15 Days Classic China Tour with Tibet and Chengdu Panda

Tour Overview

This 15 days China Tour with Tibet and Chengdu Panda includes the traditional and new wonders of China. Mainland China classic tourist destination and the Qinghai-Tibet Train, which is...

Code of Tour: YCT0000003539

Length of Travel: 15 Day

Destinations of Tour: Beijing-Xian-Xining-Lhasa-Chengdu-Guilin-Shanghai

Departure City: Beijing

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Nature Panda Culture History Minority

More Map & Picture

This 15 days China Tour with Tibet and Chengdu Panda includes the traditional and new wonders of China. Mainland China classic tourist destination and the Qinghai-Tibet Train, which is the new wonders in the roof of the world.The Qinghai-Tibet Train connects mainland China and the highest plateau in the world – Tibet, it becomes the most popular travel line in recently year. Besides,  the tour includes traditional Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghai. You can easily connect Tibet by railway from near Xian. This is an impress tour for you to explore China comprehensively.

Highlights:

• Experience Qinghai-Tibet Train in China, feel profound history and modernization development of China.
• Have a wonderful stay in the flourishing and historical cities in China, including Bejing, Xi’an and Shanghai.
• Experience the Tibetan Buddism in the main monasteries in Lhasa.
• Meet cute pandas in Chengdu and explore the main attractions of Chnegdu.
• Experience the ethnic culture of  Tibetan, Zhuang and Yao minorities.
• Explore the earthly paradise with Tibetan Lama monastery, primitive forest, crystal lakes, hospital people.
• Take a crusie on Li River to enjoy the beautiful sceneries in Guilin.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing Arrival
• Day 2: Beijing
• Day 3: Beijing-Xi’an
• Day 4: Xi’an
• Day 5: Xi’an-Xining
• Day 6: Xining-Lhasa
• Day 7: Lhasa
• Day 8: Lhasa
• Day 9: Lhasa-Chengdu
• Day 10: Chengdu
• Day 11: Chengdu-Guilin
• Day 12: Guilin
• Day 13: Guilin-Shanghai
• Day 14: Shanghai
• Day 15: Depart from Shanghai

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:None
Accommodation:Beijing
Meals:None

When international flight lands in Beijing, Please take a taxi by yourself to our reserved hotel. The rest of the day free for you to be on your own. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 2 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
Accommodation:Beijing
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today is guided tour to Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace which are the traditional must-see places in Beijing. These attractions present to the visitors an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors manage the country, what their family life is, how they spent leisure time, how they sacrifice gods. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3 Beijing-Xian by train

Sightseeing and Activities:Mutianyu Great Wall
Accommodation:On the train
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

The Great Wall tour proves that China was one of the strongest countries in its history. Stretching thousands of kilometers, the Great Wall protected the ancient Chinese against the invasion of the enemy from its north side for more than 1000 years; the Great Wall was listed as one of the world’s eight wonders. Mutianyu Great Wall, featured “graceful”, enjoy the best quality among all Wall sections, 80km north-east of Beijing with 22 ancient watchtowers, about one every kilometer. (Cable car is optional if you do not want to walk)

After the tour, you will be drop off at the train station to board the overnight sleeper train to Xi’an, the reference train number is Z19, which departs from Beijing at 20:40, arrive in Xian at next 08:31 (the Sequence of Day2 & Day3 might be exchanged according to the arrangement of travel agency). Overnight in the train.

Day 4 Xian

Sightseeing and Activities:Terra-Cotta Warriors, Emperor Qinshihuang Mausoleum, Banpo Neolithic Village
Accommodation:Xi’ an
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

The tour guide will pick you up from Xian railway station

The day tour in Xian is impressive too. The Emperor’s Terracotta Army is also one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor in a vast underground palace. The archeological site of Banpo Village, built more than 6,000 year ago, and you will see how the resident matriarchic tribe used to survive in the Neolithic age. Short visit at the Terra-Cotta Replication Factory on the way back to downtown. Overnight in Xian.

