18 Days China Tour with Shoton Festival: Xi’an-Lhasa-Yunnan-Chengdu

Welcome to join our Xi’an, Lhasa, Yunnan and Chengdu tour. After reclaiming your luggage at Xi’an airport, you will be met by your guide outside customs. He or she will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be escorted to the hotel. Rest in the hotel.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, Wyndham Grand Xian South

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Terra-cotta Warriors may be another reason for you to come to China. Your dream will come true today after 40 minutes’ drive. You will be amazed by these fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans as the facial expressions of each figure are quite different.

After Lunch, you will be transferred back to the city area to wander leisurely around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture. What you should not miss is the Great Mosque. It is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, hidden in the bustling streets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant near the Terra-Cotta Warriors scenic area with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Defachang Dumpling Restaurant, Lao Sun Jia Muslim Restaurant, First Noodle under the Sun

Optional evening activity: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dumpling Banquet

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, Wyndham Grand Xian South

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After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. You will tour the ancient City Wall. It's the most completed city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Here you will go biking on the City Wall to get to different sites for one hour on this non-traffic wall. Follow on is a dumpling making lesson in a local family. You will enjoy the dumplings made by yourself with the locals after the lesson.

After lunch, you will be transferred to one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local family

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, Wyndham Grand Xian South

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The Xi’an part ends today. Take the direct flight from Xi’an to Lhasa, a high altitude area with Buddhism culture.

Meals: Breakfast

Note:

• Slow down your movement, even if you feel energetic. Moving slowly is the best way to avoid mountain sickness.
• The first two days arriving in Tibet, we suggest visitors keep warm, not take a bath, smokers smoke as little as possible, and do not drink alcohol.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

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Regarded as the landmark and symbol of Tibet, Potala Palace is a great giant palace consisting of many houses, towers, chapels, etc. There are not the hundreds of steps like Potala Palace. Jokhang Temple is quite flat and the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims.

Barkhor Street is the famous specialization and commercial center of Lhasa, which was called ‘holy road’ by Tibetans as it is a single pilgrimage road around Jokhang Temple.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Lhasa Kitchen with a La carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

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The Buddha Thangka exhibition in Drepung Monastery is, by all means, the most magnificent event marking the beginning of the Shoton Festival. The main contents of the festival include Tibetan operas and gala parties, as well as wonderful yak racing and horsemanship display. Monks chant as the sounds of bells and horns are heard in the misty sunrise.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery. It was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe and was part of the Gelgupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Tibet Steak House with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

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Except for the Buddha exhibition, there are Tibetan Opera performances in Norbulingka. Actors dressed in colorful costumes and various masks gather at Norbulingka for the week's performance. Besides, local people always go out with the whole family to have a picnic in the Norbulingka. They set up tents where there is water and trees, spread mats, place some Qingke wine and buttered tea, and circle around singing, dancing and having fun.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch at Norbulingka

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa

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Wake up naturally and meet with the guide at the hotel lobby at the confirmed time for the flight to Shangri-La.

Meals: Breakfast

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Resort, Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge, Songtsam Linka Shangri-La

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After breakfast, immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty and holy religious atmosphere of the unspoiled Shangri-La. Pudacuo National Park retains a well-preserved ecosystem within the virgin forests. In the reserve itself, century-old pines and cypresses grow around Bita Lake, in which the water is crystal clear. Built in 1679, Songzanlin Monastery is the oldest and largest Tibetan Buddhism temple in Yunnan province. It was built along the mountains with a magnificent facade. The present monastery is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. After the natural scenery, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family, have a view of the life of a local Tibetan family. Do some simple communication with the family members via the guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Resort, Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge, Songtsam Linka Shangri-La

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Zhongdian is also called "Shangri-La". Its Ancient County is divided into two areas: Dukezong Ancient Town and a more modern city-like area. Dukezong, located in the southeast section of the county, has a history dating back over 1300 years. Almost all the buildings are white in color and feature the Tibetan style architecture. If you want to get to know more about local life, a visit to the local market is a must.

After that, go to the Tiger Leaping Gorge to see the rushing water in the gorge. Get close to it and feel your heartbeats. Transfer to the Lijiang hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: InterContinental Resort Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang Ivy Garden Resort, Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town

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Located north of Lijiang Ancient Town, Baisha Village is the original settlement of the Naxi people. Watch the valuable murals which are protected inside Dabaoji Palace and the colored glaze temples.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier found in the northern hemisphere. With thirteen perennial snow peaks, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name. Today you will visit the Yak Meadow by cable car to save energy.

