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10 Days Classic Beijing Xian Lhasa Tour

Discovery the Mysterious China from East to West

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Your curiosity on the ancient history and culture of both Beijing, Xian and Tibet will be satisfied in this trip. From the current capital city Beijing, you will travel to the greatest ancient capital Xian. Both Beijing and Xian are famous as for its longlasting history and magnificent World Heritage Sites. Then you will head to the roof of the world Tibet to explore the holy Tibetan culture.

Highlights of this tour:

  • See the best treasures of Beijing, famous World Cultural Heritages, such as Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, etc;
  • Witness the brilliant underground miracle created by the mighty emperor Qin Shihuang;
  • Immerse yourself in atmospheric monastic rituals of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet.

Basic Trip Information

Price:
from $1524
  1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
  2. 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
Travel Route:
Beijing / Xian / Lhasa
Travel Length:
10 Days and 9 Nights
Tour Code:
CD-T10-10
Group Size:
You, your family, friends or group
Experience:
Departure:
Any day you want
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Your tour - at a glance

Day 1~4 Arrival & Beijing Tour

Two full days and a half day sightseeing covering the grand Tiananmen Square, historical Forbidden City, spectacular Temple of Heaven, manmade wonder Great Wall of China, royal park Summer Palace, traditional Hutong, etc.

Day 5~7 Xian Tour & Flight to Lhasa

Two full day to visit the incredible Terracotta Warriors, leisurely walk on the Ancient City Wall, Bell & Drum Tower Square, Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaan’xi History Museum.

Day 8~10 Lhasa Tour & Departure

Two full days to explore the holy Lhasa, covering the grandiose Potala Palace, sacred Jokkang Temple, Barkor Street, delicate Norbulingka Park, and two major temples in Tibet – Drepung Monaster and Sera Monastery.

Full Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Ni Hao, welcome to Beijing, the iconic city as well as the capital of China! You will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Arrival Ideals: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xian (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)

After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings.

After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors. Feast your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colored paintings in Long Corridor.

Optional activity: Option 1: In the Evening, you can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30. Option 2: You could enjoy the well-known Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater to appreciate the classic Chinese art performance, 19:30-21:00.

  • Woo's group visited Tiananmen Square Woo's group visited Tiananmen Square
  • Summer Palace Shot by Our Guest Nguyen in 2017 Summer Palace Shot by Our Guest Nguyen in 2017
  • Forbidden City Photographed by Our Customer Forbidden City Photographed by Our Customer

Day 3 Beijing (B, L)

After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu, a less crowded yet well-preserved segment of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It will more than live up to all of your expectations! You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu. It's a wonderful experience to climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views and take brag-worthy photos of the wall wriggling along mountain ridges. After the exciting time, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)

Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, known as the Son of the Heaven, who came from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way, also would return to Heaven through this road. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and Great Palace Gate and you’ll see the magnificent stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. Then drive back to Beijing city and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional activity: After the whole day’s tour, treat yourself a great dinner to taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude.

  • Kim - Mutianyu Great Wall Mutianyu Great Wall Shot by Our Customer Kim
  • Our customers visited Bird's Nest in 2019 Our customers visited Bird's Nest in 2019
  • Our Guest at the Sacred Way Our Guest at the Sacred Way

Day 4 Beijing – Xian (B,L)

After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.

Then, get back to central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family’s home in the traditional Hutongs.

Till now, your Beijing tour is about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for your high speed train to Xian (about 4.5-6 hours). Be picked up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station, and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.

  • Hutong Shot by Our Customer Taylor Hutong Shot by Our Customer Taylor
  • Temple of Heaven in Beijing Shot by Our Customer Temple of Heaven in Beijing Shot by Our Customer

Day 5 Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, drive about 40 km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. (Before the Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, you will have a rare opportunity to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.)

After lunch, return to Xian for some leisure time at the Bell & Drum Tower Square, where the biggest and most intact Bell Tower and Drum Tower in China stands. Then head to the Great Mosque, a very special place made up of a group of buildings that include multi-story buildings, towers, pavilions and palaces with Chinese style decoration on the outside and Muslim style decoration on the inside. Next go to wander leisurely around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.

This evening you will be offered an interesting visit to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City which is a great place to walk, enjoy amazing nightscape and most importantly recall the prosperity and glory of the mighty Tang Dynasty. Seeing this area at night is totally different as the lighting is marvelous yet tastefully done.

Optional activity: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after a hearty dumpling dinner.

