Discover China's finest wonders on this legendary route. Experience natural grandeur and imperial treasures, witness man-made marvels and ultra-modern miracles, as you wind your way on a cruise up the Mighty Yangtze River.
Day 01: Arrive at Beijing
Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in Beijing. The rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with our capital city on your own.
Day 02: Beijing Forbidden City, Royal Garden (BL)
This morning visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple, where the ancient emperors paid their tribute to their ancestors. Next venture to the Forbidden City to admire the imperial magnificence of the Chinese palace. Learn about its history and importance as a political and ceremonial centre, then delve into the intriguing exhibits of the Palace Museum to admire an epic collection of artwork.
After a tasteful lunch at a traditional restaurant, then head to Beihai Royal Garden. Wander amid the botanical beauty of the surrounding grounds and explore the temples and art pieces that are dotted around the park. The walking tour ends when we reach the renowned local residence area with traditional Hutongs (Small lane). The tour concludes at 4.30pm, then enjoy some free time to explore before you take a taxi back your hotel.
Day 03: Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall (BL)
Today experience the magnificent Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend nearly four hours for you to explore and walk on the wonderfully restored Wall, enjoy the breathtaking views. Have lunch break at a local restaurant near the Great Wall. Transfer back to the city, drop off at a subway station, you may experience the local subway back to your hotel.
Day 04: Beijing free day (B)
Today you will have your own time for wandering around, enjoy your leisure walk on the Beijing typical street, or visit temples, palaces, or do your own shopping etc.
Day 05: Beijing – Xian by bullet train (B)
You will be met by your private driver in the morning before drive you to the Beijing railway station. Take high speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (5-6 hours), upon arrival at Xi’an, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in Xi’an. Free on your own to explore the city attractions like city wall for the rest time.
Day 06: Xian Terracotta Warriors (BL)
This morning visit the archaeological site of Banpo Village (1hour), built more than 6,000 year ago, and you will see how the resident matriarchic tribe used to survive in the Neolithic age. The site hosts a collection of utensils and a reconstruction of the primitive buildings typical of this village. Afterwards, Short visit to the Terra-Cotta Replication Factory on the way to the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon you will see one of the most fabled attractions of China: the Emperor’s Terracotta Army. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century.
Day 07: Xian – Shanghai by bullet train (B)
You will be met by your private driver in the morning before drive you to the Xi’an railway station. Take high speed train from Xi’an to Shanghai (6-7 hours), upon arrival at Shanghai, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in Shanghai.
Day 08: Shanghai Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum (BL)
This morning we head to visit the Shanghai Old Street, the architecture and the layout of the shops in this street are in harmony with the buildings in Yuyuan Garden, which is the largest of Shanghai’s ancient gardens with Ming and Qing architectural styles. Move on to the symbol and highlight in Shanghai – The Bund, have a break to tasting and shopping at tea house, walk around to experience the profound history, see the most famous and attractive sights of the 26 various buildings of different architectural styles on the bund. Then visit Shanghai Museum located in the center of Shanghai in People’s Square, explore the ancient Chinese art and cultural treasures with your knowledgeable tour guide. Later you will enjoy a shopping visit to Pearl City, explore the Shanghai typical alley at Tianzifang, and stroll around the Old French Concession to see what the old colonial French quarter was like.
Day 09: Zhujiajiao ancient water town and Shanghai night cruise (BD)
After breakfast enjoy a free morning until met by your guide and head to Zhujiajiao Water town, covering an area of 18 square miles, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees and houses with courtyards attached, like world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquillity.
Drive back to Shanghai and have a visit to the Shanghai Jiangnan Silk Museum. Then boarding on the Shanghai Night-view Luxury Cruise to appreciate Shanghai’s dramatic and splendid evening view.
Day 10: Shanghai – Yichang by bullet train (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the station and board bullet train to Yichang (6-7 hours); upon arrival Yichang met & transfer to the central cruise terminal, then take the cruise shuttle bus to board your Yangtze cruise upstream the mighty Yangtze River.
Day 11: Yangtze Cruise, Three Gorges Dam/Xiling Gorge (BLD)
Visit the Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge. It is the world’s largest power station. Later today, sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles) and deepest of the Three Gorges.
Day 12: Yangtze Cruise, “Small Gorges”/Wu Gorge/Qutang Gorge (BLD)
Board smaller vessel for an excursion through Shennong Stream small gorges, which are narrower than the Three Gorges, but very impressive. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Goddess Stream. Enter the 25-mile long Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty, forest covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Then sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic gorge.
Day 13: Yangtze Cruise, Jade Emperor Scenic Area (BLD)
Take a shore excursion to the Jade Emperor Scenic Area near Fengdu, which has the largest image of the Jade Buddha in the world. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda.
Day 14: Arrive Chongqing & Disembark (B)
After breakfast, disembark after 9am, then met & transfer to the airport or extend your trip to other interesting cities like Chengdu to see the pandas.
Small group tour starts every FRIDAY (Day 01) in Beijing, travel between 03 Apr 20 – 29 Dec 20. |
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Twin share price starts from $3,195pp (Twin share); single traveller starts from $4,295 (Single room). |
You can choose any date to start the tour in Beijing, however surcharge $90pp will apply. |
Inclusions
- Bullet train ticket (2nd class) Beijing –Xian – Shanghai - Yichang
- 9 nights’ accommodation at 4 star hotels
- 4 nights’ accommodation at 4 star Yangtze cruise ship
- Return transfers
- Sightseeing tours as specified on seat-in-coach basis
- Local English speaking guide
- Local transport by air-conditioned van
- Entrance fee
- Daily breakfast, 7 lunches, 4 dinners.
Accommdation
- Beijing Metro Park Lido
- Xian Aurum International Hotel
- Victoria Cruises or similar
- Shanghai Golden River-view Hotel
Remarks
- Our competitive international airfares starts from $750 per person ex Australia to China, contact us for details when you book this tour
- To join this tour you must have valid Chinese entry visa.
Tour Maps
Cruise Info
Launched in April 2011, the President Prime is one of the best 5-star boats sailing on the Yangtze River, with 187 deluxe cabins (2 President suites, 2 Deluxe Suites, 32 Executive Suites and 151 Deluxe Cabins with balcony) with private balconies. Each spacious cabin is equipped with satellite TV, satellite telephone. Sit and relax on your private balcony and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Three Gorges and Yangtze River.