Discover the journey
Connect Beijing's imperial heritage with the Tibetan plateau, Chengdu and eastern China's lake, mountain and city landscapes. The fifteen-day route gives Lhasa several nights before continuing to Sichuan, Hangzhou, the Huangshan region and Shanghai. Contrasts shape the journey: large ceremonial spaces, monastery settings, tea-growing country, village architecture and a final metropolitan waterfront. Flights and rail connect the distant regions, with lighter arrival days between fuller outings. The Lhasa section requires suitable entry arrangements and careful individual preparation for altitude. Mountain weather and walking needs also influence the Huangshan day, with alternatives considered as part of the final plan.
Journey highlights
- Beijing’s imperial heritage and Great Wall
- Lhasa cultural settings, subject to permits and suitable access
- Chengdu panda conservation and city life
- Hangzhou tea country and West Lake
- Huangshan landscapes and Hongcun
Your route
- Beijing
- Lhasa
- Chengdu
- Hangzhou
- Huangshan area
- Shanghai
15 days from arrival to departure, with 14 planned nights. Allow additional time for international travel.
Day-by-day itinerary
This proposed itinerary can be adjusted around your interests and travel dates. Visits, transport and overnight arrangements are confirmed in your written proposal before booking.
Day 1Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and keep the day for rest and settling in. A gentle local orientation can fit around your flight, with the imperial and ceremonial settings left for a fuller exploration tomorrow.
Planned overnight: Beijing.
Day 2Imperial and ceremonial Beijing
Explore selected imperial and ceremonial settings, including the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven areas where access allows. Large precincts, walking and security procedures need time, with breaks between the principal visits.
Planned overnight: Beijing.
Day 3Toward the Great Wall
Consider an excursion to a suitable Great Wall section, choosing the access method and amount of walking in advance. Weather can shape views and comfort, so keep the route flexible and allow time for the out-of-city journey.
Planned overnight: Beijing.
Day 4Fly toward Lhasa
Plan to fly to Lhasa only after the necessary permits and entry arrangements are confirmed. Keep arrival very light. The altitude needs individual preparation and appropriate professional advice; the itinerary itself does not establish personal suitability.
Planned overnight: Lhasa.
Day 5Old Lhasa and principal monuments
Explore the Barkhor area and selected principal monuments at a measured pace, subject to suitable access. Allow for altitude, steps and rest, choosing the depth of the visits around your needs rather than a fixed circuit.
Planned overnight: Lhasa.
Day 6Monastery setting and flexible time
Consider Sera Monastery or another suitable monastery setting, with unhurried time in Lhasa. Visits depend on current access, and a particular ceremony, debate or performance is not guaranteed. Keep space for rest and individual interests.
Planned overnight: Lhasa.
Day 7Fly down to Sichuan
Continue toward Chengdu by air and settle into a different setting after the plateau. Keep the arrival relaxed, with a first look at the neighborhood if time allows. A meal or performance can be discussed separately.
Planned overnight: Chengdu.
Day 8Conservation and urban culture
Consider a visit to an appropriate panda conservation center, followed by time in Chengdu's streets or a traditional leisure setting. Viewing conditions and animal activity vary.
Planned overnight: Chengdu.
Day 9East to tea country
Take a planned flight toward Hangzhou, with a tea-landscape visit considered only if the arrival schedule permits. The change of region deserves time for transport and settling in. A shorter outing is preferable to compressing several experiences around uncertain flight timing.
Planned overnight: Hangzhou.
Day 10West Lake and onward journey
Spend time around Hangzhou's West Lake before continuing toward Huangshan. Balance the outing with the road or rail connection selected for the journey, leaving room for a comfortable arrival in the next region.
Planned overnight: Huangshan area.
Day 11Mountain landscapes
Consider an outing in the Huangshan mountain landscape, choosing access and walking around your needs. Weather can reduce visibility or change the route, so a suitable alternative is essential for anyone who prefers less demanding paths or different conditions.
Planned overnight: Huangshan area.
Day 12Village architecture and rail east
Explore a selected village setting around Hongcun before a planned rail journey to Shanghai, where timing allows. The contrast between rural architecture and the approaching metropolis is part of the day's interest. Luggage and station transfers need their own allowance.
Planned overnight: Shanghai.
Day 13The Bund and city districts
Explore Shanghai's waterfront and a manageable group of city districts, allowing time to notice the contrasts between them. Leave independent space between selected visits rather than spending the day crossing the city repeatedly.
Planned overnight: Shanghai.
Day 14Museums and skyline perspectives
Choose a museum and a skyline viewpoint around your interests and opening arrangements. A selected collection and the Pudong skyline offer different city perspectives, with time to revisit a neighborhood or prepare for departure.
Planned overnight: Shanghai.
Day 15Depart from Shanghai
End in Shanghai and reserve adequate time for the airport journey. Additional city nights or a separate onward itinerary can be discussed if you would like to extend the trip.
Services and arrangements
Accommodation and transport
Lhasa brings altitude considerations and special entry or permit requirements that must be resolved before booking. Discuss individual preparation and any appropriate professional advice. The route also uses three domestic flight sectors and rail travel; Huangshan needs a weather alternative and a suitable walking plan.
Meals and experiences
Share your food interests, dietary needs and preferred balance of guided visits and independent time. Any meals, tastings, workshops or optional outings you select will be identified in the quote.
What's Included
Your personalized quote will set out the agreed accommodations, transport, transfers, meals, guiding and admissions. Only services expressly listed in the final written proposal form part of your arrangements.
What's Not Included
International flights to and from the journey are excluded. The quote will explain any other exclusions, optional activities and additional costs, including the treatment of permits, visas, insurance and personal expenses.
Questions about this journey
Is permission to visit the Tibetan plateau already confirmed?
No. Required permits, traveler documents, current access and suitable arrangements must be checked before booking. The high-altitude section also needs individual preparation.
Can I choose my dates and travel format?
Share a preferred date or flexible period, and tell us whether you prefer Group or Private travel. Feasible dates, format and pricing will be reviewed before booking.
Does requesting a quote reserve the journey?
No. An inquiry starts a conversation about your plans. It does not reserve space or confirm a booking.
