Experience the splendors of China over 11 fantastic days! Highlights include the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai. You'll also enjoy unique experiences like a rickshaw ride, a relaxing boat ride, a scenic Yangtze River cruise and a trip to the Three Gorges Dam. Your knowledgeable local guide will provide illuminating commentary, and your tour includes transport, daily meals and accommodation.
Highlights
- 11-day tour of Bejing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Yichang and Shanghai
- See Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
- Explore the Great Wall of China and take a fun rickshaw ride down a hutong (narrow alleyway) in Beijing
- Witness the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an
- Enjoy a 2-day Yangtze River cruise and dock to visit the Three Gorges Dam
- Discover top Shanghai attractions like Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple
- Accommodation, knowledgeable guide, ground transportation by air-conditioned coach and domestic flights included
What You Can Expect
Forbidden City in Beijing
On your first day, you'll have free time to explore Beijing on your own. The next day, visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and watch an exciting Chinese Kung Fu Show.
Your third day will take you to the majestic Great Wall, a Ming Dynasty-era tomb and Beijing Olympic Green. Leave Beijing behind and head to Xi’an the next day for a fun rickshaw ride and a tour of a local market.
On your fifth day, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the historic Muslim Quarter. Top your night off with an optional Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show!
Then, embark on a 2-day Yangtze River cruise, where you’ll travel through dramatic gorges and beneath limestone cliffs. Dock to explore a necropolis and the scenic Three Gorges Dam.
In Shanghai, visit a Buddhist temple, tour a 16th-century private garden, wander through a bazaar and explore the former French Concession district, a colonial area flaunting a distinctive European flair.
Throughout your trip, your knowledgeable guide will provide illuminating and interesting commentary about the sites you visit. Daily meals and accommodation in 4-and 5-star hotels are included, as well as ground transportation by comfortable coach and domestic flights. For meals that are not included, your guide will happily recommend great places for you to eat.
For details on each day of the tour, see the Itinerary section below.
Your third day will take you to the majestic Great Wall, a Ming Dynasty-era tomb and Beijing Olympic Green. Leave Beijing behind and head to Xi’an the next day for a fun rickshaw ride and a tour of a local market.
On your fifth day, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the historic Muslim Quarter. Top your night off with an optional Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show!
Then, embark on a 2-day Yangtze River cruise, where you’ll travel through dramatic gorges and beneath limestone cliffs. Dock to explore a necropolis and the scenic Three Gorges Dam.
In Shanghai, visit a Buddhist temple, tour a 16th-century private garden, wander through a bazaar and explore the former French Concession district, a colonial area flaunting a distinctive European flair.
Throughout your trip, your knowledgeable guide will provide illuminating and interesting commentary about the sites you visit. Daily meals and accommodation in 4-and 5-star hotels are included, as well as ground transportation by comfortable coach and domestic flights. For meals that are not included, your guide will happily recommend great places for you to eat.
For details on each day of the tour, see the Itinerary section below.
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
After arriving and checking in to your hotel, enjoy free time to see an opera, have dinner or enjoy nightlife at local bars in the Houhai or Gongti area.
Overnight: 4-star Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in Beijing
Day 2: Beijing (B, L, D)
Start your morning with breakfast, after which your guide will take you to massive Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens once open only to nobility. In the afternoon, explore vast Summer Palace and take a relaxing boat ride on the lake to admire the scenery.
When evening hits, have dinner and then enjoy an amazing Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theater.
Overnight: Same hotel in Beijing
Day 3: Beijing (B, L)
Your third day will take you to the legendary Great Wall of China, where you’ll stand on its ancient ramparts and soak in incredible sweeping views of the rural landscape.
Have lunch and visit a jade or cloisonné enamel workshop before touring Chang Tomb, the first and largest of the Ming Dynasty-era tombs.
If time permits, you’ll visit Beijing Olympic Green for a chance to enter Beijing National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest) or the Beijing National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) (at additional cost), where you can learn about the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Overnight: Same hotel in Beijing
Day 4: Beijing -- Xi’an (B, L)
After breakfast, hop on a rickshaw and feel like a local as you ride down hutongs (narrow alleyways). Pass traditional courtyard residences, quiet neighborhood corners and bustling clusters of shops.
