11 Days Yangtze River Group Tour

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Beijing

Temple of Heaven, Hutong, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City

OM local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at the appointed time. It will be an exciting day as we will explore the world well-known wonders today. The 1st stop is Temple of Heaven, the existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven and a place where the emperors prayed for a year of abundance. In the visit of Temple of Heaven, you will be astonished by the exquisite ancient Chinese architectures. Besides, you will see local seniors doing morning exercises in the square and full of vigor. You will have chance to watch Chinese Kongfu, Taichi, square dancing, playing cards, playing chess etc.

Then you will enjoy a Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with a local family visit, which will give you a deep impression of the local residents' live.
 

A la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant to have a taste of the authentic Chinese food at noon time and have a break at the restaurant.
 

Then continue this Beijing city treasure tour by a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city center square, the locality of numerous major political and historical events. It is the witness of Chinese development. It is only a walking distance from Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden City, the world's existing largest and most complete ancient wooden structure buildings. You will explore the glorious palace halls and gardens for more than 2 hours in Forbidden City, learning the legendary story of the emperors and how the royal family lived there. You will be stunned by the numerous old art treasures exhibited in halls. The memorable Beijing city tour for the 1st day ends by dropping off at your hotel lobby. 

Notes:  At night, a lively and dramatic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater or the Acrobatic Show can be your optional night entertainment.  

Forbidden City

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall with round way cable car, the exterior of Bird Nest and Water Cube

It will be an exciting day today. In the early morning, guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. Today we will visit the must-visit spot in Beijing--- Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the famous sections of China Great Wall. It takes about 2 hours driving from the downtown of Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. (***Round way cable car are included at Mutianyu Great Wall***)

A la carte lunch is arranged at a good restaurant at the foot of Mutianyu. Drive back to downtown of Beijing. We will have a stop at a jade carving factory en route. When we reach Beijing, we will have a photo stop outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, which were the famous sites constructed for 2008 Beijing Olympic. The tour finishes by dropping off at your hotel. If you would like to try local specialty tonight, you could ask for some suggestion about Peking Roast Duck Restaurant.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Xi'an

Summer Palace, High speed train to Xi'an

In the morning, check out from hotel and start to visit the last spots in Beijing --- Summer Palace, the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. The Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are regarded as the representative of Summer Palace. In the park, you could choose to take a boating trip on the lake, enjoying the beautiful royal garden view. Walk along the Long Corridor--- the longest corridor in the world, admiring the extremely rich and prestigious paintings on the beams of the corridor.

A la carte lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant on the way to Beijing West Railway Station to take high speed train (2nd class seat, duration: about 5-5.5 hours) from Beijing to Xi'an. OM guide will wait at the exit of Xi'an train station with our signboard and transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the time.

Summer Palace

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Xi'an

Ancient City Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Pottery workshop, Bell Tower Square

Today we will have a full day to explore this historical and cultural city in China. Pick up from hotel in the morning, and then have a visit to the landmark of Xi'an---Xi'an City Wall. You could choose to have a bicycle riding on the city wall (***Bicycle riding is optional and excluded from our price***). 
 

After that, we will drive to the highlights in Xi’an ---the Terracotta Warriors. On the way to Terracotta Warriors, we will have a stop at a cave dwelling pottery workshop, where you will have chance to learn how to make a miniature terracotta warrior and discover the unique ancient housing style in north China.  A la carte lunch is arranged at a local restaurant nearby Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon, we will have enough time to visit this world wonder --- Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation.
 

When you back to downtown, we will walk around Bell Tower Square, a lively public space where locals gather for activities, surrounded by traditional hutongs and modern city life. The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby.

Notes: You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.

Terracotta Warriors

Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: In Chongqing

High speed train to Chongqing, Embark on the boat

After breakfast, take the morning train to Chongqing for about 5-5.5 hours. Your Chongqing tour guide will wait for you at the train station. 
 

***Depends on the train and Yangtze River cruise schedule***
If we have enough time, we will go to know more about Three Gorges and Yangtse River by visiting Three Gorges Museum, not only the largest monographic museum in China, but also a public undertaking for the preservation, education, scientific research in respect of cultural relics and the natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. The Chongqing People Hall is just located opposite to the Three Gorges Museum. You can take a picture of this construction like Temple of Heaven from the apperance. Then we will go to visit Hong Ya Dong at  the riverside area of the Yangtze River.  It is the best place to visit group of stilted buildings, appreciate Hongya Dicui, stroll mountain city old street, watch ba-yu culture, and taste delicious food, and it is also the Jiangbei lounge.

Then transfer to the cruise terminal and check-in your cruise. The check-in at between 18:00 and 20:30. 

Notes:
1. If you have enough free time in Chongqing before embark, you can have a try of Chongqing Hot Pot for your dinner.
2. Generally, the cruise departs from Chongqing Chaotianmen terminal, but some cruise boats may depart from Fengdu or Fuling Terminal (from Chongqing about 1.5-2 hours' drive), which depends on the water level and the cruise's arrangement. If the cruise departs from Fengdu or Fuling, the Chongqing city tour is not included.

