Best Of China With Yangtze Cruise

Transfer via:  Flight arranged by YOU 
Highlights: Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! Your local guide will escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of today is free for you to explore the vast metropolis on your own.

Highlights: Today's tour begins to visit the Tiananmen Square, the world's largest plaza. Walking through Tiananmen Gate, you'll enter the splendid Forbidden City, China's No.1 palace complex adorned with imperial treasures. In the afternoon, you'll marvel at the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved Chinese imperial garden, also another ‘must see’ site after the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Evening is a Kungfu Show for you to learn Chinese martial art culture. 

Tiananmen Square: is the large plaza near the centre of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history.The Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world (440,000 m² - 880 m by 500 m). It has been the site of many events, among which a gathering of pro-democracy protesters in 1989. The protest ended when hundreds of these protesters were killed by government troops in the streets leading from the square.

Forbidden City: The Forbidden City is also known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum, it was commissioned by the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yong Le. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, but was burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700’s and onwards. The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres, so it takes quite a while to walk through, especially if you want to have a close look at everything. All together there are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the Museum, not all of which can be visited.

Summer Palace: Which is one of the best parks in Beijing city. Originally it was a retreat for emperors to escape the scorching summer heat of Beijing. The Summer Palace was used by emperors for 800 years, but fell into disuse in the 18th century. Then in the 19th century, the Empress Dowager Cixi made massive renovations and restored many buildings using money funneled out from the state treasury.

Kungfu Show: Kung Fu Show is a great show telling a story of Chin Yu entering the monastery and making his way through life to finally becoming the Abbott. There are many demonstrations of Kungfu and strength throughout the show. The costumes and the choreography are great. Unfortunately people are not allowed to take photos nor video it. You can however purchase a DVD of the show. The show lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Highlights: This morning tour will take you to size up the world-famous Great Wall (Mutianyu section which is less crowded，round-way cable car fee is INCLUDED), the key symbol of China. Flexible visiting time allows you to enjoy a lifetime trekking trip (1-2 hours' hiking). On the way to the Great Wall, you may have a distant view of the Olympic sites--Brid's Nest and Water Cube. Afterwards you will have free shopping at the famous Silk Market. In the evening, try the flavorful dish of Peking Roast Duck Dinner. 

Great Wall of Mutianyu section: In the northern part of Huairou County some 70 kilometers north-east of Beijing City, the Mutianyu (Mu Tian Yu) section of the Great Wall stretches its way for over 2 kilometers. This section is well preserved and is a good alternative for visitors who would like to avoid crowds along the highly popular Badaling (Ba Da Ling) section during holiday and peak seasons.

Bird’s Nest: Which is also known as the National Stadium, due to its iconic design was the key competition venue of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic Games. The opening and closing ceremonies of the two Games have taken place here, together with the football, and track and field competitions. The stadium is the world's largest steel structure.

Water Cube: which is also called the National Aquatics Centre, is one of the dramatic and amazing venues to host Beijing Olympics in 2008. This is the first building of its kind in China and it is also an economical and water-saving creation. The structural design is based on the natural formation of soap bubbles which give a random, organic appearance and helping to link the structure to its aquatic function. The swimming pool is deeper than most Olympic swimming pools, allowing swimming at faster speeds, while the gutters to the side of the pool disperse wave energy.  A consequence of this was the breaking of 25 world records during the 2008 Olympics. 

Silk Market: Up until 2005, this market was called Silk Street and had the same location but was an outdoor market. Today, everything is covered by a roof and this market is probably the most visited by foreign tourists in Beijing. Just like HongQiao Pearl Market offers more than pearls, Silk Market offers a lot more than just silk. In the basement floor you'll find shoes, belts, handbags and suitcases etc. On the first and second floors there are mainly designer clothes. Be careful to try on everything you buy here, to be sure you get the right size. Silk products are sold on the third floor: ties, tablecloths, traditional clothes as well as dressing gowns, underwear and many other products made of silk, and children's wear. There are also tailors here, willing to make suits or dresses for tourists that often pay a little more than they should. Floors four and five have jewellery, pearls, Chinese crafts and art, watches, electronics etc. Having walked all the way up here, you'll probably be quite tired of all the yelling salespeople pulling at you. In that case, continue to one of the restaurants on floors five and six, where you can sit down and eat something. 

Transfer via:  Bullet train 1st class seat arranged by us 

Highlights: Today after breakfast, you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperors worshipped heaven and prayed for peace and harvest(if interested, you may fly a kite at the Temple of Heaven). Then you will be escorted to the train station for the train to Xian.Upon arriving in Xian, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.Rest of the day is free for you to explore the city on your own. 

Highlights: This morning you will visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors - a lifetime view of the extraordinary 2200-year-old terra-cotta Army of China' First Emperor-Qin Shihuang., and then pay a visit to the Ceramics Factory to learn the Chinese ceramics culture. Afterwards you will visit the Ancient City Walls - a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xian, you might have a biking tour on the wall by paying addtional RMB45=USD7/per person, it could be very special experience. 

