13 Days Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa and Shanghai Tour
Tour Type: Small group
Combining the highlights of the classic Lhasa tour with an excursion to picture-postcard Namtso Lake (4718m), the 6-day Lhasa to Namtso tour is a perfect choice for you to soak up unique Buddhist atmosphere and explore the life of hardy Tibetan nomads beside serene Namtso Lake, the highest saline lake in Tibet.
- Find the hidden hall and hidden stories in the Forbidden City.
- Walk on the best-preserved section of the Great Wall.
- Meet the Terracotta Army and make a mini warrior with a local family.
- Pay your respects at the pilgrim’s holy palace, the Potala.
- Enjoy a picnic at the lakeside of one of the largest sacred lakes in Tibet.
- Experience modernity and tradition in the most dynamic city, Shanghai.
Inclusions
- Our 1-to-1 expert China consultancy with unlimited itinerary changes
- Booking of China internal flights, trains, and cruises, per your preferences
- Your own China-Highlights-trained, versatile and knowledgeable tour guide
- Your own chauffeured and comfortable vehicle, chosen for ample space
- Hand-picking of hotels for your requirements
- Hotel breakfasts arranged, and local restaurant lunches ordered, to suit you
- Entry to all attractions on your itinerary, with queues avoided wherever possible
- Our 24-7 helpline for while you are traveling
1. Tibet Travel Permit
You will need a Tibet Entry Permit. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for your permit once you book a Tibetan tour with us.
In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.
2. Altitude Sickness
Before your trip, ask your doctor for any suggestions in relation to altitude sickness and take some medicine with you, just in case. The most popular altitude medicine among foreigners is Acetazolamide/Diamox.
We recommend that during the first 2 days after arriving in Tibet, you should keep warm, avoid taking a bath, and refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol.
Drink plenty of water (more than 4 liters per day) before you go out and when you have reached a higher altitude, and eat lots of vegetables and carbohydrates. Slow down, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.
If you don’t feel well after entering Tibet, go and see a doctor as soon as possible. There are doctors in major hotels in Lhasa, and you can call your tour guide for help at any time. We offer a free oxygen bag in the car.
3.Guiding
Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. They are trained to offer a Western standard of service.
4. Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extending or shortening it to suit your price, interests, and schedule.
Day 1 - Arrival in Beijing
Landing in Beijing, you will be met by your private guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel.
Your guide will assist you with your luggage and help you to check in at your hotel for a worry-free start to your stay.
Day 2 - Beijing | Historical Marvels and Local Life
Start your journey by walking through the largest world-famous square, Tian’anmen Square, and then arrive at the Forbidden City. With countless houses, chambers, and halls, the Forbidden City was not only a royal residence but is a treasure trove for many cultural relics. Your knowledgeable private tour guide will bring the history to life for you.
Enjoy some Beijing cuisine for lunch. Afterward, take a short rickshaw ride in the hutongs and find out how the local people live their daily lives.
Day 3 - Beijing | The Great Wall
Spend your morning at the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed for a good harvest. Arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never see in your country.
After lunch, your time will be dedicated to the Great Wall. The Mutianyu section is an all-time favorite because of its close distance to Beijing, top ranking on TripAdvisor, and easy accessibility.
Usually, we recommend a round-trip cable car so that you can save energy to have a relaxing walk on the wall. We can also arrange a chair lift up and a toboggan back down depending on your preferences.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 - Beijing to Xi'an | The Summer Palace and High-Speed Train
The Summer Palace, as indicated by its name, provided the royal court with cool surroundings thanks to its lush gardens, beautiful pavilions and theaters, and a big lake for boat trips. Make this morning a leisurely outing before you leave for Xi’an.
It is 1,075 kilometers (668 miles) between Beijing and Xi’an, and a bullet train journey cuts the commute from 15 hours down to 6 hours. Get on and enjoy the speedy yet steady journey.
A private car and a friendly guide will escort you to your hotel in Xi’an.
