Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Beijing
Your flight brings you to Beijing, China's capital. Once you land, you'll clear customs and head to your hotel to settle in for the night.
Landmarks Beijing 
- Day 2
Beijing
Your tour guide meets you this morning and helps you get oriented after traveling. Spend the day resting and taking in your surroundings, and your guide shares local tips about the area near your hotel. Later on, you'll have dinner together and toast the trip ahead.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with tour group)
Included Activities
- Welcome by tour guide
- City tour in Beijing
Landmarks Beijing - Day 3
Beijing - Great Wall
Start early for the hike along Gubeikou, the original section of the Great Wall. The steep climb takes a few hours, but from the top you'll see across the mountain landscape in all directions. On the drive back to Beijing, you'll stop at the Olympic Stadium (Bird's Nest) for photos and a quick look around. Later in the evening, consider getting a foot massage to recover from all that hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike along the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall
- Visit to the Olympic Stadium (Bird's Nest)
Optional Activities
- Relaxing foot massage in the evening
Landmarks Great Wall of China - Gubeikou Section Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest) - Day 4
Beijing
Begin the day with a Tai Chi class at the Temple of Heaven, which helps center yourself before exploring the complex. You'll walk through the Hall of Harvest Offerings and see the ornate details throughout. From there, head across Tian'anmen Square to get a feel for the city's political heart. Then spend time at the Imperial Palace checking out the ceremonial halls and courtyards. For dinner, try Peking duck at a local restaurant, one of the signature dishes in Beijing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tai Chi introduction at the Temple of Heaven
- Visit to the Temple of Heaven complex including the Hall of Harvest Offerings
- Walk across Tian'anmen Square
- Tour of the Imperial Palace - ceremonial halls, courtyards and pavilions
Optional Activities
- Peking duck dinner in the evening
Landmarks Temple of Heaven Hall of Harvest Offerings Tian'anmen Square Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) - Day 5
Beijing to Xi'an
You'll fly over 1,000 kilometers to Xi'an, which marked the start of the Silk Road historically. After arriving, take a calligraphy class to learn about Chinese characters and the different styles used. As the sun sets, drive through the illuminated city to catch some good photos of Xi'an at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Xi'an
- Chinese calligraphy course
Landmarks Xi'an (Historic Silk Road Starting Point) - Day 6
Xi'an
Spend the morning at the Terracotta Army site, where around 8,000 clay warriors stand in formation guarding the first emperor's tomb. After lunch, wander through the old town and then walk along the city wall, which is fully preserved and gives you a complete loop around the area. Later, stroll near the bell and drum tower when it's lit up at night for photos. Try local steamed dumplings at a banquet dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the Terracotta Army and Emperor's Tomb complex
- Exploration of Xi'an's old town
- Walk along Xi'an's city wall
Optional Activities
- Maultaschen banquet in the evening
Landmarks Terracotta Army of the First Emperor Xi'an City Wall Bell and Drum Tower (Xi'an) - Day 7
Beijing to Chongqing
The express train takes you to Chongqing, China's largest city and where your Yangtze cruise begins. When the ship arrives at the dock, the crew greets you warmly and you'll move into your cabin to get comfortable for the next few days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Express train to Chongqing
- Ship boarding and cabin assignment
Landmarks Chongqing - Day 8
Yangtze River Cruise - Mount Shuanggui
The cruise moves through southern China's hilly landscape, and you'll have time to see what's available on board. Your first stop takes you to the Mount Shuanggui area, which has layers of history mixed with art and contemporary culture. You'll look at calligraphy pieces from different periods, ranging from the Song Dynasty through modern work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Ship cruise through southern Chinese hilly landscape
- Shore excursion to Mount Shuanggui
- Viewing of calligraphy works from Song Dynasty to present day
Landmarks Mount Shuanggui - Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
From the ship's deck, you'll see the three famous gorges of the Yangtze River. Qutang Gorge shows steep, overgrown mountains rising on both sides, while Wu Gorge carries legendary stories about a goddess. In the afternoon, small boats take you into a tributary where the landscape feels untouched and remote. That evening, you'll have a final dinner aboard with other passengers and raise a glass to your time on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner on board with opportunity to toast the last evening)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Qutang Gorge
- Cruise through Wu Gorge
- Small boat excursion on Yangtze tributary
- Farewell dinner on board
Landmarks Qutang Gorge Wu Gorge Yangtze River - Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise to Zhangjiajie
Get off the cruise ship to see the Three Gorges Dam, a major engineering project that's worth the visit. After that, you'll drive for about five hours heading toward Zhangjiajie. Bring snacks and get comfortable in the car since it's a long stretch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the Three Gorges Dam
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam - Day 11
Zhangjiajie
At Zhangjiajie National Park, you'll see why this place inspired the film Avatar. Take the outdoor glass elevator up to Yuanjiajie Peak for views across the landscape. Later, head to Tianzishan Mountain to see more of the sandstone pillars that make this park so striking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Zhangjiajie National Park entrance and exploration
- Ride on the world's highest and fastest outdoor glass elevator to Yuanjiajie Peak
- Visit to Tianzishan Mountain
Landmarks Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Yuanjiajie Peak Tianzishan Mountain - Day 12
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to Shanghai
Travel by bus to the Grand Canyon and walk through the park on foot. You'll cross the longest glass bridge in the world at 375 meters, which gives you an adrenaline rush while you look down at the landscape below. Later in the day, head to the airport for a night flight to Shanghai.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon exploration on foot
- Walk over the longest glass bridge in the world (375 meters)
Landmarks Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon 
- Day 13
Shanghai
After the previous days, take it slower and walk around Shanghai at your own pace. You can optionally check out Zhujiajiao water village, which has waterways and small bridges throughout the old town. In the evening, take a boat trip on the Huangpu River to see how modern skyscrapers contrast with older brick buildings along the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City exploration in Shanghai
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Zhujiajiao water village (Venice of Shanghai)
- Boat trip on the Huangpu River in the evening
Landmarks Zhujiajiao Water Village Huangpu River - Day 14
Shanghai
Spend time at Yu Garden, a 500-year-old traditional garden with plants and architecture tucked between modern skyscrapers. Visit a silk factory to see how silk gets made, from the silkworms through to the processing. Walk along Nanjing Road shopping area, then head to the Bund to see the colonial architecture and views of Pudong's skyline. Your final dinner tonight lets you reflect on the trip before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final dinner together reminiscing about experiences)
Included Activities
- Visit to Yu Garden (or Jade Buddha Temple as alternative)
- Visit to a silk factory - silkworm breeding and silk processing demonstration
- Stroll along Nanjing Road
- Visit to the Bund promenade
Optional Activities
- Shanghai Tower viewing platform (€35 per person)
Landmarks Yu Garden (Yuyuan) Jade Buddha Temple Nanjing Road The Bund Shanghai Tower - Day 15
Departure
Head home today with memories from across China. The journey from Beijing through Xi'an to Shanghai covers so much ground, and you'll have seen everything from ancient sites to modern cities.
