Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing and meet your local driver at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and adjust to the time difference without any scheduled activities.
- Day 2
Beijing
Start with the Temple of Heaven, then take a rickshaw through historic Hutongs where you'll visit a local family. Later you'll try Peking opera mask painting to experience Chinese culture firsthand. Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City come next. If you're interested, an optional Kung Fu Show or Acrobatic Show at Red Theater happens in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte Chinese lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Heaven with observation of local morning exercises and activities
- Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with local family visit
- Peking opera facial mask painting experience
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore Forbidden City (over 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theater
- Acrobatic Show
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Heaven Tiananmen Square Forbidden City - Day 3
Beijing
Head north of Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall and take the cable car up and down to explore this section. Afterward, you'll visit the 2008 Olympic sites, stopping at the Bird Nest and Water Cube for photos before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at restaurant at foot of Mutianyu Great Wall)
Included Activities
- Visit Mutianyu Great Wall section
- Round-trip cable car at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Photo stop at Bird Nest (National Stadium)
- Photo stop at Water Cube (National Aquatics Center)
Optional Activities
- Peking Roast Duck dinner at local restaurant (inquire with hotel for recommendations)
Landmarks/POIs Mutianyu Great Wall Bird Nest (National Stadium) Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) - Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
Spend the morning at the Summer Palace, China's largest imperial garden, with a boat ride on Kunming Lake and a walk through the Long Corridor. That afternoon you'll take the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant on way to Beijing Nan Railway Station)
Included Activities
- Visit Summer Palace with observation of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake
- Optional boating trip on Kunming Lake
- Walk Long Corridor
Landmarks/POIs Summer Palace - Day 5
Xi'an
Walk the Xi'an City Wall (with optional biking available). Stop at a cave dwelling pottery workshop to try pottery and see how people lived in ancient times. The famous Terracotta Warriors archaeological site comes next. Finish by checking out Bell Tower Square and the Muslim Quarter, where you can shop and sample local snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant nearby Terracotta Warriors)
Included Activities
- Visit Xi'an City Wall
- Stop at cave dwelling pottery workshop to learn pottery making
- Visit Terracotta Warriors archaeological site
- Walk around Bell Tower Square
- Explore Muslim Quarter with shopping and local snacks
Optional Activities
- Bicycle riding on Xi'an City Wall
Landmarks/POIs Xi'an City Wall Terracotta Warriors Bell Tower Square Muslim Quarter - Day 6
Xi'an to Chengdu
Your morning is free to explore Xi'an on your own. Later you'll visit Gao's Courtyard to see ancient residences and shadow puppetry culture, then head to Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza. A late afternoon high-speed train takes you to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Gao's Courtyard to appreciate ancient residences and shadow puppetry
- Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza
Landmarks/POIs Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Day 7
Chengdu
You'll see giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base during their natural habitat setting. After lunch, drive to Mt. Leshan and walk from the head of the giant Buddha statue down to his toes. The evening back at your hotel is relaxed with no plans.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (2-3 hours)
- Visit Mt. Leshan - walk from Buddha's head to toes
Optional Activities
- Take boat from ferry to view Buddha from river
- Sichuan opera show (optional night entertainment)
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Mt. Leshan - Giant Buddha - Day 8
Chengdu
Start with a morning walk around the city with locals, then head to People's Park where you can sit at a local tea house watching people sing, dance, or play cards. Have authentic Sichuan lunch, then visit Wuhou Temple (the largest museum from the Three Kingdoms Period) and browse Jinli Ancient Street before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (Authentic Sichuan lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit People's Park
- Tea house experience at People's Park
- Visit Wuhou Temple
- Walk around Jinli Ancient Street
Landmarks/POIs People's Park Wuhou Temple Jinli Ancient Street - Day 9
Chengdu to Chongqing
Take the morning train to Chongqing. You'll visit the Three Gorges Museum and see People's Hall, which resembles the Temple of Heaven. Explore Hongya Cave at the Yangtze River riverside, then check into your cruise boat. The boat departs at 9 p.m.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Museum
- View People's Hall
- Visit Hongya Cave at Yangtze River
Optional Activities
- Chongqing Hot Pot dinner before embarkation (if time allows)
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Museum People's Hall Hongya Cave - Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
Your full day on the Yangtze River cruise starts early with coffee, tea, and Tai Chi practice. A shore excursion takes you to Fengdu Shuangguishan National Park in the morning. The captain's welcome reception and buffet dinner happen in the evening. There's an optional extra-cost excursion to Fengdu Ghost City if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early Bird Coffee and Tea; Buffet breakfast with Tai Chi practice on board), Lunch (Buffet lunch on board), Dinner (Captain's Welcome Reception with buffet dinner)
Included Activities
- Early Bird Coffee and Tea
- Tai Chi practice on board
- Buffet breakfast on board
- Shore excursion - Fengdu Shuangguishan National Park
- Buffet lunch on board
- Captain's Welcome Reception with buffet dinner
Optional Activities
- Additional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Fengdu Shuangguishan National Park - Day 11
Yangtze River Cruise
Another full day cruising the Yangtze River with early morning coffee, tea, and Tai Chi. You'll sail through the scenic Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. An optional morning shore excursion goes to White Emperor City. The afternoon includes a shore excursion to either Goddess Stream or Shennong Stream. The captain's farewell banquet and crew cabaret happen in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early bird coffee and tea; Buffet breakfast), Lunch (Buffet lunch), Dinner (Captain's Farewell Banquet (set-menu table dinner))
Included Activities
- Early bird coffee and tea with Tai Chi practice at upper deck
- Buffet breakfast
- Sailing through Qutang Gorge
- Scenic cruising through Wu Gorge
- Buffet lunch
- Shore excursion - Goddess Stream or Shennong Stream (depending on river condition)
- Captain's Farewell Banquet (set-menu table dinner)
- Crew cabaret
Optional Activities
- Optional shore excursion - White Emperor City (at own expense: RMB295 per person). Includes 20-minute coach drive to Baidi Temple with 2 hours for visit to appreciate historic story and mysterious land.
Landmarks/POIs Qutang Gorge Wu Gorge White Emperor City Goddess Stream - Day 12
Yichang to Shanghai
Spend 2.5 to 3 hours visiting the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll head to the train station for a high-speed train to Shanghai, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam (approximately 2.5-3 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Dam - Day 13
Shanghai
Explore Shanghai's Shikumen alleys in Nong Tang to see local architecture and life. Check out the classical Yuyuan Garden and the nearby Yuyuan Bazaar. The Shanghai City History Museum at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is next, and you'll take the elevator to the 2nd ball for views of the city. Later you'll drive through the Lujiazui finance zone and finish at the Bund waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walk through Shikumen alleys in Nong Tang
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Explore Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Old Street)
- Visit Shanghai City History Museum (former Shanghai Wax Museum) at Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Elevator up to 2nd ball of Oriental Pearl TV Tower for panoramic views
- Drive through Lujiazui finance and trade zone
- Visit the Bund waterfront
Landmarks/POIs Shikumen Yuyuan Garden Oriental Pearl TV Tower The Bund - Day 14
Departure
Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your homebound international flight, bringing your China tour to a close.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast (implied hotel breakfast before transfer))
