14-day highlights of China with Yangtze Cruise

Arrive in Beijing

Upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport, your guide will meet you at the arrival hall and then you will be transferred to the hotel in Beijing. The rest of the day is at leisure

Imperial Architectures

Today, while fixing your eyes on this huge Tiananmen Square, symbol of historical changes in China, be sure to also soak up the Chinese patriotic atmosphere. Take a symbolic picture in the center of the square before walking along its underpass, which leads to the Forbidden City. Then, pass the Tiananmen Gate and begin the tour of Forbidden City. Stroll between the walls steeped in history and this huge imperial palace touched by the footsteps of emperors from past Chinese dynasties. Pass by the Palace interiors and courtyards to see how its treasures and mysteries are revealed. Enjoy the Palace museum and relax in a unique atmosphere. 
In the afternoon, you will climb the small slope of the Jingshan Park to reach the Wanchun Pavilion. Here you experience memorable views of the golden roofs of the Forbidden City, the National Grand Theatre and the central axis of the capital. Then, experience a tour back to a time of ancient worship by visiting the Temple of Heaven. A shrine of Heaven and symbol of Beijing, the Temple is believed to be as important as the Forbidden City, or even more because the emperor is the son of Heaven. If there is not too crowded, a stroll through the extensive gardens and corridors of the park will immerse you in the lives of old Beijing.
Are you interested in Peking Opera which reveal the custom and legend of China in a vivid way? Time for an evening at the Peking Opera, you will be fascinated by the legends of ancient China. After an early dinner, if you wish, enter backstage at the theater to see the actors apply their makeup and get ready for their performance. The acting, costumes and music are set with such finesse that you forget the English subtitles on both sides of the stage. You will be surprised by the staging and colors, but especially those performing skills that are so different from yours.

Have you heard about the Great Wall? I bet you have. Toady, we will truly explore one of the most important symbols of China: The Mutianyu Great Wall. This wonderful site offers a stunning landscape of the surrounding nature. Having access to the ramparts by cable car, you may enjoy of exclusion from the rest of the world, as this area is a slightly less touristy section of the Great Wall. To return, you can choose to walk or tobogganing or cable car.

After the Great Wall tour, stop at the cloisonne factory where this ancient art will be revealed. You will explore artisans welding on a piece of copper inlaid with colored enamels.

Visit the architectural treasures of the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace. Built based on models of the most beautiful gardens of Suzhou and the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou, this huge garden is full of history, which will make your tour unforgottable. There is even a chance for a short cruise along the calm Kunming Lake.

Enjoy one of the most delicate Chinese cuisine dishes: the Beijing Roast Duck. You will enjoy this ancient dish in one of the best restaurants in Beijing.

Local Life

This morning, as you ride in a rickshaw in the Hutongs, prepare to dive deeper into this unique atmosphere of old Beijing. The doors of the famous courtyard houses are open to you, as you experience being around working-class families. When sharing a meal with a typical Beijing Hutong family, you will learn about the customs and traditional ways of life in these neighborhoods.
After then, meet the faithful Buddhist in the Yonghe Lama Temple. This Lamasery is still active and considered the most beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet. This temple has been the Office of Tibet for the Dalai Lama's communication directly with the central government in Beijing. Over its five halls, you soak in the sacred atmosphere and enchanted by the huge, wooden statue of Buddha Maitreya.
In the afternoon, learn more about the history of Beijing through the Capital Museum. Within its five floors, this museum houses a large collection of porcelain, bronze, calligraphy, jade, sculptures of imperial China and other Asian cultures. Then, discover the National Grand Theater, a world famous architectural work close to the Forbidden City. Unless there is any special event, this gigantic egg enthroned in the midst of artificial waters will open the doors of its theaters and its mysteries. This is a visit worth experiencing.
Tonight, you will be transferred to the train station for the overnight train to Xi'an

The Eighth Wonder of the World

In the morning, you guide will meet you at the exit of the overnight train and then you will be transferred to the hotel for check in and breakfast. Then, go a few miles outside of city wall and discover one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas. As a symbol of Xian, you could admire the city and realize Xian at the seventh floor of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, stop at a Jade Factory –jade is the Chinese favorite treasure. Enjoy being with professionals to discover how jade is carved and the difference between real and fake.
In the afternoon, get away downtown Xian to visit the eighth wonder of the world, the Terracotta Army. From the passage of the door, prepare to marvel at the craziest project by the first emperor of China. The terracotta figures are life–sized. Their faces are discovered to be different for each figure. As a form of funerary art, it’s worth careful observation and study. In an annex building, watch the story of the emperor and the construction of this magnificent tomb. The real size of the Terracotta Warriors will definitely leave you amazed and make you Xian tour unforgettable.

