Iconic China: Beijing to Tibet Adventure Tour

Go beyond the wall for a transformative adventure through China's awe-inspiring interior. Explore the unforgettable city of Beijing and meet pandas at a breeding centre in Sichuan. Discover daily life in Tibet and cruise the incredible Yangtze River on a riverboat. Cycle atop the city walls of Xi'an, and face its standing army of terracotta warriors before eating lunch in the local farming village where they were discovered. Get into China's very heart and it will most certainly get into yours.

Highlights

Enjoy a performance of shadow puppetry, learn how to make Tibetan momos (beef dumplings), get up close and personal with pandas at a Sichuan breeding centre, take in Thangka art at a Tibetan academy in Lhasa, cruise the mighty Yangtze River on a luxury riverboat

What's Included

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Temple of Heaven Tai Chi, Beijing Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Chinese Shadow Puppetry, Xi'an Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tangka Painting demonstration, Lhasa Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Dumpling
Making Lesson, Lhasa Your Discover Moment: Shanghai. Arrival transfer. Tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Bike ride along the Xi'an city walls. Orientation walk through Xi'an's Muslim Quarter and street markets. Tour the museum of the terracotta warriors. Orientation walk in Barkhor square. Tour of Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, and the Tibetan Medicine Institute. Sera Monastery visit. Visit a panda breeding centre. Yangtze River cruise. Three Gorges Dam tour. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts), soft
sleeper overnight train (1 nt), Yangtze riverboat (3 nts).

Meals Included

14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Train, minibus, cruise boat, small canal boat, ferry, bicycle, plane, walking.

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15
20 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. There may be a weight restriction for the internal flights on this tour. Each passenger is allowed one checked bag with a maximum weight of 20kg (44 lb) and one carry
on with a maximum weight of 5kg (11 lb). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passenger. Do not bring any knives or swords into China (gifts or otherwise). If they do make it into the country, they will not be permitted on trains. If you purchase a knife or sword while travelling elsewhere before arriving in China your best option is to post/mail it home before entering the country as no post/mail companies in China will accept it as a parcel.