Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 July 18, 2009
Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer
Day 2 July 19, 2009
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, Treasure Houses, Hall of Clocks and Watches, National Grand Theater
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Treasure Houses: Treasure house has undergone 4 time renovations, the present one takes up almost 220 square metres, more than 440 treasures on display belonged to Qing dynasty royalty, half of which have not never been on display in the old one. It's worthy of visiting.
- Hall of Clocks and Watches: It sits in the northeast of the Forbidden City, there are more than 200 clocks and watches belonged to the 18 century on display. Mostly made in Switzerland, England, France, the U.S and Japan, those clocks and watches have been working over 200 years, but they are still working quite well. They are stylish, sophisticated best represents the technical standard at that time. Some Chinese made timepieces are on display as well.
- National Grand Theater: National Grand Theater, designed by French architect Paul Andreu, is an arts complex which people describe as a futuristic signature building. Located to the west of Tiananmen Square and with gorgeous design, it contains three large halls¡ª a 2,416-seat opera house, a 2,017-seat concert hall and a 1,040-seat theater.
Day 3 July 20, 2009
Place & Transport: Xian to Chengdu
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport transfer(Beijing), Airport to hotel transfer(Chengdu)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Day 4 July 21, 2009
Place & Transport: Chengdu to Kangding transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Panda Breeding and Research Center
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
- Panda Breeding and Research Centre: 10km north of Chengdu this beautifully laid-out 230 hectare park is home to giant pandas, the endearing red, or lesser panda, and other endangered species. Visit the nursery to see the highly successful breeding program, and the many enclosures among lakes, bamboo groves and shady walkways, to view the pandas at rest and play. There's a wealth of information, a panda museum, and of course the engaging animals themselves.
Day 5 July 22, 2009
Place & Transport: Kangding to Yajiang Transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Solar eclipse viewing at Pass of Mt. Zheduo Shan, Xinduqiao
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
- Solar eclipse viewing (on your own arrangement): The astronomical phenomenon will start at 08:05AM and finish at 10:22 AM. The maximum time of the total phase will last about 5 minutes.
Start of partial eclipse: 08:05
Start of total eclipse: 09:08
Maximum eclipse : 09:10
End of total eclipse: 9:12
End of partial eclipse: 10:22
- Kangding at the east of Ganzi Tibet Autonomous Region in the west part of Sichuan is located at the juncture of the fertile Sichuan basin with the Yunnan-Guizhou and Tibet Plateaus. 17 Minority groups including Tibet, Hui,Qiang inhabit the region, with the Tibet the majority group. Kangding was a vibrant ¨Ctea-horse trade town and one of the three cultural centers in Tibet region, and historically the largest staging point on the Tea-horse Road.
- Xinduqiao: A small town located 437km west to chengdu and 83km west of Kangding, at the separating point of the North and South Sichuan-Tibet highway, with Ganze in the northwest and Litang in the west. The town itself is nothing more than a stopover but the area between Zheduoshan and Xinduqiao features plateau pasture scenery of rolling chain of mountains, river valleys dotted with poplars, grassland, Tibetan villages. It is renowned as "the paradise of photographers", offering seasonal stunning views, especially in the autumn.
Day 6 July 23, 2009
Place & Transport: Yajiang to Daocheng transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Litang Grassland, Litang Monastery, Beautiful alpine scenery on the way
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
- Litang: the highest town in the world, Lying in the surroundings of vast grasslands at an elevation of 4100m, 286km west of Kangding, Litang, used to be an important stage on the Tea-Horse Caravans Route, now is a stop on south Sichuan-Tibet highway, a simple pasturing area with bustling bazaar where the nomads and Tibetans gather to trade their products.
- Litang Monastery: The monastery is just on the slope 1km north of town and belongs to the Gelupa (yellow-hat-sect) Tibetan Buddhisms. Founded in 1580 by the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso. Some influential Buddhists were born here since then, including the 7th and 10th Dalai Lama, the famed Zebutsundaba Lama of Mogonia, the 7th Gyamuyang Lama, the 7th, 8th and 9th Pabalha living Buddha of Chamdo monastery and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Xianggen living buddha. Now it is a home to 1400 Gelupa monks.
Day 7 July 24, 2009
Place & Transport: Daocheng to Yading transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Horse riding in Yading Nature Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
- Yading, the "Shangri-La" discovered by Joseph Rock in 1928, is renowned for the 3 holy peaks, which were blessed in the 8th century by Buddha Padmasambhava of projecting his divine light onto the range and naming the 3 elevations after 3 bodhisattvas.
