DESCRIPTION:

 

China truly offers something remarkable to travelers at every turn. This incredible journey through the Middle Kingdom combines wondrous insights into China, her natural treasures and myriad cultures, with the finest hotel accommodations and Chinese culinary experiences.

 

Begin in Beijing, visiting highlights such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the magnificent Great Wall, the most enduring symbol of China. Tour the old Houhai district by Pedi cab for a first-hand view of traditional life. Perhaps even try a traditional cooking lesson.

 

Then fly deep into the Himalayas to Lhasa, Tibet. Often referred to as “Shangri La” or “the Rooftop of the World,” Tibet has long captured the imagination of the West. Explore Barkhor Street, the marketplace of old Lhasa, and a pilgrim circuit where hundreds of pilgrims make their daily ritual circumambulations. Tour palaces, temples, monasteries, and shrines.

 

Returning to China, with scientists and researchers and visit the pandas at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center, and the Wolong Panda Preserve. Then travel to Lijiang, a town famous for its well-preserved traditional homes and markets set amid canals, and meet the Naxi minority. Discover the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge.

 

The trip concludes in Shanghai: modern, bustling and stylish. Explore this European-influenced city with its beautiful colonial buildings on the historic Bund. Visit the world-class Shanghai Museum and absorb the feeling of future China as it emerges in this cosmopolitan city.

 

CONSIDER:

Tibet has to be accessed from China to ensure visas.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Chengdu Summer Palace, Huang Mountains, or a Yangtze River Cruise.