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Print tour information 21 Day Tour Itinerary
Tour Code: RiverTour-Cruise-21
- Day 1-4 in Beijing
- Day 1
Welcome to China! Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag.
Day 2In the morning you will take a walk at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest plaza, and visit the remarkable Forbidden City. As China's No.1 palace complex, the City was the home to 26 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties famous for grand architectures, exquisite ornaments and royal relics.
In the afternoon, take a richshaw tour to explore the Hutongs, the disappearing alleys & neighbourhoods of Old Beijing where you can see local's typical courtyard houses and their daily life, and then roam through the relaxing Houhai Bar Street.
Day 3The Great Wall, the 8th Wonder of the World, is your first stop today. You will take a cable car to ascend to one section of Mutianyu Great Wall and then hike atop the walls as Chinese emperors once did, amazing at the venerable ramparts and breathtaking landscape aside.
Discending the Great Wall, you will drop by a Jade Gallery and stroll along the peaceful Sacred Road, a royal road guarded by many vivid stone statues of divine beasts and officials.
Day 4The morning tour will take you to the beautiful Summer Palace to see its enchanting gardening views and watch citizens doing their morning exercises and even join in them.
Then you will marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy temple where Chinese kings in ancient times presided intricate rituals to worship Heaven for a nation-wide good harvest and prosperity.
Later, proceed to the famous 798 Art District, a nice place to take a drink and appreciate the creative & fashionable artifacts by artists from all over the world.
- Day 5-7 in Xian
- Day 5
On this day you will be free until being escorted to the airport for your flight to Xian. Upon arriving in Xian, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
After a break, you will tour the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda, visit the grand Great Mosque, then wander through the exotic Muslim Community and sample some of the flavorful snacks.
Day 6Today you will inspect the incredible Terracotta Warriors. It is amazing to see 6,000 life-size terra soldiers and horses in battle formation having guarded the masauleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang for over 2,200 years. Then drop by an Art Ceramics Factory to learn how these statues were made.
In the afternoon, you will cycle atop Xian's Ancient City Walls, the largest and best-reserved city walls on earth, and appreciate the special stele calligraphy and paintings at the Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
Day 7On this day you will be free to explore this history-steeped city on you own until your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa.
Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa city. After check-in, you're advised to rest at your hotel to get adapted to the high altitude.
- Day 8-9 in Lhasa
- Day 8
Your sightseeing today begins with Lhasa’s cardinal landmark Potala Palace. As a holy land of Tibetan culture, everyday hundreds of common Tibetans trek miles and months to worship the Palace for their tradtional beliefs and family's blessing.
Later you will admire the sacred temple Jokhang Temple, the cradle of Tibetan Buddhism and the city center of Old Lhasa, and then walk the pilgrimage route with local devotees and wheel the holy wheelers at Barkhor Street.
Day 9After breakfast, you will tour the charming Norbulingka Park, which is known as "the Summer Palace of Tibet", and then come to Drepung Monastery, an ancient temple once housed 10,000 monks in its heyday.
You tour ends at Sera Monastery. Built in 1419, the monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet and is quite famous for its traditional Buddhism scripture debating.
- Day 10 in Gyantse
- Day 10
Today you will be transferred from Lhasa to Gyantse (5.5-hour drive).
En route, you will stop to see Yamdrok Lake, one of three most famous holy lakes in Tibet. The scenery of turquoise blue water in the lake with the reflection of surrounding snow-capped mountains are awesome. Then another stop takes you to a Tibetan family where you can chat with common Tibetans and try some their self-made food.
After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery to admire fancy frescoes, statues and sculptures.
- Day 11 in Shigatse
- Day 11
After breakfast, you will be driven from Gyantse to Shigatse (1.5-hour). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Then proceed to a free market to experience the stylish local life.
- Day 12 in Lhasa
- Day 12
Today you will travel back to Lhasa (6-hour drive) along the legendary Yaluzangbu River, the mother river of Tibet. Along the journey, you will view fantastic landscape of the valley and snow mountain, and get the special feeling of traveling in the outback far from modern civilization. After a rest in Lhasa, you will have a Tibetan-style farewell dinner in a typical restaurant, with Tibetan dances and songs.