In the morning, dive into the history of the province of Shaanxi. The huge Shaanxi History Museum is a treasure of China. This museum houses numerous murals, paintings, pottery, coins, bronze, gold and other objects.  From prehistory to the discovery of the Terracotta Army, you will figure out the constant changes that the people of the ancient capital Chang'an had made. Then, climb up a few stone steps and then you are on the Xian City Wall. Enjoy a stroll or even bike on the city wall to admire the city view with an overlook. Although it is impossible to make a complete tour of the city on the wall, the ride will be interesting.
In the afternoon,immerse yourself in the culture by visiting the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter. Open your senses in the Muslim Quarter of the city and discover spices and dishes typical of the Hui ethnic group. Arrive at the Great Mosque of Xian, one of the four largest ancient mosques of China. Gardens and buildings open to non-Muslims will give you an overview of the Sino-Arab cultural mix in which many places are impregnated.
Tonight, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the arrival hall and then will be transferred to the hotel in Guilin.

Li River Cruise

This morning, you'll be driven to the pier to take the Li River Cruise where lunch will be served. Over the 4-hour drive, drive of an enchanting world made up of karst peaks in the form of Sugar Loaves. It's as if a Chinese painting paraded before you. The landscape of the Shanshui (water and mountains) is extraordinary. You may be lucky to admire buffalo while you're peacefully grazing the water.
Upon arrival, go to a cycling in the countryside of Yangshuo. Pedal amid the surrounding rice fields and soak up the unique atmosphere of the place, lost in the deep Chinese countryside. The breath of fresh air, the visual feast of natural beauty….all of these is ripe for exploration. 
In the dusk, wander along the banks of the Li River to watch the cormorant fishing. This ancient method is still used in the Guangxi region to catch fish. Admire as the trained cormorants dive into the Li River to pick up the fish that they then bring back to their master. The Cormorant Fishing has remained an active activity in some remote areas of China. 

Inside Chongqing

Take the morning flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the arrival hall and then head towards the Old Chongqing and take a walk in the old town of Ciqikou. Nicknamed small Chongqing, Ciqikou is a reflection of this provincial capital a hundred years earlier. Stroll in the neighborhood of the Hongya cave where the traditional architectures of Bayu culture is quite characteristic. A visit to Chongqing will never be ended without a cable car trip on Yangtze River. You will have an impressive view of the city and its buildings on a hillside. To observe the old traditions, Chongqing is now far too developed to provide a realistic view of the situation. The best may be a visit to the small villages in the suburbs. Keeping an old layout, Hongya Cave and Ciqikou allow you to explore into the past of the city.
In the afternoon, in the city center, stop at the Three Gorges Museum, which is actually the Museum of Chongqing. It’s delicated to the education, preservation and research of cultural heritage and environment in Chongqing. And you will also get a glimpse of the phenomenal development of the city during the twentieth century. The consequences of the war against Japan are not forgotten. You can even see a long-lost civilization in the region. If you have further interest, you can also explore sculptures, paintings, and many other pieces of art from different periods.
After an early dinner, you will be taken to the pier for Yangtze River Cruise. Board before 7:00pm. Once installed in your cabin, you will first be informed on the equipment of the boat and safety rules. At 21:30, the ship will leave the port and you're off for four days enjoying the Downstream Yangtze River Cruise (Day 1).

Yangtze River Cruise

Wake up at 7am with the sound of Chinese music played on the boat. Begin the second day cruise on the Yangtze River. After your breakfast, you can take a course of tai chi as your wish. At 8:30, the boat will make its first stop at the ghost town of Fengdu. You will soon understand the meaning of the name while you're visiting the scattered temples and wandering. After a buffet on board, you will have the whole afternoon on board free. Take the opportunity to relax and watch the mountain world around you or participate in activities offered on the ship. At 18:00am, attend the welcome cocktail ball organized by the captain. After your early dinner, you can attend a fashion show.

