China Essential Tour with Yangtze

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Beijing

  Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! Once you arrive at the airport, your guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to adjust to the new time zone or stroll around on your own.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing

  After breakfast, you will step in the wondrous Forbidden City after entering through the Tiananmen Square. The City was the home of Chinese royalty and you can trace its gorgeous history from the well-preserved majestic palaces and valued collections.

  In the late afternoon, take a rickshaw into the hutongs to see the daily life of old Beijing. A pearl store will be the last spot before driving back to the hotel.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing

  Early in the morning, you will head for the Temple of Heaven, the largest surviving sacrificial complex in ancient China, where many local people do morning exercise and you can learn Tai Chi from one local practiced expert as well.

  The highlight of today is the Great Wall, a series of fortifications built in ancient time to defend against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups. You will explore the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section (including round-trip cable cars), the part can amaze you with its magnificent landscape while keeping away from the crowd.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

  Before flying to the next destination, you will admire the Summer Palace with stunning scenery, beautiful architecture and rich history, which is the largest and most well-preserved imperial summer resort of the late Qing Dynasty.

  On your arrival in Xi'an, your guide will meet you at the airport, and a comfortable private transfer will take you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 5: Xi'an

  This morning, you will have an amazing experience at Terracotta Warriors and Horses, where there is a terracotta army consistinh of over 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses guarding the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang for 2,200 years.

  In the afternoon, stroll around the Ancient City Walls to have a nice panoramic view of the city, which will touch your heart with its historic atmosphere. Later, through a Jade Gallery turn to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the historic landmarks of Xi'an.

  Optional: If you want to know more about ancient culture's peak time of China, the evening Tang Dynasty Show will be an ideal option.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 6: Xi'an - Chongqing

  A morning excursion will take you to the Muslim Street, which is the home of the Muslim community in Xi'an, and is filled with hundreds of shops hawking traditional crafts and local food. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

  When arriving in Chongqing, you will be met and escorted to the dock to embark on the Yangtze River Cruise (departure time is 9:00 pm).

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  • Chongqing

• Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise

  Today, the unique scenery of Yangtze River will be unveiled in front of you. First shore excursion will be the Fengdu Ghost City, a place consists of a large complex of shrines, temples and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife. Get a good understanding about the culture of ghost in China from multifarious statues of ghosts and devils.

  Later, re-board the ship to join in various activities the cruise company offers. Generally, the captain will invite you to the welcome party in the evening. So get dressed to enjoy this staff's hospitality with new friends.

  Note: Actual shore excursions will be subject to the arrangement of individual cruise company.

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  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise

  The climax of your Yangtze River Cruise is coming today. Take an interesting sampan adventure in Lesser Three Gorges where you can immerse yourself in the amazing scenery along the route with towering mountains, appalling cliffs, and thriving groves on both sides. After dinner, the ballroom will be one of the best choices for amusement.

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  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 9: Yichang - Shanghai

  Today your Yangtze cruise will end with the famous Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam project and hydropower station in the world. Go through the locks and take pictures in the background of the dam. Your local guide is ready to meet you at the pier. Continue on to walk around the Riverside Park with fresh breeze and watch the Chinese sturgeon, named a "national treasure" like giant panda, in the Chinese Sturgeon Park.

  Later, set out for your flight to Shanghai, known as the "Paris in the East". Upon arrival, a comfortable transfer will take you to the hotel for check-in.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 10: Shanghai

  Your tour of Shanghai will begin with the Shanghai Museum. Continue to the Jiangnan Silk Workshop, where the process of making silk from a cocoon will amaze you. As a typical ancient Chinese garden dating back to 400 years, Yu Garden is never to be missed. Close by is the Yuyuan Market, one of the best places to get a feel for local life.

  In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Bund. Enjoy the view of the old European style buildings on one side and the modern buildings on the other. Later, go to the French Concession for traces of local people's daily life. The last stop is Xintiandi, where you can have a relaxing walk and experience the vibrant Shanghai.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 11: Saying goodbye to Shanghai

  Today, you will have a chance to explore Shanghai on your own before turning to the airport for your homeward flight.

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