In the afternoon, tour the Temple of Heaven, where oriental emperors once worshiped.
Continue to Hongqiao Pearl Market to browse local handicrafts, goods and souvenirs. Then, leave Beijing behind as you take a short flight to Xi’an and check in to your hotel.
Overnight: 4-star Grand New World Hotel in Xi’an
Day 5: Xi’an (B, L)
Have breakfast and then explore this ancient city’s archaeological treasure, the Terracotta Warriors. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features 8,000 life-sized soldiers and horses that were buried in the mausoleum of Emperor Qin to accompany him in the afterlife.
In the afternoon, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, featuring a collection of Buddhist scriptures, statues and relics taken from India about 1,300 years ago.
Next, wander through the historic Muslim Quarter by foot, visit a souvenir shop or factory and then enjoy a wonderful cultural performance at the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show (optional) at night.
Overnight: Same hotel in Xi’an
Day 6: Xi'an -- Chongqing – Yangtze (B, D)
In the morning, say goodbye to Xi’an as you fly to Chongqing. After checking in to your hotel, continue on your guided sightseeing coach tour where you’ll spend time wandering around Ciqikou Old Town with your guide.
After enjoy an early dinner, board a comfortable boat to begin your exciting 2-day cruise along the Yangtze River!
Overnight: 4-star Yangtze River Cruise
Day 7: Yangtze River (B, L, D)
Wake up to beautiful scenery on your Yangtze River cruise as you meander through the heartland of China. Your boat is equipped with standard amenities, ensuring a comfortable, relaxing experience.
At midday, dock and take a trip to Fengdu Ghost City. Explore this necropolis with your guide, learning about how the unique historical buildings and structures provide a model of hell. Afterward, return to your cruise ship and admire the beautiful views as you make your way down the Yangtze River.
Overnight: Same cruise
Day 8: Yangtze River (B, L, D)
Your eighth day will take you through the dramatic Three Gorges and beneath soaring limestone cliffs.
You’ll then hop on a small motorboat and journey along the tranquil, emerald green Daning River, a large tributary of the Yangtze River. Travel through the Lesser Three Gorges and be swarmed in mist–wreathed mountains covered with lush green vegetation. Hop back on the cruise for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Same cruise
Day 9: Yangtze -- Yichang – Shanghai (B, L)
Today, dock to explore the astounding Three Gorges Dam with your guide. You’ll then disembark your cruise in Yichang at noon. If time permits, you’ll enjoy an optional sightseeing tour here.
You’ll then be taken to the Yichang airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis. When you arrive, you have the option to take a cruise on the Huangpu River to soak up amazing nighttimg view of Shanghai.
Overnight: 4-star Howard Johnson Business Club Hotel in Shanghai
Day 10: Shanghai (B, L)
Today, board your sightseeing coach to visit Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple, a Buddhist temple with several Buddha statues in the temple and grand hall.
Then, explore Yuyuan Garden, a 16th-century Ming Dynasty-era private garden and residence. Afterward, wander through a bazaar along Shanghai Old Street and discover what Shanghai was like in the old days. Finally, visit the former French Concession district, an area once owned by the French that still features a distinctive European flair.
Overnight: Same hotel in Shanghai
Day 11: Shanghai (B)
Reminisce over your amazing trip over breakfast before checking out of the hotel to conclude your tour.
After arriving and checking in to your hotel, enjoy free time to see an opera, have dinner or enjoy nightlife at local bars in the Houhai or Gongti area.
Overnight: 4-star Qianmen Jianguo Hotel in Beijing
Day 2: Beijing (B, L, D)
Start your morning with breakfast, after which your guide will take you to massive Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens once open only to nobility. In the afternoon, explore vast Summer Palace and take a relaxing boat ride on the lake to admire the scenery.
When evening hits, have dinner and then enjoy an amazing Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theater.