Day 5 Train to Xining and transfer the Qinghai-Tibet Train to Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:sightseeing on the train
Accommodation:On the Train
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Take the train from Xian to Xining first and then transfer to the train from Xining to Lhasa. The Section of Tibet Train offers a stunning alpine scenery full of snow capped mountains, lakes, vast plateau plains littered with nomads, yaks, Tibetan antelope and many other wild life elements. Tibet Railway is the world’s highest Railway. The 1,956 kilometers rail line expands a vast highland area with an average altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level, the highest being 5,068 meters.

Day 6 Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Sightseeing by train, arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon

Sightseeing and Activities:Yuzhufeng, Kunlun Mountain, World Natural Heritage Kekexili Natural Preserve, Tuotuo River, Naqu Grassland and Cuona Lake
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today the train will move on Qinghai Tibet Plateau, You will pass by Yuzhufeng, which is the main peak of Kunlun Mountain, World Natural Heritage Kekexili Natural Preserve, Tuotuo River-the resource of Yangtze River, Naqu Grassland and Cuona Lake. In the afternoon (maybe evening, according to the train schedule), the train will arrive in Lhasa. Tour guide will meet you at railway station.

Day 7 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It has been used since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collection are the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.  


After you take lunch and then head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism.


Around the temple Barkhor Street where you can do kora (circling the Barkhor street) with pilgrims and locals and buy the souvenirs. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 8 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Drepung Monastery, Carpet factory, Sera Monastery
Accommodation:Lhasa
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala palace.


Afternoon, Sera Monastery—It was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419 by Jamchen chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 9 Lhasa-Chengdu by flight

Sightseeing and Activities:visit Chunxi Road, Jinli Street or Kuanzhai Alley by yourself
Accommodation:Chengdu
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

You will fly to Chengdu after tour in Lhasa. The tour guide will escort you to Lhasa airport and see you off. There is only 2 hours flying from Lhasa to Chengdu, Tour package does not include transfer from Chengdu airport to reserved hotel in downtown, please take taxi in the airport on your own.

In the afternoon, you could spend your time to explore Chunxi Road, Jinli Street or Kuanzhai Alley in central Chengdu.

Day 10 Chengdu-Leshan-Chengdu

Sightseeing and Activities:Chengdu Panda Research Center, Leshan Giant Budda
Accommodation:Chengdu
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, the guide will pick you up to visit Chengdu Panda Research Center. Morning is pandas’ feeding time, you will visit both adult and baby pandas houses and watch them eating fresh bamboo. In the afternoon, drive about 2 hours to Leshan, where you can visit biggest sitting Buddha sculpture in the Lingyun Temple. The Grand Buddha was completed in 803 of Tang Dynasty after 90 year’s construction and enjoys the fame of the biggest sitting stone sculpture in the world, about 71- meter in height. Either watching the Buddha by hiking or by cruise. After the tour, drive back to Chengdu, end the tour at Tianfu Square. Please take taxi to your reserved Hotel.

Day 11 Chengdu-Guilin by flight

Sightseeing and Activities:take the flight from Chengdu to Guilin, freetime in Guilin
Accommodation:Guilin
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

You will be picked up from Guilin airport to reserved hotel in downtown. The rest of time is from you to explore the beautiful Guilin city by yourself. Highly recommend Elephant Trunk Hill, and 2-River 4-Lake Park.

Day 12 Guilin – Day tour to Longji Terraced Fields and Yao Minority Village

Sightseeing and Activities:Longji Terraced Fields and Yao Minority Village
Accommodation:Guilin
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, tour guide will pick you up from Hotel to Longji Terraced Fields. The fields were built into the hillsides, the terraces are beautiful when the sun reflects on the water of the paddy fields, and the fields color changes into yellow in when the harvest is ripe, Layered rice fields like the back of a Dragon if look down from the air. People who plant on the fields are Yao people; they have lived there for generations in wooden houses on the back of Terraced Fields. Yao women have long black hair even they getting old, but they never use shampoo, go and discover their mysterious method for keeping their hair clean and shining. You will visit their Village, Pan-An, where you can experience their custom and life.

Day 13 Guilin – Shanghai by flight

Sightseeing and Activities: Li River Cruise, Xi Street, or Yulong River Bamboo boat Rafting
Accommodation:Shanghai
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

The 4 hours cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo will bring you the stunning natural beauty. This cruise journey is recognized as the most beautiful river view in the world. Get your camera ready. Arrive in Yangshuo, you could spend leisure time by yourself to explore the Xi Street, or do Yulong River Bamboo boat Rafting, or cycling in the countryside.