Terracotta Warriors: The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum in Lintong, Xian, Shaanxi Province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

Ancient City Walls: The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi'an is the ancient city wall, which stretches round the old city. The northern side runs parallel to the railway. Xi'an was originally a walled city, and even today the wall is considered a landmark dividing the city into the inner part and the outer part. The city wall is massive - tall, long and thick. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. Having a biking tour on the wall is very special experience.

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us 

Highlights:  After breakfast, you will tour The Shanxi Provincial Museum - a large modern museum of the national level. Then your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax. Evening if time permits, you can walk leisurly around the famous city water system - Two Rivers and Four Lakes for night views.

Shaanxi Provincial Museum: Built at the site of a former Confucian temple in the southern part of Xian, this is the largest comprehensive museum in the province. It exhibits primarily historical relics of past dynasties and displays precious art treasures and stone carvings of the Han and Tang dynasties.

Highlights: After breakfast, you will be driven to Zhujiang Pier (40-minute drive) to start your boat cruise down the picturesque Li River. After checking into your hotel, the rest of today you will cycle to Yangshuo's beautifl countryside, cycling along the famous Yulong River is a fatastic experience to enjoy the countryside views. You will also pay a short visit to a local farmer's house to learn their daily life.                                                                     

Li River Cruise: Cruising on Li River is always a pleased thing. You can breathe the fresh air, feel gentle breeze and appreciate the fabulous landscape on both sides of Li River. In spring, tourists may stand on the front of a boat and let the mizzle falls onto their faces. It is really a wonderful experience. "I have visited more than 80 countries and over a hundred cities. I have found that no city can surpass the beauty of Guilin. Guilin is really a bright pearl in China." said the former US president Richard Nixon. Besides, former US president Bill Clinton and George Bush, Comrade Deng Xiaoping and former Chinese president Jiang Zemin ever cruised on Li River. Mostly the cruise starts from Zhujiang Wharf. It is about 40 minutes drive from Guilin city. And then 4 to 5 hours cruise will take you to a beautiful and sedate ancient city - Yangshuo. 

Note: Recommended paid add-on show: <<Impression Third Sister Liu>>, website:www.yxlsj.com/english/index.asp , Price: RMB280=USD45/per person for basic seat. (we do not include it because the availability is subject to the weather.)

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us

Highlights: Drive 1.5 hours back to Guilin. you will pay a visit to the fabulous Reed Flute Cave to witness the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone flowers with various shapes and experienced millions of years erosion. Then be escorted to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. Welcome to Chengdu - home of giant pandas. Upon arrival, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Rest of the day will be free for you to relax. 

Reed Flute Cave: The Reed Flute Cave is one of Guilin's most popular attractions. A natural cave carved out of the karst limestone mountains over millions of years, today tourists go through the artificially lit cavern and wonder at the amazing formations and underground lakes.

Highlights: On this day, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, followed by a trip to the Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time sitting in its tea house enjoying a cup of traditional Chinese tea and absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu and Jinli Old Street.                   

Chengdu Panda Base: The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is about 10 km away from downtown Chengdu, and it can be reached in about 35 minutes by taxi. The Giant Panda Museum is located at the base, and it is the world’s only museum that focuses entirely on the critically endangered giant panda. The museum’s collection includes displays of panda habitat and of pictures of pandas, and there are many scientific displays that give visitors a comprehensive education on their characteristics, habitat and distribution in the wild, and China’s conservation and breeding efforts. The museum also exhibits books and scientific literature that authors around the world have written about giant pandas throughout history. 

Wenshu Temple: The Wenshu Temple is a famous Buddhist temple located in the northwest of Chengdu. Its predecessor was the Tang Dynasty Miaoyuan Pagoda Temple, which was renamed “Xinxiang Temple” in the Song Dynasty. Later it was destroyed in war. It is said in the Qing Dynasty red light was reported to have appeared at the place. The government officers then assigned personnel to find out about it. And it was discovered that the image of Bodhisattva Manjusri (Wen Shu) appeared in the red light. So in the 36th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1697), fund was raised to rebuild the temple, which has been since then named the Wenshu Temple. There were two Chinese characters “Kong Lin” (empty forest) autographed by Emperor Kangxi, together with an imperial seal inscribed with “Konglin Chici (Kong Lin bestowed by the Emperor)”. Emperor Kangxi’s writing is still kept in the temple. 

Jinlin Old Street: Jinli Old Street is one of the oldest shopping streets in Sichuan Province, and it can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms Period, over 1,800 years ago.  Being one of the oldest commercial streets in China, Jinli Old Street is also a great place for people to fully appreciate Sichuan's customs, and folk arts. Visitors can try the indigenous foods and snacks, witness paper-cutting, clay figurines, and Shu embroidery.    

