6-Day Chengdu-Lhasa Tour

Highlights
Itinerary
Accommodation
Inclusions/Exclusions
Important Info

Highlights

Combine the natural wonder of Giant Pandas, the tradition and wonder of Tibet, then you have all the ingredients for a beautiful travel memory.

Start this wonderful 6 day tour with an unrivalled experience with the gorgeous pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Enjoy other highlights in Chengdu, including lively Jinli Street and Wangjiang Pavilion Park. Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa where you’ll experience the diverse wonders of Tibet. Steeped in ritual and customs, you’ll gain just a brief insight to the how this world retains its ancient appeal, even as the world around it changes. Mix with locals and travelers alike when you visit sights of particular significance, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Circuit. Many other Lhasa highlights are to be savoured on this incredible life-changing journey, along with 5 nights four and five star accommodation, daily breakfasts, local English-speaking guides who bring each destination to life, transfers, and flexible travel times, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to book.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Chengdu

Arrive in Chengdu, the world’s capital of pandas, where you’ll be greeted enthusiastically by your local guide. While the Giant Panda is the drawcard in Chengdu, there is so much more to this city. On the way to your hotel, be introduced to the aliveness of Chengdu and hear a little of what’s in store during your visit. Once checked in at your hotel, enjoy free time to relax or explore. Remember, if you’re wanting to get out and about, talk to your guide. They’re happy to help and point you in the right direction.

Meals included: None

Day 2 – Chengdu

Your driver and guide will pick you up from the hotel to travel to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas. There you will learn the origin and habits of these amazing bears, see baby pandas at play in the infant area and delivery room and gain an insight into the daily life of these amazing creatures. Wonderful photo opportunities abound to record your unique experience with such rare pandas. Be further amazed with a walk down Jinli Street. Savor 2,000 years of commerce in the market where you can try different kinds of Sichuan food and snacks, buy various local crafts and bargain like the locals. Take a leisurely stroll exploring the Wangjiang Pavilion Park with its cluster of centuries old pavilions and memorials and wander the bamboo groves cultivating a vast variety of species. Get a real taste of Chengdu style leisure when you relax in a teahouse with a cup of tea. The driver and guide will return you to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 – Chengdu - Lhasa

Check out from your hotel in the morning and you’ll be driven to the airport to board the flight to Lhasa. On arrival in Lhasa your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Take time on your first afternoon to explore the town and acclimatize to the altitude as the air will be a little thinner there than what you’re used to so it may take a while to adjust.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Lhasa

Tibet offers the outsider a wonderful chance to delve into another world. Allure, mystique, and reverence are all part of the appeal to be found here when you commence today’s activities with a visit to the former residence of the Dalai Lama. The holy Potala Palace is located in heart of the city and encompasses the central Red Palace and rooftop White Palace, as well as a vast array of magnificent Buddha statues, Thangka, murals and traditional Tibetan holy scriptures. With your guide, you will walk from Potala Palace to Jokhang Temple, regarded as the spiritual heart of Tibet. It’s here you’ll admire the resplendent solid gold statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which has been visited by Tibetan pilgrims for centuries. Enjoy the stroll to Barkhor Circuit – a collection of narrow streets forming a hexagon that ‘encircle’ a public square. Get swept up in the throng of locals, pilgrims, and other travelers who are all enjoying the atmosphere and markets. It’s the perfect place to find a travel memento or two. You’ll also have the chance to take advantage of your free choice of lunch to try some of the traditional local dishes. The final destination for the day is the Ani Tsankhung Nunnery which was built for meditation by the 7th century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Observe the resident nuns' skill and artistry as they attend to producing goods for sale, to support themselves. At the conclusion of today’s exploration, you’ll be returned to your hotel to relax and reflect on your day’s adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Taking photos and video, wearing skirts, short pants, sunglasses and hat are all prohibited inside the palace. All ChinaTours.com customers are asked to observe these requirements.

Day 5 - Lhasa

After breakfast begin another day of walking when you visit the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, Norbulingka. Steeped in tradition and symbolism, it’s here you’ll learn about the production process of Thangka, a form of scroll painting on silk or cotton unique to Tibet. From Norbulingka continue the tour when your guide leads you to Drepung Monastery, the highest of the Gelugpa monasteries. Home to monks, Drepung Monastery also houses a priceless collection of porcelain, Thangka, scriptures, Buddha statues, armor and weapons. Experience a true taste of Tibet when you visit the magnificent Sera Monastery where you can observe monks practicing their physical form of debating which involves an unusual amount of hand slapping and pushing.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Monk Debating is held every day, excluding Sundays between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. For a close view of this unique event, early arrival is recommended.

Day 6 – Depart from Lhasa

Today you will be collected from your hotel after breakfast by your guide who will drive you to the Lhasa airport for your departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Travel note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need assistance planning your next destination? We can help with that too. Our travel network spans every corner of China and South East Asia. With connections like that we can take care of every detail. Kindly note that assistance with travel arrangements will incur a surcharge.

Accommodation

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

● Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
● Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
● Meals: as specified in the itinerary
● Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
● Transportation: Economy class domestic flights from Chengdu to Lhasa
● Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
● Electric sightseeing shuttle bus ride in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
● Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
● Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions:

● International/domestic flights and trains to Chengdu/from Lhasa
● China visa fees
● Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
● Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.

Important Information

FOR PRIVATE TOUR

This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you.It’s always available for your schedule!
Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Prices based on twin occupancy.
The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Custom tour.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.

Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.

On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.

Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.

Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.

Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.

Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.

High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.

High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.

Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.

Post Tour Airport Transfer
At the completion of your tour, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request. Additional charges apply.

Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.

Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.

Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.

Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.

Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.

Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.

Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.

Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.

Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.

Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.

Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.

Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and visa processing times.

From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for visa free policy are still required to apply for Visas to China.

List of 38 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.

Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.

Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:

First change – No charge.
For all subsequent changes – USD50.
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.

Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:

More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee

Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.