Yangtze River Cruise and the China Top Destinations

Afternoon — Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, your private guide greets you in the arrivals hall and escorts you to your hotel by private vehicle. Your guide also handles your luggage and assists with the hotel check-in process.

Evening — At Your Leisure
Lunch or dinner will be arranged according to the voucher provided for you; otherwise, you can find some local restaurants nearby or dine at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest and recover from your journey.

Morning — Temple of Heaven
Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, an esteemed complex of religious structures where emperors once prayed for good harvests, epitomizing the connection between Earth and Heaven. Built in the Ming Dynasty and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also a beloved public park where you can watch local residents practicing their distinctive morning exercises.

Lunch — A Well-Known Local Eatery
For lunch, enjoy a meal at a well-known local eatery featuring authentic regional cuisine. Your guide assists you in selecting dishes that suit your taste.

Afternoon — Tian'anmen Square & the Forbidden City
Stroll through Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, then delve into the enigmatic Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace. Home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it contains hundreds of halls and courtyards; venturing off the main axis uncovers fascinating tales of notable figures often overlooked by conventional tours.

Evening — At Your Leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure in Beijing.

Morning — Mutianyu Great Wall
After breakfast, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. As your guide leads you to the most rewarding stretches for a leisurely walk, you learn the fascinating stories behind this world wonder. Restored Ming Dynasty watchtowers line the ridge, and the surrounding hills offer sweeping views.

Afternoon — Simatai & Gubei Water Town
In the afternoon, travel to the Simatai section of the Great Wall and spend time exploring the picturesque Gubei Water Town, nestled at the foot of the wall. You also have the option to unwind with a soak in a hot spring.

Evening — Simatai Night Views
As evening falls, your guide accompanies you on a cable car ride up to the Simatai section to enjoy breathtaking night views, a unique experience distinct from the daytime scene. Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall that is open and illuminated at night. For a more romantic experience, visiting between April and October allows a special dinner with a view of the wall glowing along the mountain ridges.

Morning — Summer Palace
Explore the Summer Palace, a Qing Dynasty masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site set around Kunming Lake. Highlights include the Marble Boat, Longevity Hill, and the Long Corridor, whose beams are covered with thousands of painted scenes. A dragon-boat ride across the lake offers a royal perspective on the gardens.

Lunch — Local Restaurant
Pause for lunch before your afternoon train.

Afternoon — High-Speed Train to Xi'an
Board a high-speed train to Xi'an, a journey of roughly 4.5 to 6 hours that carries you past rural landscapes and ancient villages.

Evening — Arrival in Xi'an
On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in.

Accommodation
Hotel options include Mercure Xi'an, a comfortable hotel with easy access to the sights; Grand Mercure Xi'an, a hotel in traditional Chinese style near the Shaanxi Provincial Government; Hyatt Xi'an, a luxury hotel near South Lake in the city's Cultural Development Zone; and Legend, a luxury hotel in the walled area of Xi'an.

Morning — Terracotta Army and Clay Warrior Workshop
The Terracotta Army was built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221–206 BC), the first emperor of a unified China. The subterranean escort he commissioned includes thousands of life-sized warriors, along with chariots, horses, and weapons, each figure uniquely crafted with distinct facial features; four pits have been excavated so far, and many figures remain buried. Your guide will lead you through the pits, explaining the discovery, construction techniques, and historical significance of this extraordinary find. Afterward, you will have the chance to craft a clay warrior yourself at a local artisan's workshop set within a cave dwelling.

Cultural Insight
The terracotta figures were originally painted in vivid colors, but most of the pigment faded within minutes of exposure to air after excavation.

Afternoon — Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Hanfu Experience
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was first built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty by the monk Xuan Zang as a repository for the Buddhist scriptures and relics he had brought back from the West. It began with five stories, was later expanded under Empress Wu Zetian, and after damage in war stands today as a seven-story brick tower; from the top visitors enjoy a spectacular view of the city. At a local Hanfu experience center, you can choose a set of traditional robes and period makeup, then continue your day in costume — a memorable way to step back into the Tang Dynasty.

Evening — Datang Everbright City
In the evening, dressed in Hanfu, you will continue to Datang Everbright City, a large pedestrian street lined with a cluster of Tang-style buildings. Stroll among the illuminated architecture and enjoy interactive experiences such as light shows and palace dancing performances, along with authentic local cuisine.

Morning — Hanyang Mausoleum
Begin the day at Hanyang Mausoleum (also called Hanyangling Museum), a Western Han Dynasty tomb complex that is the most intact royal mausoleum of its period. It serves as the joint tomb of Emperor Jing and his queen, and Emperor Jing's reign alongside that of his father Emperor Wen is remembered as the Rule of Wen and Jing, one of the golden ages of Chinese history. The mausoleum encompasses the emperor's tomb, the empress's tomb, burial pits, a ceremonial area and satellite cemeteries, with the central mound resembling a pyramid without a top. In the underground exhibition hall you can see the excavation areas where tens of thousands of artifacts have been found, among them terracotta nude figurines and a diverse array of animal sculptures.

Afternoon — Flight to Chongqing
After lunch, you will continue your journey to Chongqing by air. On arrival, your personal guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, where you can settle in and enjoy a good night's rest.

Evening — At Leisure in Chongqing
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure after the flight; relax at your hotel, and your guide will be happy to suggest a nearby place for a late stroll or a simple meal.

Accommodation — Chongqing
Overnight at your hotel in Chongqing.

Meals — Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
All three meals are included on this day.

