14 daysChina & Tibet

MAP OF HONG KONG & CHINA

‘AT A GLANCE’ ITINERARY

DATE DAY DESCRIPTION ACCOMMODATION MEALS

Day 1 Departure from Europe Onboard the plane _ - _ - _

Day 2 Arrive Beijing Waldorf Astoria Beijing or similar _ - _ - D

Day 3 Beijing Waldorf Astoria Beijing or similar B - L - D

Day 4 Beijing Waldorf Astoria Beijing or similar B - L - D

Day 5 Beijing / Lijiang Banyan Tree Lijiang or similar B - L - D

Day 6 Lijiang Banyan Tree Lijiang or similar B - L - D

Day 7 Lijiang Banyan Tree Lijiang or similar B - L - D

Day 8 Lijiang / Zhongdian MGallery Songtsam Retreat or similar B - L - D

Day 9 Zhongdian MGallery Songtsam Retreat or similar B - L - D

Day 10 Zhongdian / Lhasa St. Regis Lhasa or similar B - L - D

Day 11 Lhasa St. Regis Lhasa or similar B - L - D

Day 12 Lhasa St. Regis Lhasa or similar B - L - D

Day 13 Lhasa / Beijing Travel from Lhasa to Beijing and back home B - _ - _

Day 14 Arrival in Europe B - _ - _

*B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Day 1_ - _ - D

Departure from Europe

Onboard the plane

Day 2Beijing

_ - _ - D

You arrive Beijing's Capital International Airport. After disembarking, please follow the signs to theImmigration.

After clearing immigration formalities and claiming your baggage, you will be met by a local representativeand transferred to your hotel.

After check in, refresh and rest in the morning.

Lunch is under your own arrangements/account.

This afternoon, enjoy your first sightseeing of Beijing – you will visit the Temple of Heaven, a perfection ofMing architecture and one of the symbols of Beijing. Built in 1420, this huge site (twice the size of theForbidden City) follows a route traversed by past emperors and their entourages in splendid processionfrom which the commoner had to avert his eyes. The emperors came to the Temple of Heaven during thewinter solstice to offer sacrifices to Heaven and pray for bountiful harvests – momentous occasions forwhich the temple’s beauty and simplicity provided a fitting background.

Then, hop into a traditional pedicab and explore a traditional Beijing neighborhood. Far removed from theglitz of Beijing’s high-rise department stores and office towers, the quiet sounds of the neighborhood bring tolife a Beijing that flourished under the omnipotent rule of dynasties past.

When the Mongols swept through China in the 13th century, they built their capital at Beijing (calling it Dadu)and left some residual influences that continue to be felt to this day. Among the most lasting of the Mongollegacy was the “hutong”, the winding alleyways that linked the city through a network of diverseneighborhoods, each area being spun like a web of interconnecting lanes that became the lifeblood of oldBeijing. Meaning, “water well” in Mongolian, the hutong once numbered in the thousands.

& Moment: Pedicab through TownInstead of walking around the Hutong Tour, we arrange pedicab for you to experience the history incomfort.

Day 3Beijing

B - L - D

This morning, visit to the extraordinary Forbidden City (closes on Mondays). Center of the Chinese worldfor nearly 500 years, the Imperial Palace remains the most complete and best preserved collection ofancient buildings in China. Called the “Forbidden City” for the exclusive nature of the emperors who builtand inhabited it, the Palace is a vast complex of halls, pavilions, courtyards and walls. It was within thesewalls that 24 emperors of two dynasties, aided by their ministers, eunuch guards, concubines and servants,acted out the drama of ruling imperial China from the early Ming Dynasty in 1420 to the fall of the QingDynasty in 1911. Insider access: Visit a closed hall (subject to confirmation).

Stop at Tiananmen Square (literally known as Gate of Heavenly Peace) for a stroll on the largest publicplaza on earth. Lying in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is thought of as the very heart of the city.The square, in spite of its past events, remains one of the most popular venues in Beijing.

After sightseeing, transfer back to hotel.

After dinner, you will attend a Kung Fu show, where you can witness first hand this amazing sport steepedin Chinese tradition.

Day 4Beijing

B - L - D

This morning, you will be driven to the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, enjoy a cable car ride up anddown.

Rising from the wash of waves along China’s Bohai Gulf in the east, riding the crest of rugged forest-mantled mountains in north China and running across the grassy steppe and desert waste of the farnorthwest, the Great Wall is the ultimate expression of China’s past. Imposing and almost defyingpossibilities this stunning structure literally defined a border between worlds far removed from each other. Itstowering ramparts threw up a defense against the incursions marauding nomad hordes while within its wallsflourished the light of East Asian civilization – imperial China.

