NEW ROUTE: Essential China. Tibet & Pandas
PVP: From $2,763.15 per person
Essence of China. Tibet & Pandas.
2026 Departure Dates from Beijing:
23/3, 13/4, 11/5, 1/6, 15/6, 6/7, 20/7, 3/8, 17/8, 31/8, 14/9, 12/10.
Immerse yourself in the heart of China on this adventure-packed journey featuring must-see destinations. This trip will take you from the majestic Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing to the sacred temples of Tibet, passing through Xi’an and the legendary Terracotta Warriors, the adorable giant pandas of Chengdu, and the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. You will discover the profound essence of this ancient nation, where history, spirituality, and nature intertwine at every stop. Explore all the detailed visits and experiences of this itinerary below. Dare to embark?
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Arrival at Beijing International Airport.
Transfer to the hotel for check-in, followed by free time to rest or explore the city center on your own.
Day 2: Beijing
Buffet breakfast.
Today we will visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, which has been the site of numerous political and historical events. We will walk across the square and visit the Forbidden City, the largest, most complete, and oldest imperial palace. It was the residence of the emperors from the early 15th century until 1911.
In the afternoon, we will take a pleasant stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Summer Palace (including a boat ride). Located about 12 km from the center of Beijing, it was designed for the exclusive enjoyment of the Emperor and his family.
Day 3: Beijing
Buffet breakfast.
In the morning, we will visit the Great Wall, specifically the Mutianyu section, with cable cars available for both ascent and descent. (Highly recommended for the more adventurous: take the chairlift up and descend on the incredible Great Wall toboggan ride.)
In the afternoon, on our way back, we will stop at the area of the Olympic Stadium (Bird’s Nest) to take some photos with the stadium in the background.
Day 4: Beijing – Xi’an (High-Speed Train)
Buffet breakfast.
Today we will visit the Temple of Heaven, a magnificent site where Ming Dynasty emperors offered sacrifices to pray for good harvests. There, a distinguished Tai Chi master will join us to give a simple introductory class to this ancient art.
In the afternoon, we travel to Xi’an by high-speed train. The distance between Beijing and Xi’an is 1,100 km, and the journey takes approximately 4 hours. Xi’an is an ancient capital of China with 3,000 years of history and is the only walled capital. It was the starting point of the famous “Silk Road.”
Day 5: Xi’an
Buffet breakfast.
In the morning, we will visit the Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (45 km, approx. 1 hour by car) and explore one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the world.
In the afternoon, we will head to the Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque. Among the alleyways of the bazaar in this legendary quarter, you can bargain, shop, and try typical food with Muslim influence, as it is full of small shops and street food stalls. You will also get to experience the local way of life.
Overnight at our hotel.
Day 6: Xi’an – Lhasa (Flight)）
In the morning, we head to the airport for our flight to Lhasa.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Lhasa
Buffet breakfast.
Today we visit the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.
Afterwards, we will stroll along Barkhor Street.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 8: Lhasa
Buffet breakfast.
Today we will visit a Traditional Handicraft Center in Lhasa, where we will learn to make Tibetan incense and create woodblock prints of Tibetan script.
Afterwards, we will visit Sera Monastery.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 9: Lhasa
Buffet breakfast.
Today we will visit Yamdrok Lake. Afterwards, we will travel to the Karola Glacier.
In the afternoon, we will return to Lhasa.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 10: Lhasa – Chengdu (Flight)
Buffet breakfast.
In the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Chengdu.
Upon arrival, we will visit People’s Park and the Ancient Jinli Street.
Transfer to the hotel to rest.
Day 11: Chengdu
Today we visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Leshan Giant Buddha by boat. It is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, carved into a cliff. The Giant Buddha stands at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. The stone cliff where the statue sits faces the sacred Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing at its feet. The rock and earth excavated from the mountain to create the Buddha were used to fill the riverbed, creating a more favorable water flow. As a result, the river became calmer. Finally, return to the hotel to rest.
Day 12: Chengdu – Shanghai (Flight)
In the morning, visit Wenshu Temple.
Then, transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai.
Upon arrival in Shanghai, transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest.
Day 13: Shanghai
Buffet breakfast.
Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden in the city center, designed during the Ming Dynasty between 1559 and 1577. An official named Pan Yunduan wanted his elderly parents, who were too old to travel to the capital, to see what such a garden looked like. That is why he named it Yu Garden (Yu means health and tranquility). In the same area as Yu Garden, we can stroll through the Old Town, full of places of interest. It is easy to get lost among the shops, winding through the ancient alleyways with names like “East Second Horse Road” in their Spanish translation. Next, we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a Buddhist temple in the city. The original temple was built in 1882 and houses two jade Buddha statues.
In the afternoon, we will head to The Bund. The Bund is a famous waterfront promenade considered the symbol of Shanghai for a hundred years. It is an area of iconic colonial-era buildings situated on the banks of the Huangpu River, directly opposite the Pudong district. From The Bund, the views of modern Shanghai, filled with skyscrapers lit up with excellent design, are impressive.
Day 14: Shanghai – Zhujiajiao
Buffet breakfast.
In the morning, we will travel to a typical southern Chinese town with ancient canals called Zhujiajiao (30 km, 40 minutes by car). It is a picturesque and classic water town with over 400 years of history, featuring a five-arch bridge spanning the Caogang River. It was once an important center for local trade and goods transportation. We can stroll through the labyrinth of paths, canals, and bridges, or take a boat ride to see the well-preserved residences of this water town.
Return to the city of Shanghai.
In the afternoon, we will head to the former French Concession area of Tianzifang for a pleasant walk among boutiques, art galleries, and cafes.
Later, we will return to our hotel to rest.
Day 15: Shanghai – International Return Flight
Buffet breakfast.
Free time until the transfer to the airport for your international flight.
End of our services.
Summary of Days and Locations
- 3 nights in Beijing
- 2 nights in Xi’an
- 4 nights in Lhasa
- 2 nights in Chengdu
- 3 nights in Shanghai
Services Included
- 4 and 5-star hotels throughout the trip, in superior double room accommodation with breakfast.
- Internal transportation: Economy class flight and train tickets for the routes: Beijing / Xi’an / Lhasa / Chengdu / Shanghai.
- Local guides throughout the entire journey.
- Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the itinerary.
- Peking Duck included in Beijing. The exact restaurant and time will be confirmed during the trip.
- GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE PEOPLE INCLUDE HALF-BOARD (breakfast + dinner).
Services Not Included
- International flights to and from China.
- Chinese visa.
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel porters, to be paid directly at the destination (approx. $5.45 per day).
- Personal travel insurance.
- Chinese tourist accident insurance.
- Any meals, drinks, tours, or activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Everything not specified in “Services Included.”