Essentials - 17 days

Day 1 Arrive Beijing

Arrival private transfer to hotel.

Days 2-4 Beijing

During in-depth private touring in Beijing, explore the splendours of the imperial palaces- Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven;  Travel by rickshaw down the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighbourhood. See lesser-known temples, and venture to a little-visited hilltop park for panoramic views over the rooftops of the Forbidden City.

One day, take an excursion to a stunning section of the Great Wall with a stop for lunch at Commune by the Great Wall.

Dine on traditional specialties at favourite family-run restaurants, and enjoy reservations at Beijing's most acclaimed restaurants. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city's burgeoning contemporary art scene.

Days 5-6 Xian

Private transfer and flight to Xian for 2 nights.

The ancient capital of Xian is a major stop on the Silk Road. See the famed Terracotta Warriors and the massive city walls. Explore a local night market and the lively streets of the Muslim Quarter. Dine on dumplings, a local specialty. Visit the important Big and Small Goose Pagodas. Tour the impressive Shaanxi Provincial History Museum and the Forest of Stele, a fascinating library of tall stone tablets.

Day 7 Xian-Lhasa

Private transfer to the airport for flight to Lhasa.

Days 8-10 Lhasa

During your 4 days in Lhasa, with your expert guide and driver, explore Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and a city steeped in Buddhist spirituality and Tibetan traditions. Visit Lhasa’s most compelling sights, including Potala Palace, the fortress-like Buddhist complex that towers over the city. Tour the most interesting parts of the palace and monastery compound, which is the historic seat of the Dalai Lama. Also, visit ancient Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet and an important and lively pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come to prostrate themselves, spin prayer wheels, and see a revered, life-size sculpture of the Buddha as a boy. If desired, also enjoy a private trek to the Drak Yerpa caves.

Additional activities in and around Lhasa can be arranged according to your interests, such as private meditation sessions, visits to homes, guided hikes, visits to important monasteries outside Lhasa, and more.

Day 11 Chongqing

Fly to Chongqing, an enormous modern city on the banks of the Yangtze, which is now the industrial and commercial hub of an independent municipality with a population of over 30 million.

Yu will board your luxurious Yangtze River cruise ship-Yangtze Explorer for next 3 nights

Days 12-13 Yangtze Cruise

You cruise the famous Yangtze River in a superbly appointed cruise ship as it winds its way through the spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. For many people, a cruise along this famous river is a lifelong dream. At 6300km, the Yangtze is the third longest river in the world, made famous today by its spectacular Three Gorges and the controversial Three Gorges Dam. The mist-shrouded landscape of the Yangtze Gorges is as lovely as a traditional Chinese painting. Along the way you stop and visit interesting places.

Day 14 Arrive Yichang-Shanghai

You disembark Yichang and private transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai for a 3 nights stay.

Days 15-16 Shanghai

You tour is concluded in Shanghai. Learn about Shanghai's history through the architecture of the Bund, the French Concession, Pudong and other districts. Visit up-and-coming neighbourhoods filled with art galleries, design shops and stylish new restaurants. Later visit the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century, and explore the bustling market area which now surrounds it; Ascend the Minshan Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city, before visiting the renowned Shanghai Museum.

Day 17 Depart Shanghai

Depart private transfer to the airport.