Transfer via:  High speed train 1st class seat arranged by us

Highlights: Today you will be free until your guide escorts you to the train station for the bullet train to Chongqing. Welcome to Chongqing! Upon arrival, be met by our tour guide and escorted to visit Ciqikou Old Town, Eling Park, Three Gorges Museum. Then board your lifetime Yangtze cruise around 20:00. (Note: The cruise itinerary below is for your reference only, the ship will give). 

Ciqikou Old Town: Perched on a hill overlooking the Jialing River in the west of the city, Ciqikou Old Town, which means Porcelain Village in Chinese, dates back to the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). You will see lots of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, local shops, tea houses, local Sichuan street performance and more.

Eling Park: Located on the Eling Mountain of western side of Chongqing City, the Eling Park is one of the old private gardens in the city. The Jialing River and the Yangtze River are flowing at the foot of the park from south and north. The topography of the Eling Mountain is very high and steep standing toweringly at the gate of the mountain city - Chongqing as if it was guiding for the mountain city. Due to its relatively high altitude; there you can have a bird's eye view of the whole city.

Three Gorges Museum: Opened in 2005. Chongqing Three Gorges Museum is the largest monographic museum in China occupies 40,000 square meters. The exterior of the museum has cambered walls and vitreous dome, representing the history & culture of Three Gorges Project and its origins. It is near People’s Square and the Great Hall of the People. It is also called the Chongqing Museum.

Important Note

1)                  The cruise itinerary is for your reference only, it is subject to change due to weather conditions, water level, navigation and seasonal conditions. Shore excursion might change depending on the river condition. The ship staff will send you the accurate cruise itinerary when checking in.

2)                  There is a mandatory cruise tip of RMB150=USD25/per person will be paid by you at the ship front desk when checking in.

3)                  There will be 1-2 options shore excursions which you can choose to join in or not, the cost is RMB280=USD41/per person per shore excursion

Highlights: Today is the shore excursion to visit Fengdu Ghost City. This ancient complex is full of shrines to the gods of the underworld. Surrounded by misty mountains, this area was revered as a crossing-over point, a mix of the material and spiritual worlds. On this day, you will also enjoy Captain’s Farewell Party, Chinese Folk Dance and other cultural activities onboard.

Highlights: Today you will take smaller vessel to visit Shennv Stream. Shennv Stream, also called Goddess Stream, is an original virgin valley of Yangtze River where you could not only see the beautiful and legendary gorges, hanging coffins, but also enjoy local sampan trip and Tujia minority culture.  

Transfer via:  Flight arranged by us 

Highlights: Today you will have a shore excursion to visit the well-known Three Gorges Dam. As the biggest hydropower project in the world, the dam provides tremendous power generation and flood control service. Visit the Tanziling Park, Gorges Exhibition and have close look at the dam to know better of the largest construction projects.  The ship will keep sailing to Yichang Pier for disembarkation; you will arrive in Yichang around 13:00-13:30. Then be met by our driver (no guide) and escorted to airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon your Shanghai arrival, be met by our guide and escorted to hotel.

Highlights: After breakfast, you’ll visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, a must-see for all true Shanghainophiles to witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. Continued is a tour to the beautiful Yu Garden, a pleasant enough, well-contained classical Chinese garden, and savor some local flavor snacks at the Yu Garden Bazaar. Continued you will pay a visit to a Silk Factory to learn the Chinese silk culture. Then ascend the Jinmao Tower to get an amazing bird’s eye view of this metropolis.

Shanghai Urban Planning and Exhibition Center: If you want to see what a city of the future is really going to look like, come and visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center on the eastern end of People's Square. Housed in a striking modern five-story building made of microlite glass, this is one of the world's largest showcases of urban development and is much more interesting than its dry name suggests. The highlight is on the third floor: an awesome vast scale model of urban Shanghai as it will look in a couple of decades, a master plan full of endless skyscrapers punctuated occasionally by patches of green. The clear plastic models indicate structures yet to be built, and there are many of them.

Yu Garden: Yuyuan Garden (Happy Garden) is one of the highlights of Shanghai. It isbelieved to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago, with an exquisite layout and beautiful scenery. The inner and outer gardens were both built in the Ming Dynasty classical style, with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and zigzagging bridges separating various garden areas and pavilions. It is in the center of Shanghai's Old City, a few blocks south of the Bund. The surrounding bazaar area has good shopping opportunities for traditional Chinese products, gold, and jewels.

Transfer via:  Flight arranged by YOU  

Highlights: After breakfast, head to the famous Bund to witness Shanghai’s skyline, and stroll along China's No.1 shopping street, Nanjing Road. Then be escorted to the airport for the flight home.

The Bund: is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The area centres on a section of Zhongshan Road (East-1 Zhongshan Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River, facing Pudong, in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. Building heights are restricted in this area.

Nanjing Road: China's premier shopping street, 3.4-mile-long Nanjing Road, starts at the Bund in the east and ends in the west at the junction of Jing'an Temple and Yan'an West Street. Today it is a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world.