Grandeur of China and Tibet

Day 1 - Welcome to Beijing!
Check in to the 5-star, city-center Sofitel Wanda Hotel.

Day 2 - The best of Beijing
Join your Trip Leader today to discover all of Beijing’s Imperial treasures. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world. Then enter within the imposing walls of the Forbidden City#WHS# for an extensive tour through this vast complex of palaces, pavilions and courtyards as your engaging guide illuminates the dramatic history of the Emperor who once resided here. Continue on to the lovely Summer Palace#WHS#, erstwhile retreat of China’s royalty. Meals B,L

Day 3 - Excursion to the Great Wall#WHS# & Ming Tombs#WHS#
Travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the capital to the magnificent Great Wall. We’ve arranged for you to ascend to the site by cable car so you can conserve your time and energy to explore along the wall. Although sections can be steep, the views from this ancient structure are magnificent and the experience of actually walking atop the Great Wall is truly unforgettable. Continue with your Trip Leader and stroll along the statue-lined Sacred Way to visit Changling, greatest of the Ming Tombs. Back in the city, you’ll see the iconic venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics – the Birds Nest Stadium and the Water Cube where American swimmers won Gold. Meals B,L

Day 4 - Over the “Roof of the World” to Lhasa
Transfer to the airport for your flight across China and the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the comfortable Four Points Sheraton Hotel, wonderfully situated close to Jokhang Monastery and the lively Barkhor Market. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and acclimate to the altitude. This evening, you’ll dine at your hotel. Meals B,D

Day 5 - Exploring Lhasa
With your friendly and knowledgeable Trip Leader guiding the way, today’s in-depth sightseeing explores several of the city’s highlights. The beautiful Jokhang Temple is a colorful, 4-story timber structure topped with gold. Originally founded in the 7th century, it remains an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. You’ll also explore the lively Barkhor Market and Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Built in the 18th century, this expansive palace complex encompasses lovely garden grounds, pavilions and tranquil wooded areas. Then by special arrangement, you’ll join with pilgrims who come from all across Tibet to perform kora here at a sacred mountain site; this ancient rite of walking, prayer and deep meditation is a powerful and unforgettable experience. Meals B,L

Day 6 - Into Tibetan Culture
Today’s sightseeing begins at the magnificent Potala Palace #WHS#, described by British-born essayist Pico Iyer in this way: “The very center of Tibet is Lhasa and the very center of Lhasa, for more than three centuries, has been the Potala Palace. An unfathomable building erected on a rock face 13 stories high, it has golden turrets on the roof that can bee seen 12 miles away, and it stretches for more than 1,000 feet along a ridge against the snowcaps. The Potala looks and feels like no other building on the planet.”

Later, spending time with a Tibetan family, you’ll gain fascinating insight into the modern rhythms and deep traditions which shape their daily lives. By special arrangement, your visit to the Sera Monastery takes you behind the scenes to observe Buddhist monks engaged in spiritual debate. Then meet a master artist in his studio to learn about thangkas, colorful, finely-detailed religious paintings that have long been a Buddhist tradition. Meals B,L

Day 7 - Fly to Chengdu
You’ll be escorted to the airport for your flight to the thriving city of Chengdu in southwestern China. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the 5-star Crowne Plaza Hotel. This evening, we’ll take you to see the celebrated Sichuan Opera, known for the artistry and amazing skill of its “face changing” actors who can subtly change their masks and make-up ten times in 30 seconds. Meals B,D

Day 8 - Be a Panda Volunteer and then fly to Xian
Our specially-arranged visit gives you exclusive, up-close access at the Panda Breeding Research Station. Go behind-the-scenes with a keeper to feed and learn about the care of these amazing creatures. Then fly to Xian, China’s ancient capital for 13 dynasties, where you’ll be met and escorted to the beautiful Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel. Meals B,L

Day 9 - China’s greatest archaeological discovery!
Today’s sightseeing brings you to the actual excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors#WHS#, discovered 35 years ago by local farmers digging a well. Today, you’ll be awestruck by this massive terra cotta army, thousands-strong, which was buried 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of an emperor. Sit down to a lunch of savory dumplings, a regional specialty, and then visit the ancient defensive walls of the city. Meals B,L

Day 10 - Fly to Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, the futuristic ultra-fast Maglev Train will whisk you at speeds up to 250 miles-per-hour, and in less than 10 minutes you’ll be in the city-center where you check in to your upgraded deluxe room at the Hilton Hotel. Meals B

Day 11 - Small Group sightseeing in Shanghai
Your full-day tour begins along the Bund; the city’s historic waterfront boulevard is still graced by elegant turn-of-the-century buildings constructed by Japanese and European trading companies. Explore the bustling lanes of the old city bazaar and then stroll in beautiful Yu Yuan Garden, laid out more than 500 years ago by a Ming Dynasty court official for the enjoyment of his aging parents. At the Shanghai Museum, you’ll tour a vast collection spanning millennia of art and culture including ancient bronzes and celadon pottery, Buddhist scriptures, precious jade objects and priceless Ming Dynasty furniture. Gather with your fellow travelers this evening for an intimate farewell dinner. Meals B,L,D

Day 12 - Farewell to Shanghai!
Your tour program with us finishes this morning. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/23/2012 - 5/5/2012	$3,974
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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