There is nowhere in China quite like Beijing with its awesome Great Wall, enormous Forbidden City and tranquil Summer Palace. The mysterious Tibet at the altitude of 3,650 meters above the sea level is becoming the focus of the whole world. Crowds of people swarm into the holy city Lhasa to experience exotic flavor.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing (L+D)
On arrival, CITS guide will hold a welcome sign to meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Day 2 Beijing (B+L+D)
Morning: Take a half-day excursion to explore the incredible Forbidden City with its grand palaces and courtyards. Built in 1420, it was here that 24 emperors lived and ruled for over 500 years. The South Gate leads you to Tian'anmen Square - the biggest of its kind in the world.
Afternoon: Continue to the beautiful Summer Palace where you can discover gardens, palaces and pavilions with temples and halls in a tranquil, landscaped lakeside setting. Explore the Temple of Heaven which itself has become a symbol of the city. Here ancient emperor worshipped God and prayed for harvest.
Evening: After dinner a fascinating Peking Opera Show will be presented to you at the Liyuan Theatre.
Day 3 Beijing (B+L+D)
Morning: You will take a half-day guided visit to the awesome Great Wall of China. Here you can enjoy the stunning views as you stroll along this seemingly endless piece of history, which winds its way into the far distance.
Afternoon: Continue to the Ming Tomb, which due to their enormity took over 200 years to complete.
Evening: Dinner is served at the original, century-old Quanjude Roasted Duck Restaurant.
Day 4 Beijing to Lhasa (B+L+D)
Morning: Transfer to take the flight to Lhasa. Arrival at Gonggar airport and meet guide at the airport, transfer to the hotel in Lhasa with 1.5 hours drive.
Afternoon: At leisure for acclimatization or visit local bazaar on your own.
Day 5 Lhasa (B+L+D)
Morning: Guided sightseeing with the Lhasa's cardinal landmark-Potala Palace. This massive 13-storeyed building used to be the highest building prior to the early period of last century, used to be the former winter abode for the Dalai Lamas. It looks incredibly magnificent from a distance and could be viewed from various places around the town. As the nation's supreme relic, the palace dates back to 7th century A.D.
Afternoon: Visit of Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" in Sera is very famous.
Day 6 Lhasa (B+L+D)
Morning: Guided sightseeing of the most revered religious structure in Tibet - Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, refers to "Buddha's House" in Tibetan language because the main statue enshrined which said to be made by Buddha Sakyamuni himself in his lifetime. The surrounding market is called Barkhor, one of the most important religious paths, which also assembles people for shopping.
Afternoon: Visit of Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalailama.
Day 7 Lhasa to Tsedang to Samye (B+L+D)
Morning: Drive along the Tsangpo River to visit the fantastic Samye monastery, believed to be Tibet's first monastery, built between 775 and 779. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity.
Afternoon: Visit of Yumbulakhang palace - the first building of Tibet as the palace for the first Tibetan king.
Day 8 Tsedang to Yamdroktso to Gyantse (B+L+D)
Morning: Leave for Gyanste, after about 3.5 hours' driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(4790m), have a overlooking the Yangdrok lake at top of the KambabaLa pass, the view of the lake and the snowpeak afar are marvelous and impressive. After down from the mountain, we continue our drive along the lakeside, stop for after about 90km.
Afternoon: Arriving in Gyangtse, visit Perkhor Chode monastery in the sunset time.
Day 9 Gyantse to Shigatse (B+L+D)
Morning: Leave the small town of Gyantse to Shigatse, the second large city in Tibet and the capital of Tsang.
Afternoon: Visit to the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery, a sprawling complex with a gigantic Maitreya (Future Buddha) statue. Various temples contain ornate reliquary chortens. Visit Shigatse's outdoor market for some real treasures.
Day 10 Shigatse to Lhasa (B+L+D)
This day is an easy journey, driving along the Yarlung Zsangpo River back to Lhasa. On the way stop at a small village side the road to visit the Tibetan handmade incense mill and workshop.
Day 11 Lhasa to Beijing (B+L+D)
Morning: Half day free in Lhasa.
Afternoon: Transfer to airport for the flight to Beijing.
Day 12 Beijing (B)
Transfer to the airport for your homeland. Alternatively, extend your stay.
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Term & Price (USD)
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Season
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Group size
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Standard
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Luxury
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Double Occupancy
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Sole Occupancy
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Double Occupancy
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Sole Occupancy
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Shoulder
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2-5 travelers
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2944
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3338
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2976
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3402
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6-9 travelers
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2458
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2852
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2578
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3092
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Shoulder season
11/16/2008  03/31/2009
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Optional Hotel Level
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City
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Hotel Level
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Economy ( 3 Star)
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Standard ( 4 Star)
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Beijing
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Beijing Exhibition Centre Hotel
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New World Courtyard Hotel
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Lhasa
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Lhasa Hotel
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Kyichu Hotel
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Tsetang
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Tsetang Hotel
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Tsetang Hotel
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Gyantse
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Gyantse Hotel
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Gyantse Hotel
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Shigatse
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Shigatse Hotel
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Shigatse Hotel
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