10 Days Classic Beijing Xian Lhasa Tour
Discovery the Mysterious China from East to West
Highlights of this tour:
- See the best treasures of Beijing, famous World Cultural Heritages, such as Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, etc;
- Witness the brilliant underground miracle created by the mighty emperor Qin Shihuang;
- Immerse yourself in atmospheric monastic rituals of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet.
Basic Trip Information
- Price:
- from
$1524
- 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
- 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
- Travel Route:
- Beijing / Xian / Lhasa
- Travel Length:
- 10 Days and 9 Nights
- Tour Code:
- CD-T10-10
- Group Size:
- You, your family, friends or group
- Experience:
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- Departure:
- Any day you want
Your tour - at a glance
Day 1~4 Arrival & Beijing Tour
Day 5~7 Xian Tour & Flight to Lhasa
Day 8~10 Lhasa Tour & Departure
Full Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Ni Hao, welcome to Beijing, the iconic city as well as the capital of China! You will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Arrival Ideals: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xian (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.
Day 2 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors. Feast your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colored paintings in Long Corridor.
Optional activity: Option 1: In the Evening, you can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30. Option 2: You could enjoy the well-known Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater to appreciate the classic Chinese art performance, 19:30-21:00.
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Summer Palace Shot by Our Guest Nguyen
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Tiananmen Gate at Tiananmen Square
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Forbidden City Photographed by Our Customer
Day 3 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu, a less crowded yet well-preserved segment of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It will more than live up to all of your expectations! You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu. It's a wonderful experience to climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views and take brag-worthy photos of the wall wriggling along mountain ridges. After the exciting time, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)
Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, known as the Son of the Heaven, who came from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way, also would return to Heaven through this road. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and Great Palace Gate and you’ll see the magnificent stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. Then drive back to Beijing city and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional activity: After the whole day’s tour, treat yourself a great dinner to taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude.
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Mutianyu Great Wall Shot by Our Customer Kim
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Our customers visited Bird's Nest in 2019
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Our Guest at the Sacred Way
Day 4 Beijing – Xian (B,L)
After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.
Then, get back to central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family’s home in the traditional Hutongs.
Till now, your Beijing tour is about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for your high speed train to Xian (about 4.5-6 hours). Be picked up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station, and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.
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Hutong Shot by Our Customer Taylor
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Temple of Heaven in Beijing Shot by Our Customer
Day 5 Xian (B, L)
After breakfast, drive about 40 km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. (Before the Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, you will have a rare opportunity to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.)
After lunch, return to Xian to visit Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda). After (or before) visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you will be provided an interesting experience of trying on the Hanfu which is the solemn costume of the emperors and their families, the ministers and the noble in the ancient dynasties of China. Seize this rare opportunity to take some photos to record this unique memory!
This evening you will be offered an interesting visit to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City which is a great place to walk, enjoy amazing nightscape and recall the prosperity and glory of the mighty Tang Dynasty most importantly. Seeing this area at night is totally different than during the day as the lighting is marvelous yet tastefully done.
Optional activity: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after (or without) a hearty dumpling dinner.
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Our guests get viewed by the countless Terracotta Warriors
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Victoria from South Africa visited Terracotta Warriors in 2023
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Our Customers visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda
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Dazzling Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City lovely night views
Day 6 Xian (B,L)
After breakfast, start today's tour with an educational visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum to learn a lot about the history and culture about the ancient city of Xi’an. They are together located in a clean and beautiful park. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is rather smaller and 55 years younger than its “sister” - the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built during 707 to 709 AD, the pagoda is 43.4 meters tall with 13 tiers (originally 15 tiers), looking like a very tall rectangular pyramid. An interesting fact about the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is that the pagoda has survived nearly 70 earthquakes, and now still standing firm and sturdy. You can walk around to appreciate the beautiful design and take photos of the pagoda. Then you will go to visit Xi’an Museum which is only several minutes’ walking from the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. This museum has more than 130,000 pieces of jade relics, seals, paintings, porcelains, Buddhist statues, stone carvings and many other precious relics.