The south peak Jambeyang (or Jampelyang, Yangmaiyong) of 5,958m is the avatar of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The east peak Chanadorje (or Xianuoduoji) of the same height represents Vajrapani , the Bodhisattva of Wrath. The north peak, Chenresig (or Chenrezig, Xiannairi? ) of 6,032m, the highest of the trio, symbolizes Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy.
The 3 peaks are the patron saint of the Tibetan. It's said that if a Tibetan pilgrimage to the shrine 3 times in life, he can be blessed with all he desires. Therefore, pilgrimage to this holy range is a long-cherished wish of each Tibetan.
Yading is one of China's most awe-inspiring nature reserves, Tibetan's holy land. Every stunning vista here is celebrated with a gompa, prayer flags or Mani Stones. On this adventurous trip you will take in relatively remote areas of Tibetan culture - small towns reminiscent of the wild west, rolling landscapes characterized by wheat and barley fields and Tibetan houses.
Day 8 July 25, 2009
Place & Transport: Yading to Daocheng transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Yading to Daocheng transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
Day 9 July 26, 2009
Place & Transport: Yading to Xiangcheng transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Beautiful scenery on the way
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
Day 10 July 27, 2009
Place & Transport: Xiangcheng to Zhongdian transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Beautiful scenery on the way
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese dinner
Day 11 July 28, 2009
Place & Transport: Zhongdian to Lijiang transfer
Today¡¯s Activities: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Overlook for The First Bend of the Yangtze
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Tiger Leaping Gorge: As one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges, Tiger Leaping Gorges are located in Hutiaoxia Town, 105 kilometers away from Zhongdian/Shangri-La County. Spring is the best time to visit, as melting snow flowing down from mountains makes the river turbulence at its peak.
- Overlook for The First Bend of the Yangtze: Surrounded by rivers and mountains and with an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level, the First Bay of the Yangtze has picturesque scenery. Besides, it is an important ferry that joints the inland and the old road for the trade of tea and horses in Tibet.
Day 12 July 30, 2009
Place & Transport: Lijiang
Today's Activities: The Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Museum, Lijiang Ancient City
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Black Dragon Pool: The park holds the Black Dragon Pool and got name because of it. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its beauty.
- Dongba Museum: sanctuary of the culture of Naxi ancient culture,learn about the 'Wood and stone Prints' of pictographic characters in Dongba Museum.
- Lijiang Ancient City: It is situated in the middle area of the county, which is more than 2400 meters high above sea level. It enjoys beautiful scenes, an indeed famous city with long history and splendid culture, it is very rare in China that such well-preserved minority ancient city still exists.
Day 13 July 31, 2009
Place & Transport: Lijiang
Today's Activities: The Mural in Baisha Village, The Large Cable Car on Jade Dragon Mountain (from Ganhaizi)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Mural in Baisha Village: Baisha village is about 16 kilometers north of Lijiang City. It is the important birthplace of 'Tusi' (the Chinese word means chieftain of a clan) from Mu clan. Its characteristic artistic style and precious historic content of the mural deeply attracted visitors from home and abroad.
- The Large Cable Car on Jade Dragon Mountain (from Ganhaizi): It's a snow capped mountain with an altitude of 5596 meters above sea level. The mountain has 13 peaks of which the highest is 18000 feet above sea level. Its high mountain and meadow views setting off the snow and rivers, construct amazing picture.
Day 14 August 1, 2009
Place & Transport: Lijiang to Shanghai transfer
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Lijiang), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Day 15 August 2, 2009
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today's Activities: The Shanghai World Financial Center, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Market, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Shanghai World Financial Center: The Shanghai World Financial Center is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Shanghai, China. It is a mixed use skyscraper which will consist of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the ground floors. The hotel component will open with 175 rooms and suites in mid-2008 as the Park Hyatt Shanghai. On September 14, 2007 the skyscraper was topped out at 492.3 meters (1,615.2 ft) and became the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong, as well as the world's third tallest building (including unfinished ones), after the Burj Dubai and Taipei 101.
- Yuyuan Garden: In the centre of Shanghai next to the Yuyuan Bazaar, this exquisite old 5-acre garden is famous for its design. The paths wander across bridges, past rockeries and miniature lakes, and through pretty halls and pavilions. The trees and shrubs are planted with an eye to providing charming views, and a sense of peace and harmony.
- Jade Buddha Temple: An active Buddhist temple, and one of the richest in Shanghai. The main treasures are two statues of Buddha, carved from rare single blocks of white jade adorned with precious stones. The temple is a hive of activity with monks, worshippers and visitors, and photos of the Buddhas are forbidden.
- Yuyuan Market: Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yuyuan Gardens.You can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, tea-houses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenhuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- The Bund: Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do ¨C and by night it's magic!
Day 16 August 3, 2009
Place & Transport: Depart Shanghai
Today's Activities: Hotel to Airport Transfer |
