China Trip to Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai & Yangtze Cruise

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrival in Beijing⌄

   Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, you will meet your local tour guide and be escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.

   Overnight: Mercure Beijing City Centre (4 stars)

2. 2Beijing⌄

   This morning, your tour guide will pick up you at the hotel and take you to visit Tiananmen Square.

   From Tiananmen Square, you will enter the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City to explore its fascinating halls and pavilions. Here, you will not only learn how the emperor handled political affairs and lived their lives, but appreciate numerous ancient art treasures. At noon, an a la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person included in our price) will be served at a superb local restaurant, where you can have a taste of authentic Chinese food.

   In the afternoon, visit the Yonghe Temple, a solemn imperial lamasery that has survived over 300 years intact and features a blend of Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan architecture.

   At last, you will see the Temple of Heaven, with its unique architecture, where the emperors worshipped the heavens in hopes of good harvests.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: A la carte lunch

   Overnight: Mercure Beijing City Centre (4 stars)

3. 3China Great Wall Tour⌄

   This morning you will be taken to Mutianyu Great Wall to experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. The round-trip cable car will be arranged. Standing on the wall and looking at it stretching up and down into boundless distance is an exciting experience and will leave you a life-long memory.

   Later, on the way back to downtown, drive by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium). You will see its appearance from a distance.

   Afterwards, you will take a rickshaw tour to explore the original Hutong alleys and have a chance to visit a local family.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Mercure Beijing City Centre (4 stars)

4. 4Beijing to Xi'an by High Speed Train⌄

   Your last stop in Beijing is the Summer Palace - the largest existing imperial garden with a graceful landscape and magnificent constructions.

   In the afternoon, your guide will see you off and help you board on a high-speed train to Xi'an. The high-speed trains are clean, comfortable and can take you to Xi'an in about 4.5 hours. When you arrive, your Xi'an guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel and help you check in.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Xi'an Bell Tower (4 stars)

5. 5Xi'an⌄

   The visit to the magnificent Terracotta Army will start your day's trip. In the museum, there are altogether three excavated pits exhibiting amazing warrior figures and Chinese ancient weapons. Lunch is on your own, but your guide will give you suggestions on good local foods near the site.

   In the afternoon, drive you back to downtown Xi'an to visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, one of the four best and largest museums in China.

   After that, continue the visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous local Buddhist site dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Xi'an Bell Tower (4 stars)

6. 6Xi'an to Chengdu by High Speed Train⌄

   The day begins with a visit to the City Wall. It is the most complete existing urban fortification in China. Cycling on the ancient wall is an exciting experience that many people like to try (bike rental fee is not included).

   Then, visit the Great Mosque in the city center's Muslim Quarters and enjoy some time to explore the famous Muslim bazaar, where you can have a simple lunch on your own.

   This afternoon, you will take a high-speed train to Chengdu, which takes around 4 hours. Your Chengdu guide and driver will wait for you at the exit of the railway station and help you settle down in a decent hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Xi'an Bell Tower (4 stars)

7. 7Chengdu⌄

   Your local guide will take you to visit the cute pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It is better to arrive early in the morning, when the pandas are most active. You can watch them having their bamboo breakfast, having fun with each other, climbing trees, or sleeping comfortably in their villas. There is also a panda hospital, delivery rooms, a museum, and a 4D cinema for you to know more about these cute creatures.

   Afterwards, your guide will take you to the Wide and Narrow Alley to feel the daily lives of the Chengdu people, taste local snacks, and appreciate local art crafts.

   Visit the Jinsha Site Museum, which was built to exhibit the history and culture of Chengdu.

   The last stop today is People’s Park, the most popular city park where Chengdu people drink tea leisurely. Taking a leisurely stroll at the park, you can not only experience local tea culture deeply, but also witness Chinese typical “dating culture” at the dating corner.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza (4 stars)

8. 8Chengdu to Chongqing by Bullet Train⌄

   This morning you will take a bullet train to Chongqing for around 2 hours. Upon your arrival, your local guide and driver will pick you up at the train station. Visit Jiefangbei CBD and Ciqikou Ancient Town. Then transfer you to board the Yangtze River cruise ship. Your ship departs from Chongqing at about 21:30 and your relaxing Yangtze River cruise begins.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner: Buffet dinner on Luxury Cruise

   Overnight: Victoria Katarina/ Jenna/ Anna with balcony (5 stars)

9. 9Yangtze River Cruise⌄

   Today you will disembark and visit the Shuangguishan National Forest Park instead, which is a great place to enjoy a leisurely walk and melt into nature. In addition to the scheduled onshore excursions, you are free to enjoy yourself on the cruise ship, relax completely on the sundeck or join various cultural programs onboard. This evening, the Captain's Welcome Party will be held, and it will be a great fun for guests to join in.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Victoria Katarina/ Jenna/ Anna with balcony (5 stars)

10. 10Yangtze River Cruise⌄

    Yangtze Three Gorges, An exciting excursion to Shennong Stream or Shennv Stream.

    Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

    Overnight: Victoria Katarina/ Jenna/ Anna with balcony (5 stars)

11. 11Yichang to Shanghai by Bullet Train⌄

    In the morning, you will check out from the ship and disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam, presently the world's largest hydropower project. Afterwards, the cruise ship company will drive you to the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang city. Your local guide and driver will meet you there and transfer you directly to the railway station for a bullet train to Shanghai.

    The train trip takes around 7.5 hours. Upon arrival, you will see your Shanghai guide there waiting for you. He/she will accompany you to the hotel and help you settle in.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: Sunrise On The Bund (4 stars)

12. 12Shanghai⌄

    Today's private trip will start with a visit to Shanghai Museum, specializing in bronze wares, ceramics, and Chinese calligraphies and paintings.

    Afterwards, the guide will take you to visit the Yu Garden, a typical Chinese private garden boasting ponds, rockworks, and traditional architecture. At noon, you will enjoy an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person included in our price) where you can enjoy authentic Shanghai and Cantonese cuisines.

    Transfer you to the Bund area, where you will have a cruise on the Huangpu River for about an hour.

    Have some free time strolling around the Bund area.

    Before return to the hotel, your guide will lead you to Tianzifang, a cultural block combining artistic studios, exotic restaurants and bars.

    Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: A la carte lunch

    Overnight: Sunrise On The Bund (4 stars)

13. 13Departure from Shanghai⌄

    Your private China tour ends today as our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport and help you board the homebound flight. Farewell to you and welcome to China again!

    Meals: Breakfast