8 Days Private Hong Kong Tibet Tour with Stopover in Chengdu

Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient! Today you'll make your own way to Hong Kong and enjoy a free day to explore. With its convenient public transport and English-friendly environment, getting around is easy, so no tours are scheduled, giving you the flexibility to discover the city independently. If you'd like us to arrange any tours, transfers, or hotels during your stay, feel free to discuss with us!

Free-time Ideas: 1) Ride the Star Ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island (daily 6:30am-11:30pm). This 10-minute cruise offers stunning skyline views, especially during the evening Symphony of Lights. 2) Explore Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong's liveliest night market, where you can browse souvenirs, clothes, accessories, while sampling delicious local snacks.

Today is free for you to explore this West-friendly metropolis on your own. As the most international city in Asia, Hong Kong always show her hospitality as much as she can to tourists of all kinds. Below is recommended Hong Kong day trip itinerary.

Start your exploration from Victoria Peak (552m), the highest peak in Hong Kong. You can take the legendary Peak Tram to get up there, a six-minute ride on one of the world's oldest funicular railways. Stand on the observation deck of the peak and look around, the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Island are just like two pearls inlayed into the Victoria Harbor, skyscrapers sitting over the blue water, the city skyline reaches far away to the end of sight. Then, take a trip back in time at the Aberdeen Fishing Village, once one of the four largest fishing villages in Hong Kong. You'll get a fascinating glimpse of the past as you view the rows of traditional junks and sampans. It’s a true taste of old Hong Kong.

Next, stroll along the Stanley Market, a lively bazaar near the waterfront. You can browse Chinese arts and crafts or fancy petty commodities in the various little stores, or just order a cup of coffee or beer at the seaside café or pub. If you prefer a sandy beach, head to Repulse Bay instead of Stanley Market. Little noise, few shops, forget about the hustle and bustle for a while as you walking on the white sand of the long beach, you can really enjoy the sea breeze.

After the tour, head to Hong Kong International Airport on your own to catch a flight to Chengdu (about 3 hours), the hometown of Giant Panda (Your flight to Chengdu is included in the tour price). Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted by your local tour guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel in Chengdu. Have a good rest!

Chengdu is known for its three iconic features: giant pandas, rich history, and a relaxed lifestyle. Today, you will explore these highlights one by one.

Your day begins with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the top attraction in the city. You will leave your hotel early and enjoy a scenic drive of about 30 minutes to arrive in time to witness the most active moments of the pandas. Watch them feeding, playing, climbing trees, and interacting with one another. The base features well-designed enclosures for pandas of different ages, from adorable cubs to energetic juveniles and fully grown adults. Pleasant walking paths connect the enclosures, allowing you to enjoy a close and memorable encounter with these beloved animals.

Next, experience Chengdu's famous leisurely lifestyle at Renmin Park (People's Park), a favorite gathering place for locals. Here, you can observe residents enjoying a slow-paced life—strolling, chatting with friends, or playing mahjong. To truly step into the local rhythm, join in the essential Chengdu ritual: sit on a bamboo chair at a simple wooden table and savor a pot of Chinese tea.

After that, visit the historic Wuhou Temple, one of Chengdu's most important cultural landmarks, dedicated to Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period. Surrounded by ancient cypress trees, the temple features elegant traditional architecture, stone inscriptions, and peaceful courtyards, offering a deep insight into Sichuan's rich history and culture. Adjacent to the temple is Jinli Old Street, where you can continue your exploration at leisure. Wander along this lively traditional street, sample local snacks, browse souvenir shops, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of old Chengdu.

Optional Evening Activity: Enjoy a fascinating Sichuan Opera performance, featuring the famous Face-Changing (Bian Lian) art, at a local theater for a perfect cultural finale to your day.

After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel and begin a comfortable 2-hour drive from Chengdu to Leshan. Your destination is the awe-inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved directly into a towering cliff overlooking the river below.

Dating back to AD 713, this colossal statue stands 71 meters tall, making it the largest stone Buddha in the world. Its immense proportions are truly remarkable—from its broad head and elongated ears to its massive feet and toes. Even the smallest details, such as a single fingernail, surpass the height of an average adult. The Buddha was originally created to bring peace and protection to local boatmen navigating the once-turbulent waters. Despite more than 1,300 years of exposure to the elements, the statue remains remarkably intact, thanks to an ingenious internal drainage system designed to reduce erosion.

Your will first hike a bit to the mountain top to enjoy a commanding view of the Buddha's head and upper body, then descend along the narrow stone stairway carved into the cliff, gradually approaching the statue's feet for an impressive close-up perspective. During peak travel periods, some waiting time may be required to access the stairway.

After exploring the site on foot, enjoy a 30-minute boat cruise on the river, providing a spectacular panoramic view of the Giant Buddha from the water—an ideal angle to fully appreciate its monumental scale.

Once your visit concludes, you will transfer back to Chengdu, arriving in the late afternoon.

