Explore Beijing and tour the delicately crafted Temple of Heaven, where the emperors used to pray for a good harvest. Ride aboard a rickshaw through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters.

Witness the astonishing Great Wall of China, the only man-made structure on Earth that can be observed from the moon. Visit the enormous Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most intact assembly of ancient structures of the imperial palace.

Fly to Xian, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties and visit the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and see the absolutely amazing Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, widely regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.

Fly to Chongqing and transfer to the pier for embarking on the Yangtze River cruise. Venture along the Yangtze River and visit Fengdu, the legendary home of the King of Hades, often referred to as the "ghost city". Sail through the magnificent Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges and watch in wonder as you navigate through the five level ship locks of the well-known Three Gorges Dam, providing a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the world’s largest dam project.

After arriving in Shanghai, explore Zhouzhuang, a village near Suzhou, and experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents and enjoy the well preserved "old world" architecture.

Cruise on the world famous ancient Grand Canal of more than 2400 years history and see the silk embroidery factory, the Lingering Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate.

Explore Shanghai, China's largest city and often regarded as "the Paris of the East," retaining the flavor of its past European influences. Take a tour of Yu Garden, the Bund and the bustling Nanjing Road. Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower and experience a bird’s-eye view of Shanghai.

Take this unique opportunity to see an amazing amount of China whilst enjoying the luxury of a cruise through the beautiful Yangtze valley.

AB: American Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | SD: Special Dinner


Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Day 2: Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (AB, L, D)
Day 3: Great Wall of China Tour (AB, L, SD)
Day 4: Beijing city tour (AB, L, D)
Day 5: Fly Beijing to Xian. Area tour (AB, L, SD)
Day 6: Visit to Terra Warriors (AB, L, D)
Day 7: Fly Xian to Chongqing (AB, L, D)
Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise. Fly to Shanghai (AB, L, D)
Day 11: Suzhou. Grand Canal Cruise (AB, L, D)
Day 12: Shanghai tour (AB, L, SD)
Day 13: Free Day in Shanghai (AB)
Day 14: Tour ends. (AB)


Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1
Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our tour guide. The rest of the night will be free for your leisure.

Day 2
Beijing (AB, L, D)

Today you will visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace. This was the palace for 24 Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors who ruled China for over 500 years. You will also tour the delicately crafted Temple of Heaven, where the emperors used to pray for good harvest.

Day 3
Beijing (AB, L, SD)

The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall of China. A UNESCO world heritage site that stretches east to west across northern China. The great wall, built for protection from the Mongols and Turkic tribes, snakes its way across grassland, desert and mountains and in some places lays in ruins.

After lunch, you will visit the Ming Tombs, burial sites for 13 of the Ming emperors.

Day 4
Beijing (AB, L, D)

The excursion today includes a visit to the Summer Palace, the famous resort of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Feast your eyes on the Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake. You may also have the opportunity to see pandas at Beijing Zoo located nearby the Summer Palace. This afternoon you will take a tour of Hutong (Chinese alleyways) by riding aboard a rickshaw pedicab through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters. You will have the opportunity to take a glimpse of the local residents’ daily life. In the evening you will attend an acrobatic show.

Day 5
Beijing, Xian (AB, L, SD)

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Xian, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties in Chinese history. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda upon arrival in Xian. Enjoy a dumpling dinner banquet, followed by an on-stage show of Tang Dynasty dance and music.

Day 6
Xian (AB, L, D)

Today you will take an excursion to the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and see the awesome Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, widely regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. You will also take a tour of the well-preserved city wall. Enjoy the rest of the day for your leisure.

Day 7
Xian, Chongqing (AB, L, D)

This morning you will visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum of History. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival in Chongqing, you will take a brief city tour of Chongqing and enjoy the special hot pot food for dinner before being transferred to the pier for embarking on the Yangtze River cruise. Spend the night on the cruise.

Day 8
The Yangtze River Cruise: Chongqing, Fengdu (AB, L, D)

Sail from Chongqing early in the morning and arrive in Fengdu, the legendary home of the King of Hades — often referred to as the "ghost city" — in the early afternoon. Go ashore to view the Mingshan Hill's temples. Continue sailing in the evening for Badong.

Day 9
The Yangtze River Cruise: Badong, San Dou Ping (AB, L, D)

Up on deck early in the morning for the thrilling experience of sailing through the magnificent Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge before arrival in Badong at noontime. Transfer to a small pea-boat for Shennong Stream Drifting to experience the breathtaking scenery. Resume your sail on the Yangtze River for San Dou Ping. Pass through the last gorge — Xiling Gorge. In late afternoon, the cruise ship will pass through the five level ship locks of the well-known Three Gorges Dam, which gives you a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the world’s biggest dam project. Arrive in San Dou Ping, where the Three Gorges Dam Project Site is located, in the evening.

Day 10
The Yangtze River Cruise: San Dou Ping/Suzhou (Via Shanghai) (AB, L, D)

This morning you will visit the Three Gorges Dam Project Site. After lunch, you will be transferred to Yichang Airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be met and transferred to Suzhou, noted for its landscaped gardens.

Day 11
Suzhou (AB, L, D)

Today you will cruise on the world famous ancient Grand Canal of more than 2400 years history to experience the unique cultures and glimpse the daily life of the local residents. You will also visit the silk embroidery factory, the Lingering Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water & land gate. After dinner you will take a bus ride back to Shanghai.

Day 12
Suzhou to Shanghai (AB, L, SD)

After breakfast, you will take an excursion to Zhujiajiao, a water village near Shanghai with a history of more than 1000 years. You will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents, and immerse yourself in the “old world” architecture and the local customs that have been well preserved.

Shanghai, China’s largest city (home to 16 million people), is also China’s principal port on a deep estuary of the Yangtze River. Often regarded as “the Paris of the East,” Shanghai has retained the flavor of its past European influences. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will visit the Bund and well-known Shanghai Museum of Art and History, which ranks among the great museums of the world. Attend a farewell dinner celebration of Shanghai cuisine in the evening, followed by a cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy a fascinating night view of Shanghai.

Day 13
Suzhou, Shanghai (AB)

Today’s excursion takes you to Yu Garden and the bustling Nanjing Road. After lunch, enjoy your leisure time to explore Shanghai on your own.

Day 14
Shanghai. Tour Ends (AB)

After breakfast tour ends.