China Essence Tour with Chongqing & Yangtze Cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing Arrival

  Welcome to Beijing, China's vibrant capital and cultural heart.

  Upon arrival at the airport, your personal guide will meet you at the exit and escort you by private vehicle to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind, adjust to the time difference, or explore the city at your leisure.

  • Beijing Hotel
    
    

• Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace

  Begin your day in historic Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of modern China. Just steps away lies the majestic Forbidden City, where imperial architecture and centuries-old relics bring dynastic history to life.

  In the afternoon, wander the tranquil gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace. If weather permits, enjoy a peaceful boat ride across Kunming Lake.

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• Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall

  No visit to China is complete without a walk on the Great Wall. This morning, travel to the Mutianyu section, a scenic and less crowded stretch famed for its watchtowers and forested surroundings. Take a cable car up and hike along the ancient stone path of the world's largest ancient fortification for stunning panoramic views.

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  • Beijing Hotels
    
    

• Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Hutong & Train to Xi'an

  Start your day at the Temple of Heaven, an imperial sanctuary surrounded by lively park life where locals practice tai chi and traditional games. Listen to the stories about this architecture, and immerse in local people's vibrancy by partake in their exercise.

  Continue with a traditional rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of a historic hutong, offering a glimpse into Beijing's traditional courtyard homes and community life. In the afternoon, board a high-speed train (approx. 5 hours) to Xi'an.

  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel with your guide's assistance.

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• Day 5: Terracotta Warriors & Muslim Street

  Today, explore Xi'an's most famous archaeological marvel - the Terracotta Army. Walk among thousands of life-sized clay soldiers that have guarded the tomb of China's first emperor for over two millennia. You may also be surprised by their expressions - each different from the others. In the afternoon, return to the city and stroll through the bustling Muslim Quarter, where lively street food stalls and souvenir shops line the lantern-lit alleyways.

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• Day 6: Fly to Guilin, Karst Cave Exploration

  This morning, fly to Guilin, a city famed for its otherworldly karst landscapes. Upon arrival, your guide will accompany you to the Reed Flute Cave, a natural gallery of stalactites and stalagmites artfully lit in vibrant colors. Learn about the geological forces that sculpted these formations over millions of years before checking into your hotel.

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  • Guilin Hotel
    
    

• Day 7: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo, West Street

  Today, explore the idyllic Li River, the most representative scenery of Guilin's karst landform. After breakfast, embark on a scenic cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo, gliding past limestone peaks, tranquil villages, and lush rice paddies. Depending on water levels, the journey typically takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Upon disembarkation, explore the lively West Street with your guide and check into your Yangshuo hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore independently.

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• Day 8: Train to Chongqing

  After breakfast, board a high-speed train to Chongqing (approx. 5 - 6 hours). Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to your hotel. Settle into your room and enjoy the rest of the day at your pleasure.

  In the evening, you can head to Raffles City to take in the breathtaking neon views by the Yangtze River and Jialing River.

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  • Chongqing Hotel
    
    

• Day 9: Chongqing Historic Highlights, Yangtze River Cruise

  Discover the urban marvel of Liziba Station, where a monorail pierces through a residential building, making it a unique landscape. Select a proper position to take your own creative shots. Continue to the Stilwell Museum, the former residence of General Stilwell, and Flying Tigers Museum, a legendary army that fought against the Japanese with Chinese people during WWII. Both museums honor the wartime alliance between China and the U.S.

  Relish a flavorful Chongqing hotpot lunch, then visit the Three Gorges Museum to learn about local culture and river history. End your Chongqing city exploration at Hongyadong Folklore Street, a riverside enclave known for its stilted building and local snacks before boarding your cruise to begin the next leg of your journey.

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• Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise

  Greet the morning with a Tai Chi session on deck before docking at Fengdu. You may join the included excursion to Mount Shuanggui, known for its tranquil Buddhist temples and centuries-old trees. Alternatively, choose an optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City, rich in ancient folklore and Taoist legends. In the evening, enjoy the optional FengYan SanGuo Show, an epic outdoor performance inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms, complete with martial arts, theatrical storytelling, and stunning stage effects.

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• Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise

  This morning, opt for a visit to the White Emperor City, perched above Qutang Gorge and famed for its ancient poetry and imperial history. Sail through Qutang Gorge's dramatic cliffs, then into the misty beauty of Wu Gorge. In the afternoon, take a side excursion to the enchanting Goddess Stream aboard a small boat, where you'll glide through a peaceful canyon dotted with waterfalls and hidden hamlets.

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• Day 12: Disembarkation & Train to Shanghai

  Disembark at Yichang and visit the monumental Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project. Walk along panoramic viewing platforms and learn about the dam's massive scale and engineering prowess. For a closer look, you may join an optional ferry tour through the dramatic ship elevator. Later, board a high-speed train to Shanghai and check into your hotel upon arrival.

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  • Shanghai hotel
    
    

• Day 13: Shanghai Old-Day Treasures

  Start at the Shanghai Museum, showcasing centuries of Chinese art and artifacts. Continue to Yu Garden and its neighboring market, where classical design meets bustling street life. Learn about how locals greeting a day from the vendors' hawking and shoppers' baskets, and try traditional snacks on your own.

  Then, visit a local silk workshop to learn about the fabrication of silk, or buy a lovely silk scarf as a souvenir. Wander through the leafy boulevards of the Former French Concession, a testimony to Shanghai's colonial history in the early 20th century. End your day with a walk along the Bund, where colonial facades face off with futuristic skyscrapers across the Huangpu River.

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• Day 14: Shanghai Departure

  Today, you will be free until the tour guide picks you up and transfers you to the airport for your flight departing Shanghai.

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