Day 1 Arrive in Beijing | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in
Day 2 Beijing One-Day Tour: Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Summer Palace
Day 3 Beijing Great Wall One-Day Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall + Bird's Nest + Water Cube
Day 4 Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Muslim Quarter (905 km)
Day 5 Xi'an One-Day Tour: Terracotta Warriors + Ancient City Wall + Bell & Drum Towers
Day 6 Xi'an to Guilin by flight: Elephant Trunk Hill + Reed Flute Cave (1019 km)
Day 7 Guilin - Yangshuo (84 km)
Day 8 Yangshuo - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise (900 km)
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai (1150 km)
Day 12 Shanghai One-Day Tour: Shanghai Tower + Shanghai Museum (East) + Yu Garden + Nanjing Road + The Bund
Day 13 Depart Shanghai: Airport/Station Drop-off
Day 1:
Arrive in Beijing | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in
Arrive in Beijing. Driver meets you at the airport/train station and transfers you to your downtown hotel. Free time for rest or exploration.
Day 2:
Beijing One-Day Tour: Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Summer Palace
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), and Jingshan Park for a panoramic view. In the afternoon, explore the Summer Palace, a vast imperial garden.
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Beijing, CN
With more than 20 million people, China's capital is one of the most populated cities in the world. Beijing is an incredibly ancient city, and its stylized architecture, opulent gardens, and more have made it a popular tourism locale.
Tiananmen Square
The 4th largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square is a large, open area, surrounded on all sides by important national buildings: the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People.
It will be closed on Monday, and the order of visits will be adjusted according to specific circumstances
Forbidden City
For 500 years, the Forbidden City was the palace of the Chinese emperors. It is divided into two sections, the Inner and Outer Courts. The Palace Museum houses many collections of traditional paintings, jade, and ceramics.
Jingshan Park
An imperial park covering 23 hectares immediately north of the Forbidden City in the Imperial City area of Beijing. The focal point is the artificial hill Jingshan, literally "Prospect Hill".
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a complex on the outskirts of Beijing, comprised of multiple palaces, gardens, and lakes. The first palace was built in the 12th century CE under the Jin Dynasty, and many subsequent emperors chose to build additions.
Day 3:
Beijing Great Wall One-Day Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall + Bird's Nest + Water Cube
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall, take a cable car, and hike along the restored section. On the way back, pass by and photograph the exterior of the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center).
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Beijing, CN
With more than 20 million people, China's capital is one of the most populated cities in the world. Beijing is an incredibly ancient city, and its stylized architecture, opulent gardens, and more have made it a popular tourism locale.
Mutianyu Great Wall
Built in the 6th century CE under the Northern Qi Dynasty, this is one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall of China near Beijing. It is located in a hilly, mountainous area covered in dense forests.
Bird's Nest Stadium (Outside Visit)
Built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Bird's Nest Stadium continues to be used for major sporting events. It also houses a shopping mall, hotel and restaurants, making it a great destination for sports fans and foodies alike.
Water Cube (Outside Visit)
Built to house the swimming events of the 2008 Summer Olympics, this indoor arena houses massive swimming pools. After the games ended, the building was closed for a short period while part of it was converted to a water park.
Day 4:
Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Muslim Quarter (905 km)
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Transfer to Beijing railway station for high-speed train to Xi'an. Upon arrival, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and explore the Muslim Quarter for local food.
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Xi'an, CN
With a recorded history dating back to before the tenth century BC, Xian is one of the oldest cities in both and the world. It is home to historic buildings, museums, tombs, monuments, national parks, and much more.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an ancient Buddhist temple and must-see tourist attraction. Standing 54 meters (177 feet) tall, this sacred building is a beautiful representation of ancient architecture, tradition, and history.
Muslim Street
Muslim Street is a historically unique place to wander, shop and eat. All shops and restaurants in the street are operated by Muslims. Culturally fragrant and fantasticstalls inside the narrow alleys sell almost everything you can imagine. Enjoy a taste of
Muslim street food, a very tasty and inexpensive gourmet discovery which includes the locals' favorite: Roasted beef, roasted fish, and pancakes.
Day 5:
Xi'an One-Day Tour: Terracotta Warriors + Ancient City Wall + Bell & Drum Towers
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum. In the afternoon, walk on the Ancient City Wall and see the Bell and Drum Towers.
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Xi'an, CN
With a recorded history dating back to before the tenth century BC, Xian is one of the oldest cities in both and the world. It is home to historic buildings, museums, tombs, monuments, national parks, and much more.
Terracotta Warrior
A collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210-209 BCE and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.
Xi'an Ancient City Wall
The Xi'an Ancient City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China, originally built during the Ming Dynasty, encircling the city center and serving as a historic landmark of Xi'an.
Bell Tower of Xi'an
Built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty, the Bell Tower of Xian is one of the most recognizable structures in the city. Standing at nearly 40 meters tall, the Bell Tower is as legendary as it is beautiful.
Drum Tower of Xi'an
The Drum Tower got its name from the huge drum located within the building. In contrast to the Bell Tower, where bell was stricken at dawn, drum was beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day.Erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty, it stands towering above the city center and offers incredible view of Xi'an.
Day 6:
Xi'an to Guilin by flight: Elephant Trunk Hill + Reed Flute Cave (1019 km)
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin (approx. 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, your driver will take you to see the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill. Then visit Reed Flute Cave, a spectacular karst cave with colorful stalactites and stalagmites.
