13 Days Beijing Xian Guilin Three Gorges Shanghai Tour

Arrive in Beijing by an international flight arranged by yourselves, our guide and driver will meet you at  the airport and transfer  to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day and get customized to the jet leg. The hotels we choose for you  are located in downtown Beijing, near Wangfujing Street. It is very convenient for you to walk around, go shopping and have meals.

After having breakfast in the hotel, we will first visit Tian'anmen Square, where the most important national ceremonies of China are held. Tian'anmen Square is the largest Square in the world with many historical buildings surrounded by. From the square, you can walk to the south gate of  the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace of China. The Forbidden City was built during the Ming Dynasty and was used as both working and residential palace by the emperors of Ming Dynasty and the successive Qing Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. Touring in this imperial palace, we can see its magestic halls with golden roofs, the beautiful pavilions in the royal garden, and  the high red walls. After leaving the Forbidden City, we will visit Jingshan Park which is a relaxing place for locals taking exercise, singing or dancing. Ascending to the top of Jingshan Hill, we will have a bird's-eye view of the whole Forbidden City and Beijing city center.

Lunch  will be served in a nice local restaurant before we move to the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors held ceremonies to worship the heaven for good harvests. Now, Temple of Heaven has become one of the symbols of historic Beijing. In the evening, we will enjoy Chinese Acrobatic show, Kongfu show or Peking Opera by which you will learn more of Chinese culture. After the show, we will drive back to your hotel.

Today, we will visit the most famous attraction of China-the Great Wall at Badaling, which is also one of the  highlights of your China tour. Make sure you wear a pair of hiking shoes for today's hiking on the Great Wall. Driving aobut 1 hour to Badaling Great Wall, then we will start the tour either by hiking or by cable car to reach the top of the great wall (cable car cost not included). As a chinese saying goes "He is not a real man until he climes up to the top of the Great Wall", you will see the magnificent view on the great wall, and as one of the seven wonders in the world, the view of the Great Wall will surely impress you.

Getting down the Great Wall and having lunch, afterwards, we will visit Dingling(Ding Tomb) of the  13 Ming Tombs and Sacred Road. Ming tombs are the imperial mausoleums of the emperors of Ming Dynasty among which the Dingling Tomb is the only one that has been excavated among the 13 Ming Tombs. Along the sacred road there are many stone statues of figures and animals on both sides, the statues are the loyal guarders of the royal graveyard. Drive back to the hotel after the visit.

In the morning, we will visit the beautiful Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor, the Summer Palace is a real masterpiece of ancient Chinese garden art.

After visiting the Summer Palace, we will drive to visit  a Hutong which is a lane for local residents. Around the noon, our lunch will be served at a local family,the food will be home cooked Chinese dumpling or typical Chinese dishes. Afterwards,  we will drive to Beijing Capital International Airport and catch the flight to our next destination- Xi'an.  Arriving in Xi'an on the same day, and you will be welcomed by the  local tour guide and driver in Xi'an, then transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in Xi'an.

Today, we will first visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, which is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the twentieth centuries. The warriors are just like real persons with different actions and expressions. There are three excavated pits exhibiting amazing Qin Dynasty warriors and horses figures. It seems that each of the warriors are created with a prototype in real life. Then go to the Bell Tower, the emblem of Xi'an city and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda afterwards. The pagoda is widely renowned that Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his classics brought from India. Enjoy the Tang Dynasty show in the evening. The show presents the palace dances and sings in the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an was the capital.

Visit the Shaanxi History Museum, where you can learn more history about Xian through the cultural relics: bronze wares, jade, potteries, and murals from the Prehistory Period to the Qing Dynasty. Then visit Ancient City Wall. It was build in Tang Dynasty which survived through Chinese long history. It is the most complete existing urban fortification in China. You can walk or cycle on the ancient wall (bike rental fee is not included).

