Tour Traditional China and Mysteries of Tibet - 17d - 2027

BEIJING 19ºC - 19ºC

Welcome to China! Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel.

In the early evening, we’ll take a transfer to Wangfujing Street, a vibrant pedestrian avenue known for its lively atmosphere, numerous shops, and diverse restaurants. This will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the city. Dinner will be included, followed by a return to the hotel.

BEIJING 19ºC - 19ºC

An exciting day awaits us as we explore the highlights of China’s capital. We’ll enjoy a full-day guided tour, starting with a walk through the immense Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world. Next, we’ll visit the majestic Forbidden City, the most impressive architectural complex in China, where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. We’ll also visit Jingshan Park, home to Coal Hill, one of Beijing’s best-preserved imperial gardens. Climbing to the top of the hill, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Forbidden City—weather permitting.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll experience local life with a tricycle ride through the traditional Hutong neighborhoods, where we can observe daily life, visit charming shops, and step inside a Siheyuan, a traditional courtyard house.

We’ll then conclude our tour with a visit to the stunning Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its exquisite gardens and tranquil lakes.

06:30 p.m. - Tour ends. You may return to the hotel by bus or choose to stay in the city center (in which case, the return to the hotel will be at your own expense. We recommend carrying the hotel’s address written in Chinese to show the taxi driver).

Note: Due to heritage conservation measures and enhanced visitor safety, the governing body of the Forbidden City has temporarily reduced daily visitor capacity. As a result, we cannot guarantee access to this site. If the visit is not possible, it will be replaced with a tour of the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple, both iconic landmarks in Chinese history and culture.

BEIJING 19ºC - 19ºC - SHANGHAI 25ºC - 25ºC

We’ll take an excursion to the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, a spectacular architectural masterpiece whose history spans more than 2,000 years. We’ll ride the cable car up and down to access the Wall (tickets included). We’ll bid farewell to Beijing with a delicious lunch included, featuring the famous Peking duck. Afterward, we’ll transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train bound for Shanghai. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

SHANGHAI 25ºC - 25ºC

Our tour of Shanghai will take us through its most iconic sights. We´ll begin in Pudong, Shanghai’s modern financial district, located across the Huangpu River. This area is home to towering skyscrapers, including the iconic Pearl Tower.

We’ll then take a scenic ferry ride across the Shanghai River, offering spectacular views of both the historic and contemporary sides of the city.

Next, we’ll stroll through the Old City and visit the serene Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved private garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Here, we’ll also an explanation of traditional tea, an integral part of China’s rich cultural heritage.

Our tour will continue through Xintiandi, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its stylish boutiques, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Tianzifang, a former residential district now famous for its maze-like alleys, charming craft shops, and contemporary art galleries.

We’ll conclude our day with a walk along The Bund, where grand colonial-era buildings reflect the influence of European trade in Shanghai.

Free afternoon. If you wish, you can enjoy a boat trip to see Shanghai at night, it will be an unforgettable experience.

SHANGHAI 25ºC - 25ºC - LUOYANG 22ºC - 22ºC

Transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train (scheduled departure at 07:17 a.m.). In just over five hours, we’ll travel 1,000 km through picturesque landscapes, passing through beautiful stretches of countryside before arriving in Luoyang.

Lunch will be included.

Our visit will begin at the awe-inspiring Longmen Buddhist Caves, an extraordinary complex stretching over a kilometer along the rocky cliffs of the river. Here, more than 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings have been sculpted into the stone, creating one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this site, we’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river.

Afterward, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Luoyang, where we’ll pass through its imposing walls and immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of its illuminated streets, filled with traditional charm and vibrant local activity.

LUOYANG 22ºC - 22ºC - LONGMEN 24ºC - 24ºC - SANMEXIA - XIAN 19ºC - 19ºC

In the early morning, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we’ll visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a vast and historic center of Buddhist learning that welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world.

We’ll then continue our journey to Sanmenxia, a city rich in history. Here, we’ll admire the mighty Yellow River and visit the Baolun Temple, known for its striking tall pagoda. We’ll also explore the renowned Guo Museum, considered one of the finest in China, where we’ll see the ancient funeral carriages of the former State of Guo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.

Lunch will be included.

Our journey eastward will take us past the sacred Mount Hua, one of China’s holiest mountains, known for its dramatic peaks and spiritual significance.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Xian, where our day will come to an end.

XIAN 19ºC - 19ºC

We have arrived in Xian, the fascinating city where the ancient Silk Road began.

In the morning, we’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Army, an astonishing archaeological site where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, hidden underground for centuries, stand guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor.

Afterward, we’ll return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist structure that has stood for over a thousand years.