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Guilin, CN
Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill is Guilin's iconic natural landmark, named for its resemblance to an elephant drinking from the river. This limestone hill stands at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River, representing the classic beauty of Guilin's karst landscape.
Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave is a celebrated limestone cave in Guilin, named for the reed plants at its entrance that were traditionally used to make flutes. The cave features spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and stone columns illuminated by colorful lighting.
Day 7:
Guilin - Yangshuo (84 km)
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Travel from Guilin to Yangshuo. Take a scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Explore the Yangshuo countryside by bike, motorcycle, or on foot. In the evening, visit the lively West Street.
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Guilin, CN
Li River Cruise
The Li River Cruise is a quintessential Guilin experience, sailing through stunning karst landscapes from Guilin to Yangshuo. Often called the 'Gallery of a Hundred Miles,' it offers breathtaking views of limestone peaks, serene waters, and rural scenery that have inspired Chinese art for centuries.
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Yangshuo, CN
Yangshuo Countryside
Yangshuo Countryside is renowned for its classic karst peak forest landscape, pastoral scenery, and tranquil villages. Cycling or walking along country paths allows close appreciation of the picturesque natural views and simple rural life.
West Street
West Street is Yangshuo's bustling pedestrian commercial street, famous for its blend of Chinese and Western cultures. Lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, and specialty shops, it serves as the center for experiencing Yangshuo's nightlife and international atmosphere.
Day 8:
Yangshuo - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise (900 km)
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Transfer to Guilin for a high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, transfer to Chaotianmen Wharf to board your Yangtze River cruise ship. The cruise departs at 21:00. Note: From March to September, if water levels are too high or too low, a bus transfer to Fengdu (approx. 2.5 hours) may be used to board the ship.
Day 9:
Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Included
Relax on the cruise ship and enjoy the scenery along the Yangtze River. In the afternoon, take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, known for its temples and statues depicting the Chinese afterlife. Optionally, you can also visit Shibaozhai Pagoda, a 12-story wooden pagoda with great views of the river. Note: Sightseeing stops may vary by cruise line.
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Fengdu, CN
Fengdu Ghost City
Fengdu Ghost City is a famous cultural site on the Yangtze River, known for its temples and sculptures depicting the Chinese underworld.
Shibaozhai Pagoda
Shibaozhai Pagoda is a striking red wooden fortress clinging to a cliff on the Yangtze River, offering unique architecture and river views.
Day 10:
Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Included
Sail through the dramatic Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most treacherous gorge, and the serene Wu Gorge with its misty peaks. Pass through Xiling Gorge, the longest gorge. In the afternoon, take a shore excursion to Shennv Stream, a beautiful tributary with towering cliffs. You can also watch a Tujia ethnic dance performance. Enjoy the captain's farewell dinner in the evening.
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Yangtze River, CN
The Yangtze River is China's longest waterway, renowned for its dramatic gorges, historic towns, and scenic cruises.
Qutang Gorge
Qutang Gorge is the shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges, famous for its steep cliffs and the narrow Kuimen Gate.
Wu Gorge
Wu Gorge is known for its serene beauty, with misty peaks and lush greenery lining the Yangtze River.
Xiling Gorge
Xiling Gorge is the longest of the Three Gorges, featuring dramatic rapids and stunning natural scenery.
Shennv Stream
Shennv Stream is a scenic tributary of Wu Gorge, offering tranquil boat rides through untouched landscapes.
Day 11:
Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai (1150 km)
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Disembark at Maoping Port and visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project. Then take a bus to Yichang Cruise Terminal for a high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.
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Yichang, CN
Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric project, offering impressive views and insights into modern engineering.
Day 12:
Shanghai One-Day Tour: Shanghai Tower + Shanghai Museum (East) + Yu Garden + Nanjing Road + The Bund
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included|Dinner: Excluded
Visit Shanghai Tower's observation deck. Explore Shanghai Museum East Hall. Stroll through Yu Garden and nearby market. Walk along Nanjing Road to The Bund for iconic city views.
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Shanghai, CN
The "Paris of the East" is one of the busiest, most populated, and most influential cities in the world. It is also more than a thousand years old, dating back to the tenth century AD and the Song Dynasty.
Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Shanghai, located in the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, renowned for its unique spiraling design and sustainable building technologies.
Shanghai Museum
Located in Shanghai's People's Square, this museum features numerous exhibits of ancient Chinese art and artifacts. Established at its current location in 1996, it was one of the country's first modern, world-class museums.
The East Branch of Shanghai Museum will be closed on Tuesday, and priority will be given to arranging the People's Square Branch. If the People's Square Branch cannot be booked, arrangements will be made to replace other urban attractions
Yu Garden
Yu Garden is a world famous classical garden in the southern Yangtze which was built more than 400 years ago in the Ming Dynasty. It is regarded as one of the representatives of the traditional culture in Shanghai. It displays the main features of traditional Chinese architecture with many rocks, trees, ponds, dragons, and zigzag bridges.
Yu Garden will be closed on Monday, and will visit Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai instead
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road is the world's longest shopping district, around 5.5 km long, and attracts over 1 million visitors daily. As a century-old shopping street in Huangpu District, Shanghai, Nanjing Road was a witness of the city's history.
The Bund
This waterfront area in Shanghai is a popular spot for visitors to the city and locals alike, stretching about one mile along the Huangpu River. There are 52 buildings along the Bund that showcase a diverse range of architectural styles.
Day 13:
Depart Shanghai: Airport/Station Drop-off
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Breakfast at hotel. Driver transfers you to airport or railway station for your onward journey.