Embark on an unforgettable 13-day journey through China’s iconic sights, combining river cruises and cultural highlights. Begin in Beijing to explore the Great Wall, then head to Xi’an to marvel at the Terracotta Warriors. Cruise through Guilin’s scenic landscapes on the Li River, followed by a countryside cycling adventure in Yangshuo. Next, stop in Chongqing for a 4-day Yangtze River cruise, experiencing cultural and natural sites en route to the stunning Three Gorges Dam. Conclude in Shanghai with visits to the modern Bund waterfront, the historic Yu Gardens, and the charming French Concession.
Touching down in Beijing, your personal tour guide will meet you at the arrival hall exit, with your name board and FuntourChina’s logo in hand. Later, you will be escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day allows you to relax and recover from your journey.
Travel to Tiananmen Square in the morning and proceed to the beautiful Forbidden City’s entrance. It is a palace complex that served as the residence of ancient China’s emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With the guidance of your knowledgeable guide, learn about the history and stories behind each palace. If the story fascinates you, you can stay for a longer period.
Spend the afternoon visiting the Summer Palace, a royal masterpiece of Chinese landscaped gardens. Walk around to observe the beautiful temples and pavilions.
An optional Kung Fu Show is advised for the evening to experience a wonderful blend of traditional Chinese martial arts, storytelling, music, dance, and acrobatics.
Day 3, you will see one of Beijing’s most popular attractions, the beautiful Great Wall. Spend time at the Mutianyu Great Wall, which has beautiful views and is less crowded. It’s convenient to take a round-trip cable car up and back down the mountain. And you may take your time strolling around the wall, taking in the magnificent scenery.
After that, go to Changling Tomb. You can learn about the culture of ancient emperors and how they planned and built their mausoleums. There are also some stories that you might be interested in.
Begin your day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, where ancient rulers prayed to “heaven” for a bountiful crop. It’s now a public park where you can regularly find locals doing Tai Chi and other forms of exercise.
Visit Hutongs later to learn about the lives of traditional Beijingers who still live in quadrangle houses. Take a rickshaw through the winding streets and feel the breeze. Stands are selling the cuisine of the area you’re in. Some of them may be one-of-a-kind and unavailable elsewhere. Almond tofu and Zhajiangmian (fried noodles) are two examples.
After the tour, you will board a bullet train to Xi’an. You’ll be met at the station by your guide and driven to your accommodation.
This morning, you will uncover the mysteries of the underground army of Terracotta Warriors and be astonished by the thousands of vivid clay statues there in life-size.
Returning to the city in the afternoon, absorb the red-lantern-lined city streets from the Ancient City Wall and then stroll through the Muslim Quarter, a place to glance at Chinese Muslims’ life, to try some exotic snacks and collect colorful souvenirs.
At night, the Tang Dynasty Show is another option to appreciate the music and dance of the golden era of ancient China.
Fly to Guilin in the morning. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will welcome you and escort you to explore the Reed Flute Cave, a light adventure through the forest of stalactites and stalagmites under dreamlike lights. After that, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Be taken to Zhujiang Pier (about 50 minutes) and start a Li River cruise down to Yangshuo. Along the river, immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery formed by karst pinnacles which have inspired poets and painters for centuries.
After the cruise, your tour guide will accompany you to walk through the busy West Street and then arrive at your hotel. The more energetic ones may like an extra countryside tour either by bicycle or private vehicle to delve into the serene countryside of Yangshuo.
For those interested in Chinese minority cultures, the Impression of Sanjie Liu, a magnificent outdoor show on the Li River with a natural backdrop of karst mountains, will be a good choice.
Enjoy your breakfast and transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train (about 5 hours) to Chongqing. On arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and taken to the dock to board your Yangtze River cruise ship. The ship usually departs Chongqing at 9 pm.
Have a relaxing morning on the ship or take the optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, a chance to have an insight into Chinese ghost culture and the afterlife.
In the afternoon, take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, a historical red pavilion hanging on a solitary mountain, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Afterward, return to the ship and continue your relaxing cruise.
The majesty of the Yangtze River presents itself to you, and you can only sit back to enjoy it. History fans may opt to the optional tour to the White Emperor City.
Be prepared to take in the beauty of Shennv Stream in the afternoon. Take a wooden boat to reach the deep gorge, admire the stunning scenery and have a chance to see the locals’ daily life.
Day 11, the highlight must be the Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River and has been one of the largest power stations in the world.
The unforgettable Yangtze River cruise ends in Yichang. After disembarkation, you will be firstly transferred to the tourist center in Yichang city, where you will be met by your private guide and transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.
Discover the city from Shanghai Museum which houses an excellent collection of ancient exhibits including ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, etc. Move on to explore the exquisite Yu Garden, a shining star among all traditional Chinese gardens in south of the Yangtze. Change tempo and have a leisure walk through the tree-lined avenues of the Former French Concession. Ends today’s tour with strolling on the Bund where you can get a microcosm of Old Shanghai dating back to the 1920s.
Tonight, you may like to enjoy an amazing Acrobatic Show, optional and needed to be booked in advance.