You may see the Impression Show of Lijiang (optional) here if you like. It is a magnificent outdoor singing and dancing performance demonstrating the tradition and lifestyle of the local ethnic people.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Baisha Time Restaurant with a la carte menu

Notes:

• Do not do violent exercises in the high land to avoid the altitude sickness
• Prepare a jacket even though during the summer time as the temperature difference between day and night is very big. 

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: InterContinental Resort Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang Ivy Garden Resort, Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town

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Go around the Lijiang Ancient Town to appreciate the ancient buildings and get to know its national customs.

Black Dragon Pool Park has another name, Yuquan Park. Near mountains and rivers, there are ancient buildings in graceful shapes and beautiful colors, which make visitors linger here and forget to leave.

The Wangu Tower is located on the high point of Lion Mountain in Lijiang old town, which is adjacent to Mu Fu outside. From the Wangu Tower, you can overlook Lijiang old town and its idyllic scenery as well as the glacier of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

After lunch, drive to Dali. Xizhou Bai Minority Village is your first stop in Dali. Xizhou Bai people have rich folk customs, unique wedding and funeral etiquette, numerous festivals, inheriting the ancient history and culture. Local market is a good place to feel the local life. Enjoy the unique Bai ethnic folklore in Xizhou Farmer’s Market. Flower cake is one of the specialties in Yunnan. Instead of a simple taste of it, you will make it on your own from the very beginning with the teacher’s guidance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Hilton Dali Resort & SPA, The Linden Centre

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Spare some time away from the bustling city and enjoy the local life in Dali Ancient Town. Climb up to the ancient city wall for an overlook of this time-honored town.

Erhai Lake is one of the symbols of Dali. It gets its name from its shape of ear. Feel the breeze blowing through your face by taking the boat cruise in Erhai Lake.

As the symbolic building of Dali, Three Pagodas comprise three independent pagodas forming a symmetric triangle as its name implies.

It is time to say goodbye to your Dali guide and take the bullet train to Kunming.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Intercontinental Kunming, Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre, Ytel Premium

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Today make full use of your imagination in the Stone Forest. The shapes of the stone depend on your imagination. It has the most unique karst landform in the world due to its long history, large scale, and rich categories.

Come back to the city area to feed the seagulls in the Green Lake Park. A leisure stroll along the lake is quite cozy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Intercontinental Kunming, Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre, Ytel Premium

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Bird and Flower Market is the token of real life of Kunming. Here you can see varieties of flowers, birds, fishes, antiques, featured jewelries, handicrafts, etc.

Follow on is the visit to Black Dragon Pool. Actually Black Dragon Pool is just one of the attractions in this site, including Black Dragon Palace, Three Ancient Trees, Pavilion of Stele, Tombs of Local Patriots and Dragon Fountain Plum Garden.

After tour and lunch, go directly to the airport. A direct flight is arranged for you from Kunming to Chengdu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment

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Get up earlier today to have a one-day date with the pandas. Your work includes preparing food, like panda breads with the teachers’ instruction and feeding them with bamboo and apples. Besides, you may also need to do some cleaning duties in the enclosure, or collect and weigh the panda poop. These duties give you the chance to get really close to the pandas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the panda base

Feature Dinner option: Lao Ma Tou Hotpot, Huang Cheng Lao Ma

Optional evening activity: Face changing show and taste the local tea in Shufengyayun Theater

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment

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Every park in China is not only for sightseeing, but also for exercises. The People's Park is no exception. You will find lots of locals, especially seniors doing exercises in the park every day. Find a local tea shop to taste the local tea and feel the atmosphere of this city.

Explore the Jinli Ancient Street for some local snacks. The stores and hotels with old-fashioned style are the feature of it. Close by is the Wuhou Ancestral Hall, which was an memorial temple with a history covering over one-thousand-years, established as a memorial to the prime minister of Shu (221 - 263) in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280) - Zhuge Liang.

The whole day tour will end at Jinsha Site Museum. It has become a landmark building in Chengdu, with 2235 pieces of cultural relic collections - gold ware, bronze ware, jade ware, stone ware, lacquered wood ware and pottery and ivory.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in a local hot pot restaurant with a la carte menu

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment

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Go home by the international flight with great memories you have in China. The guide and driver will escort you to the airport and help with the check-in at the airport. Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

• Meals: Breakfast,

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