Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
Your driver picks you up at Beijing airport or railway station with a welcome board in hand. After about an hour's drive to your hotel downtown, you'll check in and settle in. The rest of the day is open for you to do whatever you'd like—walk around and check out historic sites, grab some street food, or just soak in the city's vibe.
- Start point
- Beijing, China (Beijing airport or Train Station)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi'an Downtown Hotel)
- Day 2
Beijing
This is a full day seeing Beijing's major landmarks. You'll start at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to walk through those imperial palaces. Then it's over to Temple of Heaven Park to see the ancient buildings and experience the acoustic features. Later in the afternoon, head to the Summer Palace where you can relax by the lake and walk through the corridors. Before heading back to your hotel, stop by the Pearl Factory to pick up souvenirs.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi'an Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Visit Temple of Heaven Park
- Visit the Summer Palace
- Visit Pearl Factory
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Monument to the People's Heroes National Museum of China Great Hall of the People Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony Imperial Garden Temple of Heaven Park Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests Circular Mound Altar Summer Palace Kunming Lake Longevity Hill Long Corridor Seventeen-Arch Bridge 
- Day 3
Beijing
You'll explore the Great Wall and jade carving today. Mutianyu is where you'll spend the morning—it's one of the nicer sections with 23 watchtowers and good views, and there's a cable car available if you want it. After that, head to Longdi Jade Factory where you can watch artisans working on jade pieces and look through what they have for sale. Back to your hotel by evening with plenty to think about from the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi'an Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Hike Mutianyu Great Wall
- Visit Longdi Jade Factory
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride at Mutianyu Great Wall
Landmarks Mutianyu Great Wall 
- Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
Morning pickup takes you to Beijing West Railway Station. You'll board a high-speed train heading to Xi'an, arriving in the early afternoon (Train G55 departs 9:55 a.m., gets there around 2:05 p.m.). Your new driver meets you and takes you to your Xi'an hotel. In the evening, you'll check out Bell and Drum Tower Square, then go on a guided food tour through the Muslim Quarter where you'll try three local Xi'an dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Included night food tour in Muslim Quarter with three top Xi'an snacks (crispy lamb skewers seasoned with cumin and chili, sweet and sticky date cakes, steamed pork buns and cold noodles))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi'an Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Bell and Drum Tower Square
- Muslim Quarter night food tour with three top Xi'an snacks
Landmarks Bell and Drum Tower Square Bell Tower Drum Tower Muslim Quarter 
- Day 5
Xi'an
Today focuses on Xi'an's major historical sites. You'll start at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum where you can see thousands of life-sized clay soldiers—there's also an option to make your own small warrior if you want to pay extra. Next up is Big Wild Goose Pagoda where you can climb for views across Xi'an. Later, walk through Datang Everbright City with its Tang-style buildings, grab some authentic snacks, and browse for souvenirs before returning to your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi'an Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
- Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Visit Datang Everbright City
Optional Activities
- Craft your own mini terracotta warrior using traditional techniques
Landmarks Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Big Wild Goose Pagoda Datang Everbright City - Day 6
Xi'an to Chongqing
Start the morning visiting Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi'an Museum next door, which covers 3,000 years of the city's history. After that, you can walk or bike along the Ming Dynasty city wall and take in the views from up there. Then spend some time in Shuyuanmen Cultural Alley looking at traditional crafts and calligraphy. Mid-day, your driver takes you to Xi'an North Railway Station. You'll board a high-speed train to Chongqing (Train D1979 departs 12:08 p.m., arrives 5:20 p.m.). Once you arrive, transfer to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze River cruise ship by 8:00 p.m. There's a buffet dinner, and the ship departs at 10:00 p.m.
- Meals
- Dinner (Embarkation Buffet Dinner with variety of local Sichuan and Yangtze Delta dishes, plus free-flow house wine, local beer, and soft drinks (served approximately 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.))