Day 5 - Xi'an | The Ancient City Wall and Terracotta Army
In the morning, uncover the mysteries of an underground army that dates back to 206 BC at the Terracotta Army Museum.
Did you know that all the terracotta warriors were originally colored? The old paint has faded with time yet the craftsmanship still shines. You will try to make your own terracotta warrior inside a traditional cave dwelling.
After lunch, return to the city area and visit Xi’an City Wall, which has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the ancient wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.
Day 6 - Xi'an | Ancient Pagoda and Dumpling Making
Pay a visit to the starting point of the Silk Road: Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Discover more of Xi’an and China’s ancient history at Shaanxi History Museum.
Meet up with another family in town. They will teach you how to make dumplings on your own, which are just as good, if not better than, those from Manchu Wok or Panda Express.
Then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.
Day 7 - Xi'an to Lhasa| Fly and Rest
Your guide and driver will see you off at Xi’an. Catch the flight to Lhasa, which takes about 4½ hours. You will arrive in the holy region of Tibet in the afternoon.
Lhasa is at an altitude of 3,650 meters (12,000 feet) and you may experience altitude sickness. The rest of the day is for you to take a rest at your hotel.
Day 8 - Lhasa | Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, and Sera Monastery
Start your Lhasa tour with Sera Monastery, comprising a great sutra chanting hall, a college, and 32 sections.
After lunch, you will visit Norbulingka, the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of the Potala Palace. It is also called Tibet’s Summer Palace and it means “Jeweled Park” in the Tibetan language. With lovely plants in the garden, you may breathe more comfortably due to the extra oxygen.
The last Lhasa tour attraction for the day is the famous Drepung Monastery. Surrounded by the dark faces of mountains, its grand white buildings stand out, shining in the sunlight.
Day 9 - Lhasa | The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
Visit Jokhang Temple in the morning and you will see lots of devoted pilgrims prostrating themselves. Barkhor Street is like a backstreet around Jokhang Temple. Walk clockwise and join the local people’s kora (a circle for religion). There are many interesting shops in the street.
Enjoy a classic Lhasa tour visiting the Potala Palace, which is a symbol of peace and a great masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Ascend to this majestic palace and see exquisite murals, decorated statues, and antiques. The red and white palace buildings combined with the pure blue sky form the most iconic picture of Tibet.
Day 10 - Gyantze | Yamdrok Lake
After breakfast, you will be driven for about 2 hours to reach Yamdrok Lake, one of the top four Buddhist holy lakes in Tibet.
If the weather permits, we will prepare a picnic by the lakeside and you will have sandwiches, vegetables, and fruit while you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the lake, which is decorated by many islands and natural resources.
Day 11 - Lhasa to Shanghai | Fly and Rest
You will take a long flight of 5 hours from the west to east across China to reach Shanghai, like from Las Vegas flying to New York. The flight will stop over in Chengdu or Xi’an.
If you are interested in giant pandas, it may be a good idea to extend your stay for 2 or 3 days in Chengdu.
Day 12 - Shanghai | Shanghai Highlights and Bund Discovery
During the day, your guide will show you different aspects of the prosperous city. To learn about the history of Shanghai, the Bund has witnessed the changes from the concession period in the Qing Dynasty to modern times.
Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience
After traveling in China for around 10 days, you might want to do something different at the end of your tour. Do you want to have some relaxation time? Do you have any unfulfilled trip wishes? In the magic city of Shanghai, your private guide will make your wishes come true!
Whether you want to relax, experience fashion, appreciate art, explore folk customs, or shop; from having fun in fancy bar to exploring an art center, trying nail beauty, testing your popularity in the marriage market, or just buying some lovely gifts, we will make it happen. Just tell us what you’re interested in.
If you don’t know what you want, just let your guide make the arrangements. You will not be disappointed!
Day 13 - Shanghai | Departure
How time flies – your China adventure has come to an end. Your private guide and driver will see you off at the airport, assisting you with your flight check-in and luggage.
Review what you have seen and what you have felt, and keep it as a sweet memory.
Prices Start From
Service Includes
- 1-1 consultancy from an experienced travel expert
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling