full international travel insurance.
Guests are advised to arrange suitable coverage before departure.
Any experiences, tickets, or transportation not specified in the itinerary are not included.
Optional shows, special experiences, or upgrades arranged during free time may incur additional costs.
Personal expenses such as shopping, individual purchases, and discretionary spending are not included.
Gratuities for your guide and driver are not included and remain at your discretion.
Yes. This journey combines several of China’s most iconic destinations with a well-balanced pace, making it a strong option for first-time visitors who want to experience both classic cultural highlights and the unique atmosphere of Tibet in one trip.
This itinerary is especially well suited to first-time visitors to China, couples, families with older children, friends traveling together, and private groups looking for a comfortable and culturally rich journey. It is ideal for travelers who want a mix of imperial history, Tibetan culture, and modern city life.
It can work well for senior travelers with a reasonable fitness level, especially those who prefer a private tour with a more comfortable pace. However, as the itinerary includes Tibet and high-altitude travel, it is better suited to travelers in good general health.
This itinerary is designed for travelers who are comfortable with a multi-destination journey and a Tibet section at high altitude. It is especially suitable for those interested in history, culture, and scenic diversity, but may not be the best fit for travelers who prefer a low-altitude trip throughout.
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13-Day classic China Tour: Historic Capitals, Tibet & Shanghai
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