10-Day Grand China Historical Journey: Beijing, Tibet & Xi’an

Day 1: Take flight to Beijing

Take flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing

On arrival into Beijing Capital International Airport, the local guide will meet you at the airport. Afternoon, you will explore the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty and courtiers for five centuries. Tonight, savor a traditional Peking Duck banquet Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3: Beijing- Lhasa. TV9816 /1455 - 1910

After breakfast, go to Summer Palace named as Yiheyuan in Chinese, which means the garden within which you can enjoy the supreme harmony by relaxing yourself. Long Corridor and Marble Boat are the highlights there. In the afternoon, board your flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival, your local guide will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4: Lhasa Highlights

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark – Potala Palace, magnificent architectural complex. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least two hours to visit those rooms, halls and chapels. Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor – Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. We will arrange a special Authentic Tibetan Yak Hot Pot. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 5: Lhasa Monasteries

In the morning, we will visit Drepung Monastery which is the biggest Tibetan Buddhism College with the biggest number of monks in Tibet. The monastery used to be the winter residence of the Dalai Lama before the 5th Dalai Lama moved his residency to the Potala Palace. And in the afternoon, we will visit influential Gelugpa Monastery-Sera Monastery, where the largest scale of scripture debating among monks is famous all across Tibet. We will watch the debate session and you may join in too with the help your guide. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6: Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse- Shigatse. (380km, about 7hours’ driving)

Yamdroktso(4441m), one of Tibet’s three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you’re on the way to this lake. It’s mostly mountain road, winding and bumpy, even thrilling somewhat. After about 3 1/2 hours’ driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m). The dazzling turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake appear hundreds of meters below the mountain pass, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m). After down from the mountain, there’s about 30km road along lakeside, with barley fields on the other side of the road. A nice walk by the lakeside can be a great joy. Leaving Yamdroktso is as spectacular as arriving, since you’ll cross the 5045m Karola, with its awesome roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier. With the Glacier scene still exciting you, after about 90km, you get to Gyantse Kumbum. There stands the 35m-high famous Kumbum, packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 7: Shigatse - Tashilhunpo - Tsedang (350km, 6hrs)

In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery which is the seat of Panchen Lama, the equally important religious figure in Tibet as Dalai Lama. The monastery was built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and inside the Monastery placed the highest statue of Buddha in Tibet which is 26.8 meters high. Afterwards, we will drive the third largest town in Tibet-Tsedang; the free time is on your own. Overnight in Tsedang

Day 8: Tsedang - Samye

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will first visit Yumbulagang, the oldest building in Tibet. Perched on a hilltop, this legendary palace offers breathtaking views of the Yarlung Valley. A short walk up to the ridge behind the building rewards you with panoramic vistas of the fertile valley and distant mountains. (Optional: horse riding available for the uphill section.) Then we drive to the ferry dock on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. A delightful ferry ride across the river brings us to Samye Monastery, Tibet's very first Buddhist monastery, founded in the 8th century. The monastery's unique mandala architecture, with its central temple representing Mount Meru and surrounding chapels symbolizing the continents, is a true masterpiece. Explore the main hall and the various chapels, and take time to climb the nearby Hepo Ri hill for a spectacular bird's-eye view of the entire monastery complex. Overnight in Tsedang

Day 9: Lhasa – Xi’an

Take a flight at 11:20(reference MU 2440) from Lhasa to Xi’an arriving at 14:20. We will visit city wall, which is the most complete city wall that has survived in China and it is also one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The original Tang Dynasty (618 -907) Xi’an City Wall was enlarged during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and it now stands 12 meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. Overnight in Xi’an

Day 10: 10 Xi’an Departure

Morning, transfer to Terra Cotta Museum, the Terracotta Army, aka Terracotta Warriors and Horses, are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Then go to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Situated inside Ci'en Temple (4 kilometers south of Xi'an City), it is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Sponsored by Tang Emperor Gaozong (628-683, reigned 650-683), the temple was first built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty as a symbol of thanksgiving to his mother for her kindness who had suffered an early death. Departure at 20:00, end the whole tour. Forbidden City Forbidden City Summer Palace Summer Palace Potala Palace Jokhang Drepung Monastery Sera Monastery Yamdrok Lake Kumpa Stupa Tashilumpo Monastery Tashilumpo Monastery Samye Monastery Yumbulagang Palace City Wall City Wall Terra Cotta Museum Big wild goose pagoda