15 Days World Heritage Explore with Yangtze River Cruise
Destination:Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Shiyan, Wuhan, Xi'an, Yichang
Tour Code: CWHT07
Tour Duration: 15 Days
- Tour overview:
- This tour will take you to visit the Golden Triangle, the cities of Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, a cruise down the Yangtze River, past the Three Gorges Dam, and oh so much more. You will see temples, palaces, mountains, pagodas, ancient tombs, and even a ghost city. There is something truly wondrous about this China tour.
Day by Day Itinerary
Tour Summary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Day 1
Beijing Arrival
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
Day 2
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
World Heritages Sites included Today:Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City
This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.
From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
Day 3
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Mutianyu Great Wall, the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) National Swimming Centre (The Water Cube), Hutong tour
World Heritages Sites included Today: The Great Wall
After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk on the sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!
On the way back to hotel, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube'),feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.
We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw this afternoon. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people.
Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Summer Palace. Shaanxi Provincial Museum
World Heritages Sites included Today: Summer Palace
In the morning, we will visit the Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden.
Later that day you will take the flight to Xi’an. After your arrival there, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide.
Then visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. It is a magnificent architectural complex in the Tang Dynasty style. The Museum possesses a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi, and it covers an area of 1,100 square meters for exhibition.
Day 5
Xi'an (B, L)
Sightseeing: Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower
World Heritages Sites included Today: The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses
Today you will experience the highlights of Xi’an. After breakfast, you will depart you're your hotel. You will visit the amazing 2000-year-old Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Regarded as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors in search of immortality. After his early death they were buried with him to protect his empire.
Another highlight today is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated in the south of Xian city, it is one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple. There, the well-known Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of Xian.
We will go on to visit the Bell Tower, which is the best-preserved and best-known one among many. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early mornings of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, hence called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
Day 6
Xian/Chongqing (B, L)
Transfer Via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Huxian Peasant Paintings,
In the morning, visit the Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. It is the largest and best preserved present city wall in ancient China and is probably the best military battlement in the world. If you want to, you can rent a bicycle for a ride on top of the spectacular city wall. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Then drive to Huxian county. Huxian County situated in the southwest suburb, some 50 km from of Xi'an. With Qinling Mt. Ranges in its south and Weihe River in the north, it is a beautiful and fertile land with abundant output. The local farmers created their own favorite art form based on their daily life, as we call it. The feature of the local farmers' paintings is that they vividly depict aspects of daily life in the countryside, their work activities, lively festivals, special events, celebrations and colorful local costumes by using simple painting techniques.
After the tour, you will take the flight to Chongqing. After you arrived in Chongqing, you will be met and transferred to the dock to board the ship.
Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Sightseeing: Fengdu Ghost City
Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.(1:00-3:00pm).
Fengdu is where the devil lives, according to Chinese legend. They say that spirits go to heaven, and evil goes to Fengdu. The town is overlooked by Ming Shan Hill, home of Tianzi, the King of the Dead. The whole place has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, tower blocks, empty shops and banks. The only people here are those who make a living from visiting cruise boats
Day 8
Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
Sightseeing: Lesser Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges(8:00am-1:00pm).you have the option of visiting White Emperor City.
Shennong Stream is another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, crystal clear water runs southwards through deep gorges. The stream races past large and small karst caves, flocks of swallows, sheer cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, three-colored springs, rapids, the ancient plank path, a suspended coffin in the cliff, groups of ancient tombs and marvelous karst formations.
Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise/Yichang/Wudangshan (B,L)
Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Three Gorges Dam Site
Shore excursion to The Three Gorges Dam Site. Arrive in Yichang at 1:30pm.
Three Gorges Dam, the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man and it has been a dream for several generations of Chinese people. The construction of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and the whole construction will be competed in 2009. It will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom.The tourists can get access to the top of the dam and enjoy different kinds of photo opportunities
After you disembark from the ship, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Wudangshan by car (Around 6 hours). Arrive at Wudangshan, check in the hotel.
Day 10
Wudangshan (B, L)
Sightseeing: Mt. Wudangshan
World Heritages Sites included Today: Mt. Wudangshan
After breakfast visit the most famous Taoist mountain in China. A full day tour of Mt. Wudang include: Heavenly Pillar Peak, Golden Hall, Taihe Temple, Southern Crag Palace, Purple Clude Palace etc.
