Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Beijing, China
Big, bold, bewildering: no adjective is too grand for the Chinese capital. It is a living, breathing timeline on the rushing banks of the Hai, where red lanterns flicker in the narrow alleys of hutong districts, the scents of Pekinese cuisine waft over busy markets, and each skyscraper looms larger than the last.
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2 Beijing | Iconic SitesWalk in the footsteps of past emperors and their royal processions at the Temple of Heaven, explore the Forbidden City’s National Palace Museum and reflect on the legacy of Tiananmen Square.
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3 Beijing | The Great WallLeave the crowds behind as you scale the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, a wonderfully preserved, off-piste stretch of this iconic monument, before delving into one of Beijing’s traditional hutong neighborhoods. In this old-world maze of lanes and alleyways, visit the home of a local family for a rare glimpse into a bygone age.
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4 Xi’an | Silk Route LegacyStashed away like plundered gold, Xi’an is the China of your imagination. This grand city was once the final knot at the end of the Silk Route, its streets a raucous mix of faiths and fortunes, and still bristles with mystique today. Tour its 14th-century city walls or climb its square pagodas but leave the most awe-inspiring sight of them all for last: the Terracotta Army, a highlight of any visit to this ancient place.
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5 Xi’an | Terracotta ArmyBuilt from clay to safely guide the first emperor, Quin Shi Huang, into the afterlife, the thousands-strong Terracotta Army, complete with horses and chariots, is a true sight to behold. Delve into the army’s history with your private guide, who can unravel the secrets of this epic sight.
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6 Chengdu | Cultural HotpotFor many travellers, Chengdu means one thing: pandas. But Sichuan’s capital is a bubbling hotpot of local culture, where afternoons can be spent playing chess beneath the trees of the People’s Park, and the evenings browsing the night markets for a fiery introduction into Sichuanese cuisine.
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7 Chengdu | Giant Panda EncounterMeet China’s most famous mascots on a guided tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center. Learn more about the history of panda conservation, and meet some of the adorable, 100-plus giant and red pandas currently in the center's care.
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8 Lhasa, Tibet | Sky-High Cradle of BuddhismEven if Lhasa were not the ancient cradle of Buddhism, it would be hard to refute the misty, spiritual quality of its geography, perched like an eagle’s nest on a lofty plateau. But faith is inescapable in this rich, altitudinous dream: fluttering prayer flags and monks’ crimson robes, butter lamps flickering in ornate temples, bazaars stocked with prayer beads, and grand palaces and shrines.
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9 Lhasa | Monastic TraditionsVisit the seventh-century Ani Tsankhung Nunnery and the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most revered religious structure. In nearby Barkhor Bazaar, lose yourself among prayer beads and wheels, carpets, and thangkas. Then, see artisans at work in the Dropenling Tibet Handicraft Development Center. Later, pause at the serene Sera Monastery, watching the dramatic theological debates held in the courtyards.
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