China Tour

The main focus of this journey lies on the discovery of generally less known aspects of China. You will visit the archeological excavations in Sanxingdui, which has caused a great sensation worldwide, as well as the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu. Afterwards you will get to know Tibet’s remote mountain landscape, which was concealed from the views of the foreigners for centuries. But you will catch sight of treasuries of the World Heritage Sites as for example the two residences of the Dalai Lama, the Potala and the Nurbulinka in Lhasa. Besides ancient monasteries, you can get to know the breath-taking beauty of the Tibetan highlands.

Itinerary:

Arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport about noon. After the registration, you will receive the flight tickets for the continuation flight to Chengdu. After the arrival in Chengdu, which is known as the gate to Tibet, transfer to the hotel.

Today, you will go on an excursion to the Sanxingdui Museum. It is located about 40 km away from Chengdu and was built up on one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the past years. In the museum, you will become acquainted with the ancient, yet advanced Shu culture. Besides the well-known bronze masks, you will see other valuable cult artefacts that are between 2,800 - 4,800 years old. In the afternoon, you will visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Among the pandas yet living in the great outdoors, about 80% of them live in the province of Sichuan. Time permits, you can go for a walk through the city Chengdu after that.

Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa in the morning. Arrival at the Gongkar Airport, which is 95 km away from Lhasa. At first, you will go to Tsetang, which is situated in an altitude of 3,400 m. The afternoon is at your disposal, so that you can accustom yourself to the height.

By bus you will reach the Samye Monastery, 30 km west of Tsetang nearby the river Yarlong Tsangpo (later called Brahmaputra). The monastery facility, which was founded in about 776, is Mandala-shaped and is a representation of the Buddhist universe. The Buildings are arranged around the main temple according to a complex symbolism and they are surrounded by a curtain wall. The main temple represents the World Mountain Sumeru. Afterwards you will visit the Mindroling Monastery, a monastery of the Nyingmapa religious group. Mindroling enjoys a good reputation for its research and teaching in astronomy, astrology, medical science and calligraphy. A lot of the monks, who teach in Potala, come from the Mindroling Monastery. In the past, the Tibetan calendar was designed there. Today, still about 30 monks, who are allowed to get married, live there. The sons assume the office of the abbot from their fathers or fathers-in-law. You will continue to go to Lhasa after that.

In the morning, you will stroll along the Barkhor, a Pilgrim Path, which goes around the Jokhang Temple and through the Old Town. Either side of the ritual path is densely packed with sales booths, the so-called Barkhor Market. There are a lot of old buildings and side streets in the typical Tibetan style, so that you can explore the culture of the ancient Lhasa. Afterwards you can walk together with the pilgrims along the pilgrim path to the Jokhang Temple, which was constructed in the 7th century under the king Songtsen Gampo. This temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, because it is a superb example of the Tibetan culture and it demonstrates the interexchange with the Chinese, Indian and Nepalese culture. In the afternoon, you will visit the Potala, a colossal palace complex and the most famous building in Tibet. It was taken up to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. It has got its shape of today essentially in the 17th century under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama.

Today, you will go by bus to the city Gyangtse in the lowlands of the fertile Gyangtse Valley along the Nyangchu River. It is the third largest city in Tibet, situated at the crossing point of the ancient route for commerce to India. The about five-hour drive goes through a unique landscape and over three 5000m high passes, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the glacier Nojin Kangsa. On the way through the treeless steppes you will have a rest at the Yamdrok Lake, the largest fresh water lake of Tibet, that is like most of the lakes a sacred site both in the Tibetan Buddhism and in the Tibetan natural religion.

In the morning, you will visit the Pelkhor Choede Monastery, the only monastery, where monks of the Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa religious group live peaceably together in spite of the diversity in interpretation of their religion. The monastery is one of the most impressing buildings of Tibetan architecture. The most interesting and largest Stupa of Tibet (Kumbum Monastery) is located there. It was constructed by a Nepalese master builder and there are evidences noticeable Nepalese influences. Afterwards you will go on to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet.

Today, you will visit the city-like Tashilunpo Monastery that was built in the 15th century and that is the domicile of the Panchen Lama since the 17th century. In the centre of the recently renovated monastery, which is located at the mountainside, stands a 27 m high gold-plated brazen statue of the Maitreya Buddha, decorated with numerous precious stones, where the monumental tomb of the fourth Panchen Lama is located. In the afternoon, you can walk through the Old Town and the market at the base of the middle mountains. You will go back to Lhasa through the Yarlong Tsangpo Valley.

Transfer to the airport after breakfast. At first, Fly to Chengdu. Then get on another plane after the arrival at Chengdu Airport, and continue to fly to Beijing. Transfer to the hotel in the afternoon.

In the morning, you will go by bus to the Badaling Great Wall. You can climb up to the wall through a scarped staircase and enjoy the scenery from above. Then you will visit the Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan). It is one of the imperial gardens, where the Chinese gardening is perfectly reflected. That's why it is on the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

In the morning, take a walk at the historic Tian'anmen Square (Tian'anmen Guangchang), the world-famous largest square within a city. Walk through the Tian’anmen Square Gate to the palace of the emperor (Gugong), which the Chinese officials call the Palace Museum (better known as the Forbidden City). This palace is on the UNESCO's World Heritage List, too. It is a masterpiece of Chinese palace architecture and it demonstrates imposingly the integration of traditional architecture in ancient northern China into the art of palace building. Afterwards you will visit the Prospect Hill Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), which is located in the North of the Forbidden City, where you can get a marvelous view of the centre of Beijing and the site of the Forbidden City. In the end, you will visit the Tibetan-Buddhist Lama Temple (Yong He gong), the largest and best preserved temple site in Beijing. The former residence of the Prince Yong was transformed under the emperor Qianlong into a Tibetan monastery. It is a successful mixture of Han, Man, Mongolian and Tibetan architecture and culture.

Transfer to the airport and fly back home.

End of the travel.

B: Breakfast     L: Lunch    D: Dinner

Number of participants	Peak season	Single room extra charge	Shoulder season	Single room extra charge	book
2-5 pers.	1820 USD	225 USD	1785 USD	215 USD

The hotels:
Chengdu Jiulong Hotel***
Tsetang Telecom Xuege Hotel***
Lhasa Shambala Hotel***
Gyantse Minghu Hotel***
Shigatse Wuzi Grand Hotel***
Beijing Harmony Hotel***

Price includes:
-- All overnight accommodation in double rooms shared by two adults with     breakfast
-- Meals as listed in the itinerary
-- All transfers and entrance tickets as listed in the itinerary
-- All inland flight tickets including all fees.
-- Local English-speaking tour guides
-- Permission for the entry into Tibet

Price does not include:
-- International flight tickets
-- Visa for China
-- Personal expenditures, tips etc.

Note:
-- Children less than 12 years old can be given discounts.
-- The hotels, trains and flights listed in the itinerary may be changed into the     ones of similar category if necessary.
-- The prices do not apply to the Spring Festival, the May Day Holiday (30th April    –7th May.), and the National Day Holiday (30th Sep.–7th Oct.).
-- If you need more information or want to change the itinerary, please contact     us.