( Qinghai-Tibet Railway )

Day 1/Arrive in Beijing                                                                          
Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., which was originally the platform to offer sacrifices to Heaven during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The buildings and parklands reflect an ancient Chinese thought of "the Heaven is round and the earth is square". (D)

Day 2/Beijing                                                                                         
Begin the day's activity with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Tian'anmen was built in 1417 and served as the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace. Move on to visit the Imperial Palace, well-known as Forbidden City which is the large scale construction of the palace extended from 1406 to 1420. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. 24 emperors lived and ruled China from here. In the afternoon, visit the enchanting Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. As a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, it integrates the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges into a harmonious and aesthetically exceptional whole. Enjoy a Peking Duck for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3/Beijing                                                                                         
Today's highlight is the visit to the Great Wall, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Then, drive to visit the statue-lined Shenlu (Spirit Road) leading to the Ming Tombs, here you can see some marvelous stone sculptures. The Ming Tombs area is for 13 deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Visit the Changling Tomb which is the largest of the 13 as you can imagine it is quite impressive. On the way back to the hotel, stop at Olympic Park and outside view the National Stadium (Bird's Nest, no entry) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube, no entry), which are the main stadium of the 29th Olympiad in 2008. (B,L,D)

Day 4/Beijing-Lhasa                                                                             
After a relaxed breakfast at hotel this morning, you will walk through some old "Hutongs", lanes or alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard).  Then, you will visit the Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest and most perfectly preserved Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple outside Tibet. It was built in 1649 as the residence of Prince Yong of Qing Dynasty, and was converted to a temple after he became Emperor moving to Forbidden City. Pay a visit Pearl Factory and Silk Factory. Transfer to Beijing West Railway Station, and take train to Lhasa. (B,L,D)

Day 5/on the train                                                                                  
On the train. (no meal)

Day 6/Arrrive in Lhasa                                                                          
Arrive in Lhasa in evening, rightly one of the most featured and dreamt-about cities in the world, not only limited accessibility for its remoteness and its high altitude at 3,650 meters, but also the mysterious Tibetan religion. In Tibetan, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. Pick up from the railway station and transfer to the Hotel on arrival. Rest and acclimatize yourself to the local time and altitude. (No meal)

Day 7/Lhasa                                                                                          
The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark - Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image has already appeared on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels. Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure and the holiest temple in Tibet - Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor Market - Lhasa's most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. The rest of day is free. (B,L,D)

Day 8/Lhasa                                                                                          
Sightsee of the Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka in Lhasa. Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Nowadays it stands as Tibet's most important and largest monastic university in Tibet. Norbulingka Park (Treasure Garden) was built in the 1740s during the reign of the seventh Dalai Lama. Later it was renovated and enlarged and became the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace. Sera Monastery is located a few miles to the north of Lhasa, is one of the three largest monasteries. (B,L,D)

Day 9/ Lhasa-Tsedang                                                                        
Drive to Tsedang, located by Yarlung Valley, it is the capital of Shannan Prefecture. Today's highlight is the visit of Yonbulakhang and Changzhu Temple. Yongbulakang is the earliest palace in Tibet, on the Zhaxiciri Mountain. The first impression of Yonbulakhang gave people is always very big built, precipitous and uncommon, because surrounded by the wilderness and field ridge. Changzhu Temple, located at the south bottom of Gongri Mountain, is famous for its "Pearl Tangka", on which paints the image of Kwan-yin Bodhisattva. Thangk is two meters long, 1.2 meters wide. Totally, cost 26 liang pearl, and it's also embedded with diamonds, coral and other precious jewelry. (B,L,D)

Day10/Tsedang-Zhongdian          fly on every Monday, Wednesday & Friday 
After breakfast, drive to the airport and fly to Zhongdian, known as Shangri-La which was described as a heaven away from the turbulent mundane world in James Hilton's novel "The lost Horizon" in 1993. Shangri-La, a Tibetan word, means "land of sacredness and peace". Pay a visit to Dukezong Ancient Town. Dukezong means "City of White Stone" in Tibetan, engendered an epithet as "City of Moonlight". The market turns out to be pretty amazing. It carries almost everything Tibetan you can think of. (B,D)

Day11/Zhongdian                                                                                
Begin today's sightseeing with a visit to Napahai Lake, located 8km to the northwest of Zhongdian County. It is the ideal habitation for black-necked cranes. From September to March of the next year, these rare birds have been staying here for about half a year. Then, visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan Province, and also one of the famous monasteries in the Tibetan area. The temple was made after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, hence it has another name "Second Potala Palace", a spiritual place that invites you to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. You will also have a chance to visit Tibetan family and try home-made Yak Butter tea and Tibetan Cheese. (B,L,D)

Day12/Zhongdian-Lijiang                                                                   
Drive to Lijiang, en route visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, located on the upstream of the Yangtze River in Yunnan, and it is honored as the deepest and most marvelous gorges in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Jingsha River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters below. You will also stop at Stone Drum Village, named after a drum-shaped marble plaque, standing at the First Bend of the Yangzi River. Proceed to Lijiang, an old city in beautiful surroundings in northwest Yunnan. Check in hotel upon arrival. (B,L,D)

