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Railways Above The Sky

China

Tour Code : CA026

25 Days. The newly opened train to Lhasa is a feat of engineering and crosses some of the most stunning landscapes on earth. Cross the Tibetan Plateau by Train. Learn about local cultures visit Yunnan with its temperate climate before...

Beijing

4 days

Xian

2 days

Xining

2 days

Lhasa

4 days

Zhongdian

2 days

Lijiang

3 days

Dali

2 days

Guilin

2 days

Shanghai

4 days

Day 1 Beijing (D)
Arrive into your Beijing in the morning transfer to your hotel the day begins with a short visit to the Summer Palace, take a stroll enjoying the classical Chinese garden architecture, the relaxation point of the royal family, and enjoy dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.
Day 2 Beijing (B)
A day tour to see the famous city of Beijing, the first stop is Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the north side of the square through the red Tiananmen Gate into the Forbidden City, the ancient city home of the royal family and their court during China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties. After lunch visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where the Emperor’s came yearly to ask for a good harvest. Enjoy dinner and a performance by the Peking Opera.f
Day 3 Beijing (B/L)
Depart from your hotel at 8am and travel to Jinshanling the start of a 10km trek along the most unspoilt and original parts of the Great Wall to Simitai. The 10-km hike takes about 4-5 hours, passing 30 watch towers.
Day 4 Beijing (B)
Travel some 50 km northwest of Beijing to the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals. The way leads to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain. Take a trip to the Underground Palace of Dingling and see the imperial coffins, burial artefacts and treasures enjoy a leisurely afternoon before taking the overnight train to Xian. The sleeper train departs at 21:30 arriving into Xian at 08:30
Day 5 Xian (B/L)
On arrival pick up at the train station and transfer to your hotel before visiting the Shaanxi Historical Museum, the ancient City Wall built in the 14th century and one of the most important city walls in China. In the evening experience a special Tang Dynasty Show and try the local speciality of dumplings.
Day 6 Xian (B/L/D)
Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, thousands of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. After lunch, we will visit the Provincial History Museum which has the richest collection of artefacts in China. For the last visit of the afternoon see Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The square, seven-storey pagoda was built in 652 AD and is a fine example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture, after dinner transfer to the railway station for the train to Xining. Departs Xian: 21:00 Arrives Xining: 09:00
Day 7 Xining (B/L/D)
On arrival into Xining; the capital of Qinghai province check into your hotel. After lunch visit to the Ta'er Temple.
Day 8 Xining (B/L)
Spend the day at Qinghai Lake where you can see bird Island, swans and bar-headed geese return to Xining for the overnight train to Lhasa. Departs Xining: 18:10 Arrives Lhasa: 18:00
Day 9 Xining – Lhasa (D)
A full day on the train to enjoy the spectacular views of the world’s highest mountains ranges at the top of the world. The train arrives early evening on arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 10 Lhasa (D)
Potala Palace, the Tibet Museum and Jokhang Temple are the first sights you will see as you emerse in Tibetan history and culture. Enjoy colourful bazaars on Barkhor Street known as the Pilgrims’s Way before visiting a carpet factory. Before returning to your hotel visit a Traditional Medicine Hospital (Mentsikhang) offering herbal remedies
Day 11 Lhasa (B/L/D)
Lhasa is famous for its monasteries visit the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Drepung was once the largest and wealthiest and a Yellow Hat monastery where the Dalai Lamas were trained. Sera was a strong rival for importance and had three Tantric Colleges. Visit Norbulingka Park (Jewel Park), the old summer palace of the Dalai Lamas with its fine palaces, pavilions, gardens and ponds.
Day 12 Lhasa (B)
Free Day in Lhasa
Day 13 Lhasa – Zhongdian (B/L)
Free at leisure till pick up from your hotel and transfer to airport for Zhongdian. Flight departs at 11:25 arriving Zhongdian (Diqing) at 13:05 MU5838 737 Eastern Airlines spend the afternoon visiting the Dukezong Ancient Town.
Day 14 Zhongdian (B)
