Trip plan:
Upon arrival at Shanghai International Airport, participants will be greeted by a private guide CARTER®. Guests are transferred to an elegant hotel in the city center, where they will have time to rest after their journey. For those who wish, an evening stroll along Nanjing Road, the most famous shopping street in China, full of lights, neon and modern boutiques, while still retaining its historical charm.
A full-day tour of Shanghai will show you a city that is constantly balancing between the past and the future. The tour starts from the People's Square - a wide urban space surrounded by modern architecture and parks, which is the administrative and cultural center of the city. Then you will visit the classical Yu Yuan Garden, founded in the 16th century by an imperial official as a place of rest for his parents. Picturesque carp ponds, carved pavilions and intricately decorated gates create a unique atmosphere of old China.
Later in the day, we will move to the French Quarter – an area that has preserved the colonial atmosphere of the early 250th century. Walking among the brick tenement houses, we will find cafes with French bread, luxury boutiques and green alleys – a completely different face of Shanghai. In the afternoon, we will go to the terrace of one of the city's icons – the Oriental Pearl Tower. From a height of over XNUMX meters, there is a spectacular view of the illuminated Pudong and the historic Bund.
You can end the day with an optional cruise on the Huangpu River – it is from the deck of an elegant ship that you can best admire the panorama of Shanghai, where futuristic skyscrapers meet historic quays.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Lijiang, a mountain city in Yunnan Province, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, participants will set off on a trip to the Dragon Spruce Meadow mountain plateau. Located at the foot of the Yulong Massif, this area offers breathtaking views of snowy peaks and mountain meadows. In good weather, it is possible to take a cable car ride, from which there is a panoramic view of the Alpine landscape.
The afternoon will be devoted to exploring the Old Town of Lijiang – a labyrinth of narrow streets, traditional teak houses and water channels that are reminiscent of the Venice of the Orient. Lijiang is full of life, yet maintains a unique peace. To end the day, we propose taking part in a spectacular performance, “The Legend of the Lijiang Romance”, held in the open air against the backdrop of the mountains. When planning a trip to China, you can’t miss this extraordinary city that is Lijiang!
In the morning, we will visit Baisha Village, where there are unique frescoes from the Ming Dynasty. These historic murals are a testament to the harmonious interpenetration of Chinese, Tibetan and Buddhist cultures. Then we will stroll through the Black Dragon Park, the center of which is a lake reflecting the silhouette of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
In the afternoon, we set off to the legendary city of Zhongdian, known as Shangri-La – a place associated with the mythical land of harmony. The route leads through spectacular mountain scenery with stops at the so-called First Bend of the Yangtze, where the river makes a dramatic turn, and at the Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons in the world. Upon arrival – accommodation in a boutique hotel inspired by local architecture
The day begins with a visit to Pudacuo National Park, a protected area that stretches over 1300 km². Pristine forests, alpine lakes and meadows inhabited by rare species of birds and mammals make this place a true paradise for nature lovers. The next stop will be Ringha Monastery, a small but extremely atmospheric Buddhist temple, located in a village with traditional Tibetan houses. The atmosphere of silence and spiritual concentration makes this place linger in the memory for a long time.
In the afternoon, we encourage you to take a leisurely stroll through the historic centre of Shangri-La – wooden houses, a local market with spices and incense, as well as the hospitality of the locals create a unique atmosphere.
We begin the day with a visit to the impressive Ganden Songzanlin Monastery, often referred to as the “little Potala Palace.” The largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, it is a complex of courtyards, meditation halls, and chapels filled with golden statues.
Afternoon - Fly to Lhasa, the spiritual capital of Tibet. Due to the altitude (over 3600 m above sea level), the rest of the day is devoted to leisurely acclimatization.
NOTE: To make your holiday in Tibet as comfortable as possible, prepare well for this altitude, for example by planning a longer stay in the Yunnan province in China.
A trip is planned for this day, during which we will visit one of the most sacred buildings of Buddhism – the Potala Palace in the city of Lhasa in Tibet. Built on a red hill, it was the seat of the Dalai Lamas for centuries and remains a symbol of Tibet. The interior houses dozens of prayer halls, tombs and priceless relics.
Then we suggest a visit to Canggu Monastery, run by nuns – the only place in Lhasa where you can taste Tibetan butter tea in their own café. In the evening – dinner at a restaurant serving local specialities, including momo (dumplings), barley soups and spiced mulled wine.
We spend the morning at the Jokhang Temple, the central place of worship of Tibetan Buddhism, visited by hundreds of pilgrims every day. The temple is filled with the smell of incense and the chanting of mantras. Later, we stroll through the Barkhor Bazaar, a colorful market surrounding the temple, where you can buy local crafts, incense, prayer wheels and silk scarves.
For those interested – the opportunity to visit a traditional thangka painting school and observe the process of creating these intricate works of religious art.
To end the journey, visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest Buddhist monastery in the world, and Sera Monastery, famous for its daily philosophical debates by monks. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Beijing, then return flight to Europe.
