Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll land in Shanghai and get settled into your hotel. The city really comes alive once the sun goes down, with the Huangpu River and the Bund lighting up as the centerpiece of everything. If you want to get a head start on seeing the illuminated skyline, there's an optional river cruise available this evening that gives you a nice overview of the city.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Huangpu River cruise by night - see Yangpu and Nanpu Bridges, Monument to the People's Heroes, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Wu Song ancient gun fort relics, and Pudong Business District
Landmarks Huangpu River The Bund Oriental Pearl TV Tower Pudong Business District Monument to the People's Heroes Wu Song ancient gun fort relics Yangpu Bridge Nanpu Bridge 
- Day 2
Shanghai
This morning you'll join a city tour hitting the main attractions, including the world's longest shopping street plus some of the local temples and gardens. After that, the afternoon and evening open up so you can explore Shanghai at your own speed and find the spots that interest you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Shanghai city tour including Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Gardens, Jade Buddha Temple, and The Bund
Landmarks Nanjing Road Yuyuan Gardens Jade Buddha Temple The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Yichang
You'll board a high-speed train heading through central China toward Yichang, where your Yangtze River cruise begins. The train journey itself offers good views as you travel inland, so there's plenty to see during the several hours on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey to Yichang
- Embarkation on Yangtze River cruise
Landmarks Yangtze River 
- Day 4
Three Gorges
Your cruise takes you through the Three Gorges region with stops along the way. You can go ashore to check out the world's largest hydroelectric dam, explore the ship locks, and learn about how people live in this area. Back on the ship, there's a captain's welcome dinner and entertainment in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Captain's welcome dinner and entertainment onboard the ship)
Included Activities
- Three Gorges Dam shore excursion
- Cruise through Xiling Gorge
- Captain's welcome dinner and entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to the world's largest ship lock with ship lift - available to book on the ship
- Optional 'Tribe of the Three Gorges' excursion - insight into traditions and culture of the region
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam Xiling Gorge - Day 5
Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge
Start with an optional Tai Chi class on deck if you're interested, then transfer to another boat to cruise Goddess Stream. You'll pass through the forest-covered Wu Gorge and the dramatic Qutang Gorge. Historical sites along the way are available as optional shore visits depending on your interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Goddess Stream
- Cruise through Wu Gorge
- Cruise through Qutang Gorge
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on board the ship
- Optional excursion to White Emperor City - ancient temple on mountaintop with spectacular views
Landmarks Goddess Stream Wu Gorge Qutang Gorge White Emperor City - Day 6
Fengdu Ghost City
Your final day on the river gives you a chance to visit Fengdu Ghost City with its collection of temples and monasteries. Later, you'll gather for a farewell dinner with the ship's captain to wrap up this part of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with captain)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with captain
Optional Activities
- Visit to Fengdu Ghost City - shrines, temples, statues and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife
Landmarks Fengdu Ghost City - Day 7
Chongqing to Chengdu
After leaving the cruise, you'll explore Ciqikou Old Town in Chongqing, which has ancient architecture, embroidery workshops, and traditional tea bars worth checking out. From there, you'll catch a high-speed train to Chengdu for the next leg of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Ciqikou Old Town - historic architecture from Ming and Qing Dynasties
- Explore embroidery workshops
- Visit to Guild Hall - Qing Dynasty complex
- High-speed train journey to Chengdu
Optional Activities
- Tea at one of 100+ tea bars in Ciqikou Old Town
Landmarks Ciqikou Old Town Guild Hall 
- Day 8
Chengdu
Start your day at the Chengdu Research Base where you'll see giant pandas up close. Later, head over to Jinli Street to wander through tea houses, silk workshops, and try local food. If you're interested, there's an optional Face Changing Show available in the evening that includes dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding excursion
- Stroll along Jinli Street - tea houses, silk workshops, local delicacy restaurants and snack vendors
Optional Activities
- Face Changing Show - opera, music, comedy, fire-breathing, puppetry and face-changing acts in a traditional tea house with dinner included
Landmarks Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Jinli Street 
- Day 9
Chengdu to Xian
You'll take a high-speed train to Xian, known as the City of Eternal Peace. Visit the Hangyangling Museum and walk the ancient City Wall. During evening, there's a guided tour showing off the city's illuminated towers, traditional sites, and the well-known Muslim Market, followed by an authentic dumpling dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Special and authentic Dumpling dinner)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey to Xian
- Hangyangling Museum visit - tomb of Emperor Jingdi with clay figures
- Ancient City Wall visit
- Xian by night excursion - Bell Tower and Drum Tower
- West gate of Xian's City Walls
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda - watch local dancing and colourful dancing fountain
- Muslim Market visit - food stalls and local specialties
Landmarks Hangyangling Museum Xian City Wall Bell Tower Drum Tower Big Wild Goose Pagoda Muslim Market - Day 10
Terracotta Army
Head to the Terracotta Warriors Museum at Li Shan Mountain to see thousands of life-size terracotta figures buried with the first Qin emperor centuries ago. After lunch, you'll return to Xian with free time to explore on your own or catch an optional Tang Dynasty show if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum at Li Shan Mountain visit
Optional Activities
- Tang Dynasty show performed by Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe - listed as one of the top 10 things to do in Xian
Landmarks Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum Li Shan Mountain - Day 11
Xian to Beijing
A bullet train brings you to Beijing, China's capital. Upon arrival, you'll visit the Summer Palace and take a boat ride on Kunming Lake assuming the weather cooperates. You'll have three nights here, which gives you good time to dig into this ancient and busy city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Beijing
- Summer Palace visit
- Boat ride on Kunming Lake (weather permitting)
Landmarks Summer Palace Kunming Lake 
- Day 12
Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
This morning, you'll explore Tiananmen Square with its historic gates and important buildings, then go inside the Forbidden City to see the Imperial Palace. Later, a rickshaw tour takes you through Beijing's Hutongs where you can visit local families and see how people live in the traditional neighborhoods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Tiananmen Square visit
- Gate of Heavenly Peace - entrance to Forbidden City
- Forbidden City Imperial Palace visit
- Hutong tour by rickshaw - visit local families
Optional Activities
- Beijing acrobatic show with dinner
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Qianmen Gate Great Hall of the People Gate of Heavenly Peace Forbidden City - Day 13
Great Wall at Mutianyu
You'll spend time on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, one of the world's most iconic locations. A cable car takes you up to the highest section for the best views. From there, you can explore at your own pace, walk between watchtowers, or just take in the surroundings. You'll return for a Peking duck dinner to wrap up the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Peking duck farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Walk along Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
- Cable car ride to highest part of Mutianyu section
- Peking duck farewell dinner
Landmarks Great Wall of China at Mutianyu - Day 14
Beijing
Your trip comes to an end here in Beijing. It's time to say goodbye to the friends you've made and head home with plenty of memories from your journey across China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
