Tibet
Caption: Tibet
Caption: Great Wall of China
Caption: Shanghai
Caption: The Three Gorges

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Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: China & Treasures of Tibet
Duration: 17 days, 16 nights
Flight information: Arrange your flights to arrive into Beijing [PEK airport] on Day 1 and departure from Gongar Airport, Lhasa [LXA] on Day 17
Pickup location: Tour commences Beijing [PEK airport].

Overview

Choose your own departure date for your group

Tibet's Himalayan alpine scenery, sacred Buddhist monasteries and unique, spiritual and traditional cultures - join us in Tibet after visiting the splendours of China.

The ‘Big Five’ sights: the Great Wall, Forbidden City in Beijing, Terracotta Army of Xian,Yellow Mountains and the Yangtze Gorges will all be explored as we discover the ancient temples and Pagodas alongside the modern cities and fascinating culture. With Tibet's Himalayan Alpine scenery, sacred Buddhist Monasteries, and one of the most unique, spiritual and traditional cultures in the world - its a great way to end your time in the East.

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Beijing
DAY 2 - The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City
DAY 3 - The Great Wall of China
DAY 4 - The Summer Palace & Train to Xi’an
DAY 5 - Terracotta Warriors & Traditional Dance Show
DAY 6 - Fly to Chongquing & Yangtze River Cruise
DAY 7 - Yangtze River Cruise
DAY 8 - Yangtze River Cruise
DAY 9 - Three Gorges Dam & Shanghai
DAY 10 - Shanghai City Tour & Huangpu River Boat
DAY 11 - Zhujiajiao & Xintiandi
DAY 12 - The Yellow Mountains
DAY 13 - Huangshan to Shanghai
DAY 14 - Welcome to Tibet
DAY 15 - Potala Palace & Lhasa Tea House
DAY 16 - Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace
DAY 17 - Goodbye to Tibet
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Beijing

When you arrive in Beijing, China, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is spent at leisure. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner to meet your fellow tour members and your Big Journey Company Tour Director.

Included meals: Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Star Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 2 - The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City

In the morning we will visit the Temple of Heaven, where past emperors performed rituals to ensure good harvests. We also visit the famous Tiananmen Square and lunch will be served in a nearby restaurant. After lunch we continue on to the Forbidden City - this beautiful complex was the imperial palace of China's emperors for 500 years.
This evening we enjoy Peking Duck Dinner in a courtyard restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Star Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 3 - The Great Wall of China

Today is one of the highlights of your China tour, a full day excursion to see the Great Wall. The wall stretches for 3915 miles across China and it was built in sections to protect the people against attacks from the north.
Tonight is your evening at leisure to explore Beijing.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: 5* Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 4 - The Summer Palace & Train to Xi’an

This morning, we visit the gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing. This UNESCO world heritage site is a feast for the senses with open water and natural landscapes interspersed with palaces and pavilions.
After lunch we will transfer to Beijing West Station for the high speed train to take our 1st class seats to Xi'an (4hrs 23mins). Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel, passing by the famous bell tower and drum tower.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: 5* Grand Nobel Xi’an (or similar) 

DAY 5 - Terracotta Warriors & Traditional Dance Show

Today we will enjoy an excursion to the famous Terracotta Warriors. They were created by China's first emperor in the 3rd century BC to guard his tomb for eternity. Afterwards we will visit the old city wall of Xi'an.
In the evening, the group will enjoy a "Tang Dynasty" song and dance show evoking the sights and sounds of the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an was capital of China. There is an opportunity to go for a bicycle ride on the City Walls for those who would like to do this.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Grand Nobel Xi’an (or similar) 

DAY 6 - Fly to Chongquing & Yangtze River Cruise

We will enjoy a morning visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Chongqing.
Upon arrival in Chongqing, we will take you on a brief city tour that includes visiting the endangered and much loved pandas at the zoo. Sichuan Cuisine will be served for dinner before travelling to the pier to join our luxury 5-star boat. We will departure this evening along the famous Chinese Yangtze River.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Anna 

DAY 7 - Yangtze River Cruise

The next few days are on board our luxury boat on the Yangtze River cruise. As we sail downstream through the Three Gorges, there will be shore excursions to enjoy together. The rest of the days will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery as it drifts past.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Anna 

DAY 8 - Yangtze River Cruise

Today we continue onboard our luxury boat on the Yangtze River cruise. As we sail downstream through the Three Gorges, there will be shore excursions to enjoy together. The rest of the days will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery as it drifts past.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Anna 

DAY 9 - Three Gorges Dam & Shanghai

Wake up on the last morning of our Yangtze River cruise to enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam together.
The boat will arrive in the city of Yichang around lunchtime where we disembark and transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival you will be transferred to our hotel where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 4* Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 10 - Shanghai City Tour & Huangpu River Boat

