China’s Grand Tour With Tibet And Yangtze River Cruise

China’s Grand Tour with Tibet and Yangtze River Cruise

An Unforgettable Journey to the Heart of China

Embark on an epic adventure that showcases the incredible diversity and beauty of China. This grand tour combines the iconic highlights of Tibet with a scenic cruise along the mighty Yangtze River, offering a comprehensive and unforgettable experience.

Tibet: Roof of the World

Start your journey in the ethereal realm of Tibet, known as the “Roof of the World.” Explore Lhasa, its spiritual center, and marvel at the iconic Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Venture beyond the city to witness the breathtaking landscapes of Yamdrok Lake and Ganden Monastery.

Yangtze River Cruise: Through Gorges and Landscapes

Next, embark on a leisurely cruise along the Yangtze River, one of the world’s most magnificent waterways. Navigate through the dramatic Three Gorges, adorned with towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Visit the historic Three Gorges Dam, an engineering marvel that tamed the river’s flow.

Beijing: Heart of the Empire

Continue your journey to Beijing, the vibrant capital of China. Delve into the grandeur of the Forbidden City, the former residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. Explore the Temple of Heaven, a sacred complex where emperors once performed ceremonies for peace and prosperity.

Xi’an: Ancient Crossroads

Travel to Xi’an, a historic city at the crossroads of the Silk Road. Visit the Terracotta Warriors, an astonishing army of clay sculptures dating back to the Qin dynasty. Explore the ancient Muslim Quarter, bustling with traditional shops and fragrant spices.

Shanghai: Modern Metropolis

Conclude your tour in Shanghai, China’s cosmopolitan metropolis. Take in the iconic skyline from the Bund, a waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. Visit the Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world, for panoramic city views.

Indulge in exquisite Chinese cuisine, discover ancient traditions, and delve into the rich history and culture that have shaped this extraordinary country. China’s Grand Tour with Tibet and Yangtze River Cruise is an unforgettable adventure that will leave an enduring impression.## [Huangpu’s Grand Tour With Tibet And Yangtze River Cruise]

Executive Summary

The Yangtze River is the life blood of China, and Tibet is the epitome of the Chinese spiritual culture. This 23-day package tour, the Huangpu’s Grand Tour With Tibet and Yangtze River Cruise offers you an opportunity to experience the contrasts of this multifaceted country. From the bustling streets of modern day metropolises like Chengdu and Chongqing, through the mystical Tibetan Buddhist monasteries of Lhasa to the serene natural beauty of the Yangtze River, we offer you a chance to appreciate China’s depth and complexity. You are bound to make memories of a lifetime during this extended exploration of the Middle Kingdom.

Introduction

The modern cities of China may be getting all the press these days, but no trip to the country is complete without experiencing its ancient, spiritual culture and what better way to do this than through a visit to Tibet?

In Lhasa, you will find one of the most well-known Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world, Potala Palace, which was once the home of the Dalai Lama. After spending a few days in Lhasa and its environs, including a climb to the Rongbuk monastery for panoramic views of Mt. Qomolangma (aka Mt. Everst), you will travel east and descend to the lowlands on a cruise down the Yangtze River.

Along the way, you will have the unique opportunity to see the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, and visit the enchanting Shibaozhai Pagoda. The long cruise portion of the journey ends in the modern, industrial city of Chongqing on the banks of the upper Yangtze. From there, you will fly to the city of Chengdu, home of the Chengdu Research Base of the endangered giant pandas. Spend a day or two volunteering with these gentle creatures and maybe take in a cooking class or two before ending your tour with a scenic flight from Chengdu to the city of Guilin, where you will see one of the most recognizable and photographed karst mountain ranges in China.

A Taste of Modern China: Chengdu, Chongqing and Guilin

Chengdu, the capitol of Sichuan Province, is a bustling city known for its food and pandas. The city’s downtown area is home to a wide range of restaurants and stores, from high-end boutiques to local street markets where you can buy anything from silk scarves to antiques. While in Chengdu, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of the giant pandas and learn about the work this organization is doing to protect and preserve these animals. You will have an opportunity to volunteer assisting the staff with a wide range of tasks including feeding the pandas.

Boarding the Yangtze River cruise in Chongqing, the largest city on the upper Yangtze, you will start your picturesque journey to the Three Gorges. This city offers many vestiges of its past as a trading port, including the Ciqikou Old Town. You will enjoy a day visiting the town and sampling the local cuisine on a food street before embarking the ship.

One of the highlights of the cruise is sure to be your visit to Shibaozhai Pagoda, considered an important historical and cultural heritage site by the Chinese government. The octagonal, multi-eaved pagoda is said to change color in different lighting and weather conditions. You will want to be sure to bring your相机 to capture the contrast of this ornate building against the raw cliffs and natural beauty of the surrounding river and hills.

From the boat, you will see the Three Gorges Dam before ending your cruise at the modern city of Yichang, Three Gorges Dam is simply a wonder of modern engineering that you have to see to believe. The Yangzi River is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, with everything from container ships to private yachts navigating its waters. The dam reduced the time needed to travel between Chongqing and Yichang from weeks to a matter of hours via cruise, which shows how powerful this dam project has been.

In Guilin, you will continue to marvel at the power of water. The karst mountains that surround the town are thought to be about 350 million years old, and their unique topography with cliffs and caves is due to processes of water cutting into the stone over many hundreds of millions of years. One of these karst mountains host the famous Elephant Trunk Hill, and you will have the opportunity to take in the view from the nearby Shan Hu Park which also gives you a beautiful view of Seven Star Park.

Unveiling Tibet’s Heart – Lhasa

Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet and the holy city of Tibetan Buddhism, lies in the heart of the Himalayas. The city is home to the Dalai Lama’s former residence, the Potala Palace, and the Jokhang Temple. While in Lhasa, visit the Potala Palace and learn about the rich tapestry of Tibetan culture. You will definitely want to bring your walking shoes, so that you can fully appreciate a circumambulation around the perimeter of the Jokhang Temple.

The best way to acclimatize yourself to the higher altitudes of Lhasa is to spend some time walking the city streets, discovering the shops and eateries in various neighborhoods. The more adventurous can opt for a guided day trip to the Ganden or Sera monasteries, where the monks hold public debates as part of daily study from traditional texts. Those who want to include a scenic drive and views of Mt. Qomolangma can take an excusion to the Rongbuk monstery.

Yangtze River – The Soul of China

The Yangtze River is the life blood of China, supporting a population of over 400 million people to the tune of 20% of the country’s Gross National Product. During your cruise, you will sail through the Three Gorges. For centuries, these gorges were one of the main impediments to travel down the river. Even today, navigating through this 800-kilometer portion of the river can be difficult which is one of the reasons that the construction of the Three Gorges Dam is such an important engineering achievement.

The Yangtze is a critical waterway for moving goods and people throughout central and eastern China, and it is also a major tourist destination. In addition to the Three Gorges Dam, you will see the Shibaozhai Pagoda. This octagonal pagoda, said to change color in different lighting and weather conditions, is one of the most photographed and painted buildings in China.

Conclusion

It is said that “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” We hope that this curated 23-day tour of this incredibly diverse nation will provide you with the opportunity to make friends who share your sense of adventure, appreciate different cultures and cuisines, and have fun. Give us a call and let us help you design the trip of a lifetime filled with memories you will cherish forever.

Keyword Phrase Tags

• Tibet and Yangtze River Cruise
• Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
• Three Gorges Dam
• Shibaozhai Pagoda
• Chengdu Research Base for giant pandas