China & The Yangtze River in Style

The Forbidden CitySpend the day exploring three of Beijing’s most photographed sites with your private guide and driver. Head to the center of the city and begin with a walk across the sprawling expanse of Tiananmen Square. Built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and serving as the front door to the Forbidden City, the present square is one of the largest in the world, stretching a vast 44 square hectares. Here, walk past and featuring the Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, and the Mao Zedong Memorial. Many historically important moments have unfolded in this public setting.

From here, cross the street and enter through the towering gates of the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest number of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. The expansive palace complex is comprised of 9,999 buildings spread across 74 hectares and protected by a 19-foot deep moat and a 32-foot tall wall, divided into two parts. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation, while the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties reigned over China from the Imperial Palace here until 1924. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Spend a relaxing afternoon in the hutong alleyways. Hop onto a rickshaw ride to see the real life-link past of old Beijing.

Today’s tour involves a fair amount of walking at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection from the sun are highly recommended.

Accommodation: 4* Penta Hotel Beijing/ 5* Regent Hotel Beijing

Start your day from the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed to 'heaven' for a good harvest. You may arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never see in your country.

Later, drive to the Great Wall for about 2.5h.

Great Wall is by far China’s most iconic architectural wonder, captivating the imagination of generations of travelers intrigued by this feat of engineering. Meet with your private guide and driver at your hotel for a full day of exploration, and head northeast of Beijing with your private driver to explore the Mutinayu section, located 45 miles northeast of the city. This well-preserved section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles and holds a prominent place in Chinese military history. Construction began during the 6th century Northern Qi Dynasty, and it was restored in the early years of the Ming Dynasty (spanning from the 14th to 17th century).

An abundance of natural springs in the area give this section of the Great Wall a lush verdant ecosystem, and the rolling forested hills make for an impressive panoramic photo regardless of the time of year. Take a cable car to the top of the hillside to explore the 26-foot-high granite walls. The 22 watchtowers stretch along the top of the mountain ridge as far as the eye can see, an impressive military barrier against invading forces from the north. Lunch will be at a local restaurant near the Great Wall.

Today’s tour involves a fair amount of walking at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection from the sun are highly recommended.

Accommodation: 4* Penta Hotel Beijing/ 5* Regent Hotel

Visit the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace dates to the 12th century, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast imperial encampment of temples, ornate pavilions, and halls set in a park around Kunming Lake. Occupying an area of 294 hectares, three-quarters of which is water, the compound features a sprawling archetypal Chinese garden that is a masterpiece of landscape garden design, and a truly picturesque setting to explore. The Long Corridor is a must-see – this covered walkway is decorated with more than 14,000 lavish paintings. Sail around Kunming Lake on a shared boat trip.

Have a Peking Duck lunch before transferring to the train station and take high speed train to Xi'an. The train ride is approximately 6 hours.

Enjoy a private transfer between the train station and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.

Accommodation: 4* Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an/ 5* Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

The Terra Cotta Warriors are the most iconic site in Xi’an, an impressive marvel that went undiscovered until 1974. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, spend the day visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Incredibly, each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits, protected inside enormous hangars specially constructed for the archeological dig. Then discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

Stop for a local lunch before returning to the city center to visit the Ancient City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses are still around. Built in the 13th-century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city center you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 8.5-mile circuit, with great views of the city on either side and a deep moat surrounding the fortifications. At the end of the day, return to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: 4* Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an/ 5* Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Enjoy a free morning before your guide and driver transfer you to the airport to catch your flight at noon. Then have a late lunch in Chongqing — you may want to try the famous Chongqing hot pot.

Get ready to board the ship. Cruising is the best way to explore China's version of the Mississippi River — the Yangtze River.

Being the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, this river not only nurtures China's rich culture but also has a wide variety of breathtaking sceneries. The views along this middle section of the river vary from season to season: it is turquoise and serene in the low-flow season but gold and energetic when it comes to the high-flow season.

The ship will depart at 9:30pm, then relax and enjoy the lovely night under the stars on the steady and cozy cruise ship.

Accommodation: 5* cruise ship

ShibaozhaiWhether you're looking for various types of sightseeing, cultural experiences, or foodie adventures, this relaxing cruise has it all.

Do some tai chi exercises to wake your body up in the morning and then pay a short visit to Shibaozhai, a magnificent red pavilion providing a walkway to the top of a solitary hill in the afternoon.

Enjoy a delicious dinner and join in with the captain's welcome party in the evening while gliding along the glistening river. Have fun!

Accommodation: 5* cruise ship

Farewell BanquetThe most impressive section of the river is the Three Gorges, which includes Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.

The ship travels slowly so that you can better appreciate the gorge scenery of Qutang and Wuxia Gorge. Standing on the deck, you become part of the majestic views.

The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Shennong Stream, which has rushing waterfalls and an ancient plank path leading to suspended coffins in a cliff.

If you are visiting in autumn and are lucky enough, you may see the crimson maples covering the mountain above the sparkling river.

A farewell banquet and interesting performance are waiting for you in the evening.

Enjoy a leisurely morning watching the scenery of riverbanks passing by. Feast your eyes on the world's largest dam and most powerful electric power station, the Three Gorges Dam.

The dam is five times larger than the United States' Hoover Dam, so just imagine how broad and amazing the views will be when you travel through this engineering masterpiece.

After arriving in Yichang, enjoy a quick lunch and you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the modern city of Shanghai, which the Chinese call a “magic city”.

Accommodation: 4* Sunrise On The Bund/ 5* Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai

Spend the day visiting some of Shanghai’s most captivating sites with your private guide and driver. Start with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, treasure trove of ancient Chinese art. The museum collection features over 120,000 pieces, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jade, ancient coins, paintings, seals, and sculptures. Home to eleven galleries, the collection includes several items of national importance, including one of three specimens of a “transparent” bronze mirror from the Han Dynasty.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant showcasing Shanghai’s cuisine, then drive to the Yu Gardens, the largest of Shanghai’s ancient gardens, dating to the mid-16th century. The expansive grounds feature the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with six pavilions each with their own unique design, laid out in the Suzhou style. The Grand Rockery in the center of the garden is a popular photo stop, with replica peaks, cliffs, and caves. The Yu Gardens are a year-round delightful retreat from Shanghai’s frenetic pace, as the changing seasons offer a different experience and a moment of quiet contemplation. Adjacent to the gardens is the City God Temple, surrounded by a network of local snack vendors and souvenir shops that make for a colorful walk into the Yu Garden.

Later, have a indepth tour to The Bund. Shanghai’s architecture is unique from the rest of the country. Lining the western bend of the Huangpu River, The Bund is a popular pedestrian area that parallels the river with a dramatic backdrop of majestic Shanghai buildings dating to the 1920s and 1930s. Step back in time and discover and the best of 20th-century Shanghai architecture with your private guide driver, exploring an area that was the former Shanghai International Settlement.

At the end of the day, return to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: 4* Sunrise On The Bund/ 5* Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai

After a day of exploring the city's concrete jungle, it's time for you to escape to a hidden oasis.

An easy ride takes you to Zhujiajiao Water Town, a relaxing and quaint town where you can escape from the hustle and bustle, especially at the end of your long journey.

Find peace when strolling along the ancient bridges and by the river, and sit comfortably in a rowing boat to view the unfolding picture of a leisurely yet lively water town.

Accommodation: 4* Sunrise On The Bund/ 5* Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai

Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, as they help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate. We will take the stress out of your travel and set you up for a nice journey home.