After visiting these spots, you will take flight to Guilin. Arrive in Guilin on the same day. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Full day Li River Cruise to Yangshuo with lunch aboard and return to Guilin late in the afternoon. Be met at your hotel at 7:50 ~ 8:30am and transferred to Li River pier (Zhujiang pier) at 9:30am, and then take a cruise (4.5 hours) to Yangshuo with lunch aboard. Enjoy picturesque scenery along the Li River with green hills and clear waters. Disembark at Yangshuo in the afternoon and take a short exploration to the 1400-year-old town. Back to your hotel in Guilin after the tour.Elephant Trunk Hill2

Arrival in Chongqing, our local guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area at the airport exit. After having an abundant lunch,Follow with a visit the famous Three Gorges Museum of China - the largest monographic museum. The exterior of the museum has cambered walls and vitreous dome, representing the history & culture of Three Gorges Project and its origins. You will walk inthe people's Square and visit Chongqing Great Hall of People from the outside.Built in 1951 and finished in 1954, the Chongqing Great Hall of People is the architectural symbol of Chongqing city. It is designed in the traditional symmetrical style, covering an area of 66 thousands square meters with a 4000-seat auditorium.
The next stop is visit the Ciqikou Ancient Town, located 14 KM to the west of Chongqing city. It used to be a very important water and land communication hub in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911 A.D). Its history can be traced back for more than 1700 years. There are 14 ancient stone slab streets flanked with houses, shops in traditional styles. Tea bars, the local artist studios and the Shu Embroidery workshops are three notable attractions. There are more than a hundred tea bars with their own particular characteristics in such a small town. Here friends enjoy a chat or meet to discuss business. You will have opportunity to meet the locals and enjoy the unique folk opera in the tea bars.
Then we willtake you to back your hotel or Chongqing pier for boarding Yangtze cruise ship.

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil and beautiful Yangtze River. It will be colorful and interesting whether you decide to stay onboard or go ashore at river stops. 

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of activities, like practicing Tai Chi on the boat’s sundeck, drinking a relaxing morning coffee, attending a Yangtze River history and culture lecture, or taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party and evening shows. 

Next follow a local guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, one of the “Pearls” of the Yangtze River. A gem of Chinese architecture, this 12-story, 18th century red wooden temple on the northern bank of Yangtze River is an architectural delight full of legends and beautiful stories. (Note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be lots of stairs to climb up!)

Optional Excursion: Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City for an extra fee. Called the “City of Ghosts”, it is endowed with mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. Entering this ghost city, you will find many statues of demons and vivid scenes of their perfidious activities. (Note: Once again, the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes are again highly recommended!)

Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges while relaxing on the sun deck and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively. 

In Wu Gorge you will take an enjoyable adventure to primitive Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream). Switch to a smaller boat to sail down this beautiful stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of high mountain peaks and hanging coffins on the steep cliff faces. After watching an entertaining music and dance show of local Tujia ethnic minority, sail back to your ship.

In this evening, you’ll enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates and or join in the fascinating dance show to spend a wonderful night.

Optional Excursion: Take a shore excursion to White Emperor City for an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursion offers the best viewing spot to appreciate the magnificent Kuimen Gate. 

After breakfast, you’ll begin to check out and disembark at Maoping Port. Today’s highlight is a morning excursion to Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project, located at the middle of Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You will marvel at this gigantic dam from different angles, learn more of the background history of the Three Gorges Dam Project and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscape and scenery. If you like, you can take an optional experience to sail through Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the largest and the most sophisticated ship lift in the world, which takes only 40 minutes with fresh insight into the dam project.

After the dam visiting, you’ll take the bus arranged by the cruise company heading to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for leave. Here you will be pick up by our local guide be transferred to Yichang East Railway Station for a high speed train to Shanghai.

After arrival in Shanghai, our local tour guide will pick you up at the train station, and escort you to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this cosmopolitan and lively city.

Disembarkation Tips: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll check out and take your luggage away in this early morning. (1) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing, and then arrive at Yichang downtown around 12:30. (2) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown around 13:30.

Visit Jade Buddha Temple, a very famous Buddha Temple with a history of over one hundred years. Then head for Yu Garden, famous garden in the south China. The symbol of Yuyuan Garden is the Nine Zigzag Bridge, which was built of granite and grass-white jade and the quaint, elegant mid-lake pavilion. Then, have a tour to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where you will go up to have a bird's-eye view of the city. It will take your breath away standing on the glass sightseeing platform of 259 meters' high. To get close to the city, we will walk around Nanjing Road, the Bund, and the old streets in Shanghai.

Free at leisure before your departure. We will arrange the drop-off service according to your departure time. See off at the airport and depart by your own flight.