19 Days China Small Group Tour with Yunnan and Tibet Impression

Tour Overview

Go to the southwest China to explore the mysterious land, to get close to the minority life and to discover the imaginary landscape, all in this 19 days China...

Code of Tour: YCT0000003563

Length of Travel: 19 Day

Destinations of Tour: Beijing-Xian-Lhasa-Shigatse-Mt Everest-Lhasa-Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangrila-Shanghai

Departure City: Beijing

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Nature Culture History Minority Landscape

More Map & Picture

Go to the southwest China to explore the mysterious land, to get close to the minority life and to discover the imaginary landscape, all in this 19 days China small group tour. You will visit ancient city Beijing. After that, starts your journey to the Tibetan Plateau from divine Lhasa to colorful Lijiang to picturesque Guilin…You will have chance to get a closer look of the local culture and living ethnic customs.

Highlights

• Visit Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to see the past, present and future of China, enjoy the marvelous landscape of Guilin, and have a leisure walk into old towns in Yunnan.
• Set your foot on the sacred land of Tibet, experience the grandiose palace and holy temple in Lhasa.
• A perfect combination of new and old, fashion and history, you’ll experience the colorful culture of this great land.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1 Beijing Arrival 
• Day 2 Beijing
• Day 3 Beijing
• Day 4 Beijing-Xi’an
• Day 5 Xi’an-Lhasa by flight
• Day 6 Lhasa
• Day 7 Lhasa
• Day 8 Lhasa-Lake Namtso-Lhasa
• Day 9 Lhasa-Shangrila by flight
• Day 10 Shangrila-Lijiang
• Day 11 Lijiang
• Day 12 Lijiang-Dali
• Day 13 Dali-Kunming by bullet train
• Day 14 Kunming
• Day 15 Kunming-Guilin by train
• Day 16 Guilin
• Day 17 Guilin-Shanghai by flight
• Day 18 Shanghai
• Day 19 Shanghai Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:arrive in Beijing
Accommodation:Beijing
Meals:none

Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, your local tour guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your reserved hotel in Beijing. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Beijing

Day 2 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities:Beijing sightseeing – Great Wall at Badaling, Ming Tombs – Changling
Accommodation:Beijing
Meals:breakfast,lunch

Today you will visit the majestic Great Wall (Badaling section) and the Chang Tomb of Ming Tombs. You will be taken on a group tour to the Great Wall, the most famous symbol of China and one of the world’s most remarkable architectural wonders. This section was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Then you will visit to the Ming Tomb the burial site of the emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty who ruled for 48 years until his death in 1620.
Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Accommodation:Beijing
Meals:breakfast, lunch

Today you will first have a stroll on the historic Tiananmen Square which is the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, and then the magnificent Forbidden City which used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years.

In afternoon, you will marvel at the incredible Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. Summer Palace was an imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. The Temple of Heaven is a royal sacred site where prayers for good harvests, prosperity and harmonious life are offered. In the evening, you will be transferred to the Beijing West train station for the overnight train to Xian.
Overnight in the train.

Day 4 Arrive in Xian

Sightseeing and Activities:Terra , cotta Warriors and Horses
Accommodation:Xi’an
Meals:breakfast

Upon your arrival in Xian, you tour guide will meet you at train station and escort you to your hotel. Then you will visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. You will not only be attracted by the life-sized warrior figures and horses, each of which has distinct facial expressions and positions, but also be astonished by various kinds of ancient weapons which reflect the highly advanced technology in weapon-making 2,200 years ago. And visit the BanPo Museum, Underground Palace also.
Overnight in Xian.

Day 5 Xian-Lhasa by flight

Sightseeing and Activities:Lhasa arrival, Acclimate the high elevation of Lhasa
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:breakfast

Take a flight to Lhasa. Upon your arrival, your local tour guide will pick you up at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest so as to adapt yourself to the high altitude of Lhasa.
Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Potala Palace/Tibet Museum/Jokhang Temple/Barkhor Street
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:breakfast, lunch

In morning, go to visit the famous Potala Palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapels, you will experience its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc. Tibet Museum is an important window to introduce the glorious culture of Tibet, as a free Museum in Lhasa, you should not miss it.

In afternoon, pay a visit to the holist temple in Tibet, the Johkang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo’s reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkor Kora.
Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 7 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:breakfast

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera Monastery. Drepung Monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous for it was the government centre during the fifth dalai lama and later moved to the famous potala palace during the fifth dalai lama.

After having lunch, continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is its Buddhist Scriptures debating held in the courtyard mostly around 6:00 – 7:30 in afternoon.
Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 8 Lhasa-Lake Namtso-Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Lake Namtso
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:breakfast

Summer program: In Summer (May to August), drive about 4 hours (220km) from Lhasa to Namtso Lake which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt lake. Camp by the lake and back to Lhasa on the next day. Winter Program: Drive from Lhasa to Gyangtse and Shigatse. On the way you can visit another holy lake Yamdro-tso Lake, have a far view of Karola Glacier, drop a visit to Kubum Monastery in Gyangtse. Overnight in Shigatse. The next morning, pay a visit to Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse before driving back to Lhasa.
Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 9 Lhasa-Shangrila by flight

Sightseeing and Activities:Songzanlin Monastery
Accommodation:Shangri-la
Meals:breakfast

Take a flight to Shangrila. After checking in the hotel, head to Songzanlin Monastery in the afternoon. Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan and it has another alias – ‘the little Potala Palace ‘, so named because the whole monastery is in the traditional style with mysterious atmosphere. Stay overnight in Shangri-la.

