19 Days China Tibet Relaxing Tour with Yangtze Cruise Experience from Kathmandu

Kathmandu - Gyirong - Everest - Lhasa - Xian - Beijing - Chengdu - Yangtze River Cruise - Shanghai

From USD p.p

Covering the essential cultural sites and scenic natural wonders in Tibet, Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai, this 19-day China and Tibet tour also offers a relaxing Yangtze River Cruise experience that you should never miss. With well-designed itinerary, it will be a lifetime adventure for tourists to appreciate breathtaking landscape, learn authentic Tibetan culture and get an in-depth understanding of Chinese civilization.

 

You will first enjoy a classic overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa across the massive Tibetan Plateau, and visit famous attractions as Everest Base Camp, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple etc. Then move to Xi’an by flight to discover the Terra-cotta Warriors, and then to Beijing for visiting Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. After the Chengdu city sightseeing, you will start with the wonderful 4-day 3-night Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, with leisurely activities. Finally, before you fly to your next destination, the tour will take you to Shanghai city to discover its landmarks. 

Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Arrive Tribhuvan International Airport, tour guide will await you outside the arrival area. Transfer for your stay at Kathmandu. (Our local office staff will meet you to collect your passport to apply for Chinese Visa for you, Visa fee is not included in price quotation and you will need pay extra service charge 20 USD/person).

Notice: Chinese embassy requires 3 working days to issue the Visa. We advise you arrive in Nepal 3 working days in advance before going to Tibet.

Stay overnight in Katmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Rashuwaghadi 130km

Our staff will pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu in the morning and then we will drive along small mountain road to the border at Nepalese side; on the way you can enjoy thewaterfall, river, gorges, and forest. Finally, we will arrive at Rashuwaghadi.

After you enter Tibet, you will be meeting the Tibetan tour guide at Gyirong border and then you will get transferred from Gyirong to Old Tingri (4300m). On the way, you will enjoy the view beautiful border line and snow-capped mountain and evergreen forest. As you pass Tongla Pass (5100m), you can appreciate the epic mountain vista of Himalayan range.

Notice: Transfer from Kathmandu to Rashuwaghadi is an option need to pay extra 300USD/car, or use the public jeep transfer
around 30-50USD/per person.

Stay overnight in hotels in Tingri.

Day 3: Tingri to EBC to Shigatse 450km (B)

Today you will travel from Tingri to EBC and later keep moving to Shigatse. On the way to EBC, you are expected to pass famous Gawu La Pass (5198m) where top 4 highest peaks along Great Himalayas are within easy sight. And you can enjoy the panoramic view of Himalayas in the moring. Then we will visit long-awaited Everest Base Camp (5200m) on Tibet's side. You can explore the Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) the highest Buddhist monastery in the world. Later, we are about to drive to Shigatse.

Stay overnight in hotels in Shigatse

Day 4: Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse 375km (B)

In the morning, you will visit the famous TashiLhunpo Monastery where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa(future Buddha) in the world. This monastery is the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. In summer, we can also visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field.

After visiting the Tashilhunpo Monastery, there is a short drive just 90km to Gyantse, which boasts a variety of important cultural and historical sites – Khumbum, Palkhor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Old Street and magnificient vista of Gyangtse Fortress.

Then, we drive 280km to Lhasa, as you pass Manak Dam Lake, you may hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Next, comes the close view of Korola Glacier on the roadside; Then, you will pass the Gangbala Pass (5030m) to view turquoise Yamdrok Lake and snow-capped Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. Finally, you will also cross the Brahmaputra River and finally reach Lhasa.

Stay overnight in hotels in Lhasa

Day 5: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B, D)

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, we can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; the welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;

Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 6: Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery (B)

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 7: Fly to Xi’an from Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport and help you board the plane bound for Xi’an. After around 3 hours’ flight, you will land in Xi’an. The local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotels. And the rest of the day is for you to have a rest.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

Day 8: Xi’an Tour: The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

In the morning, we are about to visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. You will not only be attracted by the life-sized warrior figures and horses, each of which has distinct facial expressions and positions, but also be astonished by various kinds of ancient weapons which reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago.

Afterwards, we will head to tour another must-see attraction in Xi’an Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 during the Tang dynasty, the Pagoda is known for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang, one of the most renowned Chinese monks. The whole place is one of the most visited destinations by international tourists in Xi’an.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

Day 9: Xian to Beijing by High-speed Train

Today, you will experience the world famous Chinese High-speed Train from Xian to Beijing, the whole journey takes about 5 hours. When arrive in Beijing, please take taxi on your own to the reserved hotel. The free time in Beijing is for your leisure.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 10: Beijing - Day tour to explore ancient Beijing, visit Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace

Today is guided tour to Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace which are the traditional must-see places in Beijing. These attractions present to the visitors an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors manage the country, what their family life is, how they spent leisure time, how they sacrifice gods.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 11: Beijing - Day tour to Mutianyu Great Wall

The Great Wall tour proves that China was one of the strongest country in its history. Stretching thousands of kilometers, the Great Wall protected the ancient Chinese against the invasion of the enemy from its north side for more than 1000 years, the Great Wall was listed as one of the world's eight wonders. Mutianyu Great Wall, featured “graceful”, enjoy the best quality among all Wall sections, 80km north-east of Beijing with 22 ancient watchtowers, about one every kilometer. (Cable car is optional if you do not want to walk)

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 12: Beijing to Chengdu by Flight

In the morning, you will first visit the historic Temple of Heavens, which is the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, and then move on to the famous Hutongs, the traditional courtyard residence in narrows alleys in Beijing. It is a great place to know the folk culture and old quarters of Beijing city.

