12 Days Beijing, Xian, Yangtze River, Wuhan & Shanghai Tour

This tour highlights famous landmarks and most popular cities to offer a dazzling China from ancient sights to modern marvels, from natural beauty to manmade wonders. Also a leisurely Yangtze River Cruise to enjoy!

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Welcome to Beijing! Clear the customs and retrieve your baggage by yourself upon arrival, be greeted by our tour guide in the Arrival Hall who is holding a sign on which says your name; transferred by your private car/van to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is your own time.

Day 2 Beijing ( B, L )

Today you will first visit the world’s biggest city plaza, the Tiananmen Square; then walk to the marvelous “Egg” (National Centre for the Performing Arts) to take some pictures from its outside; subsequently, go to the Forbidden City, the most complete imperial palace in China; and later proceed to the impressive Temple of Heaven. After the sightseeing tour, be driven back to your hotel

Day 3 Beijing ( B, L,D )

After breakfast, drive to the Badaling Great Wall (about 80 km, 1.5hours) where you will experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. For lunch you’ll sample some delicious fare in a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Sacred Way and Changling, one of the Ming Tombs; on the way back to your hotel, you might make a stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to take some photos of the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube from the outside.

Feel a little bit tired? Not to worry! We will arrange a foot massage (free of charge) for you, just relax and enjoy it! With a Peking Roast Duck dinner you will complete today’s tour!

Day 4Beijing & Flight to Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, you will marvel at the exquisite Summer Palace, the imperial garden.

Then head to visit the Drum Tower dating from 1420. Ascending the big Drum Tower, you will have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding communities of Hutongs and Siheyuan from here. And then move on to an ordinary family courtyard home for a tea break. Afterwards, take a rickshaw to visit the most famous Hutongs keeping the original layout in the Shichahai area. Then move on to the Prince Gong’s Mansion.

After the tour, our guide will escort you to the airport and take the flight to Xian.

Day 5 Xian (B, L, D)

In the morning be picked up at your hotel then driven to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses; the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, It is one of the most popular tourist spots not to be missed by any visitor to China. After lunch, move on to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall; enjoy the local specialty Dumpling Dinner served in a fine restaurant in the evening.

Day 6 Flight to Chongqing from Xian (B, L)

Today will be free until your guide picks you up to the airport and flight to Chongqing. After arriving in Chongqing city be met and transferred to the Chongqing downtown. Your tour guide and driver will take you to the Chongqing zoo to see the Giant Panda, and then visit the Ciqikou Old Town, if time permits.

Then, you’ll be transferred to the Cruise pier, and board the ship in the late afternoon. Your lifetime Yangtze River Cruise starts in Chongqing. (Note: the boarding time changes based on the cruise ships, season, water level, weather, etc.)

Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Shore excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City to check why it has been regarded as the “City of Ghosts”. It is where the devil lives according to Chinese legend. The temples built on Ming Mountain show punish instruments and demon paintings, depicting the Chinese people’s imagination of hell.

Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Shibaozhai Pagoda. Shibaozhai, like a pearl on Yangtze River, is 278 kilometers away from Chongqing. As the gem of Chinese Architecture, the 12-story, 18th Century red wooden temple is an architectural delight full of Legends and beautiful stories. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!

Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels.

The Lesser Three Gorges, like a shining pearl hiddden in remote mountains, are much smaller, narrower and have some dramatic scenery to offer. That is the most splendid river adventure throughout China for you.

Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursion to the Shennong Stream. Shennong Stream is a collection of local culture. The nature scenery, boat tracker, local sampan, ancient hanging coffins, unique ethnic minority Tujia culture… all is worth your exploration. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!

Day 9 Yichang & D-train to Wuhan from Yichang (B, L)

Today’s highlight is a morning excursion to Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project, located at the middle of Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You will marvel at this gigantic dam from different angles, learn more of the background history of the Three Gorges Dam Project and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscape and scenery.

After the dam visiting, you’ll take the bus arranged by the cruise company heading to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for leave. Here you will be pick up by our local guide in Yichang at about 12:30. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to the Yichang East Railway Station to catch the 2-hour high speed train to Wuhan.

After arrival in Wuhan, our local tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Wuhan. Rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful city on your own.

Day 10 Wuhan – Shanghai (B, L)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll first visit Hubei Provincial Museum. Founded in 1953, Hubei Provincial Museum has 6.5 hectares with 200,000 exquisite items include bronze, jade and lacquer work, porcelain and paintings. You can enjoy a performance of chime bells, stone chimes and other ancient instruments. The museum is a window to explore Chinese history.

Later, head to the Heptachord Terrace (Guqin Tai), located on the south bank of Moon Lake, near the western foot of Tortoise Hill. It is the beautiful site with great layout where you could appreciate the sincere friendship between Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi in Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.).

Lastly, transfer to Yellow Crane Tower, one of the most renowned towers south of the Yangtze River. It enjoys the fame of “The First Scenery under Heaven”. And its cultural significance led to its being made the symbol of Wuhan City.

After the tour, your guide and escort you to Wuhan Aiport to catch the flight to Shanghai. Stay overnight in Shanghai.

Day 11 Shanghai (B, L)

Today after breakfast, our guide and driver will escort you to 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.

Later you will be taken to visit the 400-year-old Yu Garden – the representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. Out from Yuyuan Garden, move to Yuyuan Bazaar to explore how elaborate and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and savor some local flavor snacks here…And then drive to Pudong New Area to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Shanghai from the Jinmao Tower.

Followed a trip to a silk factory to see how silk is produced from the cocoons of silk worms, and turned into the beautiful fabric we all know and love.

Evening ideas: To maximize your enjoyment of Shanghai, in the evening, you can watch an awesome Acrobatic Show. (Optional)

Day 12 Shanghai Departure (B)

After breakfast, head to the famous Bund to witness Shanghai’s skyline, and stroll along China’s No.1 shopping street – Nanjing Road.

Then continue to Jade Buddha Temple to admire the largest jade Buddha in the world and exquisite religious artifacts.

Being free until transferred to the airport or train station to take the flight or train to your next destination or back to home. Service ends.