Yangtze River Cruise Day 3

Today, on the third day cruise on the Yangtze River. After breakfast, you can attend a Chinese Painting course at 9am if you wish. Then do not forget to go to the deck for the passing of the first of the Three Gorges, Qutang Gorge or Kui Gorge. It is 8 kilometers' long, you can see beautiful landscapes of the shortest bur most precipitous gorge. After lunch, you will take a smaller boat to go on cruise on Lesser Three Gorges of the Yangtze River (Day 3). On the Daning River, lesser gorge are sometime more impressive than the larger ones. Much narrower, the cliffs on each side are breathtaking. You'll be back on your cruise ship after 4pm. Once continue cruising, then you will pass the Wuxia Gorge including peak Shennu, one of the most revered goddesses of China. Tonight, a farewell dinner is planned followed by a dancing ball. If you want to stay up late, do not miss the passage of the 5-level ship lock around midnight.
 

Three Gorges Dam

In the morning, you will have breakfast before 7:30 am in order not to miss the last day of the downstream Yangtze cruise to the Three Gorges Dam (Day 4). Until 10:00 am, you will visit the room with the history of the Three Gorges Dam. Although you can't enter the dam site, as it is too dangerous for visitors, a model will be presented to understand the layout of the site. Then you will ride the boat to discover the Xiling gorges, past the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Around noon, you'll arrive at the port of Taohuacun, near Yichang. Thus, the trip on the Yangtze River is ended with ease and in style!
Then, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival at the Pudong International Airport, the guide will meet you at the arrival hall an then you will be driven to the hotel.
 

Modern and Traditional Shanghai

For a new adventure today, explore the Shanghai Museum to discover one of the most important collections of Chinese art in the world. You will be amazed within the history of this country's millennial culture. Get there by first crossing the People's Square and its Park. Then,take a nice walk along the Huangpu River on the Bund. Historic buildings in this street combine Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque to the New York of the 1930s and the Sino-Western. As a symbol of Shanghai since the 1920s, the Bund is considered “Chic Avenue of China”. With modern skyscrapers on the other side of the river, a walk on the Bund mixes old and renewal in a sumptuous setting. Close to the Bund, do some shopping in the stores of Shanghai on West Nanjing Road.  As one of the woworld’s businest shopping streets, Nanjing Road offer century-old outdoor markets, traditional eaterie etc. Enter the crowds of shopaholics strolling around the long pedestrian street of several kilometers. As you do your shopping on the Nanjing Road, enjoy and admire some of the historic buildings in their various styles.
In the afternoon,reach at the top of the second tallest skyscraper in Shanghai, the Jin Mao Tower. From the top of its 88 floors you will admire the panorama of the Bund and the Huangpu River in the front with the symbol of the city, the Oriental Pearl Tower. The Jin Mao Tower opened its doors in 1998 and at the time was the highest skyscraper in the city with a height of more than 420 meters. Its postmodern form also draws on traditional Chinese architecture, which makes it art deco.
This evening, go for Huangpu River Cruise.’ The cruise is indeed along the Bund and its Gothic, Baroque and romantic frontages. On the other side, admire the modern Pudong New Area and its huge skyscrapers. The cruise will makes a U-turn near the Yangpu Bridge and you are provided then the most beautiful view on this cable-stayed bridge which is one of the longest in the world.

Yuyuan Garden is reputed as a haven of peace in Shanghai, today, we gonna truly approach it. In the morning, visit the breathtaking, beautiful garden of Shanghai Yuyuan Garden. As one might notice while strolling through the shops and restaurants, this area has been restored in a very typical style of ancient China. Cross the bridge with nine turns and finally go to the Yuyuan garden, a haven of peace in the economic capital-Shanghai. Then, visit the Shanghai 1933 Old Millfun which today hosts important events in the field of design and fashion. In a residential district of Shanghainese, enter this place which maintains a very original design.
In the afternoon,take a stroll around the old town of Shanghai and Tianzifang Shikumen is one of the must-see sites. It’s developed from a renovated traditional residential area. These traditional houses are in Shanghai as the Courtyards in Beijing. Stroll in the middle of shops, the art galleries and cafes in the small and classic alleys of the neighborhood. Then stroll in the Old French Concession of Shanghai and discover some of the most beautiful villas of the pre-war in this area. Pass by Huaihai Street and the hotel Jinjiang, which today represents the heart of this old French Concession.
Wrap up with a stop in the trendy Xintiandi district in the heart of old French Concession. It would be a shopping, eating, entertainment paradise in Shanghai. On one hand, old architecture of the Shikumen is really impressive, and on the other hand, enjoy the hustle and bustle atmosphere of the local people after work. You even pass the site of the first National Congress of the CCP. Stop in the Museum of the Shikumen where you will discover the lifestyles of the Shanghai before 1949.

End of the trip

Free until be transferred to Pudong International Airport for the flight home.