15-Day Tibetan Culture Exploring Tour for Seniors Out of Tibet

Nihao, welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. After arriving at the airport, your local guide from Easy Tour China will greet you at the arrival hall. A private car will take you to the hotel for check-it. For the rest of the time, you can have free activities to relieve the fatigue from the long flight and get used to Beijing time.

Meals: None

Accommodation: 3 nights ETC Handpick luxury/comfortable hotels in Beijing

Your Beijing guided tour begins with a morning visit to the Palace Museum (the Forbidden City). Your tour guide will flexibly arrange the visiting route based on the physical condition and interests of the elderly tourists. Proceed along the central axis to the Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall, Baohe Hall, the Imperial Garden... to gain a deep understanding of the structure of imperial power, the ritual system, and architectural philosophy in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The details of "the Nine Dragons Wall" and "the hierarchical system of the imperial harem" come to life under the guidance of your tour guide.

Then head out for White Dagoba in Miaoying Temple, to unravel how Tibetan Buddhism entered the Central Plains during the Yuan Dynasty - your first touch of Tibetan culture in this tour.

In the afternoon, take a Beijing hutong rickshaw tour. Visit traditional quadrangle dwellers and communicate with local children, young people, and the elderly about their lifestyles.

Meals: B, L

This morning, set off on a Buddhist culture tour at Yonghe Palace (Lama Temple), one of the largest and most intact Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing. It was the "Dragon's Hidden Blessed Land" of the two Qing Dynasty emperors, Yongzheng and Qianlong. Currently, it houses statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and other deities, and various Buddhist ceremonies are held regularly.

Then visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO cultural site. In the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, the Sound Wall, and the Danbi Bridge, learn about the ancient concept of "harmony between man and nature" and the emperor's ritual of offering sacrifices to heaven. Discuss with your guide the similarities and differences between Han Buddhist temple and Tibetan Buddhist temple.

This afternoon, take a brisk walk along Dashila, lined with century-old shops (such as Tong Ren Tang, Ru Fu Xiang, etc.) to experience the commercial culture of old Beijing.

Meals: B, L

Today you’ll be moving to Chengde, and exploring Jinshanling Great Wall with your local guide. The less-visited Jinshanling Great Wall is more primitive and retains its original appearance from the Ming Dynasty. It combines the "roughness of a wild Great Wall" with the "safety of the restored sections", and will be favored by elderly tourists who are into photography and hiking.

Your guide will arrange an moderate hiking route of about 2-3 hours based on your physical condition (you can stop to rest at any time). Cross the watchtowers and overlook the Great Wall extending along the continuous mountains, and listen to your guide's explanations about beacon towers, defense systems and the military strategy of the Ming Dynasty.

Continue driving and arrive in Chengde to check into a hotel.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 2 nights ETC Handpick luxury/comfortable hotels in Chengde

Start your day by visiting the Chengde Summer Resort. This was the place where the Qing Dynasty emperors conducted their business and resided during the summer. It was constructed into the largest existing imperial garden in China, blending the classical Jiangnan garden design with northern landscape features. Surprisingly, "Here in this resort, you can learn about half of the history of the Qing Dynasty."

Carry on towards the UNESCO-protected Eight Outer Temples. The Potaraka Doctrine Temple (Putuo Zongcheng Temple), nicknamed "Little Potala Palace", is the largest. Puning Monastery (Temple of Universal Peace), known as the mimic Samye Monastery in Tibet, combines the essence of Han and Tibetan architectural styles and houses the world's largest golden lacquer wood-carved thousand-handed thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara statue. Follow your knowledgeable guide continue the exploration of other temples to delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhist culture and art.

Meals: B, L

Then, say goodbye to Chengde and drive back to Beijing. When you arrive, your guide and driver will escort you to the railway station for the high-speed train to Xian. Xian is another ancient capital and here, you’ll indulge deep in Chinese history, as well as the Buddhist culture of both Han and Tibetan.

Meals: B

Accommodation: 2 nights ETC Handpick luxury/comfortable hotels in Xian

Set off early before crowds arrive for a Terra-cotta Warriors tour - the eighth wonder of the world.The elderly can take the shuttle bus directly to the entrance of the museum. As a posthumous relic of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's army from over two thousand years ago, this underground wonder reveals the ancient formation of the army, the war system, as well as the manufacturing techniques and painting techniques of the terracotta warriors.

 In the afternoon, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark of the ancient Silk Road, to learn about the history of Xuanzang's journey to obtain Buddhist scriptures and the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road.

After dark, you’ll be treated to the great night views of Grand Tang Ever Bright City, when walking through the Tang style architectures. 

Meals: B, L

This morning, visit Guangren Lama Temple, one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in Northwest China. Built in 1705 (the 44th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign), this royal temple witnessed the cultural exchange between Han and Tibetan cultures. Today, the temple houses a precious statue of Green Tara and a life-size replica of the Buddha at age twelve.

