Overview
Comprehensive China tour with highlights in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Tibet
Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Chongqing – Three Gorges - Yichang – Shanghai
Get to see imperial China of Beijing and Xi’an, following with the inspiring highlight of the Yangtze River Cruise, threading through the major cities along its banks including Chengdu, Chongqing, Yichang and Shanghai. The 6300km Yangtze, is China's greatest river, and the third longest in the world. Its headwater are deep in the glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and flows eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before rolling into the East China Sea at Shanghai. We take a stimulating and sheer pleasant boat on the Yangtze as the core of the trip, cruise downstream from Chongqing to Yichang in Hubei province, cross the awesome Three Gorges of legendary Qutang, Wu and Xiling that render the spectacular riverine panoramas with the vast chasms of rock sculpted over aeons by the flowing mass of water. Along with the Yellow River, the Yangtze is the backbone of the China’s history and culture, as it is also the earlier developed region for Chinese civilization and is the cultural origins of southern China. Tracing the land of China’s glorious history through north to south, the journey reveals the brilliant civilizations along China’s mightiest rivers and offers the valuable experiences for witness of the vibrant present.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Day 04 Flight to Xi’an (B)
Day 05 Xian Sightseeing (B)
Day 06 Flight to Chengdu (B)
Day 07 Chengdu – Leshan Giant Buddha - Chengdu (B)
Day 08 Giant Panda & Chongqing Cruise Onboard (B)
Day 09 Yangtze Cruise by Passing Ghost City Fengdu (B)
Day 10 Yangtze Cruise by Passing Shennong Stream (B)
Day 11 Yichang Arrive via Three Gorges Dam & Fly to Shanghai (B)
Day 12 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 13 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 14 Shanghai Departure (B)
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around Houhai Lake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. Dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish. In the afternoon return to Beijing downtown, rest time is free leisure.
Day 04: Flight to Xi’an (B)
Get up morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China, was the capital for 11 dynasties and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Today visit Ancient City Walls, built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km. Walk or bicycle ride on the wall. Later visit Wide Goose Pagoda, one of China’s best remains Tang-style architecture, housing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. Then visit Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China, blending of Chinese and Islamic features; wander in Muslim Quarter for night market and local snacks, where is home to the city’s Hui community for centuries since Tang dynasty.
Day 05: Xian Sightseeing (B)
Visit Forest of Steles, witness more than 1000 stone tablets including collections of ancient calligraphy, maps, portraits and sculpture stelae. Following is the highlight of any trip to Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. In this world’s archeological wonder, thousands of life-sized armies and horses silently stood guard the tomb of the China’s first unifier of Qin Emperor for over two millennia. Return to downtown of Xi’an in the late afternoon.
Day 06: Flight to Chengdu (B)
Take the morning flight to Chengdu from Xi’an. In the afternoon, we visit Jinsha Relic Museum, where you learn about the civilizations and cultures of the ancient Shu Kingdom existed 3,000 years ago. Later step in the Wide and Narrow alleys (Kuan Zhai Xiangzi), two ancient streets preserved from the old architectures in Ming and Qing dynasties in Chengdu. In the evening time, enjoy the magical Sichuan Opera and Face Changing Show, the ancient Chinese dramatic art.
Day 07: Chengdu – Leshan Giant Buddha - Chengdu (B)
Drive short around 1.5 hours to Leshan to visit the huge Giant Buddha, the world’s largest stone Buddha, overwhelming 71m in height. You can either walk down to the foot of Giant Buddha and then hike up to the summit, or take a short cruise to have a front panorama. Then we return to Chengdu in the afternoon, res time free stroll in Jinli ancient street, in this crowding and narrow street, scattered with stalls and lost-in-time teahouses, you will see many interesting traditional crafts made by the local craftsman, and various Chengdu snacks.
Day 08: Giant Panda & Chongqing Cruise Onboard (B)
Morning visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and have a look of cute pandas. Established in 1987, the base has more than 80 Giant Pandas living here. After visiting, we will transfer to the train station and take the express train to Chongqing. Rest time free stroll in Ciqikou old town until onboard the Yangtze cruise. In the evening, check-in for the following 3 days downstream Yangtze River cruise.
Day 09: Yangtze Cruise by Passing Ghost City Fengdu (B)
The gushing 6,380km Yangtze (Chang Jiang) is the mightiest river in China and the world’s third longest river. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges of Qutang, Wu and Xiling, a distance of around 200km. The ship today sails through Fengdu town – the “City of Ghost”. It is said here is the place that the human’s soul will return back after someone passed away. You will have hours shore excursion to this quirky and long history town, get the insight of China’s ghost culture, afterwards, a formal welcome banquet follows.
Day 10: Yangtze Cruise by Passing Shennong Stream (B)
The ship navigates via the spectacular Qutang Gorge (8km) and Wu Gorge (44km), enjoy nature’s grandeur while sailing through them. The pretty narrow gorges of Shennong Stream thereafter could be explored onshore by taking a small vessel. Originating in the southern slopes of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometers through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze.
Day 11: Yichang Arrive via Three Gorges Dam & Fly to Shanghai (B)
The ship enters into Xiling Gorge (66km) section and visit the magnificent Three Gorge Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometers upstream. The cruiser docks at Yichang, a transportation point for either downstream or upstream sailing through the Three Gorges. Visit Museum of the Chinese Sturgeon in Yichang. Built in 1982, the Museum is part of the Chinese Sturgeon Institution of China which is using artificial breeding techniques to try to preserve this endangered species includes 27 species that still exist in the world. Later on drive to the airport and take the flight to Shanghai.
Day 12: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Visit Shanghai’s major highlights including Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful Ming-style garden over 400 years; Jade Buddha Temple, a century-old Buddhist temple housed a 1.9m high pale green Jade Buddha; The Bund, a famous waterfront alongside with array symbolic architectures of Shanghai; Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Asia’s highest TV Tower topping its height to 468 meters. In the evening time, cruise on Huangpu River, enjoy the amazing night scenery of Shanghai.
Day 13: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Out of Shanghai downtown and head to the rural of Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town dominated by the unique old bridges, well-structured courtyards and calm rivers. Boating on the river. In the afternoon, return to downtown and visit old French Concession site in Xuhui District. Established in1849, it was developed into the premier residential area of Shanghai during the 1920s. Later visit the old alleyways of Nongtang and traditional Shikumen houses, explore the contrast of the old quarter lifestyles embedded in modern Shanghai. In the evening time, wander in Xintiandi, a complex area good for leisure, dining and relax.
Day 14: Shanghai Departure (B)
Maglev train to Pudong International Airport for exit.
Experiences & Activities
Visits
- Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, Houhai Lake, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
- Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Walls, Wide Goose Pagoda, Grand Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Forest of Steles
- Jinsha Relic Museum, Leshan Giant Buddha, Giant Panda
- Three Gorges of the Yangtze Cuise
- Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Water town of Zhujiajiao, French Concession, Xintiandi
Experiences:
- Pedicab Hutong (alleyways) tour and Hutong family visit;
- Dumpling making;
- Public subway and Magleve train;
- Bicycle ride on the century-old city walls;
- Village visit with traditional cave-houses
- Sichuan Opera and Face Changing Show;
- Huangpujiang River cruise and Shanghai’s night scenery
- Water town stream boating
- Nongtang (alleyways) visit and old Shikumen houses
