Imperial China, pandas, remote UNESCO Natural Heritage Site & Tibet tour

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
On arrival, you are greeted and assisted with transfer to the hotel to check in.
Dongfang Hotel
11 Wanming Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing, China 100050
Tel: (8610) 63014466 Fax: (8610)63044801

Day 2: Beijing-B
This morning, tour Vast Ti'anmen Square and the extravagant Ming-era Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. After lunch (on own account), tour Beijing's ancient Hutong district by old-fashioned pedicab. Stroll along the Hutongs, stop at a Siheyuan (quadranglehomes) and learn about life in the city during the reign of Kublai Khan. Enjoy the city views atop the scenic Drum Tower. Tonight, enjoy a stunning Chinese Martial Art Show.

Day 3: Beijing-B
After breakfast, travel to the less-visited Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, where you start your hike from the starting point in Jinshanling to the bottom of Simatai, and then proceeding directly to the parking lot (about 3-4 hours, 10km/6 miles). After the tour, drive
back to Beijing

Day 4: Beijing-B
A memorable day of sightseeing begins as you tour the iconic "Bird's Nest", the Beijing National Stadium, host to many spectacular events of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Then explore the blue-colored National Aquatics Center. Tonight, enjoy front seating at the famed Beijing Acrobatic show.

Day 5: Beijing/Chengdu-B
Fly on HU7147 (0755/10:30) to Chengdu this morning. Check in to the hotel. The balance of the day is free to explore on your own.
Hotel: Furong Hotel
99 Guojielou Street, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610031
Tel: (8628) 68086666 Fax: (8628) 68086699

Day 6: Chengdu-B
An exciting day begins as you visit Chengdu Panda Base, one of the best places in china to see China's most endearing residents. According to the pandas' activities when you visit, you may have the option to take your picture with an adorable baby panda! Then view the scenic Bamboo Park. After lunch (on own account), visit the Qingyang Palace, the largest Taoist temple in China with a history of over 3000years. This afternoon, tour Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Memorial Temple, a state cultural heritage site dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis of Shu in the Three Kingdoms. Zhuge Liang was the
personification of noble character and intelligence.

Day 7: Chengdu/Jiuzhaigou-B, D
Fly on MU5863 (0950/1035) to Jiuzhaigou this morning. Upon arrival, drive to Huanglong Nature Reserve, listed as the World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. In this lovely paradise, you will see the most beautiful Colored Terrace-Ponds, where 2300 ponds come into 8 groups, such as the Guest Greeting Ponds, the Flowing Pools of the Waterfall, the Potted Landscape Ponds, the Fragrant Ponds, the Jade-bathing Ponds, etc. Due to varied depth of the ponds and all kinds of mineral pigments and deposits on the bottom, the water reflects a variety of charming colors. Then up to Jiuzhaigou and check into the hotel
Gesang Hotel (4 star)
Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China 623402
Tel: (86837) 7734958 Fax: (86837) 7734935

Day 8: Jiuzhaigou-B, D
Today, you have a full day to explore this nature's jewel set into the mountains where you can see the mountains, snow peaks, lakes and folded waterfalls or you may see the habitats of rare animals such as elegant swans, little pandas, and golden monkeys.

Day 9: Jiuhzaigou/Chengdu/Lhasa-B
Fly on MU5864 (1130/1220) to Chengdu this morning. The balance of the day is free to explore. (Perhaps shop some items for the train)This evening, board your Sky Train T22/23 (20:59/16:40) and settle in comfortable soft sleeper compartment to begin your memorable journey to Tibet.

Day 10: Full day on the train

Day 11: On the train / arrive in Lhasa
Today you will see the grandeur of snow-capped mountains, glaciers as well as the peaceful and clear rivers and lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. While passing through the Hol Xil Reserve, you might see the endangered species like Tibetan Antelopes, wild yak, wild ass and other creatures you have little chance to see in your life. Arrive Lhasa in the evening, be greeted and escorted to the hotel to check in.
Shangbala Hotel (4 star)
1 Den Gyal Ling Road， Lhasa， China 85000
Tel: (868891) 6323888 Fax: (86891) 6323577

Day 12: Lhasa -B
An extraordinary day of sightseeing shows the spectacular architecture at the world-famous Potala Palace. Former living quarters of the Dalai Lama, its massive 1000-room structure towers over this mountain city. Then visit famous Barkhor Market, where you can shop for rare Tibetan items. See one of Tibet's holiest shrines, revered 7th century Jokhang Temple, with its statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, lavishly enthroned in gold.

Day 13: Lhasa-B
You'll not soon forget Nobrulingkha (Precious Stone Garden), built on the orders of the 7th Dalai Lama in the 18th century. After lunch, tour Drepung Monastery, tiered against a mountain in traditional Tibetan style, once home to more than 10,000 Lamas. Then visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called "the court of wild rose". Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day 14: Lhasa/Chengdu /departure

This Morning, drive to Bumpa Ri, a sacred mountain decked in prayer flags - overlooks Lhasa. Hike to the top to get a bird-eye view of Lhasa. After noon, fly on CA4111 (1600/1750) to Chengdu and connect to your next destination in China.

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