12 Days China Ancient Capital and Yangtze River Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Hello! Welcome to this China Ancient Capital tour for 12 days! Our tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit of Beijing Airport, holding a welcome sign with your name on it. Then you will be transferred to the hotel and check in. For the rest of the day, take the time to relax yourself or explore the city.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Tour
   Explore Beijing's Historic Landmarks

   After breakfast, we will begin our China tour from Tiananmen Square, which is known as the world’s largest urban center square. The Square has an area of 44 hectares (109 acres) that can accommodate as many as one million people for public gatherings. It has witnessed many historical events in China’s modern history.

   Next, be guided to explore the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex, the Forbidden City, located in the center of China’s capital. It displays an extraordinarily harmonious balance between buildings and open space within a more or less symmetrical layout.

   

   After lunch, continue the tour in Beijing to the Temple of Heaven, the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world. Finishing the day tour, you will appreciate a lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at night. Different from traditional Kung Fu shows, this show features a story of dramatic interest, which makes it more interesting and attractive. Last, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Hiking Tour
   Enjoy a Great Wall Hike on the Scenic Badaling Section

   Today, you will be transferred to hike the Badaling Great Wall. As one of the greatest wonders of mankind, the majestic Great Wall is always a must-see attraction for many visitors to Beijing. Nowadays, the Great Wall has become the symbol of the Chinese nation and its culture. Of course, you can also choose to pay extra to take the cable car, which can save energy and time (optional).

   After the Great Wall tour, go to visit the Ming Tomb. On the way to the Ming Tomb, you will pass through the Sacred Way. The Ming Tomb is the place where 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) were buried. On the way back to the downtown center, see the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) from outside, which is the main assembly hall of the 29th Olympic sports games in Beijing in the year of 2008.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by Flight
   Spend a Leisurely Morning in the Tranquil Summer Palace

   After breakfast, your tour guide will take you to explore the Summer Palace and have a Hutong tour. The Summer Palace is the most beautiful and the largest imperial garden existing in China, and it is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world. Next, we will head to Hutong. Enjoying the rickshaw riding through Hutongs will be your memorable experience. You can learn special Beijing culture and history by visiting the famous romantic Shichahai and so on.

   After lunch, you will be transferred to the Beijing airport and fly to Xian. Upon arrival at Xian airport, our tour guide and driver will escort you to the well-selected hotel in Xian.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

5. Day 5: Xian History Tour
   Dig into Profound Historic Heritages of the Ancient City

   After breakfast, your China tour in Xian first takes you to visit the ‘Eighth Wonder’ of the world, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. This is the most significant archeological excavation of the 20th century. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

   

   After lunch, go back to the downtown area to visit one of the landmarks of Xian, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion, its simple but appealing style of construction, and its new square in front of the temple.

   In the late afternoon, you will have a Dumpling Dinner and enjoy a marvelous Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. The show will bring you back to 1400 years ago – the dreamy and glorious Tang Dynasty. After the show, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian City Tour
   Explore Xi'an's Ancient City Wall and Food Paradise

   Today's Xian tour will focus on the city sightseeing. You will be guided to climb up the Ancient City Wall in the morning, which is known as the most complete and best-preserved city wall in China. The city wall of Xi'an is an extension of the prior Tang dynasty structure. The construction started in 1370 and finished in 1378, in a rectangular shape. (Optional & Extra Charge: you can ride a bike on the wall for a unique experience)

   In the afternoon, continue to visit the Great Mosque, a place where the local Muslims attend worship ceremonies. You may have a glimpse of Muslims’ life here. Out of the Grand Mosque, you can have a free exploration of the Muslim Quarter. It is a famous Moslem street with various stories and restaurants. You can see many local special stuffs and taste local snacks.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

7. Day 7: Xian to Chongqing Tour by Flight
   Appreciate Many Cultural Relics and Buddhist Architectural Heritage

   This morning, you will embark on a cultural journey in Xi'an. The tour guide will take you to visit the Xi'an Museum. Here, cultural relics from various historical periods in Xi'an are collected, including gold and silver ware, pottery, bronze ware, calligraphy and painting, seals, porcelain, jade, and Buddhist statues.

