Daily Itinerary
Day 1 (Mon) Fly Australia - Beijing
On arrival you will be met by our CITS guide and transferred to your hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day.
Day 2 (Tue) Beijing (B L)
A morning tour of Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City; the complex of imperial palaces are home to the emperors for over 500 years in the Ming and Qing dynasties; in the afternoon visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the royal family, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming.
Day 3 (Wed) Beijing (B L)
A full day excursion to the Great Wall, one of the most amazing feats of human labour. After lunch,
a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding
the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Day 4 (Thu) Beijing (B L D)
Explore the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvest. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. After lunch, you will have outlook of National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre. The National Stadium held 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. This evening you will be treated to a delicious Beijing roasted duck dinner before you are transferred to railway station, where you'll board your Beijing - Tibet Train. This unique, 45-hour journey will carry you across the "roof of the world." Due to the high elevations (portions of your ride include travel at altitudes hovering around 16,000 feet) your railcar's air is enriched with additional oxygen - a unique amenity of this fascinating rail journey. Though cabin availabilities may vary, sleeping accommodations aboard the train generally include semi-private, quad-occupancy cabins. Restroom facilities are provided within each car.
Day 5 (Fri) On the train.
From the windows of your train you'll see the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Kunlun Mountains. Outside those windows lies some of the world's harshest environments: high, arid, salty plateaus with sparse vegetation You'll travel across miles and miles of Northern Tibet Grass, through the Kekexili Nature Preserve - home to just 16 mammal species and 30 bird species. All are acclimated to the dry, cold, high-altitude climate. Here roam snow leopards, yaks, Tibet antelope, and wild donkeys; golden eagles soar above. Pass the Tanggula Pass - travelling along the world's highest passenger railway tracks (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available for purchase aboard your train.
Day 6 (Sat) Arrival at Lhasa
Following your evening arrival in Lhasa Railway Station, your tour guide will pick you up & transfer to your hotel directly. In the evening, you may be at leisure for acclimatization or visit local bazaar on own.
Day 7 (Sun) Lhasa. (B L)
After breakfast, guided sightseeing with the Lhasa’s cardinal landmark-Potala Palace,used to be the former winter abode for the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, visit of Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous.
Day 8 (Mon) Lhasa (B L)
After breakfast, guided sightseeing of the most revered religious structure in Tibet-Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, is the convergence of Tibet’s Spiritual and secular life, The surrounding market is called Barkhor, one of the most important religious paths, which also assembles people for shopping. In the afternoon, visit of Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalailama.
Day 9 (Tue) Lhasa – Xi’an (B)
Free in the morning and lunch on your own in the hotel. In the afternoon, take two and a half hours flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. A city tour of the ancient city wall, one of few well-preserved ones in China.
Day 10 (Wed) Xi'an (B L)
This exciting day of sightseeing will include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, and the Bronze Chariots. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in 652 AD.Remainder of day is at leisure.
Day 11 (Thu) Xi'an – Chongqing (B L)
Visit the Shanxi Provincial Museum where you will discover how Xi'an became the cradle of Chinese culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a brief time flight to Chongqing, the mountain city. You will check in the cruiser and depart the mountain city this evening.
Day 12 (Fri) Yangtze Cruise (B L D )
Navigate Qutang Gorge (8km), the third gorge of the Yangtze. Shore excursion to the Ghost City - Fengdu or Shibaozhai Pagoda.
Day 13 (Sat) Yangtze Cruise (B L D)
Sail through Wu Gorge and the West section of Xiling Gorge. Shore excursion to the Shennong Lesser Gorges.
Day 14 (Sun) Yichang – Shanghai (B L)
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, known as the Big Dam. Navigate the east
Section of Xiling Gorge (76km), the first gorge of the Yangtze. Arrive at Yichang after lunch. You would take the flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, bustling and heavily populated city in China. You are free for the remainder of the day.
Day 15 (Mon) Shanghai (B L D)
Your sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Yuyuan Garden, the old area of the city, and a stroll along the lively waterfront, known as the "Bund". After lunch, a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. An acrobatic show for your evening entertainment after dinner.
Day 16 (Tue) Fly Shanghai – Australia (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure flight
Day 17 (Wed) Arrive Australia
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