14 Days China Leisure Holiday with Yangtze Cruise & Panda

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong

   Hello! Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient - Hong Kong, China! Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, your driver will escort you to your hotel. Check in and relax. You are free on the remainder of the day.

   You can take the Star Ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island and you will capture the awesome views of the skyline. In the evening, take a stroll on the Temple Street Night Market. The Night Market is 600 meters long and sells clothing, glasses, watches, toys, coins, accessories, paintings, and more.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Hong Kong

   

2. Day 2: Hong Kong Tour
   Take a Tram Ride to the Amazing Victoria Peak Views

   Your China tour in Hong Kong today includes some of the must-visit landmarks of the city. First, you'll head to Victoria Peak, which stands as the highest point on Hong Kong Island. Reach the peak by riding the Peak Tram that has been in operation since 1888. It is the first cable railway in Asia and one of the steepest globally. On the summit, you can take in the breathtaking scenery standing on the highest 360-degree viewing platform.

   

   Next, transfer to visit Repulse Bay. Located south of Victoria Peak, the bay is adjacent to the mountains and the sea. It is crescent shaped, known as the "Number One Bay in the World" and also known as the "Eastern Hawaii". Take a leisurely stroll on the beach for relaxing.

   The final stop on your Hong Kong tour is Stanley Market. You can find handicrafts and artistic works including Chinese calligraphy art, paintings, silk products, and handmade jewelry.

   In the afternoon, say goodbye to Hong Kong and take a flight to Beijing, China's capital city.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hong Kong

3. Day 3: Hong Kong to Beijing Tour by Flight
   Discover the Historical Sites of the Capital City

   After breakfast, meet your expert tour guide and start your China tour in Bejing at the heart of the city, Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares. Next, walk to explore the Forbidden City. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complexes built of wood.

   

   After lunch, spend a leisurely time in Summer Palace, China's royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. Based on Kunming Lake and Wanshou Hill (Longevity Hill), and modeled after the scenery of West Lake in Hangzhou, the Summer Palace is one of the best-preserved imperial gardens, and is known as the Royal Garden Museum. Immerse yourself in the harmonious blend of nature and architecture.

   In the evening, you have the option of watching a Chinese Kung Fu Show where skilled performers demonstrate martial arts techniques and acrobatics (extra charge).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Mutianyyu Great Wall Tour
   Enjoy a Scenic Great Wall Hiking Tour on Mutianyu

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

   

   After descending from the Great Wall, take you to visit the Sacred Way to admire the magnificent group of stone statues and learn about the stories behind them. Drive back to Beijing, stopping to view the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube from the outside.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

5. Day 5: Beijing to Xian Tour by High-speed Train
   Gain an Insight into the Beijingers' Daily Life

   After breakfast, you will be taken to the Temple of Heaven. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a special altar used by the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the heavens, ask for rain and pray for a good year. Next, go to experience a rickshaw ride through the traditional hutongs. You will pay a visit to a local family and get a glimpse of their daily life and even experience cultural activities such as learning calligraphy and weaving Chinese knots (extra charge).

   

   After your Beijing tour, your guide will escort you to catch a high-speed train to Xi'an, which is famous for its profound history and ancient wonders.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

6. Day 6: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
   Explore Pits 1, 2 and 3 of the Terracotta Army and Ride a Bike on City Wall

   Today is a highlight of your China tour of Xian. You will spend 2-2.5 hours exploring the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Your guide will lead you through Pits 1, 2 and 3 to marvel at the life-sized warriors, and many horses and chariots. Also, learn the stories behind them.

   

   After lunch, drive back to the downtown area to the Ancient City Wall. This is a well-preserved defensive structure encircling the city center, 13.74 km. You can choose to take a leisurely bike ride along the wall to enjoy scenic views of Xian. If interested, we can transfer you to find many kinds of delicious local snacks such as Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger), and Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup) at the Food Paradise - Muslim Quarter.

   Optional activity in the evening:

   You can enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show. It is a cultural spectacle that transports audiences back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) through traditional music, dance, and costumes.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

7. Day 7: Xian to Chengdu Tour by High-speed Train
   Experience Xian's Cultural Gems in Museum and at Pagoda

   Today's Xian tour takes you to Da Cien Temple, where you will admire the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It was 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). If interested, you can climb the pagoda (an additional fee of 30 RMB)

   Next, enjoy a cultural exploration of Shaanxi History Museum, which covers an area of 65,000 square meters and houses over 380,000 cultural relics including simple stone tools used in prehistoric times, bronze ware from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, terracotta warriors from various dynasties, gold and silver utensils from the Han and Tang dynasties, and tomb murals from Tang Dynasty. It is an excellent place to learn about the history and culture of Shaanxi and ancient Chinese civilization.

   

   In the afternoon, catch a high-speed train to Chengdu, the hometown of the giant pandas.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

8. Day 8: Chengdu Essence Tour
   Chengdu Panda Base and City Highlights Tour

   Chengdu is famous for its pandas, and today, you'll visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the most important place for the conservation of giant pandas in China. You will see the cuddly pandas playing, sleeping, eating up close. Next, go to spend the peaceful time in Wenshu Temple, which was first built during the Sui Dynasty (605-617 AD) and went through various dynasties including Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, and Ming.