Next, we’ll explore the city’s historic walled center, passing through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where we’ll visit the Great Mosque. This unique site reflects the rich blend of cultures and religions that have shaped China over the centuries.

Our tour also includes entrance to the Drum Tower, where we’ll enjoy a short performance of traditional Chinese music played on ancient instruments.

Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

XIAN 19ºC - 19ºC - CHENGDU 20ºC - 20ºC

We leave Xian in a very modern high-speed train, and in just over three hours we cover the 700 km that separate us from CHENGDU. On arrival we will go to the Panda Bear research and breeding centre, a reserve where 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas live. Lunch included. In the afternoon we will take a stroll through the People´s Park, with its small lake, the local people doing Taichi, and its tea houses.-

CHENGDU 20ºC - 20ºC

Today we include full-day tour of Sichuan Province, with its pleasant landscapes and traditional villages. In DUJIANGYAN we see the traditional irrigation system, which has been working for more than 2000 years and is a world heritage site. QUINGCHENG SHAN, “mountain of the green city” is a Taoist holy mountain. Its paths through the forests show us caves, pavilions and centuries-old wooden temples, lunch included. Finally, we will visit the ancient city of JIEZI with its alleys with over a thousand years of history. Return to CHENGDU.

CHENGDU 20ºC - 20ºC - LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC

We’ll head to the airport for the included flight to the city of Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, we’ll meet our guide and take a bus to Lhasa (3,700m), the capital of Tibet. The journey takes about an hour and a half. After checking in at the hotel, you’ll have a free evening to acclimatize to the altitude. You’ll also have time for a leisurely stroll through the local bazaars.

LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided tour of Lhasa’s most iconic landmark: the Potala Palace. This awe-inspiring 13-story structure, once the tallest building of its time, served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. The palace’s magnificent architecture can be seen from various points across the city and stands as a supreme relic of the nation, dating back to the 7th century A.D. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Sera Monastery, founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Here, we’ll witness the famous “Debate on Buddhist Scriptures,” a captivating tradition unique to Sera. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Lhasa.

LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC

We’ll enjoy a guided tour of Tibet´s most revered religious structure, the Jokhang Temple. Known as the ‘House of Buddha’ in the Tibetan language, it is said to hold a statue personally crafted by Buddha Sakyamuni during his lifetime. The temple serves a vibrant convergence of Tibetan spiritual and secular life, where people from all Tibetan tribes come together. Surrounding the temple is the Barkhor Market, one of the most important religious routes and a lively gathering place for locals and visitors alike to shop. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s summer residence. After, we’ll return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC - SAMYE - TSETANG 11ºC - 11ºC

We’ll travel along the Tsangpo River to visit the remarkable Samye Monastery, believed to be the first monastery in Tibet, built between 775 and 779. Although the original structure is no longer intact due to damage from wars and natural disasters, the monastery has been rebuilt multiple times and remains a powerful symbol of Tibetan identity. Its main building is a three-story tower showcasing a blend of Tibetan, Han, and Indian architectural styles. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Yumbu Lakhang Palace, the first building in Tibet and the palace of its first king. We’ll end the day in Tsetang for an overnight stay.

TSETANG 11ºC - 11ºC - YAMDROK LAKE - GYANTSE 10ºC - 10ºC

Spectacular landscapes will await us as we head up the Kambala Pass (4,790 m), where we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Yamdrok Lake. The sight of the turquoise lake with the distant snow-capped peaks is both marvelous and awe-inspiring. Lunch will be included en route. We’ll descend from the Kambala Pass to continue our journey along the lake’s shore. Passing charming small villages along the way, we’ll arrive in Gyangtse, where we’ll visit the Perkhor Chode Monastery at sunset. Overnight stay.

GYANTSE 10ºC - 10ºC - SHIGATSE 11ºC - 11ºC

We’ll depart for Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet and capital of Tsang, located at an altitude of 3,810 m. Here, we’ll visit the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery, home of the Panchen Lama of Tibet, a sprawling complex featuring a massive statue of Maitreya, prophesied to be the next Buddha who will arise in this world. Lunch will be included. Several temples within the monastery contain ornately decorated reliquaries, known as “chortens.” Visit the open-air market in Shigatse, a perfect spot to discover true treasures of Tibetan craftsmanship. Overnight stay.

SHIGATSE 11ºC - 11ºC - LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC

We’ll journey by road along the Yarlung Tsangpo River back to Lhasa. Lunch will be included. Along the way, we’ll stop in a small roadside village to visit a traditional incense mill and Tibetan craft workshop. Arrival in Lhasa and overnight stay.

LHASA 12ºC - 12ºC

After breakfast, we´ll provide a transfer to the airport and our services will come to an end, aiming to leave you with lasting memories.