TIBET EXPLORATION

After arrival in Beijing and going through the luggage claming area, you will find our guide waiting for you at the exit. Then you will be transferred to the deluxe 4-star Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel and our guide will help you with the check in process. The rest of your day is free, and you may have a rest at the hotel or explore the neighborhood by yourselves.

The day begins with the visit to the Summer Palace, a fantastic royal garden which was built based on the enchanting Kunming Lake and the grand Longevity Hill about 250 years ago. You will also be amused by our national treasure - pandas in the Beijing Zoo. At noon, we will arrange a rich a la carte lunch at a popular local restaurant for you. In the afternoon, take a flight to your next travel destination, Xi’an. The local guide will pick you up and transfer you to check in at the 4-star Grand New World Hotel in downtown. (B+L)

In the early morning, drive to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. The lunch today is not included in the itinerary due to the flight schedule, so you may have some simple snack on the flight or take some instant food with you. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our local guide and directly transferred to the 4-star Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa Hotel. No other activity is arranged so that you can have a good rest to acclimatize to the high altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level. (B)

In the morning, visit the Norbulingka Park which is the Summer Place of the Dalai Lamas and have a meeting with a typical Tibetan family. A western-style lunch specially offered today as we assume you may be unaccustomed to the local food. Afterwards, visit the Sera Monastery. Every afternoon from Monday to Friday, visitors can see the brilliant Sutra-debating in the Sera Monastery. Although we can not understand them, the impassioned atmosphere of studying is quite infectious. Tonight, a special dinner with a Tibetan dance and fashion show performed by local Tibetan people will be presented for you. (B+L+D)

The day starts with a visit to the Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet. The palace was built on the Red Hill downtown area. To protect this treasure, the visiting time and the travelers’ number everyday are strictly limited. So the opportunity is very rare. You will have another western-style lunch at noon. Continuing your tour, you will visit the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Street. The temple is in the center of the Lhasa city and is a must-see because of its supreme position in Tibetan Buddhism. The Barkhor Street is around the Jokhang Temple and you can see the pilgrims prostrating themselves in devotion along the street. Then you will visit the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital to get a general idea of its history and features. (B+L)