After lunch, transfer back to Beijing city and visit the lively Hongqiao Market, a popular market for localshoppers and one of Beijing’s best places to buy Chinese pearls. Take a walk past the fresh and driedfoods, to the jewelers upstairs.

Day 5Beijing / Lijiang

B - L - D

This morning, you will visit the lovely Summer Palace in the northwest of Beijing with a private boat rideon Lake Kunming. Created, as a summer resort for the imperial emperors during the Yuan, Ming and QingDynasties, the Summer Palace is an idyllic place to enjoy a scenic stroll. This “Garden for CultivatingHarmony” encompasses Longevity Hill and a series of palaces, pavilions, terraces and covered walkwaysstrung out along the northern shore of Lake Kunming.

After lunch you will be transferred to the Beijing airport for a flight to Lijiang.

Arrive Lijiang Airport, after claiming your baggage, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 6Lijiang

B - L - D

This morning, enjoy a performance of the “Impressions of Lijiang“. The snow-covered mountain episode of“Impressions of Lijiang”, is a large-scale on-site performance jointly directed by Zhang Yimou, WangChaoge and Fan Yue, was staged officially at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan’s Lijiangon July 23, 2006. After about 400 farmer performers from 10 local ethnic groups have taken over severalmonths of rehearsals, this performance was presented as an extravaganza integrating the aboriginal charmand the natural landscape of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Afterwards, take environmental bus (share basis) to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car station (about10 minutes drive).

Take cable car (share basis) to ascend to the summit (about 5-6 minutes).

Arrive the summit, enjoy leisure walk (about 40 minutes) to Yak Meadow. It got its name because the localpeople like to pasture their Yak here. The landscape rises and falls on the meadow. In spring and summer,Yaks with black and white skin wander in grass and all kinds of flowers. In autumn and winter, the mild edgeof the meadow becomes a sharp contrast with the peaks of the snow mountain. It's typical meadow scenery,a holy land for sightseeing and relaxation. There are many scenic spots on the meadow, such as the SnowyValley, the special Yak Glacier, the colorful Meadow and primitive Pine Tree Forest. High latitude and widemeadow give you a board view. Looking down at Ganhaizi, Cloud Fir and continuous mountains, you willfind that the snow mountain is so close to you. Clouds circle around the waist of mountain. Cool wind gentlyblows on your face. All the things here are so peaceful and beautiful.

Afterwards, you will descend via the same means of transportation.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Baisha Village.

After lunch, visit to Baisha Village – once the capital of the Naxi kingdom before the 12th century; today it isa sleepy hamlet housing some remarkable mural paintings that reflect the pragmatic attitudes of the Naxipeople.

Then, Longquan Village – a traditional, rural Naxi village that has enjoyed a history of over 800 years – awonderful setting for photography and taking in the charms of the countryside.

After sightseeing, transfer back to hotel

Day 7Lijiang

B - L - D

This morning, you will visit the most beautiful settingin Lijiang is Black Dragon Pool Park (also called“Heilongtan”) a lush setting of weeping willows, pine,chestnut and many flowering ornamental trees.The setting is framed by mountains and centred onthe Black Dragon Pool, a large pond fed bymountain springs that bubble up at the site. Thisverdant swath of parkland is further embellished bya series of ornate pavilions and bridges thatcomplete this idyllic scene.

This morning, you will visit the most beautiful setting in Lijiang is Black Dragon Pool Park (also called“Heilongtan”) a lush setting of weeping willows, pine, chestnut and many flowering ornamental trees.The setting is framed by mountains and centred on the Black Dragon Pool, a large pond fed by mountainsprings that bubble up at the site. This verdant swath of parkland is further embellished by a series ofornate pavilions and bridges that complete this idyllic scene.

Time should be taken to walk the perimeter pathway that circles the main pond – this provides you with apleasing overview of the entire park. Walking along the pathway also affords you with fine views of severalexquisite structures brought the park in the 1970s and 1980s from Fuguosi, a magnificent Tibetan TantricTemple that is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Lijiang. The most impressive of these buildings is theWufenglou (Five Phoenix Tower) that was transported in stages to the park from 1976 – 1979. This stunninghall dates from the early 17th century and is an outstanding example of Ming architecture. The park drawsnumerous visitors both local and from outside Lijiang and is often frequented by people who relax and enjoya picnic lunch in one of the scenic pavilions that grace the park setting.

