b'TIANANMEN SQUARE GRAND TOUR OF CHINA AND TIBET|YOUR ITINERARYDays 1-4 - London and BeijingFly overnight from London Heathrow to Beijing, via Hong Kong, arriving on Day 2 and transferring to your hotel for the next three nights. We begin Day 3 with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the citys political heart, home to Chairman Maos Mausoleum. Next, we explore the mysteries of the Forbidden City, a labyrinthine complex of palaces from where the Imperial dynasties once ruled. After lunch, we continue to the incredible Summer Palace. Day 4 takes us to one of the countrys most famous attractions, the magnificent Great Wall of China. The Great Wall and its original foundations are over 2,300 years old and enjoy UNESCO World Heritage status. After an ascent by chair lift, we enjoy the chance to walk along one of the quieter sections of the wall, marvelling at the mountain scenery and sweeping valleys. Back in Beijing, we drive past the Birds Nest and Water Cube arenas, venues for the 2008 Olympic Games, on our way to a local restaurant where we sample Beijings signature dish, Peking duck.Days 5-6 - Xian and the Terracotta WarriorsWe make a visit to the Temple of Heaven this morning before boarding the high-speed train to Xian, a bustling metropolis of different cultures that sits at the end of the once-famous Silk Road.Day 6 takes us to the citys most renowned attraction, the Terracotta Warriors. One of the greatest archaeological finds of the modern era, this clay army is made up of over 8,000 soldiers, as well as horses and chariots, and was buried alongside the tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang to protect him in the afterlife. Back in Xian this afternoon, we enjoy a TERRACOTTA WARRIORS private tour of the city, seeing the great city walls, the Grand Mosque, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the local bazaar. This is followed by an authentic dumpling-making lesson and dumpling banquet. Days 7-8 - Xining and across the Roof of the World to LhasaTransferring to the airport for a morning flight to Xining. After lunch at a nearby hotel, were transported to the station to join the overnight sleeper train to Lhasa. Travelling on the highest railway on earth, this pioneering route is a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who designed it and features magnificent views of glaciers, mountains and Himalayan villages as we climb towards Tibet across the Roof of the World. Waking to spectacular views on Day 8, our train crosses the Tangula Pass, home to long haired yaks, prayer flags and frosted peaks, before beginning the descent into colourful Lhasa. After transferring to our hotel, the rest of your day is free. Days 9-10 - Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastry and Potola PalaceYAMDROK LAKE We start our day at Lhasas ancient Jokhang temple, made up of different chapels decorated in glorious colours and with ornate motifs. We also see the bustling Barkhour circuit, a fascinating rectangle of streets that form a pilgrim circuit around the temple. After lunch, we visit the Sera Monastery, a remarkable complex of delightful colleges and temples. As an educational institute, the monastery is responsible for teaching up to 3,000 monks from the ages of seven upwards. Our explorations continue on Day 10, with time at the dazzling Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. Featuring over 1,000 rooms, we ascend the distinctive zig-zagged stairs to discover the regal living quarters and meditation rooms before continuing to the Norbulingka Palace. A summer resort boasting the largest gardens in Tibet, soak in a cornucopia of colour as we admire the golden structures and blooming floral displays.Days 11-13 - Gyantse, Shigatse and ChengduLeaving Lhasa, we travel by coach through the mountains to Gyantse. On GIANT PANDA the way, we stop at glorious Yamdrok Lake. Lying several hundred feet RESEARCH INSTITUTE below the road, the tranquil waters are a brilliant shade of turquoise, 110 ASIA'