Essential River Cruise Tour of China

Itinerary

• Day 1: Shanghai, Arrival

  Say Hello to China. Upon your arrival in 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 jet lag.

  • Shanghai

• Day 2: Shanghai City Tour

  Today, your first stop is the Bund - Shanghai's standout landmark, and then pay a visit to the Shanghai Museum - one of the most important museums in China. After that, your private guide will escort you to visit the famous Jade Buddha Temple.

  In the afternoon, you will take a walk from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli. You will have a chance to see the locals enjoy their leisure time in the park, see the traditional Stone Gate (Stone Arched Gates) at Bugaoli and try some popular dim sum at a local market. The last stop of the day will be the World Financial Center, where you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Shanghai.

  Optional: The amazing acrobatics show is highly recommended for you tonight. It will bring you a memorable experience in Shanghai.

  • B L
  • Shanghai

• Day 3: Shanghai - Suzhou, Chinese Gardens & Night Show

  After breakfast, you will take a private car and head to Suzhou, a city shaped by classical gardens, canals, and old neighborhood.

  Lingering Garden offers an introduction to the refined garden style, with pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and winding paths arranged within a compact space. From the garden, a traditional pedicab ride takes you through the old city, passing canals, residential lanes, and everyday street scenes before reaching Pingjiang Road. Take your time along the historic street and settle into a local teahouse for Suzhou tea and traditional pastries.

  In the evening, the gardens take on a different character during the night show at Master of the Nets Garden, with light, music, and live performances woven into the classical setting.

  • B L
  • Suzhou

• Day 4: Suzhou - Shanghai, Tongli Water Town

  In the morning, you will be driven to Tongli Water Town (20 minutes). Pay a visit to the Garden of Seclusion and Meditations, the Pearl Pagoda, the Triple Bridge and Ming and Qing Dynasty Street. After your trip to this beautiful village, your chauffeur will drive you back to Shanghai.

  • B L
  • Shanghai

• Day 5: Shanghai - Yichang, Yangtze Cruise

  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 for your Yangtze cruise.

  • B
  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 6: Yangtze River Cruise, Three Gorges Dam

  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 and Chinese Herbal Facial, which provide you 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 hydroelectric dam with extraordinary sights whatever your views on the project. After the excursion, return to your ship, have a rest and get ready to enjoy the Welcome Dinner Party hosted by the captain in the evening.

  • B L D
  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise, Shennong Stream or Lesser Three Gorges

  Spend the second full day on board with a shore excursion to the tranquil waters of Shennong Stream or to the picturesque Lesser Three Gorges, which is decided by the shipping 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.

  • B L D
  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise, Fengdu Ghost City

  Today your cruise will stop for the final shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, an age-old temple complex perches on cliffs above the river with commanding views. Inside the temple, you will see various precious sculptures depicting the paintings of the afterlife world and gain insight into the mystic Chinese Ghost culture.

  After the excursion, re-board your cruise and enjoy yourself at the Farewell Dinner Party in the evening.

  • B L D
  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise, Chongqing - Guilin

  After breakfast, you will disembark in Chongqing at 9:00 am and then be picked up and 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 and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

  • B
  • Guilin

• Day 10: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River & West Street

  Today's highlight is the Li River cruise. Embark at Zhujiang Pier, and cruise down the picturesque Li River. Along the way, amazing rock formations, dense vegetation, water buffaloes, and working farmers will add pleasure to your journey.

  After disembarkation in the early afternoon, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo. Later, you can enjoy your time roaming the well-known West Street with bars, cafes, and restaurants.

  Optional: If you'd like more recreations in Yangshuo, an open-air show of Impression Sanjie Liu would be heartily recommended.

  • B L
  • Yangshuo

• Day 11: Guilin - Xi'an, Reed Flute Cave

  After breakfast, you will have a countryside tour in Yangshuo whether by bicycle or private car. Later, your chauffeur will drive you back to Guilin. Upon arrival, you will have a 1-hour tour of Reed Flute Cave to enjoy the perfect combination of nature and light.

  After that, you will drop by the Pearl Museum to see how the pearls are made and you may find one you like. Finally, you will take a flight to Xi'an and be escorted to your hotel.

  • B L
  • Xi'an

• Day 12: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors & City Highlights

  Today you will begin your tour from Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974, more than 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers and horses are an amazing form of funerary art buried, with China's first Emperor Qin Shihuang, to help rule another empire in his afterlife. Then visit a ceramic factory to watch how these statues can be made. In the afternoon, you will walk along the Muslim Street to explore exotic gourmet. After that, have a visit to the peaceful and relaxing Great Mosque. Tonight is free.

  Optional: If you want to explore further the Xi'an city, you can consider enjoying the famous Tang Dynasty Show as the night entertainment.

  • B L
  • Xi'an

• Day 13: Xi'an - Beijing, City Walls & Calligraphy Class

  After breakfast, you will first visit the Ancient City Wall and take a calligraphy class at Small Wild Goose Pagoda. After lunch, you will be escorted to the railway station for a high-speed train heading to Beijing. Upon arrival, your personal guide will meet you up and escort you to the hotel.

  • B L
  • Beijing

• Day 14: Beijing, City Highlights Tour

  On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square, the most sacred square in China. Pass through Tiananmen Gate and then 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, marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where emperors in ancient times worshiped Heaven for the national good harvest.

  Optional: At night, the Chinese Kung Fu Show can let you know the charm of this martial art closely.

  • B L
  • Beijing

• Day 15: Beijing, Great Wall Tour

  No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you will tour it. We have chosen older but less-crowded Mutianyu section for you (round-trip cable car included), so you can enjoy more of the wonderful view. After descending the Great Wall, 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.

  • B L
  • Beijing

• Day 16: Beijing, Departure

  It's time to say goodbye. You will be escorted to the airport for your return flight. Hope you travel with Odynovo again!

  • B