11 Days China Explorer & Cruise

Day 1 Arrival in Beijing

Today’s ActivitiesUpon your arrival, our local tour guide will meet you at the airport or train station and escort you to the hotel. You are free to arrange your time for today, whether to have a good rest at the hotel, or to ramble around to get some impression of the city.

Day 2 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s ActivitiesAs a symbol of the nation, this world’s largest city square – Tian’anmen Square is surely not to be missed during your tour in Beijing.

Another top feature of today’s itinerary is the Forbidden City, one of the world’s most beautiful architectural complexes serving as China’s imperial palace for almost five centuries. It’s the best-preserved collection of imperial architecture in China. You can just allow yourself among the massive scale and majestic design and numerous historical antiques, and feel the History around you.

Apart from the imperial culture, there is also a populace culture at the heart and soul of Beijing – Hutong Culture. Taking a rickshaw tour through the narrow alleyways and deep courtyards is like traveling back in time and exploring the life of local residents.

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s ActivitiesVisit the Temple of Heaven, a complex of Taoist which was visited by Emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties for annual Heaven worship for good harvest. Follow the special layout and try to get known of the cosmic harmonies carried by the complex.

You will also be led to a hiking tour on the magnificent Badaling Great Wall, which is the most popular section of the Great Wall and is about 3,741m (12,273ft) in length with an average height of 7.8m (25.6ft).

On your way back to the hotel, you can have an exterior view of the modern-styled Olympic Stadiums Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.

Day 4 Beijing – Xi’an (Breakfast, Lunch) Transferred by Flight

Today’s ActivitiesTake a tour to the once imperial summer getaway – Summer Palace for catching a lasting impression of this splendid classical garden. After that you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to another ancient capital – Xi’an. Our local tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel.

Day 5 Xi’an (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s ActivitiesThe most known attraction of Xi’an City – Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is surely on your visit-list. As the eighth wonder of the ancient world, these over 2,200-year-old oriental mummies await you to discover its mystery.

Another must-see for Xi’an City is the Great Mosque, which is one of the largest and best preserved early mosques in China. A special blend of Chinese architectural elements and mosque architecture is of course well worth seeing.

Also an exploration of the local Muslim community at the Muslim Quarter, where a great quantity of exotic shops and savory restaurants stand in lines for your visit.

Day 6 Xi’an – Chongqing (Breakfast, Lunch) Transferred by Flight, Cruise Boarding

Today’s ActivitiesTake a walk on the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall, one emblem of this ancient capital city and one of the largest well-preserved ancient military defensive systems in the world. Then have a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, where you can take an extensive view of China’s changes in the past 5,000 years.

After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport heading for Chongqing. Our local guide will pick you up and send you to the port for cruise boarding.

Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today’s ActivitiesStart your cruise tour on the mighty Yangtze River today! Enjoy the marvelous scenery along way and spend some time for a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City to explore a special and fabulous ghost culture.

Various free activities including welcoming banquet and dancing shows will also be held on the cruise for your entertainment. (Different cruise will have different activities, e.g. Taichi Learning, Fashion Show, Music Salon, etc.)

Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today’s ActivitiesGo on with your cruise tour along China’s longest river Yangtze, passing through the breathtaking gorges. Steep precipices, hidden reefs, perilous cliff and tumbling rapids… all are on your way along Yangtze River! You will also tour past Shennong Stream or the Lesser Three Gorges depending on different cruise itineraries.

(Different cruise will have different activities, e.g. Taichi Learning, Face Changing of Sichuan Opera, Crew Performance, etc.)

Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise – Yichang – Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s ActivitiesToday is the last day on the cruise and you will tour pass the largest hydroelectric power project in the world – the majestic Three Gorges Dam.

Upon arrival at Yichang Port, you will be transfer to the airport for a flight heading to Shanghai. Local tour guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel for rest.

Day 10 Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today’s ActivitiesSet out for an energetic day at this pulsing metropolitan city Shanghai! Begin with the over 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden, which is famed as “An Architectural Miracle in the Region South of Yangtze River”, then move to the neighboring Yuyuan Market (or Yuyuan Bazaar), which is a lively market specializing in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

Nanjing Road, the earliest and most prosperous shopping street in Shanghai offers you with all kinds of all-in-one shopping malls and savory restaurants.

Another must-do in Shanghai is a visit to the symbol of the city – the world-famous Oriental Pearl Tower, which is located on the bank of Huangpu River, just opposite of The Bund. It’s also where the Shanghai Municipal History Museum lies.

Of course you won’t miss another symbolic landmark of Shanghai – The Bund, where you can embrace the best cityscape of Shanghai. The famous restaurants on top of The Bund No.3 and No.5 are highly recommended for your dinner choices.

Day 11 Depart Shanghai (Breakfast)

Today’s ActivitiesThe last day of your tour is free for your own arrangement. You can go shopping for some souvenirs or just stay in the hotel and prepare your package. Later our tour guide will take you to the airport for you flight to next destination.