17-Day Journey of Ancient Charm and Modern Style

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide will take you to today's first destination—Tiananmen Square. Located in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is the largest urban square in the world and an important venue for China to hold major celebrations and issue government orders.

Next, you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. The architecture of the Forbidden City is magnificent and grand, with a rigorous and symmetrical layout, utilizing symbolic techniques such as Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, embodying the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture and showcasing the majesty and dignity of the royal family.

Afterward, you will travel by car to the Summer Palace, an ancient imperial garden. Based naturally on Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain, the Summer Palace skillfully integrates the exquisite design of Jiangnan gardens, creating a model of royal gardens with mountains and waters harmoniously intertwined and picturesque scenery, earning it the title of "Royal Garden Museum" and demonstrating remarkable garden art charm. You can stroll among the pavilions and towers within the garden or take a boat ride on the lake to feel the beauty of the lakeside scenery.

Today, you will challenge yourself by climbing one of the best-preserved sections of the Ming Great Wall, the Mutianyu Great Wall.

The Mutianyu Great Wall is renowned for its 23 Ming Dynasty watchtowers and the lush green trees surrounding it. The city wall stretches and rises, magnificent and spectacular, with beautiful scenery in all seasons. Compared to other sections of the Great Wall, Mutianyu has relatively fewer tourists, making it even more serene and peaceful. Whether you choose to hike or take a cable car, you can fully appreciate the grandeur and natural beauty of the Great Wall, making it an excellent destination to experience Great Wall culture.

Returning to the city in the evening, you will have the opportunity to take photos of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube from outside. The Bird's Nest was the main stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; the Water Cube, which looks like a cube of ice crystals, later transformed into the "Ice Cube."

In the evening, we recommend you to enjoy a delicious Beijing Roast Duck dinner. Afterward, you can return to your comfortable hotel for a good night's rest.

After breakfast, you will walk into the hutongs of old Beijing, feeling the history and culture of this ancient city through gray bricks, blue tiles, and quaint dwellings. You can choose to ride a rickshaw pulled by man or walk among them. In these hutongs that exude Beijing's cultural atmosphere everywhere, you can feel the unique charm and flavor of old Beijing.

In the afternoon, you will take a train to Xi'an. Upon arriving at Xi'an Railway Station, the tour guide will warmly greet you at the exit and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

In the morning, you will first visit the Terracotta Army Museum, one of the Eight Wonders of the World, to experience the grandeur and awe-inspiring spectacle of the Terracotta Army pits of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.

Then, you can bike or walk along the historic Ancient City Wall, tracing the solid city wall bricks and feeling the vicissitudes and changes of this millennium-old capital city.

Finally, step into the lively Muslim Quarter, where you can taste authentic Xi'an snacks, experience the rich Muslim cultural atmosphere, and let your taste buds and soul be immersed in the charm of this ancient city.

Today, you will take a flight to Lhasa, the city with the highest altitude on this trip (3,650 meters above sea level).

Upon arriving at Lhasa Airport, our tour guide will greet you at the exit of the arrival hall with a white khata.

The driver and tour guide will take you to the hotel. Please rest and adjust to the high altitude. If you feel unwell, please contact our tour guide promptly.

On your pilgrimage in Lhasa, you can start with the magnificent Potala Palace. This palace standing atop the Red Hill is not only a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhism but also a witness to Tibetan history.

Next, you can enter the solemn and sacred Jokhang Temple to feel the tranquility and the power of faith in this millennium-old monastery, listening to the sound of prayer wheels spinning, as if washing away the dust of your soul.

Finally, stroll through Barkhor Street, which is not only one of the oldest districts in Lhasa but also an excellent place to experience the daily life and cultural exchanges of Tibetan people. Here, you can shop for handicrafts, taste Tibetan cuisine, and experience a perfect transition from sacredness to secularity.

In the morning, you will visit Drepung Monastery, an ancient monastery located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, attracting believers and tourists from all over the world with its profound Buddhist foundations and spectacular architecture. At Drepung Monastery, you can pay homage to majestic Buddhist statues, listen to the chanting of monks, and feel the tranquility and solemnity beyond the earthly world.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, a famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, renowned for its unique gebser debates. At Sera Monastery, you will have the opportunity to witness the intense debate scenes of monks, feel the unique debate culture in the Tibetan Buddhist education system, and at the same time, admire the exquisite murals and sculptures within Sera Monastery, experiencing the charm of Tibetan Buddhist art.

After breakfast, the Lhasa tour guide and driver will take you to the airport, and you will take a flight to Chengdu. Upon arriving at Chengdu Airport, our tour guide will wait for you at the entrance of the arrival hall with a pick-up sign with your name on it and escort you to the designated hotel for rest.

In the morning, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can observe the cute giant pandas closely, feel their leisurely and carefree lifestyle, and gain insights into the breeding and conservation knowledge of giant pandas.

