Discover China on this comprehensive adventure, which includes China’s most impressive landmarks and a grand introduction to the nation’s culture.
Discover China from the Great Wall of China to the Yangtze River. This 14-day voyage begins in the vibrant city of Beijing. We visit places like Tiananmen City, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, and the Temple of Heaven.
The tour continues to Xi’an by train. Here we enjoy a look at the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner. In Chengdu, the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute offers a rare glimpse at Asia’s most majestic animal.
We travel the Yangtze River and make stops in Yichang and Wuhan before arriving in the bustling city of Shanghai. The culture is simply unbelievable, and we soak it in through a tour and visits to famed landmarks. Unforgettable experiences await at every turn on this tour.
Highlights
– Tours of Beijing, Xi’an, Suzhou, and Shanghai
– Visit the Great Wall of China
– See the Terracotta Warriors
– Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Institute
– Wuhan’s Yellow Crane Tower excursion
Day 1 – Beijing
Arrive in the dynamic Chinese capital of Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Beijing is one of the world’s greatest cities, with futuristic skyscrapers beside ancient wonders. Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at your hotel for a welcome drink followed by dinner. —overnight Beijing.
Day 2 – Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City
As we discover china today, we discover the sights and sounds of China’s vibrant capital. We begin by visiting the impressive Tiananmen Square. At over 4 million square feet, it is the largest city square in the world. This remarkable public space also acts as the gateway to the Forbidden City, which we visit next. The palace complex was built in the 15th century as the Imperial household. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discover its historic pagodas and traditional Chinese palace buildings.
We continue to a local tea house, where we experience one of China’s oldest traditions in authentic surroundings. Next, we explore the sprawling Summer Palace, set in a beautiful spot surrounded by lakes and gardens. —overnight Beijing.
Day 3 – The Great Wall of China
We visit the world-famous Great Wall of China today. This masterpiece stretches thousands of miles through deserts and mountain passes, and across plains and plateaus. We visit the Mutianyu section, a beautifully preserved stretch that offers incredible views over the seemingly endless mountain scenery. After ascending by cable car, we admire the sheer scale of one of the greatest human-made wonders of all time.
Continue to a cloisonne factory for a guided tour, learning about the intricate art of Chinese enamel cloisonne. It is made by embedding gold or powdered minerals on ceramics. We also see the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest, the main arenas used in the 2008 Olympic Games. We end the day with a delicious Peking duck dinner. This dinner is a traditional local dish popular in the city since the Imperial era. —overnight Beijing.
Days 4 – Temple of Heaven & Train to Xi’an
We begin our day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a beautiful tower in central Beijing. In the afternoon, we leave Beijing behind and join the rail service to Xi’an. We get to experience the fast, sleek, and modern trains that China is known for. Our journey on the high-speed train takes us through the beautiful landscapes of rural China.
After transferring to our hotel in Xi’an, the evening is free to begin exploring on your own. —overnight Xi’an.
Day 5 – Terracotta Warriors
Today we discover the famous Terracotta Warriors – one of the world’s most fantastic archaeological finds. The 6,000 figures – all with unique features – were buried in 210 BC yet only discovered in 1974 by local farmers. The life-sized statues were built as part of an elaborate tomb of the Qin Emperor. They are believed to protect him in death just as his real army had in life. Built on an incredible scale, the soldiers – all grouped in rank order – are a truly breathtaking sight. Later, we discover more of the walled city of Xi’an, taking in the Great Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Discover China and also see the city’s lively bazaar and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It dates to the 8th century and is a leading example of Tang Dynasty architecture.
Enjoy a dumpling-making lesson this afternoon, learning how to make delicious local dumplings. This evening, we sample this local specialty as we sit down at a traditional dumpling banquet. —overnight Xi’an.
Days 6 – To Chengdu by Train
Our day begins with a shopping stop, where you may find some lovely jade products. After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel on the new high-speed rail service from Xi’an to Chengdu. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. —overnight Chengdu.
Day 7 – Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute
Next, visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute. It is over 200 acres and is now home to more than 100 of these magnificent creatures. The project allows us to see the giant panda, an enchanting and rare animal, at close quarters. We then return to Chengdu for some sightseeing. We see the Wenshu Monastery, one of China’s most exemplary Buddhist structures, and the historic teak buildings on Jinli Street. —overnight Chengdu.
Day 8 – Tea Tasting & the Yangtze River
This morning, we head to Renmin Park or the People’s Park. This park is the venue for various local cultural activities, boasting artful landscaping, bonsais, and two tea houses. Afterward, we enjoy a traditional aspect of China with a tasting in one of the local tea houses. Later, we transfer to the station for the high-speed bullet train service to Chongqing, situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Here, we board our luxurious 5-Star Century river cruise vessel for our three-night cruise along the Yangtze River and its dramatic scenery.—overnight ship.
Day 9 – Fengdu
We start the day with tea, coffee, and pastries; then, we rejuvenate ourselves with a Tai Chi session on board. After the ship moors, there is an option to visit the Fengdu ghost town (payable locally), a temple complex dedicated to the afterlife. This afternoon we visit the stunning Shibaozhai Pagoda, rising twelve stories up a sheer cliff face. This evening, we attend the Captain’s Banquet on board and enjoy a cabaret performance by the crew. —overnight ship.
Day 10 – Yangtze River Cruise
There is an option of visiting the temples of the White Emperor City (payable locally) this morning. Our cruise continues through the scenic locales of Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge before we make a shore excursion to Shennong Stream. Here, the cliff sides soar steeply away from the near-emerald waters of this beautiful waterway, a truly breathtaking sight. —overnight ship.
Day 11 – Three Gorges Dam/To Shanghai
We disembark at Yichang today, where there’s an optional tour of the Three Gorges Dam (payable locally). After lunch, we take a flight to Shanghai, where we spend three nights. One of China’s most exciting and contemporary cities, Shanghai is a city in which old collides with new; the Bund region harks back to the emergence of the town in the 1920s, while the east of the city boasts an ultra-modern vibe with a booming financial district. —overnight Shanghai.
Day 12 – Shanghai Sightseeing
Today’s guided tour of Shanghai takes us to the city’s historic Yu Gardens, where we enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. We also visit the bazaar, where we stroll amongst traditional shops selling a host of enticing goods and through streets where vibrant street performers play. After lunch in a local restaurant, we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a beautiful, tranquil temple and active Buddhist monastery. —overnight Shanghai.
Day 13 – Shanghai Museum & French Concession
Today takes us to discover China via the Shanghai Museum to admire the fascinating Chinese artifacts in the collections, including ancient coins from the Silk Road. Next, we head out to explore the Bund, seeing the waterfront bordered by some iconic buildings that define futuristic Shanghai.
We have a little free time on Nanjing Road, one of the world’s most famous shopping streets, to look around and grab lunch. Afterward, we visit the beautiful French Concession, a former foreign settlement full of leafy boulevards and European-style buildings. This evening we round off our stay in lively Shanghai with a cruise along the Huangpu River, taking in the brightly lit cityscape while we enjoy dinner onboard. —overnight Shanghai.
Days 14 – Tour Conclusion
Your tour concludes after breakfast with a private transfer to the Shanghai airport.
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