China Tour with Nepal Excursion
You get a wonderful trip when appreciating the imperial treasures in historical city Beijing and Xi’an and enjoying the feast of Tibet’s colorful culture. Moreover, a highlight is a few days Kathmandu excursion to experience a different exotic Buddhism culture.
Day 1 >> BEIJING
After your arrival in Beijing, airport transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free and easy. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 2 >> BEIJING (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Lizexiang Pearl Store
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Traditional Mongolia Restaurant
The Forbidden City (2 hours): The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Tiananmen Square (50 minutes): The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
Temple of Heaven (1.5 hours): Situated in the southern part of the city, the temple of heaven covers the total area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420A.D. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activities, particularly weekend mornings.
Traditional Mongolia Restaurant: Traditional Mongolia Restaurant is located near the Forbidden City. It serves northern Chinese food based on Mongolia cuisine. It brings Mongolia's long and distinguished cultural and literary history. A traditional Mongolian yurt (tent) is available on the third floor but a reservation is needed and a surcharge applies. Live performances of Mongolian music are sometimes preformed in the restaurant.
Lizexiang Pearl Store: China's freshwater pearls are celebrated throughout the world. See how they are produced including some of the latest technology, and learn how to spot a fake. The outlet also offers a range of items produced from pearls and pearl oysters which goes far wider than jewellery.
Day 3 >> BEIJING (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: The Mutianyu Great Wall, Shahe Cloisonne Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant
The Mutianyu Great Wall (with round way cable car) (2 hours): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a about 2.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant: Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant is near Great Wall of Mutianyu section. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout, sturgeon and salmon. Its use of natural ingredients and fabulous taste will leave you with great memories.
Shahe Cloisonne Factory: Sha He Cloisonne Factory manufactures and sells high quality Cloisonne ware. High quality Cloisonne also called "Copper - body and wire inlaid Enamel" requires an elaborate and complicated manufacturing process including hammering, filigree welding, enamel filling, surface polishing and gilding. This is a popular place for those looking for special, quality souvenirs.
Day 4 >> BEIJING - XIAN (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Beijing Olympic Green(outside tour of Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center), Hutong Tour in Xicheng District, Summer Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Beijing Olympic Green (outside tour of Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center) (1 hour): Located at the north end of the central axis of Beijing City, Olympic Green hosts 50% of the competitions in the Olympic Games. With a large area of 1215 hectares, it contains a 760 hectares green forest, National museum, exhibition area, Olympic Village and Olympic competition avenues. Approximately 31 venues are used in Beijing Olympics, including National Stadium, the Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center. You will explore the park, but it doesn't include going inside the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
Hutong Tour in Xicheng District (1 hour): Hutong is a maze of historic alleyways with old single storey traditional courtyard houses, which are now fast disappearing. In this one hour tour, you can hop on a rickshaw to ride through the narrow alleys as well as visit a local family then walk on the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge) and find out about the different thresholds of the courtyards.
Summer Palace (1.5 hours): Much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the lovely landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are set around the lake and rivers in natural harmony. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours here. Renovations (complete in 2010) mean that an individual section or building may be closed at any one time, but this is a huge site. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
In the early evening transfer to the train station for your train to Xian. Overnight on the train.
Day 5 >> XIAN (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Imperial Fine Arts center
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch)
The Terracotta Warriors and Horses (2 hours): Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (1 hour): A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant (Qinling Branch): A Wa Village Restaurant was established in 2004, mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine. It provides delicacy by using the material from xancin, obtaining a nationwide reputation from customers. It would be a nice choice to dine while traveling the nearby Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.
Xian Imperial Fine Arts center: Xian Imperial Fine Arts maily manufactures jade carvings and lacquer ware. Tourists can learn how the fine Chinese jade carved and the function of jade.
Day 6 >> XIAN - XINING (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xian City Wall with Bicycle
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Qianzhou Restaurant(Xiao Yanta Branch)
Shaanxi Provincial Museum (1.5 hours): The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Xian City Wall with Bicycle (1 hour): The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, it is a major landmark, and the best preserved, as well as the oldest and largest of the city defense systems in China. We operate this with bicycle. If the weather is not good for biking on the city wall, we will substitute a visit to the Bell Tower. Your guide will be very glad to take you the Bell Tower after you have been to look at the city wall.
Qianzhou Restaurant (Xiao Yanta Branch): Qianzhou Restaurant is well-known for its local flavors and ingredients originating from Qian County. The style, Qianzhou Four Treasures is considered to be famous nationally. The specialties are of ancient origin from the Tang Dynasty and leave customers with great culinary memories.
Flight from Xian to Xining and transfer to your hotel in Xining.
Day 7 >> XINING - LHASA (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Qinghai Lake, Cruise on Qinghai Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Qinghai Lake (2 hours): Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland salt water lake is at 3200 meters above sea level and is situated at the east of Qinghai province, around 2.30 hours drive from Xining. The ellipse-shaped lake looks like a huge poplar leaf sitting on the alpine prairie. Scenery in Qinghai lake varies according to seasons. Summer and autumn are the most comfortable weather conditions and the lake's scenery is most beautiful during these seasons.