Day13/Lijiang                                                                                      
Visit the Suhe Tea and Horse Old Town where is a well-preserved example of a town along the ancient tea and horse route, Baisha Murals in Baisha Naxi village, an artistic Crystallization combining the Naxi, Tibetan, Bai and Han styles and Black Dragon Pool where is a wonderful place caters to the habitude of the Naxi who loves the nature very much. Then, walk along Lijiang Old Town, one of UNESCO's protected world Heritage Sites. It is a well-preserved old city residing Naxi Nationality. With Sifang Street at the core, the entire city spreads out in all directions, and is crisscrossed by a labyrinth of flagged streets and alleyways. (B,L,D)

Day14/Lijiang-Jianchuan-Dali                                                           
Drive to Jianchuan and visit Shibao Mountain, located in the midst of a picturesque landscape, with a broad view comprising rows of mountain peaks, tranquil valley, dense forest, and deep-buried ancient temple houses from the woods. Shizhong Mountain Stone Caves, just like gem as bright as Dunhuang in Gansu, Yungang in Shanxi, Longmen in Henan, and Dazu in Sichuan. Also visit Sideng Street in Shaxi which is the only surviving fair market of the ancient tea-horse merchant's track, incredibly the complete theatre and its performing stage, temples, village gate are all well-preserved. Proceed to Dali. Check in hotel on arrival. (B,L,D)

Day15/Dali                                                                                         
Take a cruise on Erhai Lake, meaning "sea shaped like an ear". In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Walk around the Dali Ancient Town, characterized by the dwelling houses of the Bai Minority, which can be dated back to the year 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and rank as one of the most noted historical and cultural cities in China. Then, Visit Xizhou Village, located 18 kilometers north of Dali, faces Erhai on the east. It grew and flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) along with the fortunes of Dali renowned tea merchants that traded to Tibet. It is not only a historically famous city but also a typical commercial center of Bai Ethnic Nationality. Enjoy the Three Flavors of Tea with Bai People's Performances in Xizhou Old Town. (B,L,D)

Day16/Dali-Kunming-Stone Forest (Shilin)                                       
Take a morning flight back to Kunming, known as "The City of Eternal Spring". Today's highlight is to visit the Stone Forest (Shilin). The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality, which is about 120km from Kunming. This area offers visitors a unique landscape of stark limestone pillars twisted and sculpted by wind and water erosion some 270 million year ago. From a distance, these stone pillars look indeed like a dense forest; hence the name of Stone Forest. It covers an area of 350 square kilometers, yet only about 11.92 square kilometers have been developed as scenic landscape open to the public. Stay overnight in Stone Forest (Shilin). (B,L,D)

Day17/Stone Forest-Kunming-Shanghai                                          
Drive back to Kunming in the morning. Begin today's activity with a visit to Dragon Gate, the magnificent scenic place in Western Hill. A stone archway was built at the entrance with the inscription Dragon Gate at the top. The view of Dianchi Lake below is a thrilling sight from this breathtaking building on the cliff. Then, visit Kunming Municipal Museum, a local comprehensive museum with an area of 5,000 sq meters. The exhibitions in the five regular halls are Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition, Bronze Culture Exhibition, Sutra Exhibition of Dizang Temple and Kunming City Exhibition. Take a late afternoon flight to Shanghai, known as "Paris in the East". (B,L,D)

Day18/Shanghai                                                                                    
Enjoy one cruise on Huangpu River in the morning, and visit the Bund, at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the splendid row of early 20th century Europe buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Pay a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, which was specially built for Pan's parents as a place to enjoy themselves a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters are unique characteristic. And also take a walk through Chenghuangmiao (known as Yuyuan Garden Market) built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. It filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Then, visit Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882 to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The two precious jade Buddha statues, one sitting Buddha and one Recumbent Buddha, are carved with whole white jade. Enjoy a fabulous Acrobatic Show in the evening. (B,L,D)

Day19/Return from Shanghai                                                               
Transfer to the airport and board on your homebound flight. TOUR ENDS! (B)

Note: B-Breakfast  L-Lunch  D-Dinner 

Hotel list (or the same standard) & Prices:                                                                                              

Following price is based on private China tour, why to choose our private tour:
√ Travel with private van and guide
√ Flexible to customize your China Tour
√ Flexible departure date, whenever you want

　4-star hotel (3-star hotel in Tibet area)

Price in 1/2 double room, 2 persons sharing one double room: USD--pp

　3-star hotel 

Price in 1/2 double room, 2 persons sharing one double room: USD--pp

Price Included:
- Twin sharing accommodation with buffet breakfast
- Domestic fights in economic class with airport tax: Lhasa-Zhongdian, Dali-Kunming, Kunming-Shanghai
- Train tickets (overnight train with soft sleeper, daytime train with soft seat): Beijing-Lhasa
- Lunch and Dinner as mentioned in the itinerary in local good restaurant
- (first) Entrance fee mentioned in the itinerary
- Individual English speaking guide 
- All Transfers specified in the itinerary by air-conditioned van
- Travel Permit to Tibet

Price Excluded:
- International flight and airport tax
- China Entry Visa
- Tips, personal expenses
- Single room supplement
- Transfer, guide service for "day at leisure"
- Guide service during the plane, train or cruise

Seasons
* High season: May, Sep, Oct & Nov 01-15, 2009
* Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, Jun 01 - Aug 31, & Nov 16-30, 2009
* Low season: Dec 2009, Jan, Feb 2010