16-Day Tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Xigaze and Guangzhou

Day 1
Welcome to Beijing, capital of China. Upon arrival you will be met by our guides and transferred to hotel.

Day 2
Morning tour to Tian An Men Square,located in the heart of the capital, and the Imoerial Palace ( Forbidden City) - one of the greatest feats of ancient Chinese architecture. Afternoon sightseeing includes Summer Palace - a former summer resort area of the royal family, or a visit to the Temple of Heaven where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. Dinner is the famous Beijing roasted duck at a local restaurant.

Day 3
A full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feasts of human labor - the only man-made construction on earth visible from outer space. After lunch, a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Scared Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty.


Day 4
Beijing - Xi'an by air
A 2-hour flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. City tour begins with a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 A.D. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang. A cultural performance will be provided if available.

Day 5
A full day visit includes the unparalled highlight of an excursion to the incredible Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin emperor. Added highlights are a visit to the Huaqing Hot Spring - a former resort area especially for the emperors and the royal family and a visit to the Banpo Village - the remains of a neolithic village dating back 6,000 years. Primitive tools and household utensils are displayed in the Banpo Museum.

Day 6
Xi'an - Chengdu by air
A 2-hours flight to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province and a place known as "the Land of Abundance". City tour begins with Wu Hou Shrine and Du Fu's Thatched Cottage - home of a great poet of Tang Dynasty.

Day 7
Today, on to your exploration to the Dujiang Dam, a famous historical engineering marvel conceived and designed in 250 B.C. as a mammoth irrigation project. If time permits, further to the Precious Light Monastery, built in the 2nd century. Day

Day 8
Chengdu - Lhasa by air
Today, fly to Lhasa, capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, famed as the "City of Sunshine", an enchanting city with numerous historic sites and famous relics.

Day 9
Your visit in Lhasa begins with the highest palace in the world, the Potala Palace, famed as a bright pearl on "the Roof of the World" and Jokang Temple, one of Buddhism's holiest shrines, Drepong Monastery and a Tibetan carpet factory.

Day 10
Lhasa - Xigaze by bus
Leaving early in the morning, we drive through astonishingly varied scenery and part nomadic settlements to Xigaze, Tibet's Second largest city.

Day 11
Today, you visit the Panchen Lama's home and Tashilumpo Monastery, built in 1447, which is a mystical assembly of gold, red and white, where you can see monks at prayer. There is also stop to see the Kumbun Stupa at Gyantes.

Day 12
Xigaze - Lhasa by bus
Moving through the rapidly changing scenery of central Tibet and desend to the valley of the holy river, we finally drive back to Lhasa.

Day 13
Sightseeing today includes the Norbulingka Park, the Sera Monastery, then a visit to a hospitable Tibetan family and take a stroll in the open market at Barkhor.

Day 14
Lhasa - Chengdu by air
Return to Chengdu by air, where you stay overnight.

Day 15
Chengdu - guangzhou by air
Leave for Guangzhou, the southern gateway to China. Sightseeing features the Momorial Hall of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the Six Banyan Pagoda and Temple. Time permitting, visit the Yue Xiu Park, the Pearl River and Shamian Island.

Day 16
Your exciting journery draws to a close this morning as you board an express train for Hong Kong.