- Accommodation
- (Yangtze cruise)
Included Activities
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Visit Xi'an Museum
- Walk or bike Xi'an Ancient City Wall
- Explore Shuyuanmen Cultural Alley
- Embarkation Buffet Dinner on cruise ship
Landmarks Small Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an Museum Xi'an Ancient City Wall Shuyuanmen Cultural Alley Chaotianmen Dock 
- Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise
Wake early and grab complimentary tea or coffee with light snacks while watching the sunrise from the deck. There's a tai chi session at dawn if you want to join in. Breakfast buffet starts at 7:30 a.m., and then at 8:00 a.m. you'll head on a guided tour to Ghost City of Fengdu to see the ancient temples. Back onboard for lunch around noon. The afternoon is yours to either join optional cultural activities or just relax. Evening brings dinner buffet, and there's a 'War Fire of the Three Kingdoms' show available in the evening if you'd like to pay extra. Snacks are served throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast at 7:30 a.m.), Lunch (Sumptuous lunch buffet), Dinner (Dinner buffet)
- Accommodation
- (Yangtze cruise)
Included Activities
- Early morning tea or coffee with light refreshments
- Guided Tai Chi session on sun deck
- Buffet breakfast
- Guided shore excursion to Ghost City of Fengdu
- Lunch buffet
- Dinner buffet
Optional Activities
- Optional cultural activities on ship
- 'War Fire of the Three Kingdoms' Show (6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., at own expense)
Landmarks Ghost City of Fengdu Hall of Hell - Day 8
Three Gorges
This morning start on deck with warm coffee or tea, watching the mist clear and mountains appear. You'll sail through the Three Gorges today—first through Qutang Gorge with its dramatic 1,000-meter limestone cliffs and narrow entrance. Then into Wu Gorge, which winds 46 kilometers through forests with distinctive peaks including the famous Goddess Peak. After a big buffet lunch and a short rest, you'll take a small wooden boat onto Shennv Stream, a clear tributary with tall peaks and pristine scenery. Back onboard in the evening for a Crew Cabaret or Talent Show in the main lounge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lavish buffet lunch)
- Accommodation
- (Yangtze cruise)
Included Activities
- Sail through Qutang Gorge
- Sail through Wu Gorge
- Buffet lunch
- Shore excursion to Shennv Stream
- Crew Cabaret/Talent Show
Landmarks Qutang Gorge Kuimen Gateway Wu Gorge Goddess Peak Shennv Stream - Day 9
Yangtze River Disembarkation to Shanghai
Enjoy a leisurely buffet breakfast onboard with fresh fruit, pastries, local congee, and international options. Pack up your things and get ready to leave. The ship docks at Maoping Wharf near the Three Gorges Dam. You'll join a guided tour of the Three Gorges Dam Project Site, which is the world's largest hydroelectric station. Walk the observation decks to see the massive 2,335-meter structure and 185-meter height. By around 12:30 p.m., the tour wraps up downtown in Yichang. From there, transfer to the railway station to catch the high-speed train to Shanghai (Train D638 departs 2:21 p.m., arrives 10:15 p.m.). Your driver picks you up at Shanghai Railway Station and takes you to your downtown hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Leisurely buffet breakfast featuring fresh fruits, savory pastries, local congee, and international favorites)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shanghai Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Buffet breakfast
- Guided shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam Project Site
Landmarks Maoping Wharf Three Gorges Dam Three Gorges Dam Viewing Platform 
- Day 10
Shanghai
Today showcases Shanghai's mix of old and new. You'll see Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden from 1559 with pavilions and lotus ponds. Walk along The Bund's famous 1.5-kilometer waterfront lined with 52 historic neoclassical and art deco buildings. Shopping happens at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, one of Asia's busiest shopping areas. Then check out Xintiandi's restored 1920s stone-gate houses with restaurants and boutiques. Visit Jade Buddha Temple, founded in 1882, which holds two jade Buddha statues. The day ends with a Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony where you'll learn about China's 5,000-year-old tea culture before heading back to your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shanghai Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Yu Garden
- Visit The Bund
- Stroll Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
- Explore Xintiandi district
- Visit Jade