After strolling through Black Dragon Pool Park, continue on to the Dongba Museum a fine facility thatexhibits some fascinating examples of Naxi religious traditions as well as a series of old photographs ofLijiang’s Old Town. The term Dongba refers to both the Shaman or wise man of Naxi society and thepictographic script that is a core element defining the literary culture of the Naxi. The shaman figure is oneselected to be the keeper of secrets, the conduit to the world of nature. The script is one of the lastexamples of a pictographic script in use today. The Dongba script is used only by the Dongba shaman andis directly tied to the ancient belief system of the people. Joseph Rock spent many years compiling a lexiconof Dongba script pictographs and their meaning. The photographs on view are drawn from both thecollection of Joseph Rock as well as other old photographs that capture the vitality and charm of the OldTown in the early decades of the 20th century.

After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Old Town. Measuring two kilometers by two kilometers the rectangleenclosure of cobble lanes and stone and timber houses that make up the Old Town of Lijiang ranks amongthe most picturesque and memorable of city settings in all of China. The Old Town (gazetted by UNESCOas a World Heritage Site) dates to the 13th century when the Mongol forces of Kublai Khan sweptsouthward through Yunnan province as they set out to consolidate their control over China. The originalcapital of the Naxi kingdom at Baisha was moved to Dayan (today’s Lijiang) and since that time hasremained the most distinctive example of Naxi culture. The best way to experience the charm of the OldTown is to get out and walk it – the labyrinth of alleys, while seemingly confusing, all lead to the rectangularcentral square market that marks the center of the Old Town. Each day the square becomes a focal point ofcommerce with hawker stalls lining the perimeter selling local handicrafts, savory snack foods and assortedbric-a-brac. The stringent requirements of the UNESCO title will help insure that the Old Town is saved for

future generations. While the surrounding “New City” of Lijiang continues to erect sparkling high-rise hoteland commercial buildings and the roads are widened into express highways the antiquated charm and idyllicsetting of Lijiang’s Old Town will remain the heart of all that is so special about this region.

Conclude your sightseeing today, continue up to the auspicious Wang Gu Lou Pagoda which standssentinel above the city – a beacon of protection and good fortune.

After sightseeing, transfer back to hotel.

Day 8Lijiang / Zhongdian

B - L - D

Today overland to Zhongdian with enroute visit to:

First Bend in the Yangzi River – this natural landmark where the mighty Yangzi (called the Jinsha Jiang inYunnan) flows south out of Tibet and is turned northward for over 100 kilometers before turning east intoSichuan province – the Chinese believe this to be an auspicious site as two other major rivers – the Mekongand the Salween – flow through Yunnan but continue south into Burma and Laos (while the Yangzi stays inChina).

Next, approximately five minutes further beyond the First Bend is the charming village of Shigu (StoneDrum), which rises above the Yangzi River on a hillslope that commands a fine panoramic vista of mountainand river.

After lunch, you will travelling north from Lijiang to the Deqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture visitorsshould take the time to stop and experience the scenic splendour of the Hutiaoxia (Tiger Leaping Gorge)that, after the Three Gorges of the Yangzi River in Hubei and Sichuan provinces, is the most famous naturalscenic highlight along the course of the Yangzi River.

The Gorge measures more than 46 kilometres in length(approximately 28 miles) and drops some 3,000 metres (10,000feet) making it among the deepest and most dramatic naturalformations in Asia. Colourful Tibetan and Naxi legends relatethe creation of the gorges with the river and its two flankingmountains – the massive Yuelongxueshan (Jade Dragon SnowMountain) and Mount Habba – were once humans caught in atragic love triangle that rendered them into their present state.The reference to “Tiger Leaping” is due to the extremenarrowness of the gorge (in places); narrow enough for a tigerto leap the gorge in a single bound.

Today the Tiger Leaping Gorge has become an increasingly popular centre for trekkers who come fromaround the world to make this scenic crossing.

Arrival in Zhongdian, you will be transferred to hotel.

Day 9Zhongdian

B - L - D

This morning, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery, perhaps, the most effective barometre of change in theregion. When it was first built in the late 17th century under the direction of the “Great Fifth” (the fifth DalaiLama) the monastery became the theocratic centre of power in northwest Yunnan controlling scores ofsmaller local temples and monastic centers. With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in1949 and the subsequent suppression of religious expression this potent symbol of a complicated pastbecame a favourite target of radicals. This culminated in the wholesale destruction of the monastery underthe Red Guard campaigns of the Cultural Revolution (1966 – 1976).

Ringha Temple (Do Bao Shi) (also known as Temple of Five Wisdom Buddhas) still remains a mystery.It keeps an essential place in the Tibetan community that they consider there as the one of the five mostimportant Tibetan monasteries in Yunnan Province.

Grand Pray Wheel Tibetan Buddhist Prayer in Shangri-al, largest prayer wheel in the world.

Afterwards, transfer back to hotel.

Day 10Zhongdian / Lhasa

B - L - D

This morning, you will be transferred to the Zhongdian airport for a flight to Lhasa.

