China, Yangtze and Tibet Explorer

Company : G Adventures
Countries: China / Tibet
Duration: 2 weeks to 3 weeks
Approx Costs: 2000 to 2500 £ Pound (UK)

While retracing the footsteps of ancient warriors along the Great Wall, you realize you’re onto something.

Enjoy a walk along the Great Wall and a cycle along Xi'an's city walls, ponder Tibetan spirituality in Buddhist temples and monasteries, get up close and personal with pandas at a breeding centre in Sichuan, cruise the mighty Yangtze River on a luxury riverboat, gain more cultural insight with an expert local guide

Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing
Arrive at any time and transfer to hotel. Enjoy a first taste of Chinese cuisine with a Beijing duck welcome dinner.

Day 2 Beijing
Tour of the famed Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven with free time in the afternoon for shopping.

Day 3 Beijing
Take a walk along the 500 year old Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. Spend time exploring the towers, views, and the magnificent structure of this unique wonder. This evening, board an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.

Day 4-5 Xi'an
Explore Xi'an with a bike ride along the ancient city walls. This evening, visit the Muslim Quarter and local markets. On Day 5, visit the famed Terracotta Warriors, then have lunch in the local farming village where these priceless artifacts were found.

Day 6 Lhasa
Fly over the Himalayas to Tibet. Enjoy an orientation walk with a local guide through Barkhor Square.

Days 7-9 Lhasa
Guided visit to the Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple and Tibetan Medicine Institute to learn more about Tibetan spirituality and culture. On Day 8, visit the Sera Monastery and take a cooking class to make (and eat) Tibetan Momo beef dumplings. Free time on Day 9 for optional hiking, monastery visits or just explore Lhasa on your own.

Day 10 Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu and sample the famed and fiery Sichuan cuisine for dinner this evening.

Day 11 Chongqing
Visit the Panda Breeding Center, learn about and observe these gentle animals. Later board a luxury riverboat for the first night on the Yangtze.

Day 12-13 Yangtze River Boat
Cruise the Yangtze River with daily shore excursions which can include Fengdu, Shibaozhai or Wanzhou; sailing through Qutang Gorge/Wu Gorge, Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream; sailing through Three Gorges dam shiplocks, and optional excursion to White Emperor City (all depending on the season and river conditions). Relax in well-appointed cabins and enjoy shipboard activities such as tai chi, tea tasting and Chinese calligraphy classes.

Days 14 Shanghai
Tour of Three Gorges Dam before flying to Shanghai and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 15 Shanghai
Depart at any time.