Cruise on Qinghai Lake (30 minutes): Cruise on Qinghai Lake get enchanting view of Qinghai Lake.
Transfer to the train station. You will board the train bound for Lhasa. Overnight on the train.
Day 8 >> TRAIN TO LHASA (-/-/-)
Arrival in Lhasa and Transfer to your hotel.
Day 9 >> LHASA (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Lhasa Kitchen
Barkhor Street (2 hours): Watch the pilgrims, wearing local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate themselves near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.
Jokhang Temple (2 hours): Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.
Potala Palace (1 hour): Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for the long stairways.
Lhasa Kitchen: Lhasa Kitchen is near the Jokhang Temple. It is decorated by merging Tibetan style with Indian, Nepalese, Chinese and Italian architecture. It serves a variety of styles of food.
Day 10 >> LHASA (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Norbulingka, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Original Crazy Yak Restaurant
Norbulingka (2.5 hours): Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.
Sera Monastery (3 hours): It is known as one of the three greatest monasteries of Tibet. As one of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place.
Drepung Monastery (3.5 hours): Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). The grand Shonton Festival is hold in the early part of August every year. That is the busiest day there with crowds of people. It is an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this festival.
Original Crazy Yak Restaurant: Crazy Yak Restaurant is located in the city center near Potala Palace. It mainly provides a Tibetan buffet, Chinese dishes and Western style cuisine, it also serves as a casual bar as well. Decorated in Tibetan style of architecture, it has live performances at night.
Day 11 >> LHASA - SHIGATSE (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: The Palgor Chorten, Yomdrok Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
The Palgor Chorten (1.5 hours): Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.
Yomdrok Lake (2 hours): It lies within the boundary of Nankartse county, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhokha Prefecture, surrounded by mountains. Beautiful Holy lake which everybody is looking forward to.
Day 12 >> SHIGATSE - DINGRI (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Tashilunpo Monastery: Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. The Kloster attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists from domestic and abroad to travel and worship every year.
Day 13 >> DINGRI (B/L/-)
Today's Activities: Rongbuk Monastery (with Mt.Everest), Everest Base Camp,
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Rongbuk Monastery (with Mt.Everest) (1.5 hours): With an altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet), the monastery is the highest on earth. From there you will get a great view of Mt Everest.
Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers' eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you, but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories
Everest Base Camp: Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest peak of the Earth and probably the most coveted mountain in adventurous travelers’ eyes. Journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp is a both physical as well as psychological challenge to you -- 5200mt (17000ft), but it will definitely reward you with the most unparalleled views – a panorama of Himalayan peaks - and never-forgotten beautiful memories.
Day 14 >> DINGRI - ZHANGMU (B/L/-)
Drive to Zhangmu. Rest of the day is free. Overnight in Zhangmu.
Day 15 >> ZHANGMU - KATHMANDU, NEPAL (B/L/D)
Today's Activities (Group Tour): Durbar Square
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner
Durbar Square (2 hours): The Durbar Square lies in the heart of Kathmandu. Locally also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square-an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty. The Duibar Square Complex consists of a huge Royal Square imposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddess. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th to 18th century. Some of the important monuments to be seen here are: Taleju temple-, Jagannath temple, Kal Bhairav, Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap - built from the timber of a single tree.
Day 16 >> KATHMANDU, NEPAL (B/L/D)
Today's Activities(Group Tour): Swyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudha Nath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Patan City
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner
Swyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) (3 hours): Located about 3k.m. west of down town Kathmandu, Swoyambhu Nath Stupa is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. This great Stoup is said to have been built around 250 B.C. The Stupa of Swoyambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base-a long time ago believed to have originated from a legendary lake of Kathmandu Valley.This holy site in fact is the massive stupa complex ever built in Nepal. When you reach the famous site of venerated Swayambhu Stupa, you will get magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breathtaking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range.
Boudha Nath Stupa (3 hours): Located in the routes to trade between Tibet and Nepal, one of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century A. D.
Pashupatinath Temple (3 hours): Pasupatinath with an area of 281 hectares is considered one of the holiest shrines of all the Hindu temples. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty. Located on the banks of the Bagmati river, this two tiered magnificent golden temple with four triple silver doorways is unique example of the Nepalese temple architecture. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in South Asia with hundreds of Shiva lingams, shrines icons of various Hindu god and goddess insides. Non Hindus are not allowed to enter this temple.
Day 17 >> KATHMANDU, NEPAL (B/-/-)
Breakfast and Transfer to the Airport.
Our package tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours as mentioned with English speaking guide, baggage handling, entrance fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), accommodation with breakfast, Train Tickets, Flight from Xian to Xining, service charges and Taxes. Not included are other meals than mentioned in the program, optional tours, expenditures of personal nature.
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