Highlights
What you will see
Travel from imperial Beijing and ancient Xi'an to Chongqing, the Yangtze River, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and cosmopolitan Shanghai. The itinerary combines major UNESCO-style icons, guided city touring, cruise scenery, intercity rail and flight logistics.
Itinerary
Day by day
Arrive in Beijing
Airport pickup (PEK/PKX), transfer to the hotel, free time to explore
- TicketsNone
- MealsNone
- GuideAirport pick-up guide
- NotesAirport pick-up service
Beijing
After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from the hotel. Visit the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty and courtiers for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, exploration continues with a visit to the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty and courtiers who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing’s stadium and pool – the Bird's Nest and Water Cube – built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics – provides a modern contrast to China’s ancient history. Return to the hotel.
- TicketsForbidden City, Summer Palace
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesThe Forbidden City is closed on Mondays; itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.
Beijing
In the morning, commence the day’s adventure with exploration of the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China’s 1,400-year-old iconic landmark, located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, exploration continues with a visit to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum. Stroll through the hutongs nearby and experience local life as you wander through quaint shops, enjoy a coffee, and gain an insider’s view of a real Beijing community.
- TicketsMutianyu Great Wall, Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesRound‑trip Great Wall cable car ticket
Beijing – Xi'an
Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail journey to Xi'an. Approximately a five-hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xi'an North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel.
- TicketsTemple of Heaven
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideBeijing drop‑off + Xi‘an pick‑up guide
- NotesBeijing–Xi’an high‑speed train ticket
Xi'an
Today’s tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archaeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi’an. You may have a chance to explore the top of the pagoda and look out over Xi’an’s 1,400 years of history, before enjoying a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Continue on and take in the quiet of Xi’an’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and travel souvenirs. Today’s final destination is Xi’an’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening or book a dinner, show, or both for an evening of entertainment.
- TicketsTerracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Mosque
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesTerracotta Army – advance reservation required.
Xi'an – Chongqing
After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to Xi‘an’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China‘s former capital city and almost 14 kilometers long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. Following on from the morning’s activities, you‘ll be driven to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chongqing (approximately a 5-hour journey at 300 km/h). Upon arrival at Chongqing railway station, your local guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel, providing a brief introduction to Chongqing on the way.
- TicketsXi’an’s ancient City Wall
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideXi‘an drop‑off + Chongqing pick‑up guide
- NotesCity Wall bike hire (optional – extra cost); Xi’an–Chongqing bullet train ticket
Chongqing
This one‑day Chongqing tour starts at Ciqikou Ancient Town for old streets and local snacks, then moves to Jiefangbei monument and its bustling commercial area. Visit Kuixinglou Square to experience the city’s layered terrain, and Liziba Station to see the light‑rail train passing through a residential building. In the evening, explore the illuminated cliffside stilt‑houses of Hongyadong, and end with a Yangtze River night cruise to enjoy the dazzling skyline and river confluence.
- TicketsCiqikou Ancient Town
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesYangtze River cruise boarding
Yangtze River cruise
Today, your cruise docks at Fengdu, where you will go ashore to explore the famous Fengdu Ghost City, an ancient hillside town known as the “Underworld Capital” for over a thousand years, blending Taoism, Buddhism and folk beliefs; climb the stone steps, cross the Bridge of Helplessness and the Ghost Gate, visit the Temple of the Heavenly King and the Terrace of Homeward Gaze, while listening to legends of karma and reincarnation that offer a fascinating insight into Chinese ghost culture, then return to the cruise ship for some rest; as night falls, the grand Captain’s Welcome Party is held in the main lounge, where the captain raises a toast to all guests, followed by a lively show of singing, dancing and traditional music performed by the crew, and you can enjoy a fine buffet dinner while mingling with fellow travellers from around the world – a warm and memorable evening on the river.
- TicketsFengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner (all included)
- GuideCruise guide
- NotesShore excursions (optional, extra cost on some cruise lines).
Yangtze River cruise
Today your cruise navigates through the most magnificent core section of the Three Gorges: in the morning, marvel at the sheer grandeur of Qutang Gorge from the deck, where towering cliffs rise on both sides and the famous Kuimen Gate frames the rushing river, evoking a sense of ancient poetic melancholy; then enter the serene and enchanting Wu Gorge, with its layered peaks, drifting mist, and the graceful Goddess Peak standing as if telling legends of old – it feels like sailing through a living painting; afterwards, transfer to a small wooden boat to explore Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream (depending on the day’s itinerary), a quiet tributary with crystal-clear waters and lush banks, where you will follow the boatmen’s folk songs deep into the gorge for an authentic taste of nature and Tujia minority culture; finally, reboard the main ship and continue to the western section of Xiling Gorge, where the river widens and the modern marvel of the high dam reservoir contrasts with ancient plank-road ruins, bringing a perfect end to today’s Three Gorges journey.
