Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
Your private guide meets you at Beijing Capital International Airport. After settling into your hotel and freshening up, you'll gather in the lobby with other travelers for a briefing on the full itinerary. Later that evening, head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where you can get to know the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Hotel check-in assistance
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
- Day 2
Beijing
Begin at Tian'anmen Square, one of China's most iconic landmarks. Your private guide then takes you through the Forbidden City with access to twelve specially selected locations beyond the main central axis route. In the afternoon, walk through the Summer Palace gardens, see the Long Corridor and Marble Boat, and take in views of Kunming Lake. Your evening is free to explore Beijing on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tian'anmen Square
- Explore Forbidden City - guided tour of twelve specially selected locations
- Visit Summer Palace - guided tour of gardens, Long Corridor, Marble Boat, and Kunming Lake
Landmarks/POIs Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City Summer Palace Long Corridor Marble Boat Kunming Lake - Day 3
Beijing to Xi'an
After breakfast, your guide picks you up for a trip to the Great Wall at sections like Badaling or Mutianyu. Walk the ancient stone pathways and take photos with views across the landscape. By afternoon you'll head back to your hotel, collect your luggage, and transfer to the airport. The flight to Xi'an takes about 2 hours, and a local guide meets you upon arrival to transfer you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China - guided tour
- Flight from Beijing to Xi'an
- Airport transfer to Xi'an hotel
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China Badaling Mutianyu - Day 4
Xi'an
Visit the Terracotta Army Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of life-sized terracotta statues. Next, go to a local craftsman's cave dwelling where you can create your own mini terracotta warrior. Then head into the vibrant Muslim Quarter of Xi'an for a culinary adventure, sampling roujiamo, biangbiang noodles, steamed cold noodles, and lamb soup with pita bread.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Xi'an culinary tour - authentic local dishes including roujiamo, biangbiang noodles, steamed cold noodles, and pita bread with lamb soup)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum - guided tour
- Hands-on terracotta warrior-making experience at local craftsman's cave dwelling
- Explore Muslim Quarter of Xi'an - guided food tour with sampling of local dishes
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Museum Muslim Quarter - Day 5
Xi'an to Chongqing
After breakfast, check out the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, and the nearby Da Ci'en Temple. Later, transfer to the train station for a bullet train to Chongqing (2-4 hours). A local guide meets you at arrival and takes you to the cruise port. Board your Yangtze River Cruise, settle into your cabin, attend the Captain's Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar, and enjoy buffet dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)
- Visit Da Ci'en Temple
- Bullet train from Xi'an to Chongqing
- Transfer to cruise port
- Embark on Yangtze River Cruise
- Captain's Welcome Reception
Landmarks/POIs Big Wild Goose Pagoda Da Ci'en Temple - Day 6
Yangtze River
Start with a traditional Tai Chi lesson from a Tai Chi Master, then have buffet breakfast. During the day, visit the Fuling 816 nuclear engineering site, a massive underground military cave in the Wuling Mountains, or alternatively visit 816 Town with its well-preserved 1970s-80s buildings. By evening, you'll have VIP seats at The Beacon of Three Kingdoms, an epic live performance featuring horseback battles, lighting effects, water features, and fireworks.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Tai Chi lesson with Tai Chi Master
- Visit Fuling 816 nuclear engineering site OR 816 Town (alternative experience)
- VIP seating at The Beacon of Three Kingdoms live performance
Optional Activities
- Choose between Fuling 816 nuclear engineering site or 816 Town
Landmarks/POIs Fuling 816 Nuclear Engineering Site 816 Town - Day 7
Yangtze River - Wushan
Sail through Qutang Gorges in the morning. After breakfast, drive to Dachang Ancient Town, which dates back to the Western Jin Dynasty with over 1,800 years of history. Take a two-hour boat ride down the Daning River, passing through the Emerald Gorge and the Wushan Lesser Three Gorges with towering peaks, waterfalls, and mysterious caves with hanging coffins. After lunch, head to the Wushan Goddess Sky Road trail at 1,000 meters altitude overlooking Goddess Peak and the river. Later, enjoy a champagne reception at the exclusive Yangzi Explorer lookout with views of the 12 peaks of Wushan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Sail across Qutang Gorges
- Visit Dachang Ancient Town - guided tour
- Two-hour boat ride down Daning River through Emerald Gorge and Wushan Lesser Three Gorges
- Wushan Goddess Sky Road trail hike at altitude of approximately 1,000 meters
- Champagne reception at Yangzi Explorer private lookout
Landmarks/POIs Qutang Gorges Dachang Ancient Town Daning River Emerald Gorge Wushan Lesser Three Gorges Goddess Peak - Day 8
Yangtze River to Beijing
Start with tea or coffee and optional Tai Chi practice. Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the Great Steel Wall on the Yangtze River, with an expert lecture on board. Have lunch at the famous Fang Weng Restaurant in Xiling Gorge, built into a cave in the steep hillside where you can see the scenery and stalactites. In the afternoon, transfer to Yichang Airport for your flight to Beijing. Your guide meets you upon arrival and transfers you to your Beijing hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Fang Weng Restaurant - world-famous cave restaurant in Xiling Gorge)
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam - guided tour with expert lecture
- Lunch at Fang Weng Restaurant (cave restaurant in Xiling Gorge)
- Flight from Yichang to Beijing
- Airport transfer to Beijing hotel
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi practice in morning
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Dam Xiling Gorge Fang Weng Restaurant - Day 9
Beijing Departure
Your tour guide and driver transfer you to the airport for your flight home, bringing your China journey to an end.
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport for departure
