IMPERIAL CAPITALS & TIBET · SMALL GROUP
Imperial Capitals & Tibet
Max 16 travelersNo forced shoppingNo commission stopsLicensed local operator
T2C-IC-14
14 days / 13 nights
Beijing → Xi’an → Lhasa (Tibet) → Chengdu → Chongqing
Small group · max 16 · private departures available
Licensed English-speaking guides incl. Tibet permit arrangements · private AC vehicle + flights Xi’an–Lhasa–Chengdu
Comfortable 4★ hotels in Beijing, Xi’an & Chengdu; Tibet-leg hotels with oxygen supply
Imperial-history buffs and Tibet first-timers
Travelers with heart or respiratory conditions — Lhasa sits at 3,650 m / 12,000 ft
Moderate; Tibet days are gentle but altitude-sensitive
Light-to-moderate daily walking; sightseeing days include stairs
Some sites have uneven terrain — please advise us of any needs at booking
Most evenings are free for you to explore at your own pace
twin share · land only · no international airfare
How many travelers?
Select a day to see that day's activities, transport, meals and hotel.
Arrive in Beijing, private airport pickup and hotel check-in.
Today: Overnight in Beijing · No meals included · Private airport transfer · English-speaking guide · Light walking
After your flight lands at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), our English-speaking guide meets you at arrivals and transfers you to your 4-star city-center hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest and recover from jet lag.
Our guide holds a sign with your name at the arrivals gate and escorts you to a private vehicle for the 45-minute transfer to your city-center hotel.
Private transfer · ~45 min · Meet at arrivals gate
Overnight stay at Ramada Beijing North.
Explore the heart of imperial Beijing.
Today: Overnight in Beijing · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day sightseeing · English-speaking guide · Active walking
Visit Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, then explore the Forbidden City — 24 emperors' palace complex spanning 600 years of Chinese history.
Visit Tiananmen Square — the world's largest city square. See the Monument to the People's Heroes, Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the iconic Tiananmen Gate.
~1 hour · Outdoor · Security check required
Explore the Forbidden City (UNESCO World Heritage) — the imperial palace complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk through the Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Imperial Garden, and more.
~3 hours · UNESCO · Most visited museum in China
Lunch at a local restaurant near the Forbidden City.
~1 hour · Chinese cuisine
Climb Jingshan Park hill for the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City roofscape.
~45 min · Short hike · Best photo spot
Overnight stay at Ramada Beijing North.
Walk the less-crowded section of the Great Wall.
Today: Overnight in Beijing · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day excursion · English-speaking guide · Active hiking
Day trip to Mutianyu — one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Great Wall, less crowded than Badaling. Take the cable car up and slide down the toboggan.
Scenic drive from Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall (~1.5 hours).
~1.5 hours drive · Mountain roads
Explore Mutianyu Great Wall — restored section with watchtowers built during the Ming Dynasty. Take the cable car up and walk along the wall for panoramic mountain views.
~3 hours · Cable car included · UNESCO World Heritage
Rustic lunch at a local farmers' restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall.
~1 hour · Home-style cooking
Drive back to Beijing city center.
~1.5 hours drive
Overnight stay at Ramada Beijing North.
Summer Palace in the morning, high-speed train to Xi'an in the afternoon.
Today: Overnight in Xi'an · Breakfast included · High-speed rail · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Morning visit to the Summer Palace — imperial garden with Kunming Lake. Afternoon high-speed train to Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties.
Visit the Summer Palace (UNESCO World Heritage) — the best-preserved imperial garden in China. Walk along Kunming Lake, see the Long Corridor, and climb to the Buddhist Incense Tower.
~2.5 hours · UNESCO · Garden & lake
Lunch at a restaurant near the Summer Palace.
~1 hour
Take the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an (~4.5 hours).
~4.5 hours · High-speed rail · Comfortable seats
Overnight stay at Sheraton Xi'an North.
World-famous Terracotta Warriors and ancient city wall.
