6 Days Exploration Tour of Chengdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival (No meal)

   So glad to have you on our 6-day Chengdu Chongqing Yangtze River tour! Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your own for the rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Chengdu Tour (B, L)
   Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Wenshu Temple, Renmin Park, Kuanzhai Alley

   At around 08:30, the English-speaking tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and start your amazing Chengdu city tour!

   The first scenic site will be the exciting Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is well known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas which are unique to China. The base is definitely a highlight for most visitors to Chengdu. There are adorable pandas everywhere. You can watch them eating bamboo, playing with each other, and of course, sleeping. Your tour guide will navigate you through the huge area, share some information about the pandas, and help you take amazing photos.

   After lunch, continue your visit to Wenshu Temple which was built in the Sui Dynasty with a long history. The temple is still operating and frequented by local people who come to pray and relax themselves. It is a good place to come to know Buddhism. You can have a nice stroll around the pleasant garden and take photos of the wonderful ancient architecture.

   Later, enjoy some relaxing tea time in Renmin Park. Renmin Park is a perfect place to do people-watching. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea in a nice tea house and watch local people while away the time with various activities such as playing cards, doing tai chi, playing mahjong, dancing, and napping.

   Afterward, come to explore the local food and culture in Kuanzhai Alley, which has a long history and can date back to the Qing Dynasty. Now the old alleys have been converted into one of the top attractions in Chengdu. Strolling along the streets, you still can see many well-preserved Qing Dynasty buildings. In addition to appreciating the traditional architecture, you also can savor some local delicacies. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu will surprise you with its delicious food.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

3. Day 3: Chengdu to Chongqing Tour (B, L)
   Ciqikou Ancient Town, Monument to the People’s Liberation

   In the morning, you will take a high-speed train to Chongqing. After around 2.5 hours' train riding, you will arrive at Chongqing Train Station. The local English-speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate holding a welcome board with your name.

   Your exploration begins with Ciqikou Ancient Town. It is one of the must-visit sites in Chongqing where many people flow every day. Serve as an important port along the Jialing River, Ciqikou Ancient Town has been being familiar with the jollification for the comings and goings of passengers since its birth in the Song Dynasty, witnessing the developing process of Chongqing local culture. Today, on the stone-paved streets here will you surprise at the rich cultural activities like the Sichuan Opera, oil manufacture, and dough figurine through which the hidden local culture, folk customs, religious culture, and so on are reflected.

   

   After that, pay a visit to the Monument to the People's Liberation, which stands at the central zone of Jiefangbei (The Chinese name of the Monument) Commercial Circle. It was built in 1946 and finished in the next year to symbolize the success of the Chinese anti-Fascist war. Today, it is a landmark of Chongqing City, attracting people with its fame as well as the busy commercial circle around.

   After that, transfer to Chaotianmen Port for you to board the ship and kick off a fantastic cruise down the breathtaking Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world. This trip will take you to fully enjoy China’s natural beauty, long history, and rich culture.

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise  

   

4. Day 4: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
   Shibaozhai Pagoda

   After you wake up naturally in the morning, you can refresh yourself with a cup of coffee and go up on the deck to soak up the sun and breathe some fresh air. Plenty of cultural activities will keep you busy and entertained. There is a master to teach you how to practice Tai Chi, a kind of Chinese martial art suitable for all ages and good for your health; there is a lecture on the Yangtze River from which you will learn more about the history and culture of this mighty river; there is the captain’s welcome party to meet friends from all over the world, enjoy nice food and drinks, and watch wonderful performances.

   Later, switch to a smaller boat to disclose today’s adventure to Shibaozhai Pagoda. It is a real pearl on the Yangtze River and rated as one of the "Seven Great Wonders of China" and "Eight Fantastic Architectures in the World" by US Discover Channel. The Pagoda was built against the hill along the river, taking advantage of the topography to harmoniously embed its body onto the cliff. The 12-floor bundling is a fully in wooden structure, about 56 meters tall.

   

   Optional excursion: The optional shore excursion with an extra fee to enrich your today’s trip is the trip to Fengdu Ghost City. With a history of about 2000 years, it is said to be the Capital of the world of ghosts which is the lodge of spirit after death. You can see many interesting architectures in features of the underworld. The knowledge to learn here is not limited to Chinese afterlife culture but also Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

   Friendly Tip: Comfortable shoes are suggested as it requires much walking at Fengdu Ghost City

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise  

   

5. Day 5: Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
   Three Gorges, Shennv Stream

   Today will be another great day floating on the picturesque Three Gorges. Just relax yourself and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Qutang Gorge.

   Board on a smaller ship to have the shore excursion to Shennv Stream, also called Goddess Stream. Lying in the core of the Wu Gorge, Shennv Stream winds its slim body in the narrow gorge, giving visitors a breathtaking sight and exciting their eyes. The high cliffs on both sides suddenly narrow down and block the way of flowing water with its gigantic torso, scaring people sitting in the boat about the coming crash but quickly catching their breath when the boat fishtails swiftly to another curve next seconds. You can’t help crying for the escape from danger and wowing at the misty scene of the gorge, urging the sailors to speed up and break through the fog to discover the deepest beauty.

   (Special Note: Please expect there is an alternative Shennong Stream excursion sharing a similar wonderful experience in some cruise lines).

   Moreover, here is a Tujia ethnic music and dance show for you. It would be a big plus today.

   Optional excursion: In the afternoon, when it cruises by Qutang Gorge, you will have the opportunity for the optional excursion to White Emperor City with an additional fee. It was a crucial place in the military for the ancient strategists and was applied by many famous poets in their poems, such as Li Bai and Du Fu, hence rising to fame. It’s a trip for you to learn Chinese history and trace the ever romance of Chinese literary men.

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise

   

6. Day 6: Yichang Departure (B)
   Three Gorges Dam

   After breakfast, you will also take a shore excursion to the marvelous Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. It truly is an engineering wonder! It took 17 years to build this huge dam, and for its construction, more than one million people around the reservoir area were relocated. Now the dam plays a very important role in the life of Chinese people. You will follow a guide to have a stunning panoramic view of the dam.

   At around 12:30, you will be dropped off at the tourism center, and there will be a local English-speaking tour guide and driver to pick you up by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to Yichang airport/train station for your departure. Your 6-day China Yangtze River tour ends here.

   Accommodation: N/A