Continue to the Xi'an City Wall, the best-preserved and largest city wall in China. Depending on the physical condition of elderly travelers, options include cycling, walking, or using an electric cart.

Wander the Muslim Quarter with your local guide and visit the Xi'an Great Mosque, built in 742, a grand complex of ancient Chinese-style palace architecture. Intrigued? Your guide will explain how Islam and Han cultures merged in Xi'an over a thousand years ago.

Meals: B, L

Take the high-speed train to Xining (approximately four hours), traveling from the Guanzhong Plain towards the Loess Plateau, and gradually to the mountainous valleys of the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Here, you'll first visit the over 600-year-old Kumbum Monastery—a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism. As the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, it is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school. Follow your local guide to admire its architecture, experience the prayer wheel ceremony, appreciate the butter sculptures, murals, and appliqué embroidery (three wonders of Kumbum Monastery), and observe the daily life of the lamas.

Highland Tips for the elderly:

The altitude here is approximately 2700 meters. However, there is no need to worry too much. Just move around and visit at a slow pace, and drink plenty of water.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 3 nights ETC Handpick luxury/comfortable hotels in Xining

After breakfast, drive for 2 to 2.5 hours to Tongren, where the Longwu Monastery is located. When you arrive, enjoy an authentic traditional Tibetan meal in Longwu Town and observe the lives of the local residents.

Then begin the in-depth visit to Longwu Monastery. Built in 1301, it is the largest Gelugpa monastery in Qingnan and the birthplace of the Thorgon Art. Like Ta'er Temple, the murals, pile embroidery, and butter sculptures are also the three wonders of Longwu Monastery. Piously walk through the prayer corridor, participate in the incense burning for blessings, observe the monks chanting and debating scriptures. Finally, ascend to the top of the monastery to overlook Longwu Town.

Tonight, head out to walk the Wulong old streets with a history of over 250 years. Merchants from various ethnic groups, including Han, Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Mongolian, and Salar, have gathered here.

Meals: B, L

Today continue your Tibetan culture exploration tour in Xining, makin your way to Wutun Monastery, the temple with the most Regong art, with a 2-hour drive.

Wutun Upper Monastery, built in 1385, is known as the "Regong Art School." Its monks excel in painting and sculpture, producing many masters over the centuries. The monks of Wutun Lower Monastery are also skilled in painting and sculpture. Follow your guide to see the old scripture hall, Buddha hall, and the stupas of past eminent monks. Visit the family-run Thangka painting workshop.

After a simple lunch at a Tibetan family's home near the monastery, experience Regong intangible cultural heritage firsthand. Learn to paint Thangkas under the instruction of local Thangka artists. Also, learn how to make Tibetan incense – including traditional herbal ingredient ratios, hand-rolling the incense, and drying the finished product.

Meals: B, L

This morning, head out to Qinghai’s Traditional Tibetan Villages with in-depth visits to local Tibetan families. Observe the typical Tibetan residential structure, including prayer flags, shrines, and courtyard layout. With the help of your local guide, chat with the hosts about daily life, and gradually you will learn about Tibetan family structure, dietary habits, etiquette, and how they practice their Tibetan Buddhist beliefs.

Then, transfer to Xining Airport for your flight to Chengdu.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 3 nights ETC Handpick luxury/comfortable hotels in Chengdu

Get up early, have breakfast, and then head to the Chengdu Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding. Senior tourists can take an electric cart to save energy and see the active pandas – eating, playing, climbing trees – while learning about panda conservation and breeding efforts.

After lunch, wander along Wuhouci Heng Street – a Tibetan Culture Street, home to many Tibetans. The street is filled with a dazzling array of Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, traditional Tibetan clothing, and delicious food, accompanied by Tibetan music.

Afterwards, experience a slower pace of life at Chengdu People's Park. Sit in a traditional teahouse, order a cup of covered-bowl tea, and watch the locals chat, play cards, and get their ears cleaned. Chat with the elderly at the "marriage market" and discover they're all there to find partners for their children.

Meals: B, L

This morning, have a guided Buddhist culture tour to Leshan Giant Buddha after an about 2-hour drive. 

One of the largest stone-carved Buddha statues in the world, this giant Buddha was carved in the Tang Dynasty in 713 and stands 71 meters against a mountain, overlooking the confluence of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadong River.

Starting from the Buddha's head and slowly descending along the walkway to the foot of the statue, you can closely admire the detailed carvings of the Buddha, including the hair, ears and drainage system.

Alternatively, / And, take a boat ride from the river surface to enjoy the entire view of the Buddha.

Meals: B, L

Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of your 15-day China tour package focusing on Tibetan culture exploration. Have more time and want a deeper exploration of the Tibetan towns, villas, temples, and endowments of wild Sichuan, with stunning scenery? Check out our 8-Day Sichuan Getaway to Mt. Siguniang, Danba & Xinduqiao.

Meals: B