Morning — Ciqi Kou Ancient Town
Step into Ciqi Kou, a 1,000-year-old riverside town of cobblestone alleys and Ming–Qing architecture. Browse stalls for Sichuan embroidery and porcelain, and sample snacks like maoxuewang (spicy blood-curd stew) or sticky rice cakes.

Afternoon — Liziba Monorail & Eling Park
At Liziba Station, watch the light rail pass directly through a residential high-rise—a famous feat of Chongqing's mountain-city design—from the viewing platform below. Then hike Eling Park for panoramas where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet, amid gardens, pavilions, and WWII-era relics.

Evening — Hotpot Experience
Indulge in Chongqing's fiery mala hotpot, cooking duck intestine, beef tripe, and lotus root in a chili-and-Sichuan-peppercorn broth at a local favorite such as Decheng Hotpot—a quintessential culinary adventure.

Afternoon — Chongqing Transfer and Boarding
Your private guide and driver will meet you at Chongqing airport or your hotel and escort you to the cruise terminal. Check into your cabin — a balcony cabin is recommended for the scenic views — and attend a short safety briefing before the ship sets sail.

Evening — Welcome Dinner and Onboard Entertainment
A welcome dinner features Sichuan and Chongqing specialties such as hotpot, with an optional spice level, or twice-cooked pork. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Chinese music performance, or relax on the sundeck and watch Chongqing's glittering skyline as the ship departs.

Accommodation — Onboard
Overnight on board your Yangtze River cruise ship.

Meals — Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
All three meals are included on this day.

Morning — Fengdu Ghost City
Fengdu is an ancient riverside site built around Taoist and folk beliefs of the afterlife, often called the “City of the Dead.” Stone statues depict underworld judges, and the “Bridge of Helplessness” symbolizes the soul's passage. Climb the Ming-era temples for sweeping views of the Yangtze.

Afternoon — Shibaozhai Pagoda & Onboard
Shibaozhai is a 12-story wooden pagoda built against a riverside cliff in the 18th century, famed for its interlocking architecture without nails. Cross the swinging bridge to the hilltop temple while your guide explains its river-navigation history. Back onboard, join a Chinese calligraphy class or a lecture on the Three Gorges' geology.

Evening — Captain's Dinner
The day closes with a Captain's Dinner of local delicacies such as steamed river fish and stuffed lotus root. Optionally, step onto the deck to stargaze as the ship enters the narrow cliffs of Qutang Gorge, the first of the Three Gorges.

Morning — Wu Gorge and Shennong Stream
Cruise through Wu Gorge, one of the Three Gorges, known for its mist-shrouded peaks and dramatic vistas; watch for waterfalls and ancient plank roads carved into the cliffs along the way. Then transfer to a small wooden peapod boat for a tranquil ride along Shennong Stream, a tributary where local Tujia rowers sing folk songs as you pass hanging coffins, karst formations and emerald-green waters. The hanging coffins were placed high on the cliffs by the ancient Ba people as a mark of respect for their dead.

Afternoon — Onboard Relaxation and Cultural Talk
Back on board, unwind with a Tai Chi session or a dip in the ship's pool. Later, an onboard expert gives a cultural talk on the engineering achievements and social impact of the Three Gorges Dam, providing context for the landscapes you are sailing through.

Evening — Farewell Party
Enjoy a costume show featuring ethnic dances from Yangtze communities such as the Tujia and Miao, and sip a cocktail while the ship sails through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges.

Meals — Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
All three meals are included on this day.

Morning — Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze is the world's largest hydropower project by installed capacity. Walk the observation deck to grasp its immense scale and visit the exhibition center detailing its construction and flood-control role. If the itinerary permits, watch your ship transit the dam's five-tier ship locks.

Afternoon — Disembark in Yichang & Depart
Disembark at Yichang and transfer to the city or airport (about a one-hour drive). If time allows, visit the Yichang Museum to see artifacts from the ancient Ba and Chu cultures. Then fly to Shanghai.

Evening — Arrival in Shanghai
Upon landing, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to rest and recover from travel.

Morning — Shanghai Museum
Visit the Shanghai Museum, a large-scale museum devoted to ancient Chinese art and one of the country's first national first-class museums. Its galleries present masterpieces of bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, and jade, offering a wide-ranging introduction to China's artistic heritage.

Afternoon — Yu Garden & Markets
Visit Yu Garden and the surrounding markets. Laid out in the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden is both a historical and cultural landmark of Shanghai and a treasure of traditional Chinese garden design, with rockeries, koi ponds, and zigzag bridges. The bustling bazaar around it is a lively place to browse local crafts and snacks.

Evening — At Your Leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure in Shanghai.

Morning — Depart Shanghai for Suzhou
Depart Shanghai and travel to Suzhou, the historic canal city renowned across China for its classical gardens. Begin with the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the most famous classical gardens in Suzhou, laid out in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. It is admired for its graceful water features, rockeries, and pavilions, and for the harmonious balance of nature and architecture that defines the Chinese garden tradition.

Lunch — Local Restaurant in Suzhou
Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant in Suzhou before continuing your exploration of the city.

Afternoon — Pingjiang Road & Lingering Garden
Stroll along Pingjiang Road, a historic lane that preserves the traditional architecture and culture of Suzhou and is lined with canals, stone bridges, and small shops. Afterward, explore the Lingering Garden, a compact and delicate classical garden known for its sequence of interconnected halls, pavilions, and courtyards, each with its own distinctive charm.

Evening — Return to Shanghai
Take the high-speed train back to Shanghai, concluding your day trip to Suzhou. Your guide sees you back to your hotel.

Morning — Departure from Shanghai
Your guide assists with hotel checkout, and a private vehicle transfers you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide helps with your luggage and sees you to the departure hall, ensuring a smooth end to your time in China.