Famous in China and beyond, the Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. Much like the other Chinese icon – The Great Wall – the Yangtze not only traverses a great distance but also attracts countless visitors each year. As one of the highlights of China’s vast and diverse natural landscape, the Yangtze offers a gentle pace much at odds with the often frenetic flow of modern Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Experience this contrast and come to appreciate just some of the many facets of the Chinese nation with nights in modern Shanghai, the mix of old and new in Beijing and the ancient and enchanting Xi’an. From world class nightlife to ancient history, the appeal of modern day China grows by the day.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Forbidden City: Discover the majesty of the walled imperial precinct, which was exclusively reserved for China’s royalty for centuries.
Great Wall: Stroll along the restored Mutianyu section and see how the undulating wall disappears into the horizon in front of you.
Terracotta Army: A collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang (the first Emperor of China), the eighth wonder of the ancient world.
The Yangtze River: The longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, the Yangtze carries you on an eternal journey through China’s heartland.
Shanghai: A city of contrasts where China’s traditional past meets modern technology and futuristic design.
Day 1: ARRIVAL BEIJING
Upon arrival at Beijing International Airport a private transfer will take you directly to your hotel in Beijing. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in the city. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in China’s sprawling capital city.
Overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: BEIJING: SIGHTSEEING TOUR
After breakfast at the hotel, prepare for a visit to the site that witnessed the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Tiananmen Square. This is one of the world's most impressive public plazas and is located right in the centre of Beijing. After Tiananmen Square visit Forbidden City, the largest ancient palatial structure in the world and the best-preserved imperial palace in China. Explore the halls and gardens of the complex and the traditional palatial architecture that has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and beyond (entrance to exhibitions not included). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex of religious buildings in the styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Appreciate the temple, before enjoying a tea ceremony experience in a tea house or visiting a pearl market. Transfer back to the hotel and spend the evening at your leisure.
Overnight in Beijing.
Day 3: BEIJING: THE GREAT WALL
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then prepare for a visit to the picturesque Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Enjoy this testament to Chinese engineering and ingenuity, a monument to human endeavour set against a backdrop of stunning scenery (excl. cable car). After the Great Wall, transfer to the Beijing Cloisonné Factory to see how China’s famous traditional enamelware is produced. This factory was established in 1956 and it is the largest in China. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, the former summer retreat of the imperial family. The natural landscape of these royal gardens and the open water of Kumming Lake provide stunning views. Wander around the pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges that are all beautifully decorated and charged with historical context (entrance fees for the boat, theatre and Longevity Hill are not included). After the visit transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in Beijing.
Day 4: BEIJING – XI’AN (4.5 hr by high-speed train; included)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and begin the day with a pedal-powered rickshaw ride through Beijing’s intricate alleyway ‘Hutongs’. Stop off to visit a local family and enjoy a lunch in this authentic Beijing style with an array of dishes and Chinese hospitality or a local restaurant. From here you will be transferred to Beijing West Railway Station in the afternoon to take a high-speed train direction to Xi’an. Arrive at Xi’an railway station and transfer to your hotel for the night.
Overnight in Xi'an.
Day 5: XI’AN
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Praised as the eighth wonder of the world, this collection of terracotta warriors, horses, chariots and weapons unearthed at the site of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor provides a fascinating insight into ancient China. Around 2,000 warriors have been excavated since their chance discovery in 1974, but it is estimated that there may be up to an impressive 8,000 in total. This silent army is a fascinating highlight of any tour. Afterwards, visit a terracotta figure factory and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This well-preserved ancient Buddhist pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and it is one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in China (entrance to climb the tower is not included). Visit a Jade factory on the way back to the hotel.
Overnight in Xi'an.
Day 6: XI’AN
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then visit the ancient City Wall dated 600 years of Ming Dynasty, the best preserved of its kind in China. Next, head to the historic Muslim Quarter, a bustling section of the city where the majority of Xi’an’s Muslim population lives and works. There are several mosques here and several lively market streets. Visit the Great Mosque and wander around the market to soak up the bright colourful atmosphere. Take the opportunity to sample a variety of local foods and snacks from the market sellers.
Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 7: XI’AN – CHONGQING – YANGTZE RIVER
After breakfast transfer to the Xi’an Railway Station to catch the high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival in Chongqing, you will be greeted by your local guide at the railway station to enjoy a city tour. Visit Erling Park with a view of the mountain city, and take a photo stop at the city center of Jiefangbei the and old city of Ciqikou. After dinner transfer to the pier to embark on your awaiting river vessel for a leisurely river cruise downstream to Yichang.
Overnight on board.
Day 8: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Continue your cruise on the mighty Yangtze River with a stop at Fengdu Mount Shuanggui Scenic Region. The evening provides an opportunity to attend an information meeting on board the cruise vessel with details and facts about the river and its famous locations.
Overnight on board.
Day 9: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Today you will pass Qutang Gorge, the first of the famous three gorges. Continue to Wu Gorge the last of the three gorges, bordered by cultivated fields that overhang at almost impossible angles. Then, enjoy a shore excursion to Shennong Stream, providing a chance to stretch your legs on land and explore. Back on board we head towards the Western Part of Xiling Gorge, a famous thoroughfare for shipping throughout the centuries, before passing the ship locks and heading to the majestic 3 Gorges Dam, China’s largest engineering operation since the Great Wall.
Overnight on board.
Day 10: FINISH YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE IN YICHANG – SHANGHAI
Breakfast on board before a shore excursion and a chance to encounter the Three Gorges Dam. The Three Gorges Dam dwarfs even the sizeable vessel on which you find yourself and as a major route for shipping its locks are of equal magnificence. Take a moment to stand in awe of these huge feats of engineering. Transfer to Yichang Train Station from the Three Gorges Dam to take a high-speed train to Shanghai. Once in Shanghai transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Shanghai.
Day 11: SHANGHAI: SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Have breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a guided morning stroll through Shanghai’s old town, which has somehow survived China’s impressive modernisation push of the past two decades. Our first stop in the heart of the old city is the Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden, which is crammed with richly decorated pavilions, halls, towers, rockeries and ponds, some dating from as far back as the Ming Dynasty four centuries ago. Next, head to the Jade Buddha Temple, where you can admire jade, marble and gold Buddha statues. Its central location makes this one of the livelier temples in Shanghai. Have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a stroll to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s pedestrianised commercial hub, where the thousands of shoppers are dwarfed by the neon signs and the skyscrapers of modern Shanghai. Next onto The Bund, the riverside quay crammed with historic bank buildings from the decades when foreign powers controlled large swaths of Shanghai as ‘concessions’. There are 52 landmark buildings along this 1.5km promenade, ranging in style from neo-classical to art deco. Among the more eye-catching structures are the eight-storey Customs House and the China Bank of Communications Building. On the way you will also visit a silk factory before returning to your accommodation.
Overnight in Shanghai.
Day 12: DEPARTURE SHANGHAI
Savour a final breakfast at the hotel before checking out and continuing on your journey, whether it’s to catch a return flight or onto another location in China or further afield.
Comfortable and light clothing is best suited to travel in the warm months and warm clothing in the colder months in China. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or sparse clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat can be very useful during your stay.