Later, go to spend a leisure time on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Just like the merchants and envoys on the Silk Road thousands of years ago, you will enter the interior of the city walls through the Hanguang Gate. There you will visit a mini museum to see the real Tang Dynasty city wall ruins from over 1400 years ago, including gateways, cross-sections of the wall, and the remains of water channels. After the museum visit, get up to the city wall to enjoy a leisure stroll and pleasant panoramic views of modern Xian. Rent a bike (extra cost: 45RMB) to enjoy a relaxing cycling on the Wall is strongly recommended. The cycling routes and duration are flexible. Feel free to discuss with your tour guide. Leave the City Wall, then go to wander leisurely around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture. Don't miss the Great Mosque of Xian which is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, a sacred religious site with huge ancient architectural complex, also a surprisingly quiet land away from the bustling Muslim streets.
Optional activity: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after (or without) a hearty dumpling dinner.
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Our guests enjoyed riding on the Ancient City Wall, Xian
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Visit bustly Muslim Quarter in day time
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Armando from Italy visited Great Mosque in 2017
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Xian Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 7 Xian & Flight to Lhasa(B)
Today is free until your guide escorts you to catch flight to Lhasa (about 3hrs). Upon arrival, Your tour guide is ready to pick you up at the arrival hall, and escort you to your hotel in Lhasa downtown. Enjoy the stunning views along the driving. After check in, the rest of today is for you to acclimate to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. Avoid strenuous physical activities which may cause high altitude sickness.
Day 8 Lhasa (B)
After breakfast, start an incredible day of exploration in Lhasa city. The grandiose Potala Palace is the first site to discover. Having gone through more than 1300 years of historical changes, the colossal Potala Palace still dominates over the skyline of Lhasa city. Climb up the sacred steps to get inside the Red Palace and White Palace to explore the marvelous interior which is full of exquisite Thangkas, numerous Buddha statues, vivid wall painting and other works of Buddhist art.
In the afternoon, firstly visit the holiest Buddhist temple in Tibet – Jokhang Temple where the 12-year-old-like Shakyamuni statue is consecrated. As the spiritual center of Tibet, Jokhang Temple attracts hundreds of devoted pilgrims to worship. Outside the door of Jokhang Temple is the famous pilgrimage circle – Barkhor Street. Join the faithful Tibetans in colorful attires in walking the circle around Jokhang Temple.
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Potala Palace
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Jokhang Temple
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Meet with Tibet locals at Barkhor Street
Day 9 Lhasa (B)
After breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the summer palace of Dalai Lamas – Norbulingka Park. The luxuriant trees and flowers, cool ponds and comfortable palaces make Norbulingka the best place for summer retreat. Then drive about 5km westward to Drepung Monastery. The monastery used to play a crucial role in Tibet Buddhism as the school of Dalai Lamas. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks living and study in the monastery. As you walk further, immense temples, chapels leap to your eyes one after one.
We will then go to visit another featured Sera Monastery. This six hundred year-old monastery is famous for its grand ceremony of Buddhism debating apart from its beautiful temples with sensational icons, murals and history.
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Norbulingka Park - A Beautiful Tibetan Style Garden
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Monks Debating at Sera Monastery
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Drepung Monastery Entrance
Day 10 Lhasa Departure (B)
Today is free for you to explore Lhasa city until your tour guide transfer you to catch your flight/train to next destination.
Extension Trip Idea:
If you want to spend more days in Tibet, you can add a day tour to Namtso Lake, or take a trip to explore Mount Everest which will cost you about 4 days to finish. The most remote Mt. Kailash trekking can be done in about 10 days from Lhasa.
Leaving Idea:
From Lhasa, you can directly fly to Kathmandu, but the schedule is not daily. You can also take flights or trains to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xining, Shanghai among which Chengdu has most frequent flight schedules, usually about 10 flights each day.
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