13-Day Tibetan-Territory Beijing-Shanghai Cultural Tour

When traveling in the diverse China, you may desire a unique experience. In the golden triangle cities of Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, you will witness China's ancient past, its glorious present, and its astonishing future. Head to Lhasa, the City of Sunlight in the central Tibetan Plateau, and immerse yourself in Tibetan Buddhism at sacred palaces and temples.

The following itinerary is just one possibility. You can also communicate with our travel experts, and we will customize this tour according to your interests, hobbies, and budget.

Beijing: Visit the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace to gain a deep understanding of imperial culture; explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the best-preserved and most scenic part of the Great Wall, and be amazed by its magnificent scenery as it winds through the mountains; experience Beijing's folklore and the daily lives of locals in the hutongs.

The Forbidden City: Formerly known as the Forbidden Purple City, it has a history of about 500 years and was once the residence of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Forbidden City complex is the largest and most complete ancient building complex in China, with yellow glazed tile roofs and red walls as its main colors, embodying the dignity and majesty of the imperial family. The central axis runs through the Forbidden City and Beijing, with numerous magnificent palaces symmetrically distributed on both sides, totaling nearly 9,000 rooms.

Mutianyu Great Wall: Located in Huairou District, Beijing, 73 kilometers from the city center, it is the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Great Wall in China. It is famous for its 23 Ming Dynasty watchtowers and stunning scenery. In spring, flowers bloom in full bloom; in summer, the mountains are lush and green with flowing streams; in autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves and fruits; in winter, the snow-capped scenery is a picture of northern beauty, earning it the reputation of "Mutianyu stands out among the Great Wall".

The Summer Palace is a representative of Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, incorporating design elements from Jiangnan gardens, showcasing the peak of ancient Chinese garden art. The painted corridors inside record literary history, while Kunming Lake and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge constitute pleasant scenery, and the Buddha Pagoda serves as a landmark, offering a panoramic view of the entire garden. The Summer Palace presents different beauty and enjoyment throughout the seasons.

Xi'an: Discover the secrets of the Terracotta Army, stroll along the Ancient City Wall, witness the history of the ancient Silk Road at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, visit the Xi'an History Museum to understand Chinese history, and delve into Hui Muslim Street to taste authentic local cuisine.

Terracotta Army: Explore the Terracotta Army Museum, the eighth wonder of the world, built to commemorate China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to ensure his safety in the afterlife. To date, about 8,000 lifelike, life-sized terracotta statues have been discovered. The magnificent and spectacular main pit displays thousands of terracotta statues and horses, neatly arranged, as if recreating the magnificent formation of the Qin army, silently guarding the emperor's resting place. Each terracotta statue is lifelike, with facial expressions and clothing details meticulously carved. The Pit 2 is renowned for its unique military array layout and beautifully painted terracotta statues; Pit 3 is believed to be the command center of the entire army, although smaller in size, its internal structure is complex and ingenious.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: One of Xi'an's famous landmarks, it stands within the Da Ci'en Temple. It was built by the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang after his return from India to store Buddhist scriptures and statues. It is an important witness to the eastward spread of Buddhist culture along the Silk Road. Xuanzang's pilgrimage provided the historical background and inspiration for Journey to the West one of China's Four Great Classical Novels.

Xi'an History Museum: A modern comprehensive museum integrating history, art, and culture. The museum collects a large number of precious artifacts and artworks covering various historical periods from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Lhasa: Enter temples to experience Tibetan Buddhism, pay tribute to the Potala Palace, enjoy a picnic by the sacred lake, and experience Tibetan life on Barkhor Street.

Norbulingka: Meaning "Treasure Garden" in Tibetan, it is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, a royal garden with a long history and unique charm, blending the characteristics of Tibetan traditional architecture and the layout of Han Chinese gardens. The garden boasts a rich variety and quantity of plants and flowers, shaded by trees, resembling a "Shangri-la" in Lhasa.

Drepung Monastery: A Gelugpa monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery complex is vast in scale, with white houses and red halls dotted across the mountainside, resembling a huge pile of rice from afar. This is the origin of the name Drepung, meaning "pile of rice" in Tibetan, symbolizing prosperity.

Sera Monastery: A monastery with traditional Tibetan architectural style. The afternoon monk debates are very famous, with the questioner standing and the respondent sitting, using exaggerated gestures and abundant body movements such as waving prayer beads, staring at each other, standing on one foot and clapping, engaging in intense debates to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings.

Potala Palace: The world's highest palace-style building complex, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty who married into Tibet. The Potala Palace serves as the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama, housing a rich collection of historical artifacts, including murals, stupas, statues, Thangka paintings, as well as precious Buddhist scriptures. In addition, there are gold books and seals awarded to the Dalai Lama by Ming and Qing emperors, as well as numerous gold and silver, porcelain, jade, and other craftwork. These artifacts are diverse in subject matter and colorful. Ascend the 365 steps to reach the top of the Red Palace on the 11th floor—the Sunlight Hall, overlooking the magnificent building complex connected to the sky and a breathtaking panorama of Lhasa.

Jokhang Temple: The oldest religious sanctuary in Lhasa, built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to commemorate Princess Bhrikuti Devi of Nepal who married into Tibet. In the center of the main hall, there is a Buddhist treasure—a gilded bronze statue of Sakyamuni at the age of 12, brought by Princess Wencheng from Chang'an. The magnificent hall is surrounded by prayer wheels and devout believers. Sunlight shines through the golden roof onto the ancient stone paths, forming warm rays of light. Every corner of the temple is filled with a strong religious atmosphere, with incense smoke curling and chanting sounds, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the mind.

Yamdrok Lake: A dazzling pearl in the Himalayas, known as the "Lake in the Sky." Surrounded by mountains, Yamdrok Lake boasts clear water reflecting the sky and snow-capped mountains. The shoreline is twist and turn, with beautiful bays and beaches. In sunlight, the lake surface shimmers like pearls. On the grassy shores, cattle and sheep graze leisurely, and wildflowers bloom, forming a serene scene of the plateau pasture. As one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, many believers circumambulate the lake to seek purification and peace of mind.

Shanghai: Ascend the Shanghai Tower to bird's-eye view the entire city, experience the beauty of the classical gardens of the Yu Garden, and witness the development and changes of the Bund from the 1920s to the present.

Shanghai Tower: Standing at 632 meters, it is China's tallest building and the world's second-tallest. Its appearance rises in a spiral shape, symbolizing the traditional Chinese dragon. Riding the high-speed elevator with a speed of about 18 meters per second, you can reach the observation deck on the 118th floor of Shanghai Top in just 55 seconds, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the entire city and feeling the prosperity and charm of this international metropolis.

Yu Garden: A classical Jiangnan garden with a long history, featuring well-arranged pavilions, towers, and terraces, cleverly laid out rockeries and ponds, and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Walking through it, you feel like being in a poetic painting of Jiangnan water towns, enjoying the elegance and tranquility of classical gardens.

The Bund: Known as the "International Architecture Exhibition," it boasts 52 buildings with various styles, ranging from Gothic and Baroque to Modernism, forming a unique skyline. At night, the lights are dazzling, the river surface glistens, and cruise ships shuttle between them, showcasing the prosperity and charm of an international metropolis.