7 Days Beijing and Lhasa Tour by Flight
Tour Overview
This classic 7-day Beijing and Lhasa tour will take you to the landmarks of the capital city and uncover the mysteries of Lhasa. Beijing is a great place to learn more about Chinese history. You will be guided to visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and hike the Mutianyu Great Wall. Enhance your cultural experience with optional Kungfu performances and Peking duck.
Then take a convenient flight to Lhasa, the holy spiritual center of Tibet, to explore the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery and more. Feel the difference between the life of Beijingers and Tibetans.
Travel destinations: Beijing, Lhasa
Suitable for: History & Culture Explorers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Step into the Forbidden City a vast imperial palace to admire its grand halls and rich cultural relics.
- Conquer the top Wonder of the World ā the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu.
- Explore the mysterious White and Red Palaces of Potala Palace in the marvelous holy city Lhasa
- Capture monks in lively debates at Sera Monastery.
- Wander the serene garden of Norbulingka, once the Dalai Lama’s summer residence.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to China's capital for our 7-day Beijing and Lhasa tour. Upon your arrival at the airport, the local driver will be waiting to greet you and then transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to freshen up and relax after your journey. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city of BeijingĀ at your own pace.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing TourExplore the Historic Landmarks of Beijing
Start the Beijing tour by visiting Tian'anmen Square, which is an landmark and the heart of Beijing. It is one of the largest public squares in the world. You will learn the stories of historical events and appreciate the iconic buildings around the square, including Monument to the People's Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.
Next, you will be guided to walk to the Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complexes built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here. Then, climb up to the pavilion at the top of Jingshan ParkĀ for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the Beijing skyline.
Forbidden City View from Jingshan Park After lunch, you will visit Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here, you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, etc. In addition, you can take the option of a boat ride to enjoy the Kunming Lake (optional, at an additional cost).
Evening activity: if you are interested in Chinese Kungfu, you are suggested to pay extra to watch a mesmerizing Kungfu Show at the Red Theater. Your guide will help you arrange it for you.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Beijing
- Day 3: Beijing Great Wall TourEnjoy a Great Wall Hiking with the Stunning Views
Today, you will spend the whole day at the spectacular Great Wall. We will take you to visit Mutianyu Great Wall, which is located in Huairou County in the northeast corner of Beijing, 73 kilometers away from the city. This section of the Great Wall is connected to Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou in the east, and has been a military stronghold guarding Beijing since ancient times.
With a total length of 5,400 meters (3355.5 miles), the Mutianyu Great Wall is the longest section of the Great Wall in China and also the most beautiful section.
Note: If pure hiking is too much for you, there are also options for cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles (pay extra, optional).
Mutianyu Great Wall After your Great Wall tour, transfer you to the Scared Way, where you will see many stone sculptures and learn the story. On the way back to Beijing downtown, you can pay a visit to the marvelous Bird's NestĀ and Water CubeĀ from the outside, both of which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
National Stadium (Bird's Nest) For dinner, we recommend you to sampleĀ Beijing Roast Duck, a famous palace dish, cooked with charcoal fire, crispy on the outside and tender inside. You will learn the proper way to eat it.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing to Lhasa Tour by Flight
Enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel before your private driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa, the City of Light. Upon arrival in Lhasa, the local driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Along the way, you can enjoy natural views along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The rest of the day is free for you to acclimate to the high altitude.
Stunning views along the Lhasa River, Yarlung Tsangpo River Warm Tips:
- To reduce or avoid symptoms of altitude sickness, you should avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa.
- Do not take a shower to avoid catching a cold.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lhasa
- Day 5: Lhasa City TourDiscover the Cultural Treasures of the City of Light
After breakfast, you will be guided to visit Potala Palace, a sacred place in the hearts of all pilgrims. The Potala Palace contains two parts, the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace, named after the white color of its outer walls, is where the lamas live and operate. The Red Palace is located at the top center of the Potala Palace and has a red exterior wall and consists of numerous pagodas and various Buddhist temples. You will enjoy many artifacts inside the palace, including statues, murals, Thangka paintings, gold and silverware, jade, enamel and other craft treasures.
Potala Palace Continue your Lhasa tour to the revered Jokhang Temple, with a history of more than 1,300 years. This spiritual center, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. After that, stroll through the surrounding Barkhor Street, the busiest commercial street in Lhasa where you can purchase unique Tibetan souvenirs and experience vibrant local culture.
Please note that taking photos is not allowed in the chapel of the monastery.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lhasa
Barkhor Street - Day 6: Lhasa TourMarvel at the Monastic Wonders and Gain Cultural Insights
After your breakfast in the hotel, your driver and guide will drive you to Norbulingka Park, a UNESCO-listed park established in the 18th century to serve as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lama. It is a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, where you can see beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, elegant pavilions, and vivid murals.
Norbulingka Park Continue your exploration with a visit to Drepung Monastery, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Founded in 1416, this sprawling monastery houses exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals and other valuable art treasures. It showcase Tibetan architectural brilliance and artistic splendor.
Last, come to the renowned Sera Monastery. Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, this temple is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa and is the latest of the three to be built. Here you will witnessĀ the monks engaging in lively debates, a centuries-old tradition. Sera Monastery is also home to many ancient murals and tens of thousands of Vajra statues, both locally made and a few brought from India.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lhasa
The monks are debating in Sera Monastery - Day 7: Departure from Lhasa
EnjoyĀ your final moments in Lhasa with a leisurely morning.Ā And the 7-day Beijing and Lhasa tour ends here. Your driver will then escort you to the airport for your onward journey. Bid farewell to the enchanting landscapes and cultural treasures of Tibet.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