   It was destroyed by war at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The temple we see today was rebuilt in 1697 AD. You will appreciate exquisite hollow window decorations, copper castings, colored sculptures, stone carved Buddha statues, and a large number of rare treasures, classic books and paintings.

   

   In Renmin Park, you will sip and taste various teas in a traditional tea house. Following that, take a stroll along Jinli Old Street, one of the top places to visit during Chengdu travel. Admire Qing Dynasty style buildings, enjoy shopping and taste some yummy food that you never saw before.

   Chengdu is also well-known for its Sichuan opera. You can pay at your own to watch a Sichuan Opera Face Changing performance in the evening. This is one of the traditional Chinese opera genres, popular in some areas of eastern and central Sichuan, as well as Chongqing. Performers will change masks in the blink of an eye, which is a highly skilled stunt. If you are interested, your travel consultant can help you arrange it.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

9. Day 9: Chengdu to Chongqing Tour
   Chongqing Highlights and Board the Cruise Ship

   After breakfast, you will leave Chengdu for Chongqing by a high-speed train. Upon arrival, a local guide will pick you up and lead you to visit Ciqikou Ancient Town. Located in the center of Chongqing, Ciqikou is a well-preserved ancient town famous for its Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural style, long history and rich culture. Most of the buildings here are mostly two-story or three-story buildings with wooden or brick structures, which are rustic and elegant. In this town, you can enjoy traditional Sichuan opera and other folk art performances, and taste a variety of authentic Chongqing cuisine.

   Next, explore the Three Gorges Museum. Located at the heart of Chongqing City, this magnificent museum is a window into the history of the Three Gorges areas and a great place to explore Bayu culture. Later in the day, go to visit Hongya Cave, the city's most famous night scene. It is a real existence for the romantic scene you’ve seen in Miyazaki Hayao’s anime. The stilted buildings leaning against the cliffs, embed their bodies harmoniously into the hills with drops about 75 meters and get embraced into the hug of the soft river. Especially when it lights up at night, Hongya Cave seems to come into life when rosy lights flow from the windows.

   

   At the end of the Chongqing city tour, your guide will escort you to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze River Cruise. Check-in time is 18:00 - 20:00.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: on Cruise

10. Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise
    Indulge in the Midst of the Splendid River Scenery

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

11. Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise
    Enjoy the Splendor of the Three Gorges

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

    In Wushan County, 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.

    

    After the tour, we 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 tour in a joyous atmosphere.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

    Accommodation: on Cruise

12. Day 12: Yichang to Shanghai Tour by High-speed Train
    Admire the World's Largest Water Conservancy Project

    After breakfast, say goodbye to the captain and crew, and then disembark to visit the largest water conservancy hub project and the largest hydropower station in the world - the Three Gorges Dam. You can climb up to the 185 Viewpoint to get a closer look at the dam or climb the Tanzi Ridge for a panoramic view of the dam.

    

    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. Upon arrival, the local driver meets you and transfers you to your chosen local hotel.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

13. Day 13: Shanghai Highlights Tour
    Discover the History and Prosperity of the Metropolis

    Shanghai is a city full of contrasts, where modernity and tradition blend together. Your first stop on your China tour in Shanghai is the Shanghai Museum. The museum covers an area of 2,800 square meters and houses 120,000 precious cultural relics. You will appreciate exquisite bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, and more.

    Then, go to Yu Garden, known as "Mountain and Forest in City", which was a private garden in the Ming Dynasty. It is a must see for domestic and foreign tourists in Shanghai. Built in 1559, the entire garden is designed in the style of southern architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It features curved bridges, flowing water, and elegant pavilions.

    

    In the afternoon, ascend one of the tallest skyscrapers in China - the Shanghai World Financial Center. The building looks like a bottle opener from outside. You will go up to the 100th floor to have a marvelous panoramic view of the Huangpu River. Walking on the 55-meter-long transparent sightseeing corridor will be an exciting experience.

    After that, walk along the first commercial pedestrian street in China, Nanjing Road. Last, go to the famous Wai Tan or the Bund, a waterfront promenade, to admire various international architectural styles and the night view of the Huangpu River. You can experience an optional activity - relaxing Huangpu River night cruise.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

14. Day 14: Departure from Shanghai

    On the last day of this 14-day China tour, you will have a culture exploration of Shanghai. Visit the Jade Buddha Temple first, which is named after the Jade Buddha that is mainly enshrined in the temple. As one of the top ten attractions for Shanghai tours, it is described as a piece of pure land in the busy downtown. We mainly visit the the Main Hall and the Jade Buddha Building.

    Next, head to Tianzifang, a creative industry park converted from a Shikumen complex, where studios, galleries and cafes of artists and designers are gathered. Strolling through the alleys of Tianzifang, you can enjoy various art exhibitions, handicrafts and creative decorations.

    

    After the tour, your driver will escort you to the airport for your next destination or return home. This is the end of your 14-day China Yangtze River Cruise tour. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A