Day 1   Hometown / Beijing

Your adventure begins with a flight to Beijing from your hometown by Japan Airlines (via Tokyo) or Air Canada (direct). Your Canadian tour escort will accompany you from Vancouver to Beijing.

Day 2   Arriving Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, you’ll be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Relax or explore Beijing at your leisure.

Hotel: Chang An Grand Hotel (5 Star)

Day 3   Beijing

After breakfast, a coach ride takes you to Great Wall at Simatai, a section without extensive restoration, to see what the wall originally looks like during Ming Dynasty. On the way back to Beijing, you’ll have a close look at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium (The Bird’s Nest & The Water Cube). Also you’ll take a look at the National Grand Theater. Later, you’ll make a visit to the busiest shopping area - Wangfujing. (B/L/D)

Day 4  Beijing / Xining ~ Lhasa (By Qinghai-Tibet overnight train)

Today you’ll take a flight to Xining. In the evening you’ll board the overnight express train to Lhasa and start your adventure to the roof of the world. The Tibet Railway runs 1,956 kilometers and is the world’s longest railroad built atop a plateau across the Tanggula Range at 5072 meters above sea level. (B/L/D)

Overnight Train (Soft Sleeping berth - 4 berths in each compartment)

Day 5  Train Xining ~ Lhasa (Arrive Lhasa in the evening)

You’ll spend the whole day on the Qinghai-Tibet Train. You’ll enjoy the stunning view of the Kunlun Mountains, Couna Lake and Kekexili, a paradise for wild animals. The train runs through the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, a mysterious and beautiful land with ever changing and diverse landscapes along its route. There are desert sand-dunes, soaring snowy peaks, boundless pasture, immense grassland, primeval forests and subtropical areas. Upon arrival at the impressive Tibetan style Lhasa Train Station, your local Tibetan guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Meals on the train are by your own arrangement.

Day 6   Lhasa

You’ll visit Jokhang Temple, located in the city core. The Temple is Tibet’s oldest and most holy spiritual centre. Finish today’s tour with a stroll around the ethereal pavilions and gardens of the Summer Palace, built in the 1950’s by the Dalai Lama shortly before his escape to India, you can view his garden throne. You’ll explore Bakor Street on your own. A Tibetan Style Dinner and Show will be arranged. (B/L/SD)

Day 7   Lhasa ~ Gyantse ~ Xigaze

A spectacular drive along an old caravan trade route takes you through stunning glacial landscapes and high mountain passes to Gyantse via Yamdroktso Lake. You’ll visit Phalkor Monastery in Gyantse and then go
to Xigaze, Tibet’s second largest city. (B/L/D)

Hotel: Shandong Hotel (3 Star *the Best Hotel in Xigaze)

Day 8  Xigaze ~ Lhasa

The highlight of your full day exploration of Xigaze will begin with a tour to Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most exquisite in Tibet and the former seat of the Panchen Lama. Fabulous murals grace the inner walls of this elaborate temple complex - but the focal point is an enormous bronze Buddha, the largest in Tibet, which stands 86 feet high and contains over 600 pounds of pure gold. You’ll be transferred back to Lhasa in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Hotel: Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (5 Star)

Day 10   Lhasa / Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

You’ll take a flight to Zhongdian (Gyeltang in Tibetan), which is 3300 meters above sea level. This is the place
named “Shangri-La”, the hidden paradise described by James Hilton in his novel Lost Horizon. Gyeltang,
translated, means the land of “Limitless Bounty.” Here under blue sky, are snow-capped peaks, virgin for” ests of immense spruce and pine, meadows ablaze with fragrant wild flowers and pristine lakes. (B/L/D)

Hotel: Paradise Hotel (5 Star)

Day 11   Shangri-La

After breakfast, you’ll tour the Bita Sea; a veritable pearl in the plateau. This is a place where fish in the lake
become intoxicated from the azalea falling onto the water. You’ll then tour the Shudu Lake andthe Ganden
Suntseling Monastery, which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist complex in this region, and currently houses
700 monks. This monastery was originally constructed during 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. Then take
a walk and explore the Old Town. (B/L/D)

Day 12   Shangri-La ~ Lijiang

A bus ride will take you to visit the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge on the upper stream of the Yangtze River. Afterwards, you’ll continue on to Lijiang. (B/L/D)

Hotel: Hotel: Guanfang Hotel (5 Star)

Day 13   Lijiang

After breakfast, you’ll visit the ancient town of Dayan - a U.N.-designated Cultural Heritage site. The town,
which has an 800-year history, is criss-crossed by rivulets and colorful stones that pave the streets. Then
you’ll visit the Baisha Fresco and the Dongba Minority Museum. Tonight there is a Dongba Music Show
for your enjoyment. (B/L/D)

Day 14   Lijiang / Kunming

You’ll visit the Black Dragon Pool Park today and take a leisurely stroll through its photogenic surroundings. Then you’ll take a flight to Kunming. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Kai Wah Plaza International Hotel (5 Star)

Day 15   Kunming ~ Stone Forest ~ Kunming

In the morning you’ll visit the amazing Stone Forest - a remarkable region of limestone cliffs and peaks.
You’ll marvel at the natural stone “trees” which were created by wind and water erosion over millions of
years. Tonight there is a Yunnan Cuisine Dinner and an exciting Yunnan Minorities Culture Dancing Show. (B/L/SD)

Day 16   Kunming / Shanghai

This morning you’ll take a tour to the lofty Grand Dragon Gate in the Western Hills, and then on to the
Yuangtong Monastery. Then you’ll take a flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and seaport. (B/L/D)

Hotel: Howard Johnson Caida Hotel (5 Star Designed Hotel)

Day 17   Shanghai (Free Day)

This morning you can relax or take a drive to Nanjing Road in Shanghai’s downtown area, for you to explore on your own or do some last-minute shopping. You can also take an optional tour to visit the 2010 Shanghai World Expo today. Lunch will be by your own arrangement. A China Farewell Dinner will be arranged in the hotel. (B/SD)

Day 18   Shanghai / Hometown

After breakfast, bid farewell to China and depart for Canada and arrive home on the same day. (B)