  • Terracotta Warriors-202310-Victoria from South Africa-CD-HA-107570 Victoria from South Africa visited Terracotta Warriors in 2023
  • Dancers at Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City Dancers at Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
  • Muslim Quarter-20210403-Andreas from Swedan-CD-JO-210217 Andreas from Swedan visited Muslim Quarter
  • Cameron from New Zealand - Daqin Cameron's family from New Zealand made Terracotta Warrirors in Daqin, Xian in February, 2021

Day 6 Xian (B,L)

After breakfast, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.) After (or before) visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you will be provided a free experience of trying on the Hanfu which is the solemn costume of the emperors and their families, the ministers and the noble in the ancient dynasties of China. Seize this rare opportunity to take some photos to record this unique memory!

Next is an educational visit to the Shaanxi History Museum where you can ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate historic relics such as porcelains, paintings, and currencies dating from the Zhou to the Tang dynastic periods (1100BC to 907 AD). (Note: Shaanxi History Museum may be replaced with other activity or attraction because of crowding tourists during July ~ early September and China’s National Day during Oct.1-Oct.7. You may check details with your travel consultant.)

In the afternoon, you will take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Just like the merchants and envoys on the Silk Road thousands of years ago, you will enter the interior of the city walls through the Hanguang Gate. There you will visit a mini museum to see the real Tang Dynasty city wall ruins from over 1400 years ago, including gateways, cross-sections of the wall, and the remains of water channels. After the museum visit, get up to the city wall to enjoy a leisure stroll and pleasant panoramic views of Xian city. Rent a bike (extra cost: 45RMB) to enjoy a relaxing cycling on the Wall is strongly recommended. The cycling routes and duration are flexible. Feel free to discuss with your tour guide.

Optional activity: Take a relaxing cycling trip on the Ancient City Wall.

  • Our customers' group visited Xian Shaanxi History Museum Our customers' group visited Xian Shaanxi History Museum
  • Our customers Biking on Ancient City Wall Our customers enjoyed biking on Ancient City Wall in 2019
  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Josh from USA Our customer Josh from USA visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda in December 2020

Day 7 Xian & Flight to Lhasa(B)

Today is free until your guide escorts you to catch flight to Lhasa (about 3hrs). Upon arrival, Your tour guide is ready to pick you up at the arrival hall, and escort you to your hotel in Lhasa downtown. Enjoy the stunning views along the driving. After check in, the rest of today is for you to acclimate to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. Avoid strenuous physical activities which may cause high altitude sickness.

Day 8 Lhasa (B)

After breakfast, start an incredible day of exploration in Lhasa city. The grandiose Potala Palace is the first site to discover. Having gone through more than 1300 years of historical changes, the colossal Potala Palace still dominates over the skyline of Lhasa city. Climb up the sacred steps to get inside the Red Palace and White Palace to explore the marvelous interior which is full of exquisite Thangkas, numerous Buddha statues, vivid wall painting and other works of Buddhist art.

In the afternoon, firstly visit the holiest Buddhist temple in Tibet – Jokhang Temple where the 12-year-old-like Shakyamuni statue is consecrated. As the spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple attracts hundreds of devoted pilgrims to worship. Outside the door of Jokhang Temple is the famous pilgrimage circle – Barkhor Street. Join the faithful Tibetans in colorful attires in walking the circle around Jokhang Temple.

  • Tibet Potala Palace Visit Potala Palace
  • Jokhang Temple Jokhang Temple
  • Meet with Tibet locals at Barkhor Street Meet with Tibet locals at Barkhor Street

Day 9 Lhasa (B)

After breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the summer palace of Dalai Lamas – Norbulingka Park. The luxuriant trees and flowers, cool ponds and comfortable palaces make Norbulingka the best place for summer retreat. Then drive about 5km westward to Drepung Monastery. The monastery used to play a crucial role in Tibet Buddhism as the school of Dalai Lamas. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks living and study in the monastery. As you walk further, immense temples, chapels leap to your eyes one after one.

We will then go to visit another featured Sera Monastery. This six hundred year-old monastery is famous for its grand ceremony of Buddhism debating apart from its beautiful temples with sensational icons, murals and history.

  • Norbulingka Park - A Beautiful Tibetan Style Garden Norbulingka Park - A Beautiful Tibetan Style Garden
  • Monks Debating at Sera Monastery Monks Debating at Sera Monastery
  • Drepung Monastery Entrance Drepung Monastery Entrance

Day 10 Lhasa Departure (B)

Today is free for you to explore Lhasa city until your tour guide transfer you to catch your flight/train to next destination.

Extension Trip Idea:

If you want to spend more days in Tibet, you can add a day tour to Namtso Lake, or take a trip to explore Mount Everest which will cost you about 4 days to finish. The most remote Mt. Kailash trekking can be done in about 10 days from Lhasa.

Leaving Idea:

From Lhasa, you can directly fly to Kathmandu, but the schedule is not daily. You can also take flights or trains to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xining, Shanghai among which Chengdu has most frequent flight schedules, usually about 10 flights each day.

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