Journey Through China & Tibet

(18 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Guilin & Yangshuo, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Hong Kong

This comprehensive tour is the ultimate luxury journey through China and Tibet.

Begin in Beijing, China's centuries-old capital. With your private guide and driver, tour imperial masterpieces such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Explore the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighborhood. See lesser-known temples, and venture to a little-visited hilltop for panoramic views over the rooftops of the Forbidden City. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city's burgeoning contemporary art scene. One day, take an excursion to the Great Wall of China.

Next, continue to Shanghai and experience the unbridled energy of China's most stylish and modern city. During private touring, learn about Shanghai's history through the architecture of the Bund, the French Concession, Pudong and other districts. Tour some of China's best museums, including the Shanghai Museum and Long Museum. Also visit up-and-coming neighborhoods filled with art galleries, design shops and stylish new restaurants. One day, take an excursion to Suzhou or another nearby water town to cruise canals lined with Ming Dynasty homes, and tour private gardens that we've chosen as our favorites.

Continue to Guilin, home to some of China's most breathtaking scenery. Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo— China's most beautiful river journey—passing through a storied landscape of limestone peaks and rice paddies. From Yangshuo, take a motorized rickshaw or bike tour along the backroads of this picturesque region, exploring local villages with your private guide and driver.

Next, fly to the ancient capital of Xian, a major stop on the Silk Road. See the famed Terracotta Warriors and the massive city walls. Explore a local night market and the lively streets of the Muslim Quarter. Visit the important Big and Small Goose Pagodas. Tour the impressive Shaanxi Provincial History Museum and the Stele Forest, a fascinating library of tall stone tablets.

Continue by air to Chengdu, the modern capital of Sichuan. See frolicking giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and learn about conservation efforts to reestablish their numbers in the wild. During private city touring, see highlights such as the Wide and Narrow Alleys, a historic area filled with shops and restaurants, and People's Park, where locals socialize and play mahjongg. Enjoy tickets to a performance of Sichuan Opera that includes the mysterious local art of face-changing. Other options include visiting nearby archaeological sites such as Sanxingdui to learn about the ancient cultures that once inhabited this area.

Fly to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and a city steeped in Buddhist spirituality and Tibetan traditions. During flexible touring with your expert guide and driver, visit Lhasa's most compelling sights, including Potala Palace, the fortress-like Buddhist complex that towers over the city. Tour the most interesting parts of the palace and monastery compound, which is the historic seat of the Dalai Lama. Also, visit ancient Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet and an important and lively pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come to prostrate themselves, spin prayer wheels, and see a revered, life-size sculpture of the Buddha as a boy. If desired, also enjoy a private trek to the Drak Yerpa caves. Additional activities in and around Lhasa can be arranged according to your interests, such as private meditation sessions, visits to homes, guided hikes, visits to important monasteries outside Lhasa, and more.

Conclude in Hong Kong, one of Asia's most attractive and exciting cities, with a spectacular skyline, beautiful harbors and beaches, superb restaurants, bustling markets and much more. With your expert private guide and driver, learn about the historic buildings and modern skyscrapers in Central. Tour interesting residential neighborhoods in the hills. Explore traditional markets, ride a sampan (fishing boat) across Aberdeen harbor and a tram up Victoria Peak, browse the boutiques in the fashionable Soho district and perhaps get fitted for custom clothing at our favorite tailors. Explore local markets to learn about traditional Chinese medicine and unusual food products. Also visit excellent museums, a tea house, and other favorite spots.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world