13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Upon your arrival at the capital of China - Beijing, our driver will be at the airport to welcome you. Then she/he will escort you to your hotel. Once check-in, you can relax on a comfortable bed or explore nearby on your own. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Tour
   Explore Imperial History, Enjoy Lake Views, Optional Boat Ride

   Start your China tour in Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares. You will learn the stories of some iconic sights, including the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

   Next, step into the past of China when entering the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, it is now open to the public as the Palace Museum. The Forbidden City is very large, but our time is limited. Your tour guide will take you on a classic and time-saving tour route. Admire the magnificent palace architecture and appreciate some precious cultural relics.

   

   In the afternoon, head to Summer Palace, the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, etc. You can take the option of a boat ride to enjoy the Kunming Lake (at additional expense).

   In the evening, you can consider an optional visit to the Red Theater for a Chinese Kung Fu show. It features rich tradition of Chinese Kung Fu. (at additional cost)

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Beijing Tour
   Take a Cable Car Ride to the Great Wall and Have a Scenic Hike

   In the morning, you will be transferred to Mutianyu Great Wall. Connected to Juyongguan Great Wall in the west and Gubeikou in the east, it has been a military stronghold guarding Beijing since ancient times. With its dense enemy towers and charming scenery, it is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. We will arrange for you to go up by cable car and then take a hike to enjoy the natural scenery.

   

   After descending from the Great Wall, you will be guided to visit the Sacred Way. This is an ancient pathway lined with massive stone sculptures leading to the Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty. Learn about the significance of this sacred place.

   On the way back to Beijing, stopping to view the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube from the outside. They are the famous buildings from the 2008 Olympic Games. In the evening, you can enjoy the famous palace dish - the famous Peking Roast Duck at Quanjude Restaurant (additional charge).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by High-speed Train
   Have a Rickshaw Ride through Hutongs, Local Family Visit

   After breakfast, we will go to admire the Temple of Heaven. Located in the southern part of Beijing, this magnificent royal structure served as a complex of sacrificial buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest.

   

   Next, you will experience a rickshaw ride through the traditional hutongs. Go to visit a local family and learn about their daily life and even experience cultural activities such as learning calligraphy and weaving Chinese knots (extra charge).

   After lunch, your tour guide will escort you to Beijing West Railway Station to board a high-speed train to Xian.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

5. Day 5: Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
   Experience Making a Mini Terracotta Figure

   This morning, your classic China tour of Xian takes you to the famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". You will be guided through Pits 1, 2 and 3 of the Terracotta Army, where you can see life-sized warriors, and many horses and chariots. After a Chinese-style lunch, we will take you to experience making a mini terracotta figure. It will be once-in-a-lifetime.

   

   After that, drive back to Xian downtown to ascend the Ancient City Wall, a military defensive system in old times. You can optionally ride a bike on the top of the City Wall and enjoy the amazing view of the entire area inside the City Wall. Next, stroll around Muslim Street, a paradise for food lovers. Here you can find many kinds of delicious local snacks such as Biang Biang Noodle, Ice Peak (a kind of carbonated drink), and Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup).

   

   In the evening, take a leisurely evening walk along the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, which is illuminated with colorful lights when night falls. It is the preferred place for experiencing Tang culture in Xi'an.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

6. Day 6: Xian to Guilin Tour by Flight
   Visit Ancient Site and Explore Historical Artifacts

   Today is the last day of Xian tour. After breakfast, we head to a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists, built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

   

   Afterwards, you will immerse in the rich history of Shaanxi at the Shaanxi History Museum. The collection of artifacts ranges from simple stone tools used by ancient mankind to various types of artifacts used in social life before 1840, spanning over a million years. All kinds of exhibits here will amaze you. In the late afternoon, you will catch a flight to Guilin, renowned for its picturesque landscapes.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Guilin

7. Day 7: Guilin to Yangshuo Tour by Cruise
   Scenic River Cruise, Lively Landscapes, Local Life Exploration

   Today is about the cruise on the beautiful Li River and old Yangshuo West Street. It's an enjoyable journey for both your eyes and soul.

   Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of green hills, rivers, lakes, and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting; it is alive and vivid - light bamboo rafts leaving ripples on the water, cormorants circling above the working fishermen...

   Your guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their lives along the famous Li River.