Today we enjoy an amazing full day city tour around Shanghai. This includes the Yu Garden and Shanghai old bazaar - a classic Chinese house and garden in the old town district.
This evening we will cruise along the Huangpu River that flows through Shanghai, giving you the best view of the city's modern skyline; we will visit the Oriental TV tower- a famous symbol of Shanghai.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: 4* Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 11 - Zhujiajiao & Xintiandi

After breakfast, we travel out to the small 'water town' of Zhujiajiao, now situated on the outskirts of Shanghai. The visit here makes for a very interesting contrast with the yesterday’s exploration of Shanghai city. Old buildings line the alleys and a maze of canals are criss-crossed by elegant bridges.
Then return to Shanghai to explore Xintiandi. This is the former French Concession, where old tenements have been transformed into a lively area of upmarket bars and boutiques.
Tonight you will need to prepare a smaller bag/suitcase for our two day tour in the Yellow Mountains. Larger luggage will be left securely at the hotel in Shanghai.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 4* Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 12 - The Yellow Mountains

We have an early breakfast today before we transfer to Shanghai HongQiao Station for our train to Huangshan North Station.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue on to the foothills and take the gondola up the Yellow Mountains, also called Huangshan. Here you will have some time at leisure to walk as much or little as you'd like to, enjoying the sights and soaking up the atmosphere as we watch the sunset.
We have dinner together and some time at leisure at the hotel this evening.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 5* South Wing of Xi Hai Hotel (or similar) 

DAY 13 - Huangshan to Shanghai

Rise early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise today. We'll have breakfast at the hotel before a day exploring some of the peaks on the mountain.
Mid-afternoon, we head back down the mountain by gondola. We transfer to Huangshan Town and visit the ancient street of Laojie before enjoying our dinner in the town.
Our flight back to Shanghai and departs this evening. On arrival in Shanghai we will transfer to the hotel where we will be reunited with our large suitcases.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 4* Ocean Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 14 - Welcome to Tibet

This morning we will meet in hotel lobby. Your Big Journey Tour Director will give you your travel permits to Tibet and we will transfer to the airport for our flights to Lhasa.
Upon arrival in Gongar Airport, we will be met and transferred to Lhasa, capital of Tibet. Lhasa is at 11,000ft. We will spend the rest of the day gently acclimatising to the altitude. Do be sure to drink plenty of water and talk to you Big Journey Tour Director if you need any other advice.
We check into the hotel before taking a slow stroll along Barkhor Street, which is on the middle pilgrim circuit. This holy place for the pilgrims has also become a focus for market stalls and traders from other parts of Tibet.

Included meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: 4* Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Lhasa (or similar) 

DAY 15 - Potala Palace & Lhasa Tea House

We venture up to the Potala Palace today to explore the grandest of its myriad rooms. See the jewelled burial chortens of the past Dalai Lamas as well as the statues and frescos.
In the afternoon we will visit Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in the Tibetan Buddhist world. After sightseeing, its tea time with a visit to one of the favourite tea houses for local Tibetans in their leisure time.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 4* Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Lhasa (or similar) 

DAY 16 - Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace

Our morning will be spent in Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's traditional summer palace. These are the largest gardens in Tibet, stretching across 89 acres.
We have lunch and then visit Sera Monastery on the northern outskirts of Lhasa, one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa Monasteries. We will watch unobtrusively as monks debate passionately in the courtyard, using different gestures accompanied by foot stamping and piercing claps. They are here to learn about Tibetan Buddhist religion and philosophy.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: 4* Four Points Sheraton Hotel (or similar) 

DAY 17 - Goodbye to Tibet

We say farewell to the gentle majesty of Tibet today. After breakfast in the hotel we are transferred to Gongar Airport [LXA] for flights home.

Included meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: none 

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • Domestic air tickets (Xi’an/Chongqing, Yichang/Shanghai).
  • Train tickets Beijing/Xi'an and Shanghai to the Yellow Mountains.
  • Domestic air tickets Shanghai/Lhasa, Tibet
  • Gondola up and down Yellow Mountains
  • Yangtze River Cruise as detailed in itinerary.
  • Accommodation as per itinerary in either a twin or double room.
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary.
  • English speaking tour guide.
  • Tour Director from The Big Journey Company as well as the local tour guide (subject to minimum group size being reached.)
  • All admissions to the attractions detailed in the itinerary.

What's not included

  • International economy flights into Beijing airport [PEK] on Day 1 and departing from Gongar Airport, Lhasa [LXA] on Day 17.
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities 
  • All entrance fees to non-stipulated attractions
  • Visas, travel insurance
  • Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above
  • Any meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Any optional activities offered
  • Any COVID tests or related entry & exit requirements

Important information

  • US/EU/UK/Canadian passport holders require a Visa to visit China 
  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.
  • Check in is after 2 - 3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
  • Cancellation 90-0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable.
  • A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. Full balance will be due 14 weeks prior to departure. Full cost of any flights purchased from us is required at the time of booking. 
  • Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights.

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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