Day 1 Arrival in Shanghai

Transfer via: international flight - on your own

Upon arrival in Shanghai, meet the local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel check in. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 2 Shanghai

Activities for today: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum

Your full-day tour begins along the Bund; the city's historic waterfront boulevard is still graced by elegant turn-of-the-century buildings constructed by Japanese and European trading companies. Explore the bustling lanes of the old city bazaar and then stroll in beautiful Yu Yuan Garden, laid out more than 500 years ago by a Ming Dynasty court official for the enjoyment of his aging parents. At the Shanghai Museum, you'll tour a vast collection spanning millennia of art and culture including ancient bronzes and celadon pottery, Buddhist scriptures, precious jade objects and priceless Ming Dynasty furniture.

Day 3 Shanghai

Activities for today: Zhujiajia Water Town, Jiangnan Silk Workshop

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town to see the traditional life at Yangtze River Delta. You will take a short boat on the Water Town. After lunch, drive to the city and pay a visit to the Jiangnan Silk Workshop, and drive back to your hotel for free exploration.

Day 4 Shanghai/Yichang

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Board the Yangtze River Cruise

Morning free at leisure until meet the guide and transfer to Shanghai airport for the early afternoon flight to Yichang.
Upon arrival in Yichang, meet the local guide and transfer to board the Yangtze River Cruise.

Day 5 Three Gorges' Cruise

Activities for today: Three Gorges Dam

Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site. Sail through the Three Gorges dam shiplocks and the Xiling Gorge.

Day 6 Three Gorges' Cruise

Activities for today: Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream

Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. Pass through the Wu Gorge and the Qutang Gorge.
(You may have an optional excursion to the White Emperor City if river conditions permit.)

Day 7 Three Gorges' Cruise

Shore excursion to Fengdu - Chinese Ghost City or Shibaozhai Village.

Day 8 Chongqing/Chengdu

Transfer via: express train for seat class - on our arrangement

Disembark Chongqing at 09:00am. Meet the loclal guide and transfer to take an express train to Chengdu.
Arrival in Chengdu, meet the local guide at the railway station and transfer for hotel check in. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 9 Chengdu

Activities for today: hengdu Panda Base, Jinsha Cultural Relic Museum, Jinli Old Street

Today, our specially-arranged visit gives you exclusive, up-close access at the Panda Breeding Research Center. Go behind-the-scenes with a keeper to see and learn about the care of these lovely pandas. Then visit Jinsha Cultural Relics Museum and Jinli Old Street.

Recommend evening Activities: Sichuan Opera, known for the artistry and amazing skill of its "face changing" actors who can subtly change their masks and make-up ten times in 30 seconds.

Day 10 Chengdu/Lhasa

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Transfer to the airport for your flight across the "Roof of the World" - the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly greeted and escorted to the hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and acclimate to the altitude.

Day 11 Lhasa

Activities for today: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Norbulinka

With your friendly and knowledgeable travel guide guiding the way, today's in-depth sightseeing explores several of the city's highlights. The beautiful Jokhang Temple is a colorful, 4-story timber structure topped with gold. Originally founded in the 7th century, it remains an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. You'll also explore the lively Barkhor Market and Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Built in the 18th century, this expansive palace complex encompasses lovely garden grounds, pavilions and tranquil wooded areas. Then by special arrangement, you'll join with pilgrims who come from all across Tibet to perform kora here at a sacred mountain site; this ancient rite of walking, prayer and deep meditation is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Day 12 Lhasa

Activities for today: Potala Palace, Tibetan family visit, Sera Monastery

Today's sightseeing begins at the magnificent Potala Palace, described by British-born essayist Pico Iyer in this way: "The very center of Tibet is Lhasa and the very center of Lhasa, for more than three centuries, has been the Potala Palace. An unfathomable building erected on a rock face 13 stories high, it has golden turrets on the roof that can bee seen 12 miles away, and it stretches for more than 1,000 feet along a ridge against the snowcaps. The Potala looks and feels like no other building on the planet."

Later, spending time with a Tibetan family, you’ll gain fascinating insight into the modern rhythms and deep traditions which shape their daily lives. By special arrangement, your visit to the Sera Monastery takes you behind the scenes to observe Buddhist monks engaged in spiritual debate. Then meet a master artist in his studio to learn about thangkas, colorful, finely-detailed religious paintings that have long been a Buddhist tradition.

Day 13 Lhasa / Shigatse

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Yamdrok Lake, the Palkhor Monastery

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (about 350km). On the way visit Yamdrok Lake which is one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet, also a pilgrimage site for Tibetans. And visit the Palkhor Monastery in Gyantze. Continue drive to Shigatze for overnight.

Day 14 Shigatse / Lhasa

Activities for today: Tashilhunpo Monastery

Morning visit Tashilumpo Monastery. It is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery. After that, drive along the Yaluzangbu River back to Lhasa.

Day 15 Farewell to Lhasa

Transfer via: international/domestic flight - on your own

Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.

Trip Ends