Chengdu & Yangtze Cruise

As soon as your flight lands in Beijing today, our guide is already at the airport waiting for you. He or she will hold a welcome board with your name on it. Together with the driver, they will then transfer you to the hotel.

The rest of day will be on your own arrangement. You can either have a rest at the hotel to recover from jet leg or take a stroll nearby. Should you need any information on how to plan your free time, you may just seek advice from the tour guide.

Your 13 days China tour package begins this morning with a stroll on Tiananmen Square - the largest urban square in the world. Afterwards, follow the guide to walk northward to reach the Forbidden City, where emperors of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties lived and dealt with state affairs. 

► What's a day really like of an imperial concubine in the Forbidden City?
The concubines of the emperor enjoyed a “happy” five-to-nine life in Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 AD), for decades as one day. They needed to get up at about 5:00 am, to get dressed in strict hierarchy, served by eunuchs and maids. Their clothes, with jewelries and headwear, varied according to their classes; the lower the class, the plainer of their clothing. When they came to send their respects to the empress at 6:00, those concubines who made mistakes would be punished. After the nervous meeting, they would enjoy a free day from having their breakfast separately, and then drop around the harem or intrigue against each other. After dinner and bathing, most concubines could fall asleep, but the one whom the emperor was to have sex with would be summoned and sent back her residence later.

At noon, we will offer you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very nice local restaurant, where you can also order the famous Peking Roast Duck if you'd like to have a try.

In the afternoon, our guide will take you to visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors worshiped the God of Heaven and prayed for good harvests. After that, you will experience a rickshaw ride in the Hutong tour, where you can see narrow lanes, traditional houses and local people's life. If interested, you may also try various local foods there.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch

Today is a big day for you. You will be accompanied by our local professional guide to one of the greatest world heritage sites - the Great Wall at Mutianyu section. Like a dragon twining on the mountain, this part of the Great Wall looks grand and spectacular, with multicolored mountain scenery in different seasons. You will hike on the wall for about 2 hours or more, and we have arranged a round trip cable car for you to save your energy from climbing the drastic up and down. A toboggan down is also available for an alternative arrangement.

We leave lunch on your own as there is no quality restaurant nearby. However, a western style fast food or a simple Chinese meal can be easily found at the foot of the wall.

Later, on the way back to downtown, we will drive by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium). You will see its appearance from a distance. Then, you will be taken to a featured local market and enjoy some free time there to relax.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

On your last day in Beijing, our guide will accompany you to visit the Summer Palace in the morning. It is one of the best royal gardens in China and also a great place to relax. Then, have lunch on your own and the guide will be glad to assist.

In the afternoon, our guide will see you off and help you board on a high-speed train to Xi'an. The high-speed trains are clean, comfortable and can take you to Xi'an in about 4.5 hours. When you arrive, our Xi'an guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel and help you check in.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, you will spend the whole morning visiting the world famous Terracotta Army Museum. There are altogether three pits here and you can have a close observation of the warrior figures. Try to find out whether it is true or not that they are all different from each other. Lunch is on your own, but your guide will give you suggestions on good local foods near the site.

In the afternoon, we drive back to downtown Xi'an to visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, one of the four best and largest museums in China. After that, continue the visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous local Buddhist site dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

This morning, follow our guide to visit the landmark of Xi'an, the ancient City Wall. The wall is 12 meters high and 15 meters wide at the top. It is very popular to ride bicycles on the wall and see different city views. If you want to experience, the guide will help you rent a bike there. If you prefer more relaxing, you could take a sightseeing car at your own expense to travel around the wall or take short walk there. Then, visit the Great Mosque in the city center's Muslim Quarters and enjoy some time to explore the famous Muslim bazaar, where you can have a simple lunch on your own. 

