Path to Tibet via Scenic Yangtze Cruise 16 days from £2450

• Beijing: City tours (4 nights)
• Great Wall & Forbidden City
• Bird's Nest Stadium
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors, city tour (2 nights)
• Chengdu: Cultural street & temple visit (2 nights)
• Giant Panda Breeding Reserve, Giant Buddha Statue
• Yangtze River 5* Cruise: (3 nights)
• Tibet: Lhasa - Potala Palace (3 nights)

*Exclusive Small Group tours *4/5 star Hotels & cruise *Well paced itinerary *Special banquets & shows *Long Established China Tour specialists*

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for scheduled flight to Beijing. Meals on board. We arrange direct flight whenever possible.

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK GMT)

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample various type of Chinese cuisine.

Evening entertainment recommended *Optional:Acrobatic show.

Day 4 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The highlights of today's visit is to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section), which is quieter and less touristy compare with many others. This section of the Wall is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee required at local ticket office approx £5). You will have plenty of time to walk along the wall and enjoy unforgettable views.

Our memorable day continues with a trip to see the 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium and enjoy great photo opportunities. Time permitting, we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water Cube (exteriors only). We conclude this unforgettable day by enjoying a selection of Beijing dishes including Peking Duck.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
Visit the 12th century Summer Palace, Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the famous Marble Boat. In the next part of the tour enjoy a fascinating Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' residential area of Beijing to see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travellers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market.

In the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road. After the 2 hours flight and help you to check in at your hotel, our guide will leave you to have a good rest and ready for tomorrow's adventure.

Day 6 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
An exciting day awaits you as we head to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum. We will spend plenty time to visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors of the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC).

Enjoy our lunch include Xian's specialities. Following this we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. We enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the beautiful Pagoda and picturesque boulevard where Xian residents come to meet & relax.

Evening entertainment includes: a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special Dinner of dumplings included.

Day 7 Xian to Chengdu ( Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we explore Xian and visit the old Muslim Quarter of the City which is home to large Ethnic Muslim Chinese community, who have lived in the city since the silk road was established.

Enjoy walking through Muslim Square which leads into narrow winding streets crammed with shop stalls selling an array of interesting handcrafts and local food specialities. We also give time to visit the Wooden Mosque. Afterwards we will visit the majestic Bell Tower (exterior) for photo opportunities, and Drum Towers (inside) where provides fantastic bird's view across the city centre.

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk & optional cycle ride on the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls make for an ideal and safe walking & cycling route around the inner historic city centre and are a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Late afternoon take a flight to Chengdu, the home of China's most famous residents, the Giant Panda. After the 1.5 hours flight and help you to check in at your hotel, our guide will leave you to have a good rest and ready for tomorrow's adventure.

Day 8 Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast we drive to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to visit the giant pandas. You have plenty time to watch the Pandas in their playful activities and see them enjoy their Bamboo meals.

After lunch, drive to Leshan mountain and visit the Giant Buddha Statue. We take a pleasant boat ride.

Chengdu is also the home to the famous spicy Sichuan cuisine. Tonight, our dinner is booked at an excellent Sichuan cuisine restaurant where you can enjoy their delicious dishes.

Evening entertainment recommended *Optional: A variety style in one of the best show house, includes the famous Chengdu face-changing performance. Ask for prices & details at time of booking.

Day 9 Chengdu to Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning, we take a stroll down the historic Jin li Street and Kuan zai Ally to observe the local culture and traditional wooden tea houses. Then we go to the unique and well preserved Wenshu Monastery, enjoy our vegetarian lunch there.

Later on we will take you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gongar Airport, you will be met and transfered to Lhasa city. Check into hotel and we suggest spend the rest of the day to our travellers to relax and acclimatise to the high altitude.

Day 10 Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
City tour including a visit to the grand-looking Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple and stroll in the famous local bazarr - Parkhor Street.

Day 11 Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we start our tour and visit Dreprung Monastery, the biggest Monastic University of Tibet. The university is a fascinating complex containing many Buddhist chapels and colleges.

In the afternoon, we take the fast train to Chongqing, the most populated city in China. Upon arrival, we have a city tour before boarding our Yangtze cruise ship in the evening.

Day 12 Lhasa - Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Free time until our flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, we have a city tour before boarding our Yangtze cruise ship in the evening.

Day 13 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy magnificent views as you sail the mighty Yangtze River. After breakfast enjoy a shore excursion to the scenic Zhangfeimiao or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities on board, with Captain's welcome dinner to attend.

Day 14 Yangtze River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Todays shore excursion is to the Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depends on sailing schedule). Our cruise today sails through the spectacular Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board, with the farewell dinner party in the evening.

Day 15 Yangtze River / Yichang to Beijng (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we take a special shore excursion to see the Three Gorges Dam project. Today the cruise ship passes through the beautiful Xiling Gorge.

Arriving at Yichang around noon, where we disembark and meet our guide who will take you to the airport for your flight to Beijing.

Day 16 Beijing to Homeward (Includes: Breakfast)
Our Guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Departure Dates & Price (£)

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• Internal flights within China and Tibet including airport tax.
• Twin share price includes International flights with full ATOL Protection. (International flights based upon London, Heathrow departure). We can also arrange departures from your local airport.
• All airport/hotel transfers within Mainland China.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of deluxe hotel accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.

We also arrange tailor made departure & private tours according to this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirements. Flight Prices may be different around the bank holiday period in the UK, and festival periods in China. Please contact us for confirmation.

Price Does Not Include

• Visa fee (please go to Our Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights available, although on rare occasions the sequence in which cities are visited, duration of time spent can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.