11-Day Small-Group China Tour: Beijing - Xi'an - Yangtze Cruise - Shanghai

Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from the airport

Stop At: Beijing International Airport Airport Transportation China, Beijing
Our professional local guide will meet you at Beijing Airport after reclaiming your luggage and clearing customs and accompany you in a comfortable vehicle to the hotel and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with our capital city on your own.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing (5 stars)

Day 2: Beijing City Highlights Tour

Stop At: Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), Beijing
Tiananmen Square is the biggest urban city square in the world.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Forbidden City-The Palace Museum, Beijing
From the Tiananmen Square, you will enter the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City to explore its fascinating halls and pavilions. Here, you will not only learn how the emperor handled political affairs and lived their lives, but appreciate numerous ancient art treasures.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Temple of Heaven, Beijing
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors worshipped the heavens in hopes of good harvests.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Red Theatre Beijing Kung Fu Show, Beijing
To round out a memorable start to your travel, we will arrange a lively and dramatic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: A la carte lunch
Accommodation included: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing (5 stars)

Day 3: China Great Wall Tour

Stop At: Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
This morning we will take you to Mutianyu section to experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. The round-trip cable car will be arranged. Standing on the wall and looking at it stretching up and down into boundless distance is an exciting experience and will leave you a life-long memory. To celebrate and commemorate this moment, we specially provide red wine for a group-toasting on the Great Wall.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Niaochao National Stadium, Beijing
In the afternoon, on the way back you will have a photo stop at the Olympic National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. After that, enjoy some free time to explore a popular local market.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing (5 stars)

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an by flight

Stop At: Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), Beijing
The first stop of today's itinerary is the Summer Palace - the largest existing imperial garden with a graceful landscape and magnificent constructions.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hutong Tour, Beijing
Then a trip to the old Hutongs will conclude your memorable Beijing tour. Taking the local rickshaw and traveling along the narrow lanes, you will get a close touch with the original Beijing lifestyle and culture. You will also have a chance to try your hand at Chinese Paper Cutting.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: A la carte lunch
Accommodation included: Sheraton Hotel (5 stars)

Day 5: Terracotta Army Tour

Stop At: The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Xi'an, Shaanxi
The visit to the magnificent Terracotta Army will start your day's trip. In the museum, there are altogether three excavated pits exhibiting amazing warrior figures and Chinese ancient weapons.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Small Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, Shaanxi
After having an a la carte lunch at a local family home, you will visit Xi'an Museum and then the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built about 1,300 years ago in the Tang Dynasty to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from ancient India.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tang Dynasty Show, Xi'an, Shaanxi
A splendid evening is in store when you will be entertained by the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while partaking of the famous Dumpling Dinner.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: A special home-cooked a la carte lunch will be served at a local home that you visit.
• Dinner: Dumpling dinner with the show
Accommodation included: Sheraton Hotel (5 stars)

Day 6: Xi'an - Chongqing by flight

Stop At: Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang), Xi'an, Shaanxi
The day begins with a leisure visit to the City Wall Park, where you can observe the day-to-day life of the locals. We also have a special arrangement for you here. That is to practice Tai Chi with the master. Tai Chi, a soft form of Chinese martial arts, is considered the quintessential Chinese culture. After that, you will pay a visit to the City Wall. It is the most complete existing urban fortification in China. Cycling on the ancient wall is an exciting experience that many people like to try (bike rental fee is not included). Afterwards, you will fly to Chongqing.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Jiefangbei Square, Chongqing
Our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit Jiefangbei CBD, where you may have dinner by yourself before boarding the cruise. Then head for Chaotianmen Ferry Terminal to board the luxurious Yangtze River cruise ship
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at President No.6 cruise ship with balcony (5 stars)

Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise

Stop At: Shibaozhai （East Gate）
In the morning, the river guide will give an introduction to the cruise schedule and the Yangtze River. At about 14:00, the ship will disembark at Zhongxian for an onshore excursion to Shibaozhai. After that, you will re-board the ship and the cruise will continue towards the splendid Three Gorges. This evening, the cruise staff will invite you to join the Captain's Welcome Party.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at President No.6 cruise ship with balcony (5 stars)

Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise

Stop At: Shennong Stream, Badong County, Hubei
As the ship sails through Wu Gorge, you will change to a sampan to take a side trip along Shennong Stream for 3 to 4 hours. Shennong Stream features picturesque natural beauty, distinctive Tujia flavor, boat tracking culture and valued historical relics.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at President No.6 cruise ship with balcony (5 stars)

Day 9: Yichang - Shanghai by a bullet train

Stop At: Three Gorges Dam Project, Yichang, Hubei
After breakfast, you will disembark for an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Before that, you should pack your luggage and complete check-out procedures. After finishing the excursion, the cruise ship company will drive you to the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang city. Our local guide will meet you there and then see you off at Yichang East Railway Station for a bullet train to Shanghai.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Crowne Plaza Century Park Shanghai (5 stars)

Day 10: Shanghai City Trip

Stop At: Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan), Shanghai
This morning, you will visit one of the four largest museums in China, Shanghai Museum, which specializes in exhibiting art works from ancient times.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Yu Garden (Yuyuan), Shanghai
After that, explore Yu Garden and its nearby traditional bazaar. The symbol of the Garden is the Nine Zigzag Bridge built of granite and grass-white jade and the quaint, elegant mid-lake pavilion.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Former French Concession, Shanghai
In the afternoon, you will first discover the Former French Concession, a great place to learn the history and unique beauty of the city.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Huangpu River, Shanghai
Take a one-hour cruise along the Hungpu River.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Bund (Wai Tan), Shanghai
Have some free time on the Bund area. Upon returning to the hotel, our guide will see you into the lobby to say bon voyage.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: A la carte lunch
Accommodation included: Crowne Plaza Century Park Shanghai (5 stars)

Day 11: Leave Shanghai

Stop At: Shanghai Pudong International Airport
After breakfast at the hotel, please find your own way to the airport for your homeward flight. Your 8 days China tour package is wane to the close with wonderful memories. We suggest you reserve a taxi at the hotel reception beforehand to avoid having to wait for a taxi outside. The trip to Pudong Airport (PVG) will take about one hour and cost around CNY150. Ensure you have at least an hour and a half drive if your flight leaves from Hongqiao Airport (SHA). The cost for the taxi there is about CNY200. Please check carefully from which airport your flight will depart. We wish you a smooth journey home.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.