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13 Day China & Tibet Highlights
Highlights: Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Shanghai
Trip start: Beijing
Trip end: Shanghai
Price Range from $3,887 to $4,550 *
* USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

A value tour exploring the top sights in China with a private guide, vehicle and driver. Visit Beijing and see Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Hutongs, and the Great Wall. Take a train to Xi’an and view the legendary Terra Cotta Warriors. Take another train to Shanghai, and enjoy the excitement of this world class city!

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Beijing
  • Beijing: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Park Plaza Wangfujing (B)
Day 2
Beijing
  • Private - Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
Park Plaza Wangfujing (B)
Day 3
Beijing
  • Private - Great Wall Mutianyu (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
  • Transfer - Train Station - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Train - Xi`an 
Day 4
Xi'an
  • Xi'an: Transfer - Train Station - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Private - 1/2 Day City Wall by Bike - Guide
Sofitel on Renmin Square  (B)
Day 5
Xi'an
  • Private - T.C. Warriors, Banpo & BWG Pagoda - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
Sofitel on Renmin Square  (B)
Day 6
Lhasa
  • Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Air - Xi`an - Lhasa [Direct (3 hr)] - Economy
  • Lhasa: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Afternoon acclimatization
Sheraton Four Points (4*) (B)
Day 7
Lhasa
  • Private - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Bhakor St - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
Sheraton Four Points (4*) (B)
Day 8
Lhasa
  • Private - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
Sheraton Four Points (4*) (B)
Day 9
Chengdu
  • Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Air - Lhasa - Chengdu [Direct (1.5 hr)] - Economy
  • Chengdu: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Dinner Hotpot - Vehicle/Driver
Buddha Zen Hotel (3*) 
Day 10
Chengdu
  • Private - Pandas & Wuhou Shrine (with lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
Buddha Zen Hotel (3*) 
Day 11
Shanghai
  • Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Air - Chengdu - Shanghai [Direct (3 hrs)] - Economy
  • Shanghai: Transfer - Airport (Hongqiao Domestic) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Private - 1/2d Nanjing Road and Bund Walking Tour - Guide
Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan (B)
Day 12
Shanghai
  • Private - 1/2d City Tour: Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan (B)
Day 13
Shanghai
  • Transfer - Airport Transfer (PVG) by Private Car & Maglev Train - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.


Beijing
Beijing
Park Plaza Wangfujing
Park Plaza Wangfujing
Day 2 Beijing

Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.


Forbidden City
Forbidden City
Day 3 Beijing

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

Enjoy a transfer to/from train station with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Board your overnight train bound for Xi'an. Choose either the standard soft sleeper, which is a cabin of 4 berths (two upper bunks, two lower bunks) or opt for the private 2 person berth (two lower bunks only). Comfortable bedding and good quality pillows are provided. Each bunk is equipped with a small reading lamp. Temperature controls are installed alongside the door. Generally speaking, the facilities include a clothes rack, slippers, clothes brush, stainless steel thermos, fine porcelain teacup, a trash can and wall socket. Travel time is roughly 11-13 hours.

Overnight at Train - Xi`an.


Great Wall at MuTianYu
Great Wall at MuTianYu
Train Cabin
Train Cabin
Day 4 Xi'an

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

Train station to hotel or hotel to train station transfer by private car with professional tour guide.

Half day private guided city tour. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, experience the full 14km circuit of China's most intact city wall with great views of the city on either side.

Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .


Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an City Wall
Xi'an City Wall
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square
Day 5 Xi'an

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .


Terra Cotta Warrior Close-up
Terra Cotta Warrior Close-up
Day 6 Lhasa

Lhasa is a fascinating city and a renowned center of Buddhism. Attractions include the Potala Palace was originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. It is a steep climb to the palace which is spectacularly sited overlooking the city. Jokhang is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. In Tibetan, "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here during the summer from the Potala Palace. Drepung Monastery is situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, this huge complex is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Sera Monastery is at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Fly from Xi'an to Lhasa.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Afternoon to rest at your hotel to allow your body to acclimatize. Try to minimize physical activity to avoid the effects of altitude sickness.