Please note: boat services are subject to river conditions, weather, and other operational factors and may be suspended if conditions are unfavorable.

Today, you will be free until your local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa (about 2~3 hours). Upon arriving at Lhasa Gongga Airport, you will be picked up by local tour guide at the airport hall, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local areas and acclimatize yourself to the air, temperature and high altitude of Lhasa.

High Altitude Acclimation Tips:1) go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you'd better not have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3) drink more water, and have some fruit; 4) have a good rest.

Today, you will explore Lhasa’s city and suburban attractions accompanied by your local guide, gaining deep insight into Tibetan history and culture. Your journey will begin at the Tibet Museum, where carefully curated exhibits trace the region’s past from the Paleolithic era to the rise of early civilization. Highlights include ancient stone tools and pottery, exquisite Buddhist statues, vivid Thangka paintings, and invaluable relics such as gold seals and traditional manuscripts. Next, visit Norbulingka, the summer palace of Lhasa. This expansive garden complex, filled with rare flowers and lush greenery, is often called the “Plateau Oxygen Bar.” Beyond its elegant Tibetan-style architecture, Norbulingka is also a vibrant cultural venue, hosting major Tibetan celebrations and performances, most notably the traditional shows during the annual Shoton Festival (June 30th in the Tibetan calendar, lasting about a week).

In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery, one of Lhasa’s most renowned monasteries, famous for its daily Buddhist debating sessions. In the courtyard, monks engage in animated debates on Buddhist philosophy, using expressive gestures to sharpen understanding and deepen their studies-an unforgettable cultural experience. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city.

Optional Activity: If there is extra time, it is highly recommended to watch the outdoor live performance of Princess Wencheng at evening. Princess Wencheng Show, performed usually during 21:30~23:00 (late April to Early October), presents the Chinese and Tibetan history and culture through the story that Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty married Songtsen Gambo 1,300 year ago. Since the performance is outdoors and the nighttime temperatures in Lhasa are relatively low, please make sure to dress warmly in advance.

The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn't wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the monastery; 3) taking photos and videos are usually not allowed inside the monastery.

Start today's cultural heritage journey from the Potala Palace Square, where you can admire the grandeur of Potala Palace and capture classic photos of its magnificent front facade. From here, continue to the landmark - Potala Palace, an outstanding symbol of Tibetan architecture mainly composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace with many cherished cultural heritages. After entering the gate of Potala Palace, you need to walk up about 30 minutes along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the White Palace. Remember to ascend the steps slowly and take some stops for sightseeing and rest which will be helpful to reduce high altitude sickness. Then you will explore the palace in an orderly way from the White Palace to the Red Palace with explanations accompanied by your local guide. After exploring Potala Palace, enjoy a leisurely walk through Zongjiao Lukang Park, a scenic lakeside park located behind the palace. Here, you can experience authentic local life, often seeing Tibetans gathering for singing and dancing, chatting, exercising, and walking kora. On clear days, the lake also offers beautiful reflections of Potala Palace.

Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Temple, widely regarded as the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the most sacred religious site in Tibet as it enshrines the revered Jowo Rinpoche, a life-sized (about 1.5 meters / 5 feet) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha depicting him at the age of twelve. In the square before the temple, you will witness devoted pilgrims performing full-body prostrations, gradually polishing the stone flagstones beneath them-a deeply moving and unforgettable sight. The day’s exploration concludes at Barkhor Street, the bustling circular street that surrounds Jokhang Temple. The local Tibetans usually walk clockwise on the street for several circles, as part of their daily pilgrimage. Lined with lively shops and stalls, Barkhor Street is also an excellent place to browse for traditional Tibetan handicrafts and local specialties, offering a vibrant glimpse into both the spiritual and everyday life of Lhasa.

Optional Activity: If your physical strength permits, you can take a short climb to the Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform, which is precisely the location featured on the back of China's fifth series 50-yuan banknote. From this platform, you can appreciate the terraced architecture of Potala Palace ascending the mountainside.

Tips of today: 1) Potala Palace (3,700m) is situated at a higher elevation than the average city altitude (3,650m) and requires climbing many steps, so please walk slowly and take breaks as needed; 2) taking photos, videos and wearing hats are not allowed in the palace; 3) please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.

Today is free for you until your tour guide and private driver transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.

Recommended Activities: If you have extra time, you can visit Nanshan Park on the way to the airport or train station. Nanshan Park (Lhasa’s “Green Lung”), a hillside oasis that tells the story of Tibet’s ecological triumph. Pause at viewpoints to marvel at the greening project’s success: once-barren hills now burst with emerald foliage, a testament to local efforts to harmonize with nature. The most highlight part is the panoramic view of Lhasa’s skyline, where the Potala Palace rises like a golden crown against the azure sky-its whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs glowing in the sunlight, framed by distant snow-capped peaks.

Tips of today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) if your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12 PM.