Wudangshan Mountain scenic area is located in the northwest part of Hubei Province. It is linking eastward with Xiangfan city, a famous cultural and historical city in China, and facing the massive Danjiangkou Reservoir, which is the water source of South to North Water Project. And behind it is the Shennongjia virgin forest area. It is one of the world cultural heritages issued by UNESCO and one of Chinese key scenic areas. It is the famous Taoism Mountain and cradle-land of Wudang Boxing. The main peak of Wudangshan Mountain is Tainzhu Peak with the altitude of 1612 meters.
Day 11
Wudangshan to Wuhan (B, L)
Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Guiyuan Temple
Drive to Wuhan by car (around 5.5 hours), check in the hotel. After a rest then visit the Guiyuan Temple. This Buddhist temple was built at the end of the Ming and early Qing dynasties, with a history of approximately 400 years. "Guiyuan" in Chinese means achieving sainthood and becoming a Buddha. In this temple, many works of art such as a number of valuable Buddhist images and steles have been preserved. The arhat hall contains 500 goldpainted wooden statues of Buddhist monk-saints, no two are the same.
Day 12
Wuhan to Shanghai (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Yellow Crane Tower, Hubei Provincial Museum
Today we will have a visit to the famous Yellow Crane Tower. Enjoying the fame of 'The First Scenery under Heaven', it is one of the most renowned towers south of the Yangtze River. Its cultural significance led to its being made the symbol of Wuhan City.
Later we'll visit the Hubei Provincial Museum. Since 1953, the museum has collected over 200,000 cultural relics, including pottery, porcelains, jade, bronze vessels, ancient weapons, and ancient musical instruments. Among these cultural relics, 812 are listed as first-class relics of China, and 16 are considered national treasures.
After the tour our guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arriving in Shanghai, be met and transferred to hotel.
Day 13
Shanghai (B, L)
Sightseeing: Nanjing Road, the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
In the morning you will take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai.
Then we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.
Finally we head to the Jade Buddha Temple. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city. Both, the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.
Day 14
Shanghai (B, L)
Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum, Oriental Pearl Tower, French concession region.
Today you will visit Shanghai Museum which is the biggest museum of China. It incorporates a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics and is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy.
After lunch, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, the highest TV Tower in Asia, which creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors all year-round.
Afterwards, have a visit to French concession region. The French Concession is the breadth of shanghai already appointed for the French in 1849 and retook by China in 1943, with a history of about one hundred years. Today, it has become a acclaimed day-tripper arena in Shanghai and the tree-lined avenues and abounding Tudor mansions there still absorb an air of the "Paris of the East". Located in the Luwan District and Xuhui District, it has a abundant of things to be explored, from the old European barrio in adumbral avenues to the cafes and restaurants of its axial Huaihai Road, a active arcade street
Day 15
Shanghai Departure (B)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Today will be free for your own purposes, until our guide will escort you to the airport for your next destination.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
| Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
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| Day 1 |
Beijing
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Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to hotel.
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| Day 2 |
Beijing
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Full day visit The Temple of Heaven Tiananmen Square Forbidden City
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| Day 3 |
Beijing
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Visit Mutianyu Great Wall .On the way back to hotel, you will take an exterior visit of both Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube') Beijing , feel free to take some photos of the stadiums. In the afternoon, Hutong Tours in Rickshaw
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| Day 4 |
Beijing/Xi'an
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In the morning, visit Summer Palace . Then be transferred to airport for flight to Xi'an, arrive in Xi'an, be met and transferred to hotel. Then visit Shaanxi Provincial Museum
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| Day 5 |
Xi'an
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Full day visit The Terracotta Army and Horses Big Wild Goose Pagoda Bell Tower
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| Day 6 |
Xi'an /Chongqing
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In the morning, visit Ancient City Wall Farmers' Painting in Hu County , and enjoy the local peasants’ painting. Then be transferred to airport and take flight to Chongqing. Arrive in Chongqing, be met and transferred to the dock. Board the ship from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and departs Chongqing at 10:00pm.(Dinner is not included) |
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| Day 7 |
Yangtze Cruise
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Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (8:00-10:00am). |
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| Day 8 |
Yangtze Cruise
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Shore excursion to Shennong Stream (1:30-5:30pm),you have the option of visiting White Emperor City. |
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| Day 9 |
Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shiyan
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Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam . Arrive in Yichang at 1:30pm. After you disembark from the ship, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Wudangshan by car (around 6 hours). Arrive at Wudangshan, check in the hotel.
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| Day 10 |
Shiyan
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Leave hotel for Taoism Shrine, a full day tour of Wudang Mountains include: Heavenly Pillar Peak, Golden Hall, Taihe Temple, Southern Crag Palace, Purple Clude Palace etc.