Chongqing City View

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: On Board

Fengdu Ghost City (optional), Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park, FengYan SanGuo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show(optional)

Enjoy a full day Yangtze cruise! In ther morning, you will have an optional shore excursion short visit to Fengdu (depends on river condition). Fendu is known as the 'Ghost City' to most Chinese people. Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park is arranged as your shore excursion. You can also choose to take the additional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City with extra fee. Tonight a captain welcome reception is arranged for all the tourists. Feng Yan San Guo “Rommance of the Three Kingdoms” Show is another show excursion for you in the evening.

Victoria Cruise Itinerary: (only for reference, may change by cruise without notice)

[06:30-08:30] Early Bird Coffee and Tea; Practice Tai Chi on board and Buffet breakfast.

[09:00-13:30] Shore excursion---Fengdu Shuanguishan National Park is arranged in the morning. Or take additional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City with extra cost. Buffet lunch is served on board.

[16:00-21:30] Late afternoon Captain's Welcome Reception with buffet dinner. In the evening, you can choose to take the additional Shore excursion---FengYan SanGuo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show.

Notes: 
1. The cruise shore excursion and docks are subject to arrangements that are influenced by seasons, water levels, cruise canals, different cruises, and climates and are subject to change without prior notice. During the cruise, you will receive a schedule from the cruise, informing the daily program.
2. The service fee to the river guide and cruise crew on board is RMB150-200 per passenger which depends on different cruises and is not included in the fare.
3. The other personal expenses such as internet service, laundry, drinks, and bar charges, etc. are not included.

Fengdu Ghost City

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: On Board

White Emperor City(Optional), Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Goddess Stream

Today, an optional excursion will be arranged at around 07:30 to the White Emperor City - a place offers a view looking toward the Qutang Gorge is depicted on the back of the Chinese 10-yuan bill. Back to the ship and then pass through Three Gorges that namely Qutang Gorge - considered the most dramatic by many visitors, Wu Gorge - known for its deep valleys and forest covered mountains, and then after lunch, you will have a boat excursion to Goddess Stream .

Victoria Cruise Itinerary: (A bit different from the itinerary of other cruises)
06:30 - 07:00 Early bird coffee and tea/ practice Tai Chi at upper deck
07:00 - 08:30 Breakfast (Buffet)
07:30 - 10:15 Optional Shore excursion - White Emperor City (at your own expense RMB295 P.P)
10:45 (Est.)    Sailing through Qutang Gorge
12:45 (Est.)    Scenic cruising - Wu Gorge
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch (Buffet)
15:15 - 18:15 Shore excursion - Goddess Stream (or Shennong Stream depends on river condition)
19:00 - 20:30 Captain's Farewell Banquet (set-menu table dinner)
21:00 - 21:45 Crew cabaret
(18:00-23:00) Check out and pay for the bills if any

Notes: Excursion trip to White Emperor City, you would take the coach directly to Baidi Temple in 20 minutes' drive. You will have two hours for your White Emperor City visit to appreciate the rich historic story and mysterious land.

Qutang Gorge

Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: In Shanghai

Three Gorge Dam, High speed train to Shanghai

In the morning, have breakfast at 06:30-07:45, you will firstly visit the Three Gorge Dam (2.5 - 3 hours) - planned to be by far the largest hydroelectric project in the world. After the visiting, the local tour guide will pick you up and transfer to a good local restaurant to have a lunch before being transferred to train station to take high speed rail(about 7.5 hours) to Shanghai. Your Shanghai tour guide will wait for you at the station and help you to transfer to the hotel.
 

Three Gorges Dam

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Shanghai

Shikumen, Yuyuan Garden, Chenghuangmiao Old Street, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, City History Museum, the Bund

The last day but still an inspiring day to explore the city of Shanghai,the largest and most modern city in mainland China. We will start the tour by walking into Nong Tang, the alleys in Shikumen, where you could witness the locals' relaxing and plain life. You will also find the unique architectural feature of Shanghai.

Then continue the day trip to Yuyuan Garden which is a Chinese classic garden in city downtown. Then continue to explore the Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Old Street) nearby.

After a la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant, we continue our trip to the foot of The Oriental Pearl TV Tower to visit Shanghai City History Museum(The Former Shanghai Wax Museum), where you will know more about the history and development of Shanghai. Then take the elevator up to the 2nd ball of the TV tower, from which you will have a bird-eye view of Shanghai. Go on driving through Lujiazui, the finance & trade zone in Pudong of Shanghai, where you will find many skyscrapers. We will have a view of the modern skyline of Shanghai.

Then back to the Bund, admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River. From the Bund, you could see the landmark of Shanghai--- The Oriental Pearl TV Tower as well as other high-rised buildings, just on the opposite of Huangpu River.

The Bund

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Your China Experience is over too soon as your transfer to the airport by our driver and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.

Service Ends

Please note: We generally arrange the free hotel-airport transfer on sharing basis according to all the travelers' departure flights. If a separate private transfer is required, it will cause transfer supplement: US$75 per 5-seat car per way. Independent private transfer service will be required in advance.