- TicketsNone (natural canyon scenery)
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner (all included)
- GuideCruise guide
- NotesSmall wooden boat transfer (Shennong Stream / Shennü Stream)
Yichang – Zhangjiajie
This morning, you will visit the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project on earth, located in the middle section of Xiling Gorge. It serves multiple purposes including flood control, power generation, and shipping. Ascend to the Tanziling Observation Deck for a panoramic view of the dam and its five‑step ship locks; then proceed to the 185 Platform to appreciate the dam’s crest height and experience the grandeur of “a lake amid high mountains”; finally, explore the Spillway Memorial Park to learn about the dam’s construction history. After the tour, drive back to Yichang city and transfer to a long‑distance coach for the highway journey to Zhangjiajie (approximately 4‑5 hours). Enjoy the scenic mountain landscapes of western Hubei along the way, passing through tunnels of the Wuling Mountains. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, where you may spend the evening at leisure, preparing for tomorrow’s exploration of the unique peaks.
- TicketsThree Gorges Dam
- MealsBreakfast (on the cruise) Lunch Dinner
- GuideCruise disembarkation and Zhangjiajie pick‑up guide
- NotesOptional: Three Gorges ship lift experience (on‑board booking required, at extra cost); Yichang–Zhangjiajie drive approx. 3‑4 hours.
Zhangjiajie
After breakfast, begin your exploration of this gorgeous region in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the world's highest and fastest elevator, the Bailong Elevator to reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, located in the northwest of Zhangjiajie. Be inspired by the highlights to be found there, including the No. 1 Natural Bridge under Heaven, used for the design of Hallelujah Mountains in the famous film Avatar, and other iconic karst landscapes. Afterwards, ride the public shuttle bus to the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and appreciate more of the region’s exquisite scenery, including Helong Park, Xihai Stone Forest, Fairy Offering Flowers, and the Imperial Brush Peak. Head down the mountain by taking a two-kilometer journey on the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car. (If the cable car is not available, the Bailong Elevator will be taken). Finish the day with a small train trip where you can view the misty karst landscape of the Ten-mile Gallery in the Suoxigu Valley. Following this full day of activities, return to your hotel.
- TicketsZhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesBailong Elevator, Tianzi Cable Car, Ten‑mile Gallery Train – optional in‑park expenses.
Zhangjiajie – Shanghai
Today's sightseeing commences with a tour to the precipice of Tianmen Mountain. Prepare yourself for the breathtaking view as you ride the world's longest cable car to the mountaintop and walking on the glass Sky Walk perched at 1430 meters above the ground. Take the escalator through the mountain to Tianmen Cave, a huge naturally formed hole crossing the cliff of the mountain. It’s the perfect location for capturing photos of the stunning natural landscape and the 999 steps leading to the foot of the Cave. Ride the escalator down to the resting area and finish the Tianmen Mountain trip with a shuttle bus ride to the parking lot. Following the morning’s activities, you will be transferred to the airport for your fight to Shanghai. In Shanghai, your local guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel pointing out this bustling city’s local landmarks along the way.
- TicketsTianmen Mountain
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideZhangjiajie drop‑off + Shanghai pick‑up guide
- NotesTianmen cable car, glass skywalk, mountain escalator; Zhangjiajie–Shanghai flight
Shanghai
Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, a massive museum housing over 140,000 artifacts, presenting the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a walk along The Bund, iconic and prestigious, one of the most well-preserved examples of old Shanghai glamour. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the artistically designed traditional Chinese gardens; then stroll around the nearby Yu Garden Bazaars . Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.
- TicketsShanghai Museum. Yuyuan Garden
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- GuideFull‑day escort by a English‑speaking guide
- NotesShanghai Museum closed on Mondays (alternative: Shanghai History Museum)
Depart from Shanghai
Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home. For small group tour travelers, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request.
- TicketsNone
- MealsBreakfast
- GuideAirport drop‑off guide
- NotesAirport drop‑off service
Accommodation
Comfortable stays along the route
Comfortable stays can be arranged along the route with well-located hotels and breakfast included.
A convenient hotel base can be arranged for the opening nights.
A comfortable base close to the main sightseeing area can be arranged.
Higher-category hotels can be arranged on request.
A relaxed final-night stay can be arranged before departure.
Inclusions / Exclusions
What is usually included
Included
- Private transportation as listed in the itinerary
- English-speaking local guide on sightseeing days
- Hotel breakfast during the trip
- Entrance tickets for planned attractions
- Trip planning support before confirmation
Not included
- International flights
- China visa fees
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
Important information
Before you book
This route can be adjusted for private travel dates and group size.
Well-located hotels can be arranged according to your preferred level.
Final pricing depends on travel dates, hotel level and confirmed inclusions.
