15 Days Enjoyable Yangtze Cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing

Day 1

Arrival Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, your gateway city of China tour, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good rest.
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Day 2

Shanghai
Today, enjoy your full day city tour covering the Jade Buddha Temple. Then move to Yuyuan Garden, a Chinese classic garden in city downtown, and the nearby old street. Next have a bird-eye view of the city after ascending the popular Oriental Pearl TV Tower and then, before you board your Yangtze Cruise boat, you can have a short but leisure stroll along the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. Enjoy your first night stay on the cruise boat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 3

Yangtze River Cruise
Today the boat will arrive at Nanjing, where you will tour the Ming Dynasty City Wall Museum and a Qing-dynasty style bazaar that near Confucian Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 4

Yangtze River Cruise
Early in the morning, you will reach a very popular site-Mt. Huangshan, one of China’s most famous mountain retreats through the scenic rural areas. It’s really worthy a visit. (Jiuhuanshan or "Mountain of the Nine Lotuses" may be substituted if weather or road conditions do not permit a visit to Yellow Mountain.)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 5

Yangtze River Cruise
Continue your cruise today then in the afternoon, you will take a shore excursion of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, and visit the Guqin Terrace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 6

Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through the mighty Yangtze River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 7

Yangtze River Crusie
Today you will reach Yichang area and sail through Gezhou Dam site. In the early afternoon, take a visit to famous Three Gorges Dam site, after which, sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Locks
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 8

Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Wu Gorge, take an ecursion to Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream according to the river conditions).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 9

Yangtze River Crusie
In the morning, you can enjoy a shore excursion to Fengdu-the "Ghost City" on Mingshan Hill, or choose a visit the new relocation village for families who have moved as result of the Yangtze's rising waters brought about by the Three Gorges Dam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 10

Disembark Chongqing    Xian
In 08:00am, reach Chongqing. Have a short rest, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xian. On arrival, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, you can even have a short visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation: In Xian

Day 11

Xian
Take your time and enjoy a wonderful time-travel tour to visit the grand Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world's most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation, and the massive Xian City Wall. In the evening, how about enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner as your optional night entertainment?
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

Day 12

Xian    Beijing
Be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Beijing. On arrival, you can enjoy a leisure Hutong Tour by Rickshaw to get a closer look of common people’s life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Day 13

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of the Badaling Great Wall. Then take a short trip to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck will be a good try as your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Day 14

Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. After the tour, be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time afterwards.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Day 15

Departure Beijing
The vacation is over all too soon as you're transferred to the airport to board the homebound flight, bidding a fond farewell to China, and we know you'll be back.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Day 1

Arrival Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, your gateway city of China tour, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good rest.
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Shanghai is a city unlike any other in China. It is the bustling economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. Shanghai today looks to regain its former position at the turn of 20th of being one of the largest financial centers in the world behind New York and London. It is a city that seamlessly blends East and West.

Day 2

Shanghai
Today, enjoy your full day city tour covering the Jade Buddha Temple. Then move to Yuyuan Garden, a Chinese classic garden in city downtown, and the nearby old street. Next have a bird-eye view of the city after ascending the popular Oriental Pearl TV Tower and then, before you board your Yangtze Cruise boat, you can have a short but leisure stroll along the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. Enjoy your first night stay on the cruise boat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, which is located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit, it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people.

Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.

Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower includes 15 spheres of different sizes at different levels creating an artistic conception of "large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate" in ancient Chinese poem. It has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favourite sight for tourists in Shanghai. Viewed from the Bund at night, the tower's three-dimensional lighting creates an enchanting, brilliantly coloured display. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. Two of the six tower elevators can reach the highest sphere in 40 seconds; here the visitor will discover shops, a rotating restaurant and a sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from here is breath-taking.

The Bund is the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city.