Overnight: Same hotel in Beijing
Day 3: Beijing (B, L)
Your third day will take you to the legendary Great Wall of China, where you’ll stand on its ancient ramparts and soak in incredible sweeping views of the rural landscape.
Have lunch and visit a jade or cloisonné enamel workshop before touring Chang Tomb, the first and largest of the Ming Dynasty-era tombs.
If time permits, you’ll visit Beijing Olympic Green for a chance to enter Beijing National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest) or the Beijing National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) (at additional cost), where you can learn about the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Overnight: Same hotel in Beijing
Day 4: Beijing -- Xi’an (B, L)
After breakfast, hop on a rickshaw and feel like a local as you ride down hutongs (narrow alleyways). Pass traditional courtyard residences, quiet neighborhood corners and bustling clusters of shops.
In the afternoon, tour the Temple of Heaven, where oriental emperors once worshiped.
Continue to Hongqiao Pearl Market to browse local handicrafts, goods and souvenirs. Then, leave Beijing behind as you take a short flight to Xi’an and check in to your hotel.
Overnight: 4-star Grand New World Hotel in Xi’an
Day 5: Xi’an (B, L)
Have breakfast and then explore this ancient city’s archaeological treasure, the Terracotta Warriors. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features 8,000 life-sized soldiers and horses that were buried in the mausoleum of Emperor Qin to accompany him in the afterlife.
In the afternoon, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, featuring a collection of Buddhist scriptures, statues and relics taken from India about 1,300 years ago.
Next, wander through the historic Muslim Quarter by foot, visit a souvenir shop or factory and then enjoy a wonderful cultural performance at the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show (optional) at night.
Overnight: Same hotel in Xi’an
Day 6: Xi'an -- Chongqing – Yangtze (B, D)
In the morning, say goodbye to Xi’an as you fly to Chongqing. After checking in to your hotel, continue on your guided sightseeing coach tour where you’ll spend time wandering around Ciqikou Old Town with your guide.
After enjoy an early dinner, board a comfortable boat to begin your exciting 2-day cruise along the Yangtze River!
Overnight: 4-star Yangtze River Cruise
Day 7: Yangtze River (B, L, D)
Wake up to beautiful scenery on your Yangtze River cruise as you meander through the heartland of China. Your boat is equipped with standard amenities, ensuring a comfortable, relaxing experience.
At midday, dock and take a trip to Fengdu Ghost City. Explore this necropolis with your guide, learning about how the unique historical buildings and structures provide a model of hell. Afterward, return to your cruise ship and admire the beautiful views as you make your way down the Yangtze River.
Overnight: Same cruise
Day 8: Yangtze River (B, L, D)
Your eighth day will take you through the dramatic Three Gorges and beneath soaring limestone cliffs.
You’ll then hop on a small motorboat and journey along the tranquil, emerald green Daning River, a large tributary of the Yangtze River. Travel through the Lesser Three Gorges and be swarmed in mist–wreathed mountains covered with lush green vegetation. Hop back on the cruise for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Same cruise
Day 9: Yangtze -- Yichang – Shanghai (B, L)
Today, dock to explore the astounding Three Gorges Dam with your guide. You’ll then disembark your cruise in Yichang at noon. If time permits, you’ll enjoy an optional sightseeing tour here.
You’ll then be taken to the Yichang airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis. When you arrive, you have the option to take a cruise on the Huangpu River to soak up amazing nighttimg view of Shanghai.
Overnight: 4-star Howard Johnson Business Club Hotel in Shanghai
Day 10: Shanghai (B, L)
Today, board your sightseeing coach to visit Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple, a Buddhist temple with several Buddha statues in the temple and grand hall.
Then, explore Yuyuan Garden, a 16th-century Ming Dynasty-era private garden and residence. Afterward, wander through a bazaar along Shanghai Old Street and discover what Shanghai was like in the old days. Finally, visit the former French Concession district, an area once owned by the French that still features a distinctive European flair.
Overnight: Same hotel in Shanghai
Day 11: Shanghai (B)
Reminisce over your amazing trip over breakfast before checking out of the hotel to conclude your tour.
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