- Day 14-15 in Chengdu
- Day 14
Today you will go to Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to enjoy an intimate contact with pandas and learn more about this endangered spice. Panda-hug is available but requires an extra cost.
Then visit the age-old Wenshu Temple and sit in its special tea house to have a cup of Chinese tea as locals usually do. After, you will take a leisurely stroll along Jinli Old Street.
Evening is free, optional to enjoy the melodious Sichuan Opera.
Day 15Today's excursion will take you to Huanglongxi Ancient Town, one of the top 10 old towns in China. Here you will escape from the bustle of cities and enjoy the tranquility and inner-calm of village life in this laid back place.
After that, head back to Chengdu and take a express train to Chongqing where your local guide will pick you up and escort you to your Yangtze Cruise ship.
- Day 16-18 Yangtze Cruise
- Day 16
Sailing along the Yangtze River, you will see its amazing natural beauty and real China countryside views. Various onboard entertaining programs such as Taiji Lessons, Chinese Herbal Facial provide you an excellent access to Chinese culture.
There will be a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, an ancient temple complex perched on cliffs above the river with commanding views. After the excursion, return to the ship, have a rest, dress up and get ready to enjoy the Welcome Dinner Party hosted by the captain in the evening.
Day 17The second full day onboard your cruise ship with a shore excursion to the tranquil waters of Lesser Three Gorges, the most beautiful part of the Yangtze River. After the excursion, you will also sail through the impressive Wu Gorge and western section of Xiling Gorge, a nice chance to take some marvelous photos.
In the evening, you will witness how your ship passes the giant Five-Level Ship Locks.
Day 18Your final morning on the ship with a shore excursion to the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, which is the world’s largest hydro-electric dam with extraordinary sights whatever your views on the project.
You will disembark the ship at a pier in Yichang, where your local guide will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, the economic center of China.
- Day 19-21 in Shanghai
- Day 19
In the morning, you will head to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center which enchronicles Shanghai's past, present and future.
Then take a walk in the beautiful Yu Garden, which is smartly filled with pavilions, halls, rock gardens and ponds, and see local's life at bustling Yuyuan Market.
Later, you enjoy the leisure at the hisotric Old French Concession, which is rupted an inner Paris of Shanghai.
Evening, enjoy the marvelous Acrobatic Show, a cultural gem of the city.
Day 20After breakfast, you will visit historic Zhujiajiao village (50 minute drive from Shanghai). At Zhujiajiao, you will walk through Fangsheng Bridge, Beida Street, and the Xi Family Residence. You will feel as though you have stepped back in time.
After your trip to this beautiful village, you will be driven back to Shanghai to visit M50 Artist Community.
Day 21After breakfast, you will stroll along the city's lively waterfront, known as The Bund, experience China's shopping paradise the Nanjing Road and then get a fantastic panorama view of the metropolis from Jinmao Tower.
After the tour, your local guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to the next destination.
Trip Overview
Ideal for novelty seekers who want a featured China at first visit, this 18-24 days tour combines the classical destinations with the retreats far from the big cities. Glimpse into China's cultural heart and soul in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Set off along the ancient Yangtze River on a relaxed cruise that features natural marvels and cultral relics. You'll be treated with a soul banquet by scrutinize Tibet, the land of sacred mountains and holy rivers, as well as exotic culture and divout pilgrims.This China dream is only a click away.
Tailor-made Tour Items
You have maximized flexibility to choose accommodations, meals, departure time and group size. The tour will best match your requirements and preferences.
Price
The price we offer is a package price excluding international airfares.
It can be optional if you'd like us to book for you.
Tailor-made Tour Items
AccommodationOur travel experts will provide you suggestions based on convenience of sightseeing, and the level of luxury you desire.Read on to find out what is best for you.
Breakfast & Meal
You do not have to eat the same food every time in tourist restaurants.We like you to taste a variety of Chinese food, which could be your best experience in China.
How many people
All of our tour groups are private groups.Either you are traveling alone or with your family and friends, departure is guaranteed regardless of group size.
Departure
The departure time of your tour is totally flexible. Booking your own flights is not a problem.It's always a good idea to check with us first for the options available.
To help you better plan your tour, we offers a Budget Guide for reference.
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