Essential River Cruise Tour Of China
from 16 days
Price (domestic air & land) from USD2690 Condition?
16 Day Tour Itinerary
Tour Code: RiverTour-Watertown-05
- Day 1-2 in Shanghai
- Day 1
Say Hello to China. Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag.
Day 2After breakfast, you will head to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to glimpse at the promising future of Shanghai and then immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the famous Jade Buddha Temple.
Later, 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.
- Day 3 in Suzhou
- Day 3
Today comfortable transfer will take you to Suzhou, a city well-known for its traditional gardens and refined silk embroidery.
Here you will visit the Humble Administrator Garden, one of China’s most beautiful gardens, set foot on the ancient Pan Gate, enjoy the gentle breeze, nice scenery & local life by taking a cruise along the 2,400-year-old Grand Canal.
Then drop by No.1 Silk Factory to discover the secret process of silk-making.
- Day 4 in Tongli
- Day 4
This morning you will take a trip to the picturesque water town of Tongli (20 minute drive from Suzhou).
Here you will take a walk in the beautiful Garden of Seclusion and Meditations, visit the Pearl Pagoda, cross the typical Triple Bridge, and roam through the ancient Ming and Qing Dynasty Street.
Be driven back to Shanghai after the tour.
- Day 5-9 Yangtze Cruise
- Day 5
You will be free on this day until your personal guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Yichang.
Upon your arrival in Yichang, be met and escorted to the dock to your Yangtse Cruise ship.
Day 6Sailing 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 appreciate Chinese culture.
There will be 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. After the excursion, return to yourship, have a rest and get ready to enjoy the Welcome Dinner Party hosted by the captain in the evening.
Day 7The second full day onboard your cruise ship with a shore excursion to the tranquil waters of Shennong Stream or to the picturesque Lesser Three Gorges, which is decided by the ship company according to local weather conditions.
After the excursion, you will sail through the impressive Wu Gorge, a nice chance to take some marvelous photos.
Day 8Today your ship will stop for the final shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, an age-old temple complex perched on cliffs above the river with commanding views. Inside the temple, you will see various precious sculptures, paintings depicting the Afterlife world and gain an insight of the mystic Chinese Ghost culture.
After the excursion, re-board your ship and enjoy yourself at the Farewell Dinner Party in the evening.
Day 9After breakfast, you will disembark the ship in Chongqing at 09:00 am and be picked up & transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin.
Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
- Day 10-11 in Guilin
- Day 10
Today's highlight is Li River Cruise. Starting at Zhujiang Pier, you'll cruise down the picturesque Li River until Yangshuo. En route, stunning limestone karst scenery, pastoral views of thriving groves, rice paddies, water buffalos and working farmers make your trip relaxing & enjoyable.
Early afternoon, disembark in Yangshuo and check into your hotel. Then you will be free to explore this wonderfully laid back town and its popular West Street.
Evening, you could take the fascinating Impression Liu Sanjie Tribal Show to round off the day.
Day 11After a wonderful stay in Yangshuo, you will be transferred back to Guilin to have a essential city tour.
You will tour Elephant Trunk Hill, which resembles a remarkable stone elephant drinking water from Li River, climb on the legendary Fubo Hill, drop by a Pearl Museum and explore the fabulous Reed Flute Cave.
After the tour, take a flight to Xian and check into your hotel.
- Day 12-13 in Xian
- Day 12
The incredible Terracotta Warriors is your first stop today. Discovered in 1974, the 6,000 life-size terra soldiers and horses are an amazing form of funerary art buried, with China’s foremost Emperor Qin Shihuang, to help rule another empire in the afterlife. Then visit a Ceramic Factory to witness how these statues can be made.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Ancient City Walls, the largest and best-kept city walls on earth, and the age-old Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is the city symbol of Xian.
Day 13You will be free to relax in your hotel or continue your exploration of this history-enriched city by yourself.
Then you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Beijing, the dynamic capital of China.
- Day 14-16 in Beijing
- Day 14
On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square, the largest palaze on earth. Passing through Tiananmen Gate, then you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, China’s No.1 palace complex famous for its grand buildings, exquisite ornaments and priceless royal treasures.
In the afternoon, you will marvel the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where emperors in ancient times worshiped Heaven for a national good harvest.
Day 15No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you will tour the magnificent Great Wall, the 8th Wonder of the World. Walking on the venerable ramparts, you will be amazed at the unbelievable constructions and appalling landscape that surrounds the Wall.
Descending the Great Wall, you will stop by a Jade Gallery and then take a leisurely stroll along the Sacred Road, a royal path noted for vivid stone statues and afterlife stories.
Day 16After breakfast, you will visit the exquisite Summer Palace. Built as a royal summer retreat in 1750, the Palace is one of the four most beautiful gardens in China.
In the afternoon, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Trip Overview
The 16-day tour is a great experience that relaxes your body and mind in the water's rhythm and melody. Suzhou with elegant gardens and lovely canal towns, like the gentle and soothing poem, iniciates the water tour. A slow moving boat cruise down the Grand Canal offers a unique leisurely charm. Then a 4-day cruise, a symphony played by the mighty Yangtze River and its surrounding cliffs and gorges, provides a dramatic and epic experience. Next the otherworld Li River draws you into a picturesque realm of karst landscape. It's all about water.
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.
With a history of more than one thousand years, the canal town has hundreds of gardens (established in Ming and Qing dynasties), temples, cartilages and former residences of eminent souls.
Yangtze River Cruise: a must-do in China,
provides a unique access to the amazing natural beauty of the Yangtze River,
the country's longest and most enchanting river.
Besides, excursions to the Three Gorges Dam, Fengdu Ghost City and other famous scenic spots, various onboard cultural programs add to the charm of Yangtze Cruise.
Li River Cruise, the highlight of any Guilin tour, is the best way to appreciate the city’s intriguing natural beauty.
By taking the cruise from Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo, you will be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and reflections in the water. Together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes, you will feel like you are walking into a traditional Chinese painting.
Regarded
by many as a symbol of Xian, Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 A.D. in
Tang Dynasty to house the sutras brought back from India by the eminent monk
Xuan Zang. The temple's grounds, gardens, architecture and the pagodas are
beautiful. Many elements that make up the complex, complement each other in
harmony. Strolling through the gardens and admiring exquisite Buddhism
artifacts at the pagoda are unforgettable experiences.
Forbidden City is the world’s largest and
best-preserved palace complex, containing 9,999 well-decorated royal rooms that
represent divine perfection in ancient times.
As an emblem of absolute regality, it was the home of 26 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for 600 years. Grand architecture, exquisite ornaments and imperial treasures rate Forbidden City a highlight of China.
Reputed as the 8th Wonder of the World, the
Great Wall winds its way through mountains, grasslands and deserts for some
4,000 miles across northern China.
But the term 'Great Wall' is something of a misnomer as there is a net of walls of varying ages all designed to provide protection from intruders; a great man-made complex of walls, forts and signal stations.
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.
Our Private Service
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