Trying your hand at Chinese calligraphy with the help of a local expert, pondering Tibetan spirituality on visits to Buddhist temples and monasteries. observing pandas at a breeding centre in the mountains of Szechuan, cruising along the mighty Yangtze River.
While retracing the footsteps of ancient warriors along the Great Wall you realize you’re onto something. You want to get into the heart of the Middle Kingdom and our guides will take you ‘over the wall’. Handpicked for their expertise, they’ll bring you deep into China and walk backward in time with you to Tibet where you’ll reconnect with ancient ways long forgotten by the modern world. From Sichuan Opera to calligraphy classes in Xi’an, you won’t just experience China’s arts and culture, you’ll become a part of it.
What's Included
- Welcome gift - Visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall with lunch - Introductory language lesson - Tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven - Guided walk of Xian city wall and tour of Big Goose Pagoda - Demonstration of Chinese calligraphy with a local expert - Walking tour of Muslim Quarter and street markets - Tour of the Terracotta Warriors - Tang Dynasty Dinner show - Tour of Jokhang Temple and Barkhor walk - Tour of Potala Palace and Sera Monastery - Sichuan Opera show - Tour of Panda Breeding Center - Yangtze River excursions including Fengdu Temple, and the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennon Stream (depending on the season) - Orientation walk along the Shanghai Bund - Shanghai Acrobats show
- 14 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners (Allow USD225-400 for meals not included.)
- Comfort hotels (10 nts), sleeper train (1 nt), Yangtze riverboat (3 nts).
- Soft sleeper overnight train, mini-bus, cruise boat, small canal boat, ferry, plane, walking.
- Discovery Adventures guide, local guides
- Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 10
Places Visited
- China
- Tibet
Day 1 Beijing (D)
Arrive at any time and transfer to hotel. Enjoy our first taste of Chinese cuisine with a Beijing Duck welcome dinner.
Day 2 Beijing (B,L)
Visit and walk the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. We also have an introductory language lesson.
Day 3 Beijing and Overnight Sleeper Train (B,L)
Tour of the famed Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven with free time in the afternoon for shopping. Board our overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Day 4 Xi'an (L)
Guided walk of Xi'an city wall and tour of Big Goose Pagoda. Have a demonstration of the basics of Chinese calligraphy and painting with a local expert. Evening visit to the Muslim Quarter and local street markets.
Day 5 Xi'an (B,D)
Visit and learn about the Terracotta Warriors and enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner show.
Day 6 Lhasa (B)
Fly over the Himalayas to Tibet. Orientation walk through Barkhor square.
Days 7-8 Lhasa (2B,1L)
With our expert local guide we learn more about Tibetan spirituality with a visit to Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple and the Sera Monastery. Option to hike, monastery visits and shopping.
Day 9 Chengdu (B,D)
Fly to Chengdu. Attend a Sichuan opera and cultural show and sample Szechuan cuisine for dinner this evening.
Day 10 Chongqing (B)
Visit the Panda Breeding Center to learn and observe these gentle animals then board our riverboat for overnight.
Days 11-12 Yangtze River Boat (2B,2L,2D)
Cruise the Yangtze River with daily shore excursions which can include: Fengdu or Shibaozhai or Wanzhou, sail through Qutang Gorge/Wu Gorge, Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream, Sail through Three Gorges dam shiplocks and optional excursion to White Emperor City (all depending on the season and river conditions).
Days 13-14 Shanghai (2B,1D)
Tour of Three Gorges Dam then Flight to Shanghai. Take an orientation walk along the Shanghai Bund and enjoy an Acrobats show. Option to visit museums or shopping.
Day 15 Shanghai (B)
Depart at leisure.
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