In the afternoon, your tour guide will escort you to Beijing Capital International Airport to take the flight to Chengdu. It will take about 3 hours for the flight journey. Upon arrival, you can take a taxi by yourself to your reserved hotel in downtown Chengdu.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Day 13: Chengdu Day Tour - Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda, Wenshu Temple, Jinli Street & Renmin Park

In the morning, the guide will pick you up to visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda. Morning is pandas' feeding time, you will visit both adult and baby pandas houses and watch them eating fresh bamboo.

Then, you will visit Wenshu Temple. Located in the city center, Wenshu Temple is a central leisure tourism area and is integrated with the CBD of the traditional city business center. After that, we will go to explore the famous Jinli Street and Remin Park. You can enjoy a relaxing walk at the ancient street of Jinli, and have a cup of tea in the Remin Park, to experience the local lifestyle of this charm city.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Day 14: Chengdu to Chongqing by High Speed Train

In the morning, you will take a high speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing, which takes about 2 hours. After arriving in Chongqing, you will meet your local guide in Chongqing and visit the ancient town of Ciqikou. It is a nice time to taste the local specialties, or find a teahouse and feel the customs of Chongqing here.

After that, your tour guide will take you to Chaotianmen Port to board the cruise and help you check out. You will have a chance to go through the Chongqing City from the airport to the pier, which is biggest city built by the Yangtze River. The cruise sails at about 21:00 in the evening.

Stay overnight in the cruise

Day 15: Yangtze River Cruise: Fengdu Ghost City (off cruise tour, optional) and Shibaozhai Shore Excursion

Today is your first day of Yangtze River Cruise Tour. You will visit Fengdu Ghost City (off cruise tour, optional) at about 09:00. Having nearly two thousand years' history, the Fengdu Ghost City combines the cultures of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with the mystique of ghosts. Tourist can see the Chinese Ghose culture and characters in here.

Then enjoy a Shibaozhai Shore Excursion at about 16:00. Shibao Zhai Village is a tower with 12 floors. It is one of several high wooden buildings in China nowadays. It is the typical and symbolic buildings characterizing of Chinas southern folk architectural techniques.

Stay overnight in the cruise

Day 16: Yangtze River Cruise: White Emperor City (off cruise tour, optional), Sailing through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Shore excursion to Goddess Stream

The second day of Yangtze River Cruise Tour begins with the White Emperor City (off cruise tour, optional) at 07:30.It is situated at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, north of the Yangtze River. It was known as White Emperor City which dates from the Western Han dynasty, approximately 2000 years ago, when the king of Shu, Liubei, called himself the White Emperor.

Then you will sail through Qutang Gorge at 10:45, Wu Gorge at 12:45, and have a shore excursion to Goddess Stream at 15:15.

Stay overnight in cruise

Day 17: Yangtze River Cruise: visit Three Gorges Dam, end the cruise journey at noon. Fly from Yichang to Shanghai

Today is the last day of your cruise journey, and you will visit Three Gorge Dam at 08:15. The world record smashing Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest dam and hydroelectric power station, you will have chance to witness the tropic man-made wonder.

The Cruise Tour ends at Yichang at 12:45. Yichang tour guide will pick up you from pier tourist station and escort you to the airport. Then you can fly to Shanghai. Please take a taxi from Shanghai airport to reserved hotel in Downtown by yourself.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Day 18: Shanghai Day Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, The Bund

Today we are about to visit some of the highlights of highlights of Shanghai Tour. Starting with fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.

Next comes the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.

In the evening, we will visit the most iconic building of Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will get amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and dazzling light from buildings of Pudong.

Stay overnight in Shanghai

Day 19: Depart from Shanghai

End the tour, please arrange taxi from your hotel to Shanghai airport.

Service Inclusion

  1. Tibet Travel Permit and all other necessary permit to Tibet
  2. Domestic train/flight tickets as indicated in the itinerary
  3. 4-day and 3-night Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang
  4. All lodging listed in the itinerary
  5. Meals listed in itinerary
  6. Entrance fees of all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
  7. Local Tour Transfers according to group size
  8. Excellent English-Speaking Tour Guide in China Tour and local Tibetan English-speaking guide in Tibet
  9. Government tax and travel agency service

Service Exclusion

  1. Chinese visa
  2. International flight to and out of China
  3. Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary
  4. Meals not specified the itinerary
  5. Tips and gratitude to tour guide and drive
  6. Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.

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