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12-day Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai & Tibet

City: Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai-Tibet

Day 1: Depart Canada
Your journey begins with the overnight transpacific flight. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing (D)
Upon arrival in late afternoon, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore this city once known as Peking to Westerns.
Accommodation: Qianmen Jianguo Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Beijing * * * * * (or similar)

Day 3: Beijing (BLD)
Beijing, the capital of China, is the second largest city in terms of population and recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and once served as the capital for 5 dynasties over 800 years in ancient China. 
Today we first visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. From there you enter The Forbidden City to see the 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. You are specially arranged with a visit to the Treasure House where stores rare and valuable collection of ancient art works inside the Forbidden City. Afternoon we visit to the Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to round off a memorable start to your tour.

Day 4: Beijing (BLD)
We drive 70km northwest of the city for a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, the world's longest man-made structure, stretching over 6,352 km (3,948 miles) from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built between 5th century BC and the 17th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Path - 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their lavish tombs here. On the way back we tour (outside of) the "Bird’s Nest" (Beijing National Stadium) and “Water Cube” (Beijing National Aquatics Center) where hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Kung Fu Show in the evening.

Day 5: Beijing-Xi'an (BLD)
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. After lunch we tour Beijing Hutong by rickshaw to see traditional residential courtyards and visit Gongwang Fu (the Gongwang Mansion), one of the largest quadrangles in the world, and one of the best preserved royal palaces which have existed from Qing Dynasty so far. Late afternoon fly to Xi'an.
Night program includes Big Wild-goose Pagoda Square where locates the biggest music fountain in Asia.
Accommodation: Xi'an Empress Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Xi'an * * * * * (or similar)

Day 6: Xi'an (BLD)
Known as one of the most important cities in Chinese history, Xi'an is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because it has been the capital of 13 dynasties. Xi'an is also the eastern end of the Silk Road. Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity.
Today we visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. Followed by visiting the Shaanxi History Museum. Tonight you are entertained with the splendid Tang Dynasty Style Music and Dance Show and enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner.

Day 7: Xi'an-Lhasa (BLD)
Morning city tour includes the Ancient City Wall. Noon time flight to Lhasa. Transfer to hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing to get acclimatized to the high altitudes.
Accommodation: Xinding Hotel * * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Tibet Hotel * * * * * (or similar)

Day 8: Lhasa (BLD)
Sit in a mountain-fringed valley on the north bank of the Kyichu River, Lhasa (elevation 3650m, one of the highest cities in the world) is a rapidly expanding city with a population of over 540,000. Lhasa literally means "place of the gods", although ancient Tibetan documents and inscriptions demonstrate that the place was first called Rasa, which means "courtyard place" or "goat place", then was renamed by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century when he moved his capital here from the Yarlung Valley. It was not until the seventeenth century, with the installation of the Fifth Dalai Lama as ruler by the Mongolian emperor, Gushri Khan, that Lhasa once again became the seat of government.
This morning we visit the Dalai Lama's Potala Palace. Afternoon sightseeing at Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist buildings in Tibet and a remarkable combination of Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese and Han Chinese architectural styles. No visit to Jokhang Temple is complete without checking out the Barkor Street bazaar outside the temple.

Day 9: Lhasa (BLD)
The visit to the Dalai Lama's summer residence Norbulinka is followed by grand Sera Monastery, where lively debates held Monday to Saturday from 3 to 5 pm between resident monks often draw a large audience.

Day 10: Lhasa-Shanghai (BD)
Free morning. Afternoon flight to Shanghai - the largest city of China and the eighth largest in the world, being widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy and the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China. Transfer to hotel upon arrival.
Accommodation: Best Western New Century Hotel Shanghai * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Salvo Hotel Shanghai * * * * * deluxe room (or similar)

Day 11: Shanghai (BLD)
Today we visit The Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, Yuyuan Garden, Town-God Temple bazaar and Shanghai Museum. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show.

Day 12: Shanghai-Home City (B)
Free morning. Transfer to airport to board return flight home.

Tour price (in CAD, on basis of double occupancy):
* Departures are guaranteed.
* Full Package includes International Airfare, tax & fuel surcharge, subject to change.
* Land Cost includes China internal tax and fuel surcharge, and Tibet entry permit fee.