Day 3

Yangtze River Cruise
Today the boat will arrive at Nanjing, where you will tour the Ming Dynasty City Wall Museum and a Qing-dynasty style bazaar that near Confucian Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Located in the lower Yangtze River drainage basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, is thought to be propitious as well as strategically important. A walled town was built during the Eastern Han period (25-220 AD) known as the Stone City. And 8 dynasties established their capitals in the city between the third and fourteenth centuries.

Day 4

Yangtze River Cruise
Early in the morning, you will reach a very popular site-Mt. Huangshan, one of China’s most famous mountain retreats through the scenic rural areas. It’s really worthy a visit. (Jiuhuanshan or "Mountain of the Nine Lotuses" may be substituted if weather or road conditions do not permit a visit to Yellow Mountain.)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's ten best-known scenic spots. It is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. Yellow Mountain is celebrated for having all the features of mountain scenery.

Known as the No. 1 Mountain under heaven, it features numerous imposing peaks (77 exceed an altitude of 1,000m), forests of stone pillars and evergreen sturdy pines; other features include grotesquely-shaped rocks (many of which are individually named, such as 'pig-headed monk eating water melon'), waterfalls, pools and hot springs. Because of its mists and clouds, natural scenery in the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, a noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty, praised Yellow Mountain as the best of all mountains.

Day 5

Yangtze River Cruise
Continue your cruise today then in the afternoon, you will take a shore excursion of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, and visit the Guqin Terrace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Wuhan is set on the west of Jianghan Plain, a region that has more water area than land. It is the biggest city in central China and the capital of Hubei province where the land is very productive.

Day 6

Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through the mighty Yangtze River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Day 7

Yangtze River Crusie
Today you will reach Yichang area and sail through Gezhou Dam site. In the early afternoon, take a visit to famous Three Gorges Dam site, after which, sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Locks
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Today you will take a visit to the great Three Gorges Dam, which is 2,335-meter long, 185-meter high, 18-meter wide on the top and 130-meter wide at the bottom. The dam will raise the river to a level of 175 meters above sea level, creating a 600km long reservoir with storage capacity of 39.9 billion cubic meters extending from the dam site all the way to Chongqing. It is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken.

Then, return to your boat and continue for your cruise.

Day 8

Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Wu Gorge, take an ecursion to Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream according to the river conditions).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Today, you will first sail through Wu Gorge, the middle gorge which is best known for its quiet beauty, sheer cliffs and twelve unique peaks. Often veiled in swirls of mist, six line the north side of the river and six staggered peaks stand to the south. The most famous, Goddess Peak, resembles a kneeling maiden.

Then, enjoy an excursion to Lesser Three Gorges, which is often called the "highlight" of the cruise, even the whole China trip. With an area of 160 hectares of forest, it lies on the lower reaches of Daning. Here sheer cliffs and steep mountains rise on either side, creating one of natural fine arts gallery as natural scenic wonders unfold on both banks of the river.

Day 9

Yangtze River Crusie
In the morning, you can enjoy a shore excursion to Fengdu-the "Ghost City" on Mingshan Hill, or choose a visit the new relocation village for families who have moved as result of the Yangtze's rising waters brought about by the Three Gorges Dam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Today you will stop for a visit to Fengdu, is located on the northern bank of the Yangtze 176km downstream from Chongqing. Fengdu received its reputation in the Eastern Han Dynasty. A plethora of demon-decorated temples, buildings and statues in this river town earned it the moniker "Ghost City"-the carved facades are truly fascinating. The temples built on Mt. Mishan display punishing instruments and wild demon images, which vividly depict the Chinese people's imagination of Hell. Another classic site – Shibaozhai may for your optional visiting.

Day 10

Disembark Chongqing    Xian
In 08:00am, reach Chongqing. Have a short rest, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xian. On arrival, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, you can even have a short visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation: In Xian

Xian, steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties. Xi’an was also the end of civilization for those setting out on the famous Silk Road. Today’s Xi’an is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although the structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade renovated during the Ming Dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Xuanzang. Now this well-preserved holy place for Buddhist has been the symbol of Xian.