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| Day 11 |
Shiyan/Wuhan
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Drive to Wuhan by car(around 5.5 hours), check in the hotel. After a rest then visit Guiyuan Temple
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| Day 12 |
Wuhan/Shanghai
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Visit Yellow Crane Tower Hubei Provincial Museum , then be transferred to airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai, be met and transferred to hotel.
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| Day 13 |
Shanghai
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Full day visit The Bund Nanjing Road Yuyuan Garden Jade Buddha Temple
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| Day 14 |
Shanghai
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Full day visit Shanghai Museum Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai French Concession
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| Day 15 |
Shanghai
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Free at leisure till be transferred to airport for your flight departure. |
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-NOTE:
1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.
2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.
Price Includes
A. Entrance fees：To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Had an amazing experience with visitourchina during my recent tour to Zhangjiajie. Lisa was very helpful and catered to all my requests for the tour. We wished we had more days to see more of Zhangjiajie. As we are travelling with my elderly parents, we requested for more elderly-friendly itinerary in Zhangjiajie. Even though the trip is still a bit tough for my mum as she has knee problems, my family still enjoyed the tour. Special thank you to Lisa and Max, our guide.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241116
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 16 November 2024
- Client's information:Vanessa,Singapore
The services rendered from the travel agency is prompt. Very responsive and cater my tour according to my requests. The tour guides assigned to us were also caring and helpful. I continue to seek inquiries after our tour ended and they continued to response promptly. This is my second trip with this company and will continue to engage them when I next return to China.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241103
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 3 November 2024
- Client's information:Wendy, Singapore
How to navigate China for the second time after 45 years for a couple over 70 years old? We spent part of our honeymoon in China in 1978 together with a Spanish speaking tour group when China just opened its door to the outside world. It was the era of "Friendship stores" and "food ration coupons". Tourists could only shop at government designated stores and the ordinary local people lived on rationed food, notwithstanding, tourists were treated with the highest honor and the best of everything including food. By then, the main transportation tool in cities were bicycles. From balconies of hotels, we saw never ending long queue of people on bicycles heading to work every morning. Since then, China has developed into a super modern and industrialized country. Shopping is a bliss nowadays. Motorized vehicles and lots of EV has replaced a huge part of the fleet of human-driven bicycles since. Infrastructure-wise China is the pioneer nowadays. Over the years, the only retained memories are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Pandas. There was an incident which I could not forget either. We went to a theater at night for an opera and I lost my wallet with all my documents and some money ( a small fortune for the Chinese people by then). I was very nervous and didn't know what to do. When we got back to the hotel, my wallet was waiting for me at the reception. Somebody found it at the theatre and sent it to the hotel where we were lodged. Everything was back, nothing missing. Again, it was 1978! Impressed! So, we wanted to visit China again to revive the lost sweet memories and hoping to gain more of them. Being seniors, we don't have the energy to follow a vigorous group tour anymore. Could we plan and schedule our own tour in this wonderland like the modern China? The answer is simple, No! I don't know the language well enough and have no knowledge of the city areas for choices like accommodations and transportations. In order to travel safely, efficient...
- Booking Code:VOC-20241016B
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 16 October 2024
- Client's information:Cheng, Canada
I found Lisa from Trip Advisor and started chatting with her and send my requirements for which she planned excellent tours for me in between my spare time during Canton Fair. She planned and managed the trip so well and professionally and provided me with such an excellent follow up services that we ended up becoming very good friends. A wonderful person to look into for all your China Travel needs. Highly recommended for good planning, timing, and organization of your vacation.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241009
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 9 October 2024
- Client's information:Ismail Soni,Canada
Booked a 2 day private tour of Xi’an with Grace as our local tour guide. Really good service from both the booking agent Lisa as well as Grace and the driver Mr Wang. Managed to see all the big sights including Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. They took care of everything and gave good local food recommendations. Travelled with my father who walks quite slow, but they managed to accomodate him no problem. 10/10 would recommend.
- Booking Code:VOC-20240723
- Tour Starting Date:Tuesday, 23 July 2024
- Client's information:Julian,Singapore
Hello, dear Lisa! Happy to be in Guilin and very pleased to meet you! Thank you for a wonderful tours!!! Every day is filled with magnificient views and unforgetable moments! I would like to Thank you for all these events! Special thanks for Beijing tour. Happy to visit so many places in China ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ wonderful country and wonderful people! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Both tours to Guilin and Beijing were amazing! I visited so many wonderful places! The guides were very friendly and hospitable, thanks for everything! Happy to choose this agency because the programme included all interesting places and they did their best to make my Dreams come true!
- Booking Code:VOC-20240713
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 13 July 2024
- Client's information:Elena, Russia
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