After the tour finish, you will be pick-up from Yangshuo to Guilin Airport, and fly to Shanghai.Tour package does not include transfer from Shanghai airport to reserved hotel in downtown, please take taxi in the airport on your own.

Day 14 Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities:Yu Garden, the bund, Shanghai Wax Figure Museum and Old French Concession
Accommodation:Shanghai
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Tour guide will pick you up at hotel in the morning, today, you will explore Classic & Modern Shanghai Full-view Sightseeing. Including Visit Yu Garden, the Bund, Shanghai Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Old French Concession. You will not only see the Asia’s most modern skyscrapers but also the modern Chinese culture sites in the most flourishing city in the world. Overnight in Shanghai

Day 15 Depart from Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities:None
Accommodation:None
Meals:Breakfast

Pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport, end the tour after checking in the airport. 

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Accommodation with breakfast as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide and vehicle for transfers & sightseeing;
• Service charge & government taxes;
•  Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• High speed train tickrts with 2nd class seat;
• Two bottles of mineral water each day.

Service Excluded:

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

Travel Tips:

1. Tibet Permits

There are several permits required to visit Tibet. Tibet Entry Permit, issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, is the most important one which has to be obtained before your trip because you must have it to take your flight/train to Tibet. To get the permit, you have to book a Tibet tour with us, and send us your passport and Chinese visa about 20 days in advance, and then let us apply for the permit (all Tibet permits can only be applied by travel agency). If you travel to other prefectures like Shigatse, Nyingchi, Shannan, etc, you also have to obtain an Alien Travel Permit. If you travel to Mount Everest, you have to obtain a Border Permit. (Tibet Discovery, with office in Lhasa, has always kept up with the latest news on Tibet Permits. Traveling with us, all your permits are guaranteed as long as you are qualified to the requirements.)

2. Available Months to Visit Tibet

Generally speaking, May to early October is the best time to for a Mount Kailash trip. July and August are the peak season and rainy season. It may be too cold to travel in Kailash area from November to March. There is usually heavy snow. The conditions in Namtso Lake and Mount Everest area are quite similar with Kailash. While other places like Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse are suitable for travel all year around.

3. High Altitude Sickness

The average altitude of Tibet is about 4000 meters above the sea level (Lhasa: 3700m; EBC: 5200m; Namtso: 4718m). You may suffer a bit from High Altitude Sickness in the beginning days of your Tibet trip if you haven’t had rich high plateau travel experience. But don’t worry too much, the high altitude can be acclimatized usually in 2~3 days. Our suggestion is to take a physical examination and get suggestions from your doctor, and also bring some medicines to prevent from High Altitude Sickness before your trip. While in Tibet, you should keep warm all the time, avoid strenuous activities, drink more water and eat more vegetables and carbohydrates. You’d better not take showers during the first two days after your arrival at Tibet. If you don’t feel well, get help from your tour guide or go to the hospital without any delay.

4. How to Go to Tibet

Basically you have two options – flight and train. Currently, you can take a flight to Lhasa from Beijing(4.5hrs), Xian(3.7hrs), Chengdu(2.5hrs), Chongqing(3hrs), Kuming(3hrs), etc. Among all these cities, Chengdu and Xian have more frequent flights to Lhasa. Kathmandu also has several flights to Lhasa each week.

If you a train travel, you can take a train to from Beijing(40.5hrs), Xian(32hrs), Chengdu(43hrs), Shanghai(47hrs), Chongqing(42hrs), Lanzhou(25hrs), Xining(22hrs), Guangzhou(54hrs).

5. Packing and Wearing Ideas

Firstly you can’t forget your passport and Chinese Visa. A large backpack and a smaller one are recommended (the smaller one can be used for daily activities). Also bring the necessary medicine you need. Other stuffs like sunglasses, snow glasses, hats, lip balm, sun block are recommended. As for wearing, you are suggested to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets). Down jacket is necessary in Spring and Autumn. A pair of durable and comfortable shoes is necessary.