Xi'an Immersed: Dynasties & Discovery
An Epic Journey Through Time, Culture, and Breathtaking Landscapes
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing - Gateway to Ancient China
Accommodation: Beijing Hotel Meals: No meals included
Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport where your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in and recover from your journey at leisure. Use this evening to begin acclimating to the time zone and anticipating the wonders ahead in China's magnificent capital.
Day 2: Beijing's Imperial Grandeur
Accommodation: Beijing Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Begin your exploration at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, representing modern China's political heart. Then enter the magnificent Forbidden City, wandering through countless courtyards and halls that once housed Chinese emperors. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors performed solemn rituals for good harvests. The perfect symmetry and colorful architecture provide exceptional photographic opportunities.
Day 3: Great Wall & Imperial Gardens
Accommodation: Beijing Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Today features China's most iconic landmark - the Great Wall at Mutianyu section. Hike along these ancient fortifications snaking across mountain ridges, with optional cable car assistance. After descending, visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design featuring Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Conclude with exterior views of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube from the 2008 Olympics before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Beijing's Ancient Lanes & High-Speed to Xian
Accommodation: Xian Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Experience traditional Beijing life with a rickshaw tour through ancient hutongs - narrow lanes lined with siheyuan courtyard homes. Witness local residents going about their daily lives in these historic neighborhoods. After lunch, transfer to Beijing West Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Xian (approximately 4-5 hours). Upon arrival, your Xian guide will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 5: Xian's Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Walls
Accommodation: Xian Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Marvel at the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. View thousands of life-sized soldiers, each with unique facial features, arranged in battle formation. After lunch, walk along the remarkably preserved Xian City Wall, the most complete city wall surviving in China. Conclude at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, enjoying panoramic views of this Tang Dynasty architectural treasure.
Day 6: Buddhist Heritage & Flight to Xining
Accommodation: Xining Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, an exceptional example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture that has stood for over 1,300 years. The adjacent Xian Museum offers fascinating historical context. After lunch, fly to Xining (approximately 1.5 hours), the capital of Qinghai Province and gateway to the Tibetan Plateau. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Day 7: Qinghai Lake & Mountain Passes
Accommodation: Xining Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Journey to Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake situated at 3,200 meters elevation. The stunning blue waters against mountain backdrops create unforgettable vistas. En route, stop at Sun and Moon Mountain, the traditional dividing line between agricultural and pastoral regions of China. Observe the changing landscapes as you ascend toward the Tibetan Plateau, allowing your body to gradually acclimatize to higher elevations.
Day 8: Tibetan Buddhism & Highland Train Journey
Accommodation: On the train Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Explore Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Observe monks in prayer and study amidst magnificent architecture adorned with butter sculptures and murals. After lunch and leisure time, transfer to Xining Railway Station to board your overnight train to Lhasa - an engineering marvel crossing the highest railway in the world.
Day 9: Arrival in Lhasa - The Sunlight City
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel Meals: No meals included
Arrive in Lhasa (3,650 meters) after your remarkable train journey across the Tibetan Plateau. Your guide will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is dedicated to acclimatization - rest, hydrate, and avoid strenuous activity to help your body adjust to the high altitude. Light walking near your hotel is recommended.
Day 10: Lhasa's Spiritual Heart
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel Meals: No meals included
Visit the magnificent Potala Palace, former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and UNESCO World Heritage site towering over Lhasa. Explore its countless chapels, stupas, and meditation caves. After lunch, proceed to Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred Buddhist site, where pilgrims prostrate themselves in devotion. Complete your day wandering Barkhor Street, the ancient pilgrim circuit surrounding Jokhang, absorbing the vibrant atmosphere of Tibetan culture.
Day 11: Lhasa's Great Monasteries
Accommodation: Lhasa Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Explore Drepung Monastery, once the world's largest monastery housing over 10,000 monks. Its white buildings cascade down the mountainside in impressive fashion. After lunch, visit Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, featuring beautiful gardens and traditional architecture. Conclude at Sera Monastery to witness the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among monks in the courtyard.
Day 12: Flight to Shanghai - Modern China Awaits
Accommodation: Shanghai Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Lhasa before transferring to the airport for your flight to Shanghai (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, your Shanghai guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The contrast between highland Tibet and China's most cosmopolitan city provides a fascinating conclusion to your journey.
Day 13: Shanghai's Contrasts - Tradition & Modernity
Accommodation: Shanghai Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Begin at Jade Buddha Temple, housing two exquisite jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. Continue to Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden with exquisite landscaping dating to the Ming Dynasty, and explore the adjacent Chenghuangmiao Old Street bazaar. After lunch, ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center for breathtaking panoramic views from one of the world's tallest buildings. Conclude with a stroll along the Bund, admiring the spectacular contrast between colonial architecture and Pudong's futuristic skyline.
Day 14: Water Town Charm & Leisure
Accommodation: Shanghai Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Experience traditional Jiangnan culture with an excursion to Zhujiajiao Water Town, known as "Shanghai's Venice." Cruise its ancient canals, cross historic stone bridges, and wander through narrow lanes flanked by Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. After returning to Shanghai, enjoy free time for last-minute shopping, exploring neighborhoods, or revisiting favorite sites at your own pace.
Day 15: Departure from Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of China's incredible diversity - from imperial wonders and archaeological treasures to highland spirituality and modern marvels.
Important Note: When traveling by high-speed train in China, passengers are responsible for their own luggage throughout the journey, as these services do not include checked baggage handling.