Day 1 Home City/Beijing

Your journey of discovery in the Orient begins as you board your flight to Beijing.

Day 2 Beijing

On arrival in Beijing, you are met and escorted to your hotel.

Days 3 – 4 Beijing

Spend two days exploring the treasures of this fabled city. The heart of the Beijing is Tiananmen Square, largest in the world and site of the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. You pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to venture into the Forbidden City, and visit the Great Wall of China, a breathtaking sight as it snakes into the distance over rugged mountains to the north of the city. Other Beijing highlights include the magnificent Temple of Heaven. Free time for shopping on Silk Alley. You will also enjoy a performance of Beijing opera, followed by a farewell Beijing Duck Dinner.

Day 5 Beijing/Lhasa,Tibet

After an early-morning flight to Gonger Airport, continue by road to Lhasa, where you transfer to your hotel. You’ll need some rest to adjust to the altitude of ‘the Roof Top of the World’. In the afternoon, you visit the Norbulinka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama from the late 18th century to the 1959, located on the outskirts of town and filled with gardens, palaces and pavilions.

The Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (B.L.D)

Days 6 – 7 Lhasa

You have two days to explore ‘the Roof Top of the World’. Visit the seventh-century former home of the Dalai Lama, the Potala Place-the crowning glory of Lhasa. Its towering red and white edifice and gold roof rises 985 feet above the valley floor and can be seen for miles around. Visit Jokhang monastery, the spiritual center of the country and the colorful Barkhor Bazaar. Also experience the 15th century Sera (one of Tibet’s Great six monasteries) and also visit the Tibetan Museum.

The Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (B.L.D)

Day 8 Lhasa/Gyantse

Travel overland along the southern corridor highway via Gongger and Nagarzc, travelling through the spectacular scenery of the Karo La and Kamba La mountain passes with their stunning views.You arrive in Gyantse,site of the Kumbum Stupa, the most exquisite example of Newari design in Tibet.

Gyantse Hotel (B.L.D)

Day 9 Gyantse/Xigaze

This morning, drive to Xigaze via Nyemo, crossing the Tsangpo Bridge and arriving in the afternoon. Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery: seat of the Yellow-Hat Panchen Lamas and one of the most beautiful remaining ensembles of Tibetan architecture and, time permitting, stop at the unique local bazaar, overlooked by the ruins of an old fort.

Xigaze Hotel (B.L.D)

Day 10 Xigaze/Lhasa

Travel overland to Lhasa by the northern route, following the torturous course of the Yarlung River.

The Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (B.L.D)

Day 11 Lhasa/Chengdu

Fly to back Chengdu. Enjoy the Tea House in the People’s Park.

Sheraton Hotel (B.L.D)

Day 12 Chengdu/Xian

You will visit the Giant Panda Reserve, before fly to the Xian.

Day 13 Xian

Xian is world-famous as the site of Qin dynasty Emperor Qin Shihuangdi’s tomb complex, with its army of life-size terra-cotta warriors. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show after dinner.

Day 14 Xian/Beijing

Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which has the richest collection of ancient artifacts in all of China. Later fly to Beijing.

Day 15 Beijing/Home City

Board your homebound flight or travel on to another destination in the Orient. China Holidays can help you plan your own extension, "tailor-made" as you require. (B)