Today: Overnight in Xi'an · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day sightseeing · English-speaking guide · Active walking
Visit the Terracotta Army — 8,000 life-sized soldiers guarding Qin Shi Huang's tomb for 2,200 years. Evening bike ride on the 600-year-old Ming Dynasty City Wall.
Drive from Xi'an to the Terracotta Army site (~1 hour).
~1 hour drive
Explore the Terracotta Army (UNESCO World Heritage) — pits containing thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots dating back to 210 BC.
~3 hours · UNESCO · Wonder of the ancient world
Lunch near the Terracotta Army site.
~1 hour
Drive back to Xi'an city center.
~1 hour drive
Evening bike ride on the 600-year-old Ming Dynasty City Wall — one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China.
~1.5 hours · Bike rental included · Sunset views
Overnight stay at Sheraton Xi'an North.
Fly to Lhasa, rest and acclimatize to high altitude.
Today: Overnight in Lhasa · Breakfast included · Flight · English-speaking guide · Rest day
Morning flight from Xi'an to Lhasa (~2.5 hours). Rest at hotel to acclimatize to the high altitude (3,650m). Light walk in the evening if you feel well.
Morning flight from Xi'an to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (~2.5 hours).
~2.5 hours flight · High altitude 3,650m
Transfer from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your city-center hotel (~1 hour).
~1 hour transfer · Rest on arrival
Rest at your hotel. Do not shower on the first day. Drink plenty of water. Light walk around the Jokhang Temple Square in the evening if you feel well.
Rest day · Altitude sickness warning · No shower day 1
Overnight stay at Shangri-La Lhasa.
Visit the heart of Tibetan Buddhism.
Today: Overnight in Lhasa · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day sightseeing · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Visit the Potala Palace — former seat of the Dalai Lama, and Jokhang Temple — the most sacred temple in Tibet.
Visit the Potala Palace (UNESCO World Heritage) — the iconic 13-story fortress palace on Red Hill, former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. See the golden roofs, chapels, and tombs.
~2.5 hours · UNESCO · Limited daily visitors · No photography inside
Lunch at a Tibetan restaurant — try yak butter tea, momos, and barley flour dishes.
~1 hour · Tibetan cuisine
Visit Jokhang Temple — the most sacred temple in Tibet, home to the Jowo Shakyamuni statue. Walk the Barkhor Street pilgrimage circuit around the temple.
~2 hours · Most sacred site · Pilgrims circling
Overnight stay at Shangri-La Lhasa.
Summer palace and famous debating monks.
Today: Overnight in Lhasa · Breakfast + Lunch included · Half-day · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Visit Norbulingka — the Dalai Lama's summer palace, and Sera Monastery — famous for its lively monk debating sessions.
Visit Norbulingka (UNESCO World Heritage) — the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, set in beautiful gardens.
~1.5 hours · UNESCO · Gardens & palaces
Lunch at a local restaurant.
~1 hour
Watch the famous monk debating sessions at Sera Monastery — one of the great three monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate Buddhist philosophy with dramatic gestures.
~1.5 hours · Famous debating · Best in afternoon
Overnight stay at Shangri-La Lhasa.
Scenic drive through the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley.
Today: Overnight in Nyingchi · Breakfast + Lunch included · ~5-hour drive · English-speaking guide · Scenic drive
Scenic drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River valley. See snow-capped mountains, barley fields, and Tibetan villages along the way.
Drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi along the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley (~5 hours). Stop at viewpoints along the way.
~5 hours drive · Rest stops · Mountain views
Picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint along the way.
~1 hour · Box lunch
Stop at viewpoints to see the Yarlung Tsangpo River — the highest major river in the world, flowing through the Himalayas.
Photo stops · Mountain & river views
Overnight stay at Nyingchi Grand Hotel.
Crystal-clear alpine lake surrounded by forests.