Day 10 Shangrila-Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Tiger Leaping Gorge, First Bend of the Yangtze River, ShiguTown, Iron Chain Bridge, Lijiang Old Town
Accommodation:Lijiang
Meals:breakfast, lunch

We will drive to Lijiang from Shangri-La today, visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, First Bend of the Yangtze River and Shigu Town. we’ll drive about 100KM to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. After lunch continue the driving 50KM more to visit the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Stone Drum town. Then drive 60KM more to Lijiang to explore the Lijiang Old Town at night.
Overnight in Lijiang

Day 11 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishui River, Yak Meadow, Baisha Mural
Accommodation:Lijiang
Meals:breakfast, lunch

We’ll visit Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishui River; visit the Yak Meadow(3700M) in the Yulong Snow Mountain by chairlift. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, about 5596 meters high, is a holy mountain or Naxi ethnic people. Access to the Yak Meadow by a chairlift, walk about 500 meters to the Lamaist Monastery, and walk around the meadow to see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through Baisha Village, visit the Baisha Murals about 600 years old, then head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.
Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 12 Lijiang-Dali

Sightseeing and Activities:Three-pagoda in Chongshen Temple, Dali Old Town, Bai market
Accommodation:Dali
Meals:breakfast, lunch

After breakfast, drive south on the old road for 4hrs (200 km) to the ancient city of Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China. In Dali, we will visit the Three-pagoda in Chongsheng Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan. It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China.

At last, we will walk around the Dali Old Town, which is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. If this day happens to fall on a Monday we can drop a visit to the colourful Bai market.
Overnight in Dali

Day 13 Dali-Kunming by bullet train

Sightseeing and Activities:Erhai Lake, Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Town
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:breakfast

In the morning, visit the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island. After landing, head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture. At last,you will visit Zhoucheng Village, and Bai people’s Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop. Then we will take a bullet train to Kunming.

Day 14 Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Stone Forest, Golden Temple
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:breakfast, lunch

In the morning, drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. There is a local saying: ‘It is a waste of time not to visit the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming’. The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.

After lunch drive back to Kunming and visit the Golden Temple. After, visit the Flowers and Birds Market in the downtown. 
Stay overnight in Kunming.

Day 15 Kunming-Guilin by Bullet Train

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Guilin
Accommodation: Guilin 
Meals:breakfast

Take a bullet train to Guilin. Upon arrival in Guilin, your local guide will meet you at the railway station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Guilin.

Day 16 Guilin

Sightseeing and Activities:Li River Cruise, Yangshuo
Accommodation:Guilin
Meals:breakfast, lunch

In the morning, you’ll be transferred to Zhujiang Pier to start your cruise down the Li River until you reach the relaxing Yangshuo. You will cruise through the stunning limestone karst scenery that has made this part of China so famous. Lunch will be served onboard with decent Guilin local delicacies. Early afternoon, disembark in Yangshuo and check into your hotel. Then you will take a bike tour along the serene paths to explore this wonderfully laid back countryside in the region.
Overnight in Yangshuo.

Day 17 Guilin-Shanghai by flight

Sightseeing and Activities:Fubo Hill, Pearl Museum, Reed Flute Cave
Accommodation:Shanghai
Meals:breakfast, lunch

Today, you will be driven back to Guilin to have a city highlights tour. First, come to the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill, a symbol of Guilin, and visit the legendary Fubo Hill that overlooks the charming Li River. Then stop in a Pearl Museum and explore the Reed Flute Cave, a fairyland full of fancy stalactite formations and remarkable illuminations. At night, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. Upon arriving in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Overnight in Shanghai.

Day 18 Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities:Yu Garden, The Bund, Xintiandi-former French Concession, Pearl City, Jade Buddha Temple, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum
Accommodation:Shanghai
Meals:breakfast, lunch

You will have a visit to famous tourist sites in Shanghai today including Yu Garden, The Bund, Xintiandi-former French Concession, Pearl City, Jade Buddha Temple, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum.
Overnight in Shanghai.

Day 19 Depart from Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities:Depart from Shanghai
Accommodation:none
Meals:breakfast

Transfer you to the airport for your flight back.

Recommended Hotels

Quotations

Service Included:

1. Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
2. Meals as listed in the itinerary;
3.Accommodation with breakfast as listed in the itinerary;
4.Private English-speaking tour guide and vehicle for transfers & sightseeing;
5.Service charge & government taxes;
6. Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
7. Two bottles ofmineral watereach day.

Service Excluded:

1.Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
2.Chinese visa fees;
3.Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
4.Single room supplement;
5.Tips to guides and drivers;
6.Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
7.Personal travel insurance;
8.All optional programs;
9.Domestic air tickets fares with airport tax and fuel extra fee based on economy class mentioned in the program.

Travel Tips:

1. Visitors are advised to always carry changes of clothing due to the large variations in temperature between day and night.

2.The climate is relatively dry, so drink more water every day.

3. Protecting oneself from strong UV radiation at high altitude.

4. Protecting oneself from altitude sickness. Lessen the effects of altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise and have plenty of rest.

5. Respect local customs , habits, and religious beliefs.

6. Situated on the northern edge of the tropical zone, Xishuangbanna area is hot, humid and rainy; don’t forget to take an umbrella or a raincoat when go out.

7. When take photos, please pay attention to your safety, do not shoot in dangerous areas.