8 Days Beijing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day 1

Beijing Arrival

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Upon your arrival in Biejing, 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

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: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way

After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Badaling 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 one of the best preserved 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!

In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors. In addition, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors.

Day 4

Beijing / Chongqing (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Hutongs, Summer Palace

We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw this morning. 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.

We will continue by visiting 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.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to airport to take flight and fly to Chongqing. Arrive in Chongqing, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 5

Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise (B, L)

Sightseeing: Goose Neck Park, Ciqikou Old Town, Panda Room

After breakfast, we will first visit Goose Neck Park, which is located in the city urban area and has a good view of the city and the roiling Yangtze River.

Afterwards, you will see Ciqikou Old Town, in the city urban area. It dates back to the late Ming Dynasty. The buildings have been restored and well preserved. You will find a lot of restaurants, souvenir shops and local snacks. If you are interested, you can attend daily performances of traditional Chinese music in one of the tea houses.

The next stop will be the Panda Room in Chondqing Zoo, where you can see charming naive giant panda, lesser pandas and their offspring.

In the evening, your local guide will transfer you to the dock by a private air-conditioned car to pre-board the ship. Then your guide will leave the boat and your cruise will start at about 10:00 pm.

Day 6

Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Fengdu Ghost City, Wanxian or Shibaozhai

(8:00-10:00) Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, Wanxian, or Shibaozhai (depending on river conditions). Then return to the ship and sail towards the magnificent Three Gorges.

Fengdu, with fantastic temples of underworld demons and gods, is constructed on the Mingshan Hill by the river band. It is known as the "Ghost City" and is a place for punishing the devil and awarding the good.

Wanxian, one of the most important and largest ports on the Yangtze. It is widely known for its variety and hustling markets. Fifty percent of the city will be resettled after the Three Gorges Dam Project is completed.

Shibaozhai represents the first gem of Chinese architecture to be encountered on the downstream journey. From afar, the protruding 220-metre (720-foot) hill on the north bank can appear to resemble a jade seal, and is so named.

Day 7

Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Shennong Stream

(08:00-13:00) Passing through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge.
(13:00-16:30) Boat excursion to Shennong Stream.
(17:30) Passing through Xiling Gorge.

Shennong Stream is another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, 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 8

Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Departure (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your arrangement  
Sightseeing: Three Gorges Dam

(08:00-10:00) Shore excursion to The Three Gorges Dam Site.
(13:00) Disembark at Yichang

Three Gorges Dam, the largest water conservancy project undertaken by man . 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. Tourists can get access to the top of the dam.

After you disembarked from the ship, you will be met and transferred to the airport to take your flight to next destination.