Arrive Lhasa Airport, after claiming your baggages, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

After lunch, visit to Jokhang Temple, considered Tibet’s mostsacred temple and thought to be Tibet’s first significant religiousinstitution. Located in the very heart of Lhasa’s colorful Tibetanquarter, Jokhang is the focus of devotion day and night. It was builtby Queen Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to house a statue ofthe 8-year-old boy Buddha which was brought to Tibet by theNepalese Princess Tritsun and also a Sakyamuni Buddha statuebrought by the Chinese Princess Wencheng. The SakyamuniBuddha statue, originally presented to the Chinese emperor as agift from the Queen of Bengal, is generally regarded as Tibet’s mostsacred object.

In the pilgrimage season, long lines of pilgrims wait patiently for hours just to touch their foreheads to thesacred image of Sakyamuni.

Encircling Jokhang Temple is the Barkhor, or holy path of transformation. It is now the site of Lhasa’sbustling marketplace and all manner of things are to be found here. Enjoy a walk around Barkhor Bazaarand explore the countless clothes, jewelry, craftwares, etc. available.

Day 11Lhasa

B - L - D

This morning, visit to Sanggye Dhunghor (rock carvings) located in the southern part of Lhasa. A rockstands noticeably at over twenty meters tall and some 30 meters in width. The rock is covered with carvedfigures of Buddha, which vary in shape and color. Legend suggests that the carving of the rock beganduring the 7th century, and people in the city have it cleaned every few years.

Then proceed to Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, located in the northwest ofthe city on a south-facing hillside. Queen Songtsen Gampo, ruler of the Tufan kingdom had the palace builtin the 7th century following his marriage to Princess Wencheng. Towering to a height of over 330 feet, thecomplex can be divided into three sections – the palaces (the “red palace” and “white palace” containing theburial stupas and residential quarters), the defensive fortifications and the gardens. Many of the palace wallsare exquisitely covered with frescoes depicting episodes from Buddhist scriptures, landscapes from thesurrounding area and historical events such as the arrival of the two Tang Dynasty princesses or the journeyof the 5th Dalai Lama to Beijing.

After lunch, visit to Sera Monastery lying at the base of Sera Utse Ridge, a mountain of the Tatipu Rangethat defines the northern limit of Lhasa City and serves as a watershed for the Kyi Chu and Penpo Rivers.Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, is one of Tibet’s Great Six monasteries. The complex today, a veritablemonastic city, occupies a site of nearly 30 acres and is made up of a Great Hall, three specialized collegesand 30 residential compounds with chapels. At its peak, Sera boasted over 5,000 monks and novices fromthe far corners of Tibet and was a vital center of religious activity.

Day 12Lhasa

B - L - D

This morning, visit to Drepung Monastery, founded in 1416 byJamyang Choje, a celebrated Yellow Hat lama. The nameDrepung means "rice heap" which comes from the SanskritDhanyakataka, the name of a stupa in south India where theBuddha first taught the Kalachakra tantra. Drepung is also thesite of the burial stupas of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Dalai Lamas(only the Potala Palace has more). As one of Tibet's Great Sixmonasteries, Drepung was an effective center of political powerand by the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama, its population hadgrown to a staggering 10,000 monks and novices - easily thelargest monastic institution in the world. It was renowned as a great center of learning and attracted thebest and the brightest.

This afternoon, you will visit the Norbulingka (the Jewel Park), one of the most relaxing pleasant places inLhasa. It is a large 99 acre enclave on the outskirts of town covered with trees, ponds, gardens, palaces andpavilions. From the middle of the 18th century, Norbu Lingka was the official summer residence of the DalaiLama and the major areas contained with the compound are residential palaces, opera grounds,government offices and the forest section. During your visit you will have an opportunity to visit theresidential palace of the present Dalai Lama that has been left exactly as it was when he fled to India in1959.

As Tibet's first Museum in the modern sense, the Museum of Tibet was inaugurated in October 1999 and isdedicated to the preservation, research and social education of Tibetan history. Covering 53,959 squaremeters, the museum is an enormous and magnificent building complex with several exhibition halls which,strictly arranged along the axis of the compound, include the Introductory hall, the Main Exhibition Hall andthe Storehouse for Cultural Relics. The treasure of cultural relics housed in the museum include a widerange of prehistoric cultural remains, statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas made of different materials,ancient Tibetan scriptural texts written in inks of gold silver and coral, delicate thangka paintings, variousmusical instruments and ritual artifacts.

Day 13Lhasa / Beijing

B - _ - _

This morning, you will be transferred to Lhasa airport for your flight to Beijing.

Arrive Beijing domestic Airport. Departure to Europe.

Day 14B - _ - _

Arrival in Europe