This afternoon, you will take a high-speed train to Chengdu, which takes around 4 hours. Our Chengdu guide and driver will wait for you at the exit of the railway station and help you settle down in a decent hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today comes the highlight of your China panda tour! Our local guide will take you to visit the cute pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Located a bit far from the noisy urban area, the Panda Base is quiet and planted with various kinds of bamboos. Pandas dwelling here include grownups, youths and babies. We will arrive early in the morning, when the pandas are most active. You can watch them having their bamboo breakfast, having fun with each other, climbing trees, or sleeping comfortably in their villas. There is also a panda hospital, delivery rooms, a museum, and a 4D cinema for you to know more about these cute creatures.

Afterwards, the guide will take you to the Wide and Narrow Alley to feel the daily lives of the Chengdu people, taste local snacks, and appreciate local art crafts. The schedule today will end with a visit to the Jinsha Site Museum, which was built to exhibit the history and culture of Chengdu.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

This morning will be spared for your own arrangement. You can either explore Chengdu more deeply or replenish energy for following days' travel. Our guide will be glad to offer you some helpful information. In the afternoon, you will take a bullet train to Chongqing for around 2 hours. Upon your arrival, our local guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to board the Yangtze River cruise ship. One thing to be noted is that dinner is not offered on the President ship tonight and you are suggested to dine downtown before getting onboard. While for New Century Cruise ship, you will have a buffet dinner that is provided on board. Your memorable Yangtze River cruise tour will begin as the ship departs at around 21:30. It will be the most relaxing journey in your 13 days China itinerary.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The cruise guide will introduce the cruise itinerary in both Chinese and English this morning or the night before. Every day, you will have a detailed time schedule for each day's activity arrangements. Following the schedule you will have your meals at the appointed restaurant, join the culture activities that the cruise company holds, or take the onshore excursions for sightseeing tours.

In the morning, guests on New Century Cruises will disembark to visit the Ghost City of Fengdu. Here, you will not only see many old-style buildings and statues of legendary figures but also learn about the unique Chinese ghost culture. Then the afternoon will be on your own. You can take a seat on the deck to appreciate the gorgeous hills, take photos, or just enjoy the sunshine. For people who take President Cruises, you will be arranged to visit the Shuangguishan National Forest Park. Tonight, the captain will hold a welcome party and the staff will give fantastic performances.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today will be the highlight of the cruise as the ship will sail by the well-known Yangtze River Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. The lofty peaks, clear water, dense woods, and residences along the river form a picturesque scene in front of you. When sailing by the Qutang Gorge, do not miss the scene on the RMB10 note. When sailing to the border of the Wu and Xiling Gorges, you will change to a motorized ferry to have a 3-4 hours' cruise into the Shennv Stream or the Shennong Stream. In this way, you can have a close visit to the beautiful karst landscape. If visibility is good, you could see hanging coffins and inscriptions on cliffs by ancient people. Later, when getting onboard the original cruise ship, we will sail into the Xiling Gorge, the most splendid among the three.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you will check out from the ship and disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam, presently the world's largest hydropower project. Afterwards, the cruise ship company will drive you to the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang city. Our local guide and driver will meet you there and transfer you directly to the railway station for a bullet train to Shanghai. The train trip takes around 7.5 hours. Upon arrival, you will see our Shanghai guide there waiting for you. He/she will accompany you to the hotel and help you settle in.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today's private trip will start with a visit to Shanghai Museum, specializing in bronze wares, ceramics, and Chinese calligraphies and paintings. Afterwards, the guide will take you to visit the Yu Garden, a typical Chinese private garden boasting ponds, rockworks, and traditional architecture. 

At noon, we arrange an a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price), where you can enjoy authentic Shanghai and Cantonese cuisines. 

After a stroll on the beautiful Bund with architecture in western styles, and a cruise on the Huangpu River for about an hour, the guide will lead you to Tianzifang, a cultural block combining artistic studios, exotic restaurants and bars.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch

Your private China tour ends today as our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport and help you board the homebound flight. Farewell to you and welcome to China again!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast