Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Arrive at Beijing, China's exciting and cultural heart. Your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Rest of the day is for recovering from jet-leg.

Day 2: Beijing    B,L,D (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The day begins at Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From there you will enter The Forbidden City, a powerful maze of ancient palaces and courtyards from which the emperor ruled the land for 500 years. You also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection (which westerners rarely see).

After lunch at local Chinese restaurant, we will take you to The Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties prayed for good harvests.   It is an architectural wonder because not a single nail was used for its construction.  You will be surprised how many senior people singing, dancing and demonstrating their wonderful skills there.  Enjoy Peking Opera show after dinner.

Day 3: Beijing    B,L,SD (special dinner)
Today you have an excursion to The Great Wall (Badaling section with cable car), the symbol of China.  You have a chance to take a hike along one of the most beautiful sections and learn of its construction 2000 years ago.  On the way, you visit the workshops of a Jade Carving factory to see workers practice this unique art. 

After lunch at local Chinese restaurant, you will visit Ming Tombs, including the Sacred Way and the Ding Ling Museum. You will be able to enter one of the tombs. In the Ding Ling Museum you can see artifacts and replicas from the tomb itself. The Peking Duck dinner will be at famous Quanjude Restaurant.

Day 4: Beijing/Xi'an    B,L
Today you visit The Summer Palace, a grand and sensual imperial palace complex set around the beautiful Kunming Lake, is a favorite summer residence of Empress Cixi.
 
After lunch at local Chinese restaurant, you take trishaw into Hutong, which is an ancient city alley, to experience the life of the local people. Visit the old quadrangles inhabited by Beijing residents. You  have an opportunity to visit a local family in the Hutong and learn how to announce time in the past at Drum Tower. Take afternoon flight to Xi'an, China's former capital, and gateway to the legendary Silk Road.  Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel. 

Day 5: Xi'an    B,L,SD
Today's highlight is the most spectacular and important places in China: the Archaeological Museum with more than 6000 life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty.  Afternoon explore the bustling Muslim Quarter or seek serenity in the grounds of the Grand Mosque.  Enjoy Tang Dynasty dinner show in the evening.

Day 6: Xi'an/Chengdu    B,L
This morning, you will stroll along the South Gate, a lively pedestrian quarter where you'll see street artists demonstrating their wonderful skills. Sightseeing today features the ancient city wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shanxi Provincial Museum.  You have  opportunity to ride bicycle at the top of the wall.  Take flight to Chengdu.  Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 7: Chengdu    B,L,D
The first stop of today is Panda Research Center. You'll learn about China's panda conservation efforts and get an up-close view of these magnificent animals. We also visit Sanxingdui Museum, which is Sichuan's most important archaeological finds linked to the ancient Shu culture. Relax in a famous teahouse with the locals, who are full of character and life. Dinner will be served at a local popular Sichuan Food restaurant. And then enjoy Changing Faces, a performance featuring the unique, magical skills of the Sichuan Opera.

Day 8: Chengdu/Lhasa    B,L,D
Take flight to Lhasa and land in the "Roof of the world". Transfer to hotel and a complete rest for acclimatization in the afternoon.

Day 9: Lhasa    B,L,D
Wonder through the ancient Bakhor Market and gaze in the awe the Jolkhang Temple, that are full of timeless treasures and the highlight of today's tour is the extraordinary, exquisite and magnificent Potala Palace, which dates back to the 7th century and looms large over the city of Lhasa.  Three meals will be at hotel.

Day 10: Lhasa   B,L,D
Today visit such wonders as the Norbulinka, the Dalai Lhama's summer Palace, Drepung, the largest monastery in the world, and Sera Monasteries famous for its antiquity. You have a visit to local Tibetan’s family. 

Day 11: Lhasa/Shanghai    B,L
Take flight to Shanghai, China's largest city and vibrant commercial heart. Meet and transfer to hotel.  Rest day is free on your own.