19 Day Tibet, Panda & Yangtze River Adventure

Visits: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Wolong Panda Reserve, Chongqing, Yichang &  Shanghai

Deluxe Victoria Cruise ship – Downstream from Chongqing to Yichang

A trip to Tibet, “Roof of the World”, if you want your trip to China to be culturally enriching as well as adventurous, then this one is for you. You will visit the popular cities which include Beijing, Xi’an, Yangtze River Cruise & Shanghai. But, you will also step into long closed -out Tibet—a mysterious land that is about 3 miles high above sea level. Plus, you will go deep into the Panda Reservation in Wolong, outside of Chengdu, to visit this almost extinct animal.

Tour code:       19TPYZ

Tour itinerary:

Day 1/Friday                USA to Beijing

Enjoy your flight to Beijing, China where the Olympic Games will be held in 2008

Day 2/Saturday              Arrive Beijing                       

Upon arrival Beijing, the capital of China, a friendly English speaking guide will meet and transfer tour to Chang An Grand Hotel or similar.

Day 3/Sunday              Beijing (B, L, SD)

See the well-publicized Tiananmen Square, then the ancient Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace and the beautiful Summer Palace. Walk through traditional courtyard neighborhoods Dating from Ming Dynasty, Beijing’s Hutongs. Enjoy a famous Peking duck dinner.

Day 4/Monday                          Beijing (B, L, D)

Full day excursion to the Great Wall of China that now offers a cable car to the summit. Later, on the return, drive along the famed Sacred Way to visit the museum of the Ming Tombs. Enjoy Peking Opera performance tonight.                 

Day 5/Tuesday               Beijing (B, L)

Tour the Temple of Heaven where the Qing emperors worshipped, Liulichang art district and Lama Temple (Tibetan monastery). Dinner on own   

Day 6/Wednesday                    Beijing to Xi’an  (B, L, D)

Fly to Xi’an, one of the ancient capitals of China. Then, visit the ancient city wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Check into Xi’an Garden Hotel or similar.

Day 7/Thursday            Xi’an  (B, L, SD)

Sightseeing will include the Excavations of Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, one of the greatest archaeological finds of the century, then visit Hua Qing Imperial Hot Springs and Banpo Neolithic Village. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty music and dance dinner show.

Day 8/Friday                Xi’an to Lhasa (B, L, D)

Fly to Lhasa Gong Gar Airport. You will be greeted by your Tibetan tour guide and driven about two hours to Lhasa City. Check into Lhasa Hotel upon arrival and relax for the rest of day to adjust the high altitude.

Day 9/Saturday            Lhasa (B, L, D)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will begin your exploration to this Holy City. Visit the Potala Palace, where the Dalai Lama used to preside. In the afternoon, visit the Jorkang Temple, which is located at the very center of Lhasa. Later you can stroll along the Barkore Street where Tibetan shops present Tibetan medicines, hand-made crafts, etc.

Day 10/Sunday             Lhasa (B, L, D)

Today’s sightseeing includes the Tsepung Monastery, one of the biggest monasteries in Tibet, then onto Tibetan Carpet Factory. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Temple which is the summer palace of Dalai Lama.  

Day 11/Monday            Lhasa to Chengdu (B, L, D)

Take a morning flight to Chengdu, famed for its spicy cuisine. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center on the superb of Chengdu, then drive to Sanxindui-over 3600- 4000 years ancient bronze museum which is the most important discovery in China in 1990s. Enjoy a Sichuan Cuisine dinner at a local restaurant Check into Yinhe Dynasty  Hotel (or similar).

Day 12/Tuesday           Chengdu to Wolong (B, L, D)

This morning, drive to the Wolong Nature Reserve where scientists have established a successful breeding program for the Giant Pandas. Spend the rest of the day walking the trails and observe the pandas in their natural habitat. The Reserve is also home to several Lesser Pandas (also known as Red Pandas). Overnight at Panda Inn (or similar)

Day 13/Wednesday      Wolong/Chengdu to Chongqing/Cruise (B, L, D)

You'll have some time to continue your exploration of Wolong Nature Reserve before departing to Chengdu Airport for your flight to Chongqing, the mountain city on the Yangtze, upon arrival, You will board a deluxe Victoria Cruise ship (or similar) to begin your memorable cruise downstream journey on the grand Yangtze River.