Situated in eastern Lhasa city, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa is on the Lhasa River and faces Jiangsu Avenue. Its location is a 10-minute walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkhorn Street and only an eight-minute drive from the Potala Palace. Experience friendly, honest service as the staff welcomes you to beautiful Lhasa city. Three dining venues provide everything you need to make your stay complete.

Overnight at Sheraton Four Points (4*).


Lhasa
Lhasa
Sheraton Lhasa
Sheraton Lhasa
Day 7 Lhasa

Full day private guided tour of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Bhakor Street with deluxe lunch. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, Potala Palace was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. Jokhang Temple is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. Barkhor is the oldest road in Lhasa which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. The circular road is also a marketplace for printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags and religious items.

Overnight at Sheraton Four Points (4*).


Potala Palace
Potala Palace
Day 8 Lhasa

Full day private guided tour of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery with deluxe lunch. The Drepung Monastery is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice, so it was given the name 'Drepung' which in Tibetan means Collecting-Rice. The Sera Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built, so it was named Sera which means "wild rose" in Tibetan.

Overnight at Sheraton Four Points (4*).


Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery
Day 9 Chengdu

Chengdu is noted rich culture, gateway to the Himalaya foothills and the famous Panda reserves. Some of the major sights include: The Bronze Museum contains over a thousand cultural relics unearthed from the Sanxingdui site. That was the catalyst to the discovery of a mysterious ancient kingdom of Shu, illuminating the bronze culture. Wolong Panda Reserve is a state natural reserve of 200,000 hectares created in 1963. Sixty-seven captive pandas are among 150 pandas in the Reserve managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Lhasa to Chengdu.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Sichuan province is of course the home of Szechuan cooking. Experience the burning fire of Sichuan's famous Hotpot dish at the Huang Cheng Lao Ma restaurant.

Buddha Zen was named by Master Chishan and is the first hotel with the theme of Buddha Zen culture in China. The design of the hotel follows the spirit of Buddha Zen with the combination of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Its interior design is unique and there are a plenty of rare Tangkas, ancient temple paintings and antiques, which include the oldest man-made embroidery of Qing Dynasty in Sichuan.

Overnight at Buddha Zen Hotel (3*).


Chengdu
Chengdu
Sichuan's famous Hotpot
Sichuan's famous Hotpot
Buddha Zen Hotel
Buddha Zen Hotel
Day 10 Chengdu

In the morning visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which was set up in 1990 to ensure the survival of China's living national treasure. This place provides visitors with a rare chance to glimpse this cute and cuddly icon - a real highlight! And then off to the Wuhou Shrine which is situated in the southern suburb of Chengdu. Wuhou might be translated as "minister or war". That was the title given to ZhugeLiang, a famous military strategist of the three Kingdoms period (AD220-280), immortalised in one of the classics of Chinese literature, the tale of the Three Kingdoms. Lunch is included

Overnight at Buddha Zen Hotel (3*).


Giant Panda
Giant Panda
Day 11 Shanghai

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Walking along the famous Nanjing Road and fabulous Bund area, listening to your expert local tour guide explaining the history and development of China's most cosmopolitan city.

The Marriot run Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan is a modern and luxurious property located adjacent to the Yuyuan Gardens and old quarter of downtown Shanghai. With a top-notch spa, 340 contemporary rooms and suites offering breathtaking views across the Shanghai city skyline and a central location within reasonable distance both to Shanghai's traditional attractions and the EXPO 2010 site this hotels offers a great luxury to value proposition well-suited to any trip.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.


Shanghai
Shanghai
The Bund
The Bund
Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan Hotel Lobby
Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan Hotel Lobby
Day 12 Shanghai

Half day private guided tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Yuyuan Garden with deluxe lunch. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. One is seated while the other is in the recumbent position of Sakyamuni symbolizing the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment or nirvana. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.


Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden
Day 13 Shanghai

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.