Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing Triangle

Itinerary

• Day 1: Ni Hao, Beijing!

  Welcome to Beijing!

  When you land in this amazing city, your private guide will greet you with a big smile and escort you to the hotel for check-in. Settle down in your comfortable room and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to recover from jet lag!

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Forbidden City, Hutongs, and Traditional Beijing-style Tea Break

  Dedicate this morning to two icons of the city, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage, the grandiose Forbidden City is Chinese imperial architecture at its height, featuring opulent palaces and halls where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and their families used to live. Learn about the meanings behind the design of the architecture and be fascinated by behind-the-scenes stories of the emperors' lives.

  Afterward, explore the hutongs, a network of crisscrossing alleyways flanked by traditional courtyard residences. Gain insight into this unique lifestyle, and delight in the sweet flavors of cute-looking traditional pastries and cakes paired with a cup of tea or coffee!

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: The Great Wall Excursion, Temple of Heaven

  The first stop of today's explorations is the Temple of Heaven. Once served as the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties attended sacrificial ceremonies to pray for a bountiful harvest, the elegant architectures are now surrounded by spacious parklands often used by locals for morning exercise.

  Then comes the highlight of the day, the Great Wall! An awe-inspiring defense system comprising walls, watchtowers, troop barracks, and more, the Great Wall is regarded as one of ancient China's greatest engineering feats. You'll visit the Mutianyu Section, where a cable car will take you to the top of the wall. Indulge in sweeping views of the Great Wall winding into the distance and opt for a soft hike to discover more corners of this monumental structure that played an important role in China's history.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Fly to Chongqing, Afternoon Tour

  Travel to Chongqing by plane today! The flight takes around two and a half hours and your local guide will be waiting for you when you land.

  A sprawling city built on mountainsides, Chongqing features a unique cityscape where a walk brings lovely surprises. Explore the winding Shancheng Walkway by foot, get to know the local lifestyle, and hear about the fascinating stories tucked around the corners of these decades-old neighborhoods. Later, head to an observation deck near Liziba Station to see the spectacle where a train runs right through the center of a building!

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  • Chongqing

• Day 5: The Best Views of the Yangtze in One Day

  Admire the best views of the Yangtze River by cruise ship today! Taking the Centurama Verse ship, you'll depart Chongqing for Yichang. With Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge showing their breathtaking beauty, this section is widely regarded as the highlight of the Yangtze. If you happen to travel on a rainy day, the views become more atmospheric, with the gorges shrouded in a light veil of mist.

  During this 7-hour cruise, you can enjoy various amenities provided onboard, including the cinema and fabulous performances in different themes. Arrive in Yichang at around 4 p.m., meet your local guide and driver at the pier, and head to the hotel for check-in.

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  • Yichang

• Day 6: Fly to Shanghai, City Tour With the Bund

  Your China trip takes you to Shanghai, China's largest city and economic capital. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport and a comfortable ride in a private car takes you to downtown Shanghai for sightseeing.

  Stroll along the Bund, a waterfront promenade offering gorgeous views of the futuristic skyscrapers on the opposite bank. It stands as a witness to Shanghai's drastic changes in the past century. You'll also visit the Yu Garden, a classical Chinese landscape garden originally built during the Ming Dynasty by an official, and the Yuyuan Market bursting with colors and sounds.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 7: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Evening Foodie Tour

  Journey to Zhujiajiao, an ancient town located on the outskirts of Shanghai. Once a busy trade hub nestled on the banks of the canal, the town's special way of life can still be seen today from its well-preserved stone bridges and traditional architecture. During a relaxing stroll along the banks, you'll learn more about the town's lifestyle by making stops at various attractions such as Hexin Garden (own account), Fangsheng Bridge, and more.

  This evening, gain a deeper appreciation for the city's culinary traditions by partaking in a join-in foodie tour. Visit neighborhood-gem eateries loved by the locals, try a delicious range of local dishes from the juicy soup dumplings to the savory braised pork belly and the crunchy pan-fried bun, and fall under the spell of the Former French Concession at night.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 8: Farewell, Shanghai

  Your exciting China discovery comes to an end today.

  At the appointed time, you'll head to the airport by private car. Say goodbye to your local guide and driver and board your flight home.

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