Day 14/Thursday          Yangtze River Cruise: Fengdu (B, L, D)

Shore excursion Today you begin your downstream cruise. Arrive at Fengdu, the legendary Ghost Town. You will visit the Mingshan Hill’s temples. Continue to sail to Badong.          

Day 15/Friday               Yangtze River Cruise: Shennong Stream (B, L, D)

The cruise will sail through the most magnificent Qutang Gorge, the first of the Three Gorges. Then you will be transferred to a small sampan for an excursion along the Shennong Stream to view the Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boat Gorge. Return to the cruise and you will pass the Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge. Sail through the 3 Gorges shiplocks.

Day 16/Saturday          Yangtze River Cruise: The Three Gorges Dam Project (B, L, D)

                                    Arrive Yichang to Shanghai

You will be taken on a bus to cross the Three Gorges Bridge to see this controversial project up in the close. The project includes the five-step dam construction. Arrive Yichang at around noon.  

Upon arrival, your tour guide will meet you and visit the China Sturgeon Research Institute and Yichang Chinese Medicine Hospital. Fly to Shanghai, transfer to the Bund Riverside Hotel Shanghai or similar.

Day 17/Sunday             Shanghai (B, L, D)

Full day city tour of Shanghai, which is becoming a symbolic of the rapid growth of China’s economy including the Old Town, Yuyuan Garden, also visit the architectural master piece –Shanghai Museum, the Bund (waterfront) and the Pearl of the Orient –TV Tower, Pudong new area and Nanpu Bridge. Enjoy Shanghai Acrobatic show tonight.

Day 18/Monday            Shanghai (B)

Free day at leisure, or shop for souvenirs, gifts, clothing, jewelry, etc

Day 19/Tuesday           Shanghai to USA (B)

Your guide will transfer to the airport and hug you good-bye.  Your flight will bring you back home the very same day. Optional Japan extension is available, please check details below.

B= Breakfast                 L= Lunch           D= Dinner

Tour code:       19TPYZ

2007 Departure Dates & Cost

All inclusive features:

-          Round trip transpacific air transportation via our selected airlines

-          All intra-China air/land transportation with airport departure tax

-          14 night accommodation in deluxe 4 or 5 star hotels with daily breakfast

-          3 night deluxe Victoria Cruise downstream from Chongqing to Yichang with shore excursions and 3 meals a day

-          Round trip transfers between airport/hotel/pier with baggage handling assistance

-          Private escorted sightseeing tours with English speaking guide service

-          Meals and evening entertainments as specified in the itinerary

Not including:

-          Chinese visa fee

-          Travel insurance

-          Tips

-          Personal expenses, drinks, etc.

Special Notes:

. USA Departure Tax, Fuel Surcharge, and China Domestic Airport taxes apply

. Minimum six (6) passengers required for each departure  

. This tour can be customized upon request at an additional cost

. Land only rate does not include transpacific air

. Tour fares are subject to change

Travel Tips to Tibet

When to travel in Tibet
Best season for travel to Tibet is from April to October. July and August are the raining season and the scenery is beautiful, yet the heavy rain will cause a result of bad road condition. Winter is also a good time to visit places along the Yalutsangpo valley, such as Lhasa, Tsetang, Nyinchi, Gyangtse & Shigatse, for the day time temperature is about 15℃ above zero (about 60 F).

Mountain Sickness
The most important concern of the visitors to Tibet is the mountain sickness, because the average elevation of Tibet is about 4000 meters above sea level. If you have never been to highland before, you may feel a little bit uncomfortable when you first arrive, such as headache, dizzy, heavy breathing, tired and insomnia, for the air there contains less oxygen. But these uncomfortable feelings will disappear automatically after one or two days. Those with heart diseases or high blood pressure should be much more careful and better consult your doctor before going to Tibet.

Adapting to Highland Climate
In order to adapt to highland climate quickly, please take everything easy and have a good rest; drink much more water, better not to smoke or drink alcohol; keep warm to avoid catching cold; prepare some pain-killers for necessary use.

Clothing
Traveling in Tibet, you need to bring some warm clothes, for the temperature differs much during the day and night. Even in Summer time, sweater and jacket are necessary