Day 2. Beijing. After breakfast, Visit Tian An Men Square, the largest public plaza in the world and the Forbidden City, whose acres of splendid 15th Century halls and pavilions graced with imperial treasures now comprise the Palace Museum. You will have an afternoon tour which includes lunch and then continues to The Great Wall of China, one of the world's architectural marvels. BLD

Day 3. Beijing to Xining. Fly this morning to Xining, Capital of Qinghai Province. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. A city tour later will include the Liuwan Museum of Ancient Painted Pottery with its collection of almost 38,000 objects. Later visit the Qutan Temple to see the 500 year old frescoes. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a local cultural show. Silver Dragon Hotel. BD

Day 4. Tibet Express. This morning, visit Kimblum Lamasery and the Provincial Museum where the museum's archaeologist will give a short lecture. This afternoon, you embark on the Tibet Express bound for Lhasa. Experience amazing countryside as you climb towards Tibet. Overnight on the train. BLD

Day 5. Arrive Lhasa. Spend the morning on the train with sightseeing stops including one of the sources of the Yangtze River. Pass through a National Nature Reserve where it is possible to view the rare Tibetan antelope plus other animals. Arrive in Lhasa in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Welcome to the land known as Shangri-La and former kingdom of the Dalai Lama. It has been the center of Tibetan Buddhism for hundreds of years. You will marvel at Lhasa's palaces and temples set against a backdrop of towering peaks. Lhasa Hotel (4 nights). BLD

(Note: As per the brochure, the Brahmaputra Grand Hotel will no longer be used in Lhasa.)

Day 6. Lhasa. First, visit the amazing Potala Palace built in the 17th century and at one time the seat of Tibetan religious and political activity and the former home to the Dalai Lamas. It is now a museum 13 stories high and consisting of 1000 rooms. Also visit Drepung Monastery, an active lamasery and Norbulinka Park which was the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. It is a building with 370 rooms and set amid a 100 acre garden. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a Tibet Cultural Show. BLD

Day 7. Lhasa. This morning, visit Jokhang Temple, one of Tibet's holiest temples. See the Golden Buddha which is made of pure gold and encrusted with jewels. In the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery built in 1419 and a training centre for Buddhist monks. There will be time to go shopping on Barskhor Street. BLD

Day 8. Lhasa. Today you will have an interesting morning visiting a Tibetan Hospital, a Tibetan School, and a local community and meet some of the locals. BLD

Day 9. Lhasa to Chengdu. Time to depart Tibet. Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Dujiangyan Ancient Dam with its "magic" water system. Sheraton Hotel (2 nights). BLD

Day 10. Chengdu. This morning is an excursion to the Myth of Sanxingdui Triple Piles Museum. After lunch, there are visits to the Panda Sanctuary and a local teahouse. BLD

Day 11. Chengdu to Shanghai. Fly today to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Shanghai sightseeing in the afternoon includes bustling Nanjing Road and the legendary Bund and the elegant Yu Yuan Gardens. Salvo Hotel (2 nights). BLD

Day 12. Shanghai. In the morning, visit the Peoples Square and the renowned Shanghai Museum. The afternoon is free. BL