17 Day China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day 1: U.S. – Beijing, China (In-Flight Meals)
Today depart from the U.S. for Beijing.

Day 2: Arrival in Beijing
Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you at the airport and then escort you to check into your hotel.

Day 3: Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City (B)
Your exploration of Beijing begins with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, and then takes in the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, also known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum, was originally constructed by the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yong Le, where 24 emperors once lived successionally. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, but was burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700’s and onwards. Afterwards, visit a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls.

In the afternoon, take the opportunity to join an optional tour (optional tours) to see Beijing’s 700 year old Hutong’s (narrow lanes) area by old fashioned pedicab as well as visit a local family living in a courtyard style home to experience the local customs of old Beijing people and their unique architectural structure. The optional tour also includes a visit to Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard.
Optional Tours: Hutongs and lunch with local family $50

Day 4: Great Wall Of China (B,L)
On the way to the Great Wall you will make a stop at a Jade Museum to learn the history of Jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as “Yu”, and it has a history in China of at least four thousand years. Observe the skilled artisans at work as they create their intricate designs. Afterwards take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China’s most renowned monument—the Great Wall. Visit the less-visited and more original Juyong Pass and try to avoid other sections which are the most accessible and consequently the most crowded. The Great Wall meanders through China’s northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert—a distance of over 3500 miles!

Tonight, take the opportunity to attend an optional large scale dramatic musical, “The Golden Mask Dynasty” (optional tour).

Optional Tours: The Golden Mask Dynasty $50

​ ​Day 5: Beijing – Suzhou by flight(B)
Suzhou, which dates back to 514 BC, is sometimes called the “Venice of the East”. Visit Shan Tang Street, which has always been regarded as the first name of Suzhou ancient streets. It has a long history of about 1,100 years, its layout and architecture are the best to represent the characteristics of Suzhou’s old alleys, and it has connections to many ancient Chinese celebrities and anecdotes. Take the opportunity to cruise along the Grand Canal (optional tours) to view life along China’s ancient waterway.

Optional Tours: Grand Canal Cruise $30

Day 6: Suzhou – Hangzhou (B)
Today visit the famous Lingering Garden. The Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden and is recognised with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. China is known for its silk, so of course a visit to the Silk Spinning Factory is in order.

Afterwards drive to Hangzhou (approximately a 2-hour coach ride). Hangzhou is considered the tea capital of China, so a visit to the city just isn’t complete without a trip to a local tea house. Make a special visit to the Tea House at Meijiawu Tea Village located at the hinterland of West Lake Park which is considered one of the most important Longjing tea productions in China. Enjoy the natural environment and beautiful village scenery while learning more about their special tea culture and how to appreciate the sophisticated taste and aroma of Longjing tea. At the Tea House, learn how to make the Longjing Tea including tea leaves picking, frying and tasting.

Day 7: Hangzhou – Shanghai (B)
This morning start this amazing day with a small boat ride on the West Lake another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reveals the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou’s willow draped islands. Afterwards drive to Shanghai (approximately a 2-hour coach ride) to visit the famous Bund. Shanghai is divided by the Huangpu River into eastern and western sections. Modern mega high rises are seen on the eastern side while traditional European style architecture may be seen on the western side. The Bund is a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai’s banks and trading houses. Tonight take the opportunity to watch a superb and thrilling Chinese Acrobatic Show “ERA: The Intersection of Time” (optional tours).

Optional tours: Chinese Acrobatic Show “ERA: The Intersection of Time” $50

Day 8: Shanghai (B) 
This morning step back in time at the Shanghai Museum with more than 120,000 art objects on show, including a priceless collection of jade, bronze, ceramics, paintings, and furniture. Enjoy some free time at leisure this afternoon or join an optional half-day tour of Shanghai (not included) including Yu Garden, believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago. The exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and the artistic style of the garden architecture have made the garden one of the highlights of Shanghai. Other attractions include Xintiandi, Old Town and Nanjing Road. In the evening, take the opportunity to join the optional “Night Cruise on the Huangpu River” (optional tours).

Optional Tours: Night Cruise on Huangpu River $30

Day 9: Shanghai – Wuhan (High-speed train)
Experience the famous China high-speed train when you travel to Wuhan-the political, cultural, financial and education center of Central China. You will stay one night in this ancient city, enjoy some free time and relax.

Day 10: Wuhan-Yichang-Yangtze River Cruise
Today we take a coach bus to Yichang-the starting point of upstream 5 days 4 nights Yangtze River Cruise.
Depart Yichang – 9:00 pm: Sail from Yichang, the economic and cultural center of western Hubei Province.

Day 11: Xiling Gorge (B, L, D)
Three Gorges Dam/Xiling Gorge – Morning visit to the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the largest in the world. Later sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks. Sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and the deepest of the Three Gorges.
Additional optional Tribe of the Three Gorges Shore Excursion (river conditions permitting), offering an interesting glimpse into life in the Xiling Gorge region.

Day 12: “Small Gorges”/Wu Gorge/Qutang Gorge(B, L, D)
Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Then sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic gorge. Additional optional Shore Excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting), an ancient city overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge.

Day 13: Shibaozhai and Fengdu Ghost City(B, L, D)
Shibaozhai – Take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda, appropriately named “The Pearl of the Yangtze”. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Fengdu, visiting either the new relocation village built for families who have moved as a result of the Yangtze’s rising waters brought about by the Three Gorges Dam. Additional optional Shore Excursion to Fengdu’s “Ghost City” (river conditions permitting), known for its statues of ghosts and devils on Mingshan Hill.

​​ Day 14: Chongqing Disembark and Chengdu Optional Tour(B)
Arrive Chongqing – 9:00am: Disembark at picturesque Chongqing, the “Mountain City”
Today you will enjoy a free day in Chongqing.
Optional tour to Chengdu Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center: $120

Day 15: Chongqing – Xi’an by flight(B) 
Today fly to Xi’an-one of the four great capitals of China. Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you at the airport and then escort you to check into your hotel.

Day 16: Xi’an sightseeing and Terracotta Warriors & Horses (B, L)
This morning first visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a major tourist site located on the central axis of the Jianfu Temple in south Xi’an. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda in the temple is very delicate in appearance and is completely built of stone. The top three floors have been damaged, and it really adds to the appeal of the pagoda. As a national AAAA scenic spot and a world heritage site, the Buddhist pagoda survives from the Tang Dynasty.
Afterwards visit the Terracotta Warriors Reproduction Factory. At the factory, talented craftsmen make these life-size replicas in the same manner as their counterparts did 2,200 years ago – with just their hands, a few tools, and clay. In addition to learning about the process, you will also have a great opportunity to make your own miniature reproduction of the famous artifact and bring it home.

The highlight today is a visit to the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum to see the life-sized defending army to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Unearthed near Xi’an, the hundreds of life size sculptures of soldiers, chariots, and horses are considered a world wonder. With different facial expressions and weaponry adorning each soldier, the Terracotta Warriors were intended to convey the Qin Emperor into the afterlife. This site is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. You will be definitely amazed by the scale of the Terracotta Warriors Army.

Day 17: Xi’an-Home
Today we fly to Chongqing in the early morning. Chongqing is the “Mountain City” situated on the southwest of China. It is also the start point of our downstream 4 days 3 nights Yangtze River cruise. We board the ship in the afternoon.

An optional Chongqing city tour is available upon request.

Note:

1. Order of tour sites may be adjusted;
2. Cruise itinerary may be adjusted due to weather and river conditions
3. Price doesn’t include China visa cost/personal expenses..etc