   

   After a 4-hour cruise, you will embark at Yangshuo. After checking in at your local hotel, you can either rest up for the evening's exploration or choose to ride along the Yulong River or experience bamboo rafting (extra charge) and enjoy the "Hundred Mile Gallery". In the late afternoon, follow your guide to visit the famous local West Street where you will find local crafts and snacks gathering. Listen to the guide's introduction to explore the place better.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yangshuo

8. Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise
   City Tour Includes Landmark Visit and Cave Exploration

   After breakfast, drive back to Guilin. Begin your Guilin city tour by visiting the landmark - Elephant Trunk Hill. This site has been a famous tourist destination since the Tang and Song dynasties, boasting a history of over 1,000 years. It resembles an elephant drinking water from the Li River.

   

   Then, go to explore the Reed Flute Cave, which was formed over 700,000 years ago by the flow and dissolution of groundwater along the rocks. The wonders in the cave are diverse and magnificent, known as the "Palace of Art in Nature". After a day of exploration, you're transferred to your hotel.

   After lunch, you will be transferred to catch a bullet train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to the Chaotianmen Dock by a local driver to board your Yangtze cruise ship (boarding time: 6 pm to 8 pm).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: on Cruise

9. Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise
   Enjoy Tai Chi, a Cultural Lecture, a Historical Pagoda Visit

   Begin your Yangtze River cruise tour with relaxing and cultural activities on board. After breakfast, the first activity is a Tai Chi class on deck. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial arts program. People can exercise their bodies and hearts through slow, continuous movements and breathing exercises.

   Then, take a cultural lecture to learn about the development of Yangtze River area. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river.

   

   After that, you will have a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda. Standing at a height of 56 meters, it is an impressive 12-storey wooden structure built on a hill and surrounded by water. Here, you will find a white jade relief wall depicting the story of Guan Yu (deified as God of War) during the Three Kingdoms period. Climbing to the top of the pagoda, you can visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, with a history of over 400 years, the earliest surviving building in Shibaozhai.

   Optional Activity:

   You may consider visiting Fengdu Ghost City, famous for its exquisite temples and mysterious Chinese myths (additional fees apply).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: on Cruise

10. Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise
    Take a Smaller Boat to Explore the Narrower Shennv Creek

    Today, the cruise ship will sail through the essence of the Yangtze River - Three Gorges, including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge. You will see lush vegetation and tall peaks along the riverbanks.

    After sailing for a while, hop on a smaller boat to explore the narrower Shennv Creek. Here you can enjoy the most pristine valley. Also, experience the culture of the Tujia people through local music and dance performances. After that, return to the cruise ship. In the evening, experience the Captain's Farewell Party.

    

    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 Cruise

11. Day 11: Yichang to Shanghai Tour by High-speed Train
    Marvel at the Scale and Potential Rainbows of Three Gorges Dam

    After breakfast, take a guided tour of the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, an engineering miracle. It is the largest water conservancy hub project and the largest hydropower station in the world today. Standing on the dam crest, you can feel the magnificent white waves. If you visit on a sunny day, you may encounter a rainbow in the mist on the huge waves of flood discharge.

    

    After the dam visit, take the bus arranged by the cruise company to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. There will be a private driver will be waiting to escort you to Yichang East Railway Station for your high-speed train ride to Shanghai.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

12. Day 12: Shanghai Tour
    Explore Classical Garden, City Skyline, and Historic Waterfront

    After breakfast, your China tour in Shanghai takes you to Shanghai Museum. It houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings, and calligraphy works. Then, move on to Yuyuan Garden. It is a famous classical garden which was originally built by the owner as a place for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

    

    Afterwards, ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai's modern skyline. Then, transfer to Nanjing Road, one of the world's busiest shopping streets. Last, take a stroll along Wai Tan, aka the Bund, a must see for visitors in Shanghai. What impresses tourists the most is the 52 buildings, which blend various international architectural styles and can be called the "International Architecture Exhibition".

    In the evening, you can enjoy a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise and watch the glamorous view of the dazzling city lights reflecting on the water.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

13. Day 13: Departure from Shanghai
    Explore the Artistic Creative Work Base that Transformed from Shikumen

    Start your final day in Shanghai with a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. This is a Song Dynasty-style building named after the Jade Buddha enshrined in the temple. It is a quiet and peaceful environment, which is regarded by locals as "a piece of pure land in the midst of the downtown area". Next, transfer you to visit Tianzifang, a creative work base transformed from a group of Shikumen buildings. You can see numerous art and cultural studios. Experience its old Shanghai lifestyle and exotic charm.

    

    After the visit, your 13-day classic tour of China comes to an end. Your driver will escort you to the airport for your next destination. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A