Then, you can stroll through the ancient Jinli Street, an arched-gateway commercial street near Chengdu Wuhou Temple, famous for its unique Three Kingdoms culture and Sichuan traditional folklore. In Jinli, you can taste authentic Sichuan snacks such as spicy skewers and dan-dan noodles, feel the unique flavor of spicy but not dry, numbing but tasty; at the same time, you can also shop for various handicrafts and souvenirs, experiencing the charm of Sichuan traditional culture.

In the evening, you can choose to watch a special Sichuan Opera performance. Sichuan Opera performers use superb skills to change masks instantaneously, showcasing the unique artistic charm of Sichuan Opera, allowing you to appreciate the profound heritage of Sichuan traditional culture amid laughter and amazement.

After breakfast, your first destination will be Wenshu Monastery, a millennia-old temple located in the city center. This temple attracts numerous tourists and believers with its serene environment and rich Buddhist cultural atmosphere. Inside Wenshu Monastery, you can pay homage to the Buddhist statues, listen to the chanting of monks, and feel inner peace and tranquility.

Subsequently, you will proceed to People's Park, a popular spot for Chengdu citizens to relax and unwind. It is also the best place to experience Chengdu's slow life. In the park, you can find a teahouse, order a cup of covered teapot tea, leisurely watch the tea masters' skillful tea-making techniques, or join in playing mahjong or poker, experiencing the leisurely and easygoing lifestyle of Chengdu people.

Afterward, you will take the train to Chongqing. Upon arrival at Chongqing Railway Station, our tour guide will warmly welcome you at the exit.

Today, your first visit will be the Three Gorges Museum. The museum cleverly combines traditional and modern elements, emphasizing interaction with visitors. Through advanced technological means such as virtual reality and multimedia interaction, visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural charm of the Three Gorges region.

Next, you will head to Ciqikou Ancient Town, the largest ancient town within Chongqing's main urban area. The town boasts numerous traditional folk houses, stone-paved streets and alleys, temples, and palaces, serving as a natural museum of Bayu mountainous folk architecture, rich in Bayu traditional folk houses, customs, and folk characteristics.

Afterward, you will proceed to Eling Park, known as "Little Hong Kong," where you can overlook the magnificent view of the city's skyscrapers and the convergence of the two rivers.

Then, you will visit Hongyadong, an excellent place to admire the wooden stilt houses characteristic of Bayu and Shu regions. These stilt houses are built along the mountain, reaching up to 11 stories, and appear even more dazzling under the orange lights at dusk.

Finally, you will proceed to Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock to board the reserved Three Gorges cruise ship. You will spend the next few days on the ship. An exciting leisure cruise trip is about to begin!

The cruise ship offers a rich variety of cuisine and activities. You can choose to explore the relics of traditional Chinese culture ashore or stay on the ship to rest leisurely and immerse yourself in the study of Chinese culture.

Today, you will fully enjoy the breathtaking scenery and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Three Gorges.

In the morning, you will navigate through the world-famous Qutang Gorge, experiencing its magnificent, unique, steep, and magnificent Kuimen. Then, the serene and profound beauty of Wu Gorge will come into view, followed by the rapid currents and primitive yet gorgeous natural scenery of Xiling Gorge.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a relaxed shore excursion to Shenyu Creek (Fairy Creek) in Wushan County. By taking a small boat and floating down the primitive stream, you will have the opportunity to observe the steep mountains and the mysterious coffins hanging on cliffs up close.

Today is the final day of the Three Gorges cruise trip and a highlight of this tour: China's largest hydropower project, the Three Gorges Dam. The dam stands majestically, reaching 181 meters in height, spanning 2,335 meters across the Yangtze River, and measuring 115 meters in thickness.

You will have the opportunity to personally observe and experience the dam and its ship lock system. (Special Experience: Ride the world's largest ship lift, the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, which will provide you with a breathtaking view of the dam's grandeur from a new perspective and an extraordinary experience.)

After visiting the dam, the cruise company will arrange a tourist bus to take you to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center Dock.

In the afternoon, you will take a coach to the airport and board a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival at Shanghai Airport, your tour guide will welcome you at the airport and directly escort you to your hotel in downtown Shanghai.

During your journey in Shanghai, you can start from Yu Garden, filled with classical charm, and stroll through the exquisite and elegant gardens and antique buildings, feeling the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Subsequently, proceed to the bustling Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street to experience the hustle and bustle of a modern city. The famous brand shops and special snacks lining both sides are eye-catching.

Then, walk to The Bund to admire the distinctly different scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River. One side features the historic International Architecture Exhibition, while the other side boasts the modern skyscrapers of Pudong New Area, including the Shanghai Tower. It is not only a landmark building in Shanghai but also the second-highest skyscraper in the world. From the top, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the entire city.

Finally, you may wish to visit Xintiandi, which blends Shanghai's historical charm with modern urban vitality. It is an excellent place to taste Shanghai's fashionable life, enjoy food, and immerse in culture, allowing you to fully appreciate Shanghai's evolution and charm from ancient times to the present.