Day 11

Xian
Take your time and enjoy a wonderful time-travel tour to visit the grand Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world's most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation, and the massive Xian City Wall. In the evening, how about enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner as your optional night entertainment?
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

As an ancient capital city to 13 dynasties, Xian has a rich recorded history, frequently enhanced by the evidence of new discoveries, like the 1974 unearthing of the fabulous Qin Terracotta Army, the long forgotten army created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb. In accordance with ancient beliefs, this grand project was mounted at enormous cost by the cruel and tyrannical Emperor, only to be attacked, plundered, burnt and buried after his funeral by the peasants who’d labored under the whip to build it. Then, over two thousand years later, this “Eighth Wonder of the World” was rediscovered by farmers digging a well. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are a National ancient art treasure. Three excavation pits are now opened to the public and a fourth is nearing completion. You can, like US President Clinton, now gaze in wonder upon this historic site, listed by UNESCO in 1987 as a world cultural heritage.

The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian is the ancient City Wall, which stretches round the old city. Xian was always a walled city, and today’s wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The first city wall of Chang'an was begun in 194 BCE. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370; it is massive, measuring 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. This impressive structure is just a precursor to the remarkable discoveries awaiting visitors to Xi’an.

Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner that was created for “emperors only” in ancient China. If you are interested, you can choose it as an optional activity tonight. So you'll enjoy the sumptuous dinner while watching a fabulous dancing and singing performance of the Tang Dynasty. This is not only a performance of Chinese traditional dancing and singing, but a re-enactment of Chinese ancient ceremony and culture.

Day 12

Xian    Beijing
Be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Beijing. On arrival, you can enjoy a leisure Hutong Tour by Rickshaw to get a closer look of common people’s life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Beijing, China's capital and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.

Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today's Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You’ll take a rickshaw tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today’s Beijing.

Day 13

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of the Badaling Great Wall. Then take a short trip to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck will be a good try as your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Just 75km North-west of Beijing, along a smooth and comfortable highway is the Badaling Great Wall, which is one of the best-preserved and most accessible sections. The Great Wall is an internationally admired structure, symbolic of the cruelty of the ancient rulers, and the stoicism and determination of the Chinese people. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC. The wall has a total length of 6,700 km, for much of its length following extremely rugged and mountainous terrain, clinging to incredibly precipitous mountainsides; it is truly an engineering masterpiece by any standard, ancient or modern. It has been claimed that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure which is visible from the moon.

Then, you will have chance to visit the The Ming Tombs which located in the northern suburbs of Beijing. Altogether there are thirteen tombs of Ming Dynasty Emperors from the period after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. You’ll visit the Changling Tomb, burial site of Emperor Yong Le, the biggest and first built at this historic site. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard really deserves a visit. This is unique, a magnificent palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks.

For today’s optional dinner, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck, as it is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You’ll visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck bones, you'll enjoy a banquet made from every part of the duck. Moreover, the chef will demonstrate his skill of cutting the skin of the duck for your entertainment.

Day 14

Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. After the tour, be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time afterwards.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian’anmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you’ll begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

Day 15

Departure Beijing
The vacation is over all too soon as you're transferred to the airport to board the homebound flight, bidding a fond farewell to China, and we know you'll be back.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Full price of this tour (per person in US$):

Recommended Hotels:

City	Standard Hotel ★★★	First Class Hotel ★★★★	Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★
Shanghai	Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai	The Bund Hotel	Shanghai Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
Xian	New Henderson Hotel	Days Hotel & Suites Xinxing Xian	Wanda Hilton Hotel Xian
Beijing	Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen	Beijing Sunworld Hotel	Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing

Optional Local Specialties & Night Shows:

City	Local Specialties	Nights Shows
Shanghai	Tea Ceremony	Acrobatics Show
Xian	Dumpling Banquet	Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner
Beijing	Beijing Roasted Duck	See the Peking Opera