Visit the Dukezong Ancient Town and the Songzanlin Lamasery this afternoon. Built in Ming Dynasty, the temple was one of the 13 big Lamaism Temples in the Kangzang region. Followed the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Songzanlin Lamasery is home of over 700 lamas.
Day 15 Zhongdian – Tiger Leaping Gorge (B/L)
Morning tour features the Dabao Lamasery, located some 15km away from Shangri-la. After typical Chinese style lunch, visit the Guihua Temple. Take a 2 hours drive for 3 Parallel Rivers scenic area. Visit the Tiger Jumping Gorge after lunch. Spend the night at a local guesthouse overlooking Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Day 16 Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang (B/L)
Spend a few hours trekking along Tiger Leaping gorge before driving to Lijiang. Afternoon to enjoy the ancient city.
Day 17 Lijiang (B/L)
A day trip to the Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum, learn about the Naxi culture.
Day 18 Lijiang - Dali (B/L)
Pick up from your hotel and the 2 hour drive for Dali. On the way, visit the Xinhua Village. Xinhua Village is famous for hand-made silver handicrafts for over thousand years. Visit local houses and then head for Dali. Meet our ethnic Bai minority guide and visit the Old Dali. The ancient city of Dali was first built in the early of Ming Dynasty and its South and North Watching- Towers are still intact nowadays. The Foreign Street here is another attraction of Dali.
Day 19 Dali – Kunming - Guilin (B)
Morning tour features the local market of ethnic Bail group and then enjoy a boat ride on Erhai Lake., before transferring to the airport for the flight to Guilin via Kunming Departs Dali 12:00 Arrives Kunming 12:40 Departs Kunming 14:20 Arrives Guilin 15:45 On arrival in Guilin Transfer to your hotel spend the rest of the day at lesiure
Day 20 Guilin Li River Cruise (B/L)
This morning we join a cruise that will take us on a voyage of discovery along the Li River. The river wends its way through the unique scenery of Karsts (limestone mountains) that have strange and fabulous shapes. Admire the shapes and try to guess their names (Crown Rock, Conch Hill, Jade Lotus Peak and Snow Lion Peak are just a few) while enjoying lunch on board. Finally arrive at Yangshuo at around 13:00 and drive back to Guilin
Day 21 Guilin - Shanghai (B/L)
Spend a half day enjoying the sights of Guilin starting at Fubo Hill, which has both natural beauty and historic art. Beginning in the Tang Dynasty, from here it's on to Reed Flute Cave to see the impressive natural beauty of its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Locals call this cave the "Palace of Natural Arts”. The last stop is Elephant Hill its shape climb up the hill to take in the panoramic scenery of the city, river and surrounding countryside. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping or picking up a souvenir before transferring to the airport for the flight to Shanghai Departs Guilin 18:30 Arrives Shanghai 20:30 MU5382 Eastern Airlines
Day 22 Shanghai (B/L)
A day tour of Shanghai, some of its history can be seen at the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square with its fine collection of cultural relics. A trip to the Yuyuan Garden, laid out in the 16th century by a Ming official, this small (2 hectares) garden is a delight of pools, pavilions and rockeries. Strolling through the bazaar surrounding the garden, you will find lines of stores selling traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Visit The Bund, one of the most famous thoroughfares in China the commercial hub of Shanghai, to the thriving Pudong area. Enjoy your last tour dinner with excellent food and great views of the city.
Day 23 Shanghai (B)
Free day in Shanghai
Day 24 Shanghai (B)
Free day in Shanghai
Day 25 Shanghai (B)
Transport to the airport for your onward flight
 
 

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The quoted price exludes any international flights but includes all internal flights while on the tour. Tour costs are based on two people travelling and sharing a room. The price quoted may vary depending on the time of year and the final itinerary. If you have a specific budget please get in contact with us so we can make a proposal.


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Tailor-made holidays designed for you. Our expertise in the region through our local offices and contacts on the ground means great planning, expert up to date knowledge and value for money, creating the perfect trip to meet your budget and requirements.