Majestic West China Tour with Tibet, Yangtze and Panda
Overview
We especially craft this 12 days China tour for you to explore the giant panda hometown Chengdu & majesty holy city Lhasa. After the panda experience and tasting the spicy Chuan food, we head for the Tibetan highland for the unique Buddhism monasteries and Tibetan people’s culture, art and folklores. A luxury cruise on Yangtze River is also included for you to view the dramatic scenery of China. In this tour, you will visit some highlights of China and Tibet, such as Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Leshan Giant Buddha, Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple Yamdrok Lake,...
Duration: 12 days & 11 nights
Destinations: Chengdu - Lhasa - Shigatse - Chongqing - Yichang - Shanghai
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Itinerary Expand All
This morning, pay a visit to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Situated on the Axe Hill 10 kilometers north of Chengdu, 40 plus pandas as well as other endangered species like lesser pandas and black-necked crane currently reside at the base in quarters. Have fun with pandas, when they enjoy breakfast and have a nice walk and paly thereafter. Then go to Jinsha Site Museum, which was regarded as the most significant archaeological discovery in the 21st century in China. Later, enjoy leisure time when strolling on the stone-paved alleys of Jinli Old Street.
Meal: B, L
Today you will learn both Buddhism and Taoism in China. Drive to visit Leshan Giant Buddha, sitting majestically beside Minjiang River. Built beween the 8th and 9th Century, it is the largest stone-caved Buddha in the world, with a height of 71m. Walk the plank roads of Leshan Giant Buhha to admire this huge Buddha statue and take in beautifu natural scenery. Then drive back to Chengdu, and visit Qingyang Taoist Temple to have an understanding about Chinese Taoism.
Meal: B, L
Board your flight from Chengdu to Lhasa. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to hotel for check in and acclimatization. Lhasa is at 3650m/11975ft above sea level, thus for people from low altitude may suffer from altitude sickness and are not suggested to take strenuous exercise. There're not planed site visits, so you can relax at hotel or have an easy and nice walk around.
Meal: B
Begin your Tibet tour. Go to Norbulingka Park, meaning "Treasure Park ", it was first constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served as the whole governmental administration. Then visit the Sera Monastery, located at the foot of Tatipu Hill in the northern suburb of Lhasa City, it is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism. At last, pay a visit to Tibet Museum. Being the first large, modern museum in the Tibet, it has a collection of around 1000 artifacts related to the cultural history of Tibet.
Meal: B, L
3 highlights of Lhasa and Tibet today: first, go to the Potala Palace, a monumental building of Lhasa served as administrative center, seat of government, monastery, fortress and the home of all the Dalai Lamas from the Fifth to the Fourteenth in the past, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site of 1994. Then wander in the Barkhor Street, an area of narrow streets located around Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, it is the most popular devotional circumabulation for pilgrims and locals. At last, pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple, which has a golden roof and is the most sacred and important temple for most Tibetans with over 1300 years of history.
Meal: B, L
Drive to visit Palkhor Monastery, a unique monastery housing three schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Sakya, Gelugpa and Gedang. It also features a well-known "Kumbum Stupa", meaning a hundred thousand images. On the way to stop at Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. This heavenly jade-like lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains with breath-taking views. If you prefer, enjoy a picnic at Yamdrok Lake. Overnight at Shigatze.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery. Then drive back to Lhasa. Savor the unique natural beauty of Tibet plateau along the way.
Meal: B, L
Morning flight to Chongqing, be met and transferred to visit Three Gorges Museum, occupying an area of 30,000 square meters, it is a monographic museum to display the history and cultural heritage of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. Then go to Ciqikou Old Town, it is where you will find the local residents dedicated to their traditional way of life, unaffected by modern influences to be found in the larger towns and cities. Later, wander around Jiefangbei Shopping area. After dinner, transfer to board your Yangtze cruise ship.
Meal: B, L, D
On board, you may join the other passengers to practice Tai Chi, and take shore excursion to "the Ghost City" -- Fengdu or Shibaozhai depending on the schedule of the cruise companies. Fengdu Ghost City is where you can find the hell of China, with many ghost sculptures. While Shibaizhai is an ancient Chinese architecture masterpice. Since 2010, some cruise companies offer optional shore excursions during your cruise, please kindly check with your travel consultant for more information. Be invited to the captain's welcome party for fun.
Meal: B, L, D
Today you’ll get a close look of the enchanting landscape as you board a small boat and cruise along a tributary to the Yangtze to explore the exceptionally beautiful Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream depending on the arrangement of the cruise company. Be invited to the captain's farewell party for wonderful food and to dance.
Meal: B, L, D
Go ashore in Yichang. Before your Yangtze cruise trip finally ends, go visit the Three Gorge Dam - world's largest hydropower project that creates a glorious scene. After lunch in Yichang, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. From Shanghai, you may fly to your next destination or fly back home. End of your 12 days West China tour.
Meal: B, L
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