   In this scenic area, you can also see the Tang Dynasty Buddhist architectural art heritage - Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a typical square brick tower in China. With 13 floors now, it is 43.4m high and was listed on the World Heritage List in 2014.

   After the tour in Xian, escort you to the airport to take a flight to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to board the cruise ship and begin your Yangtze cruise tour (Check-in time is 18:00 - 20:00). If time permits, you will have a brief city view of the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo to have a close encounter with the adorable Chinese Giant Pandas.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: on the Cruise

   

8. Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise Tour
   Immerse in the Splendid River Scenery

   Wake up early to capture the tranquil beauty of the Yangtze River. You will attend a history and culture lecture on the Yangtze River to learn more about the region. After that, you can enjoy a relaxing morning coffee.

   In the afternoon, you'll have a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, a magnificent 12-storey tower built into a mountain. It is famous for its fanciful architecture and many interesting legends. Climbing it, tourists can not only enjoy the magnificent natural scenery, but also experience the unique Bashu culture by visiting the Heavenly Kings Hall, the white jade relief wall that tells the story of Guan Yu, who was a general deified as the god of war, and so on.

   In the evening, join the Captain's Welcome Party.

   Optional Activity:

   You may consider visiting Fengdu Ghost City, famous for its exquisite temples and mysterious Chinese myths (at your own expense).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: On the Cruise Ship

   

9. Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise Tour
   Admire the Splendor of the Three Gorges via A Smaller Boat

   Today, your ship will sail through the breathtaking Three Gorges (including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge). You can enjoy towering peaks and lush vegetation along the riverbanks.

   In Wu Gorge, we will change to a smaller boat to explore the narrower Shennv Creek. Here you can explore the most pristine valley. Also, you may experience the culture of the Tujia people through local music and dance performances.

   Afterwards, return to the cruise ship for the Captain's Farewell Party in the evening, featuring music, dance, and farewell toasts to celebrate the end of your Yangtze River cruise in a joyous atmosphere.

   

   Optional Activity:

   Today you have a chance to visit White Emperor City. During the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), famous poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu visited this place and wrote a lot of poems. Therefore, White Emperor City has the reputation of "Poetry City". Surrounded by water on all sides, the highest point of the City allows one to overlook the Yangtze River and the surrounding spectacular scenery.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: On the Cruise Ship

10. Day 10: Yichang to Shanghai Tour by Flight
    Marvel at the World's Largest Water Conservancy Project

    Today your amazing ship journey will end with an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, which is the major construction of the Three Gorges Project. It is also known as the world's largest irrigation project. When embark again, it’s time to say goodbye to your fantastic Yangtze cruise excursion.

    After the visit, you will take the bus arranged by the cruise company to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. There will be a dedicated driver to escort you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai Highlights Tour
    Enjoy Historic Complex and a Cruise along Huangpu River

    In the morning, take a guided Shanghai tour of the Shanghai Museum. It is a large museum exhibiting ancient art while featuring bronze ware, chinaware, calligraphy, and painting. Then, proceed to the Yuyuan Garden. It is one of the most famous southern China gardens, where you can appreciate the typical architecture of Chinese gardens.

    

    In the afternoon, wander around Shanghai Old Street which combines sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions. Then, go to visit the former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943. The following stop is Xin Tian Di, a walking street converted based on the old Shikumen building district where you can find nice bars, cafes, and squares.

    In the late afternoon, enjoy a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River where you will see totally different scenes about Shanghai along the banks of Huangpu River. Disembarked at the Bund area, you will have some free time to walk around.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: Shanghai Departure

    Today is the last day of your 12-day China Ancient Capital and Yangtze River Tour. Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport for your flight back home.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A