Today: Overnight in Nyingchi · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day sightseeing · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Visit Basum Tso (Basongcuo) — a crystal-clear alpine lake at 3,700m, surrounded by primeval forests and snow-capped peaks. One of Tibet's most beautiful lakes.
Drive from Nyingchi to Basum Tso Lake (~1.5 hours).
~1.5 hours drive
Explore Basum Tso Lake — turquoise alpine lake with a small island featuring an 1,500-year-old monastery. Boat ride to the island.
~3 hours · Boat ride · Sacred lake · Forest setting
Lunch at a restaurant near the lake.
~1 hour
Overnight stay at Nyingchi Grand Hotel.
Fly back to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan.
Today: Overnight in Chengdu · Breakfast included · Flight · English-speaking guide · Easy day
Morning flight from Nyingchi to Chengdu (~1.5 hours). Afternoon free to explore Chengdu, try hot pot, or visit the nearby temples.
Morning flight from Nyingchi to Chengdu (~1.5 hours).
~1.5 hours flight
Free afternoon to explore Chengdu on your own. Try authentic Sichuan hot pot for dinner. Optional: Wuhou Shrine or Jinli Ancient Street.
Free time · Optional activities · Hot pot dinner
Overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu.
Visit the giant pandas in the morning.
Today: Overnight in Chengdu · Breakfast + Lunch included · Half-day · English-speaking guide · Easy walking
Morning visit to Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base — see China's national treasure up close. Afternoon free to shop or relax.
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (including electric cart ride) to see giant pandas eat, play and rest.
~2.5 hours · Electric cart included · Best time to see pandas active
Lunch at a local restaurant.
~1 hour
Free afternoon to do last-minute shopping or relax at the hotel.
Free time · Last-minute shopping
Overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu.
High-speed train to Chongqing, Hongyadong night view.
Today: Overnight in Chongqing · Breakfast included · High-speed rail · English-speaking guide · Evening sightseeing
Morning high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (~1.5 hours). Afternoon explore Chongqing — the 'Mountain City' built on cliffs. Evening Hongyadong night view.
Take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (~1.5 hours).
~1.5 hours · High-speed rail
Visit Ci Qi Kou (Porcelain Port) Ancient Town — a 1,000-year-old town on the Jialing River.
~2 hours · Ancient town · Street food
Try Chongqing hot pot for lunch — the city's most famous dish.
~1 hour · Optional mild spicy
Evening visit to Hongyadong — 11-story stilted building complex with dazzling golden night views reflecting on the Jialing River.
~1.5 hours · Best at night · Iconic view
Overnight stay at Gleetour Holiday Hotel Chongqing.
Free morning, transfer to Chongqing Airport.
Today: Breakfast included · Private airport transfer · Free morning
Free morning to pack or do last-minute shopping. Transfer to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) for your departure flight.
Free morning to pack, shop, or relax. Check-out by 12:00.
Check-out by 12:00 · Luggage storage available
Private transfer to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) for your departure flight.
~30 min transfer · Allow 2 hours before flight
Own room available with a single supplement (priced on request); roommate pairing available at no extra charge when possible.
Children welcome with adult supervision — please ask about age rules and family pricing.
Vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergy needs are accommodated when advised at booking.
Please advise us of mobility or accessibility needs — we will do our best to adjust hotels and pacing.
One suitcase plus one carry-on per person is recommended; larger items may affect transfers.
Gratuities are at your discretion and never required.
We run each tour with a small confirmed group (typically 4–16 travelers). If a departure cannot meet its minimum, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.
Free full refund when you cancel 30+ days before departure. Within 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable as it holds your places, hotels and tickets.
Date or itinerary changes are possible before final confirmation — contact your consultant. Your deposit can be transferred to a new departure.
If we cancel a departure or make a major change to the tour, you get a full refund of everything paid. Force-majeure cases follow the same full-refund principle.
Refunds are processed by the licensed operating agency shown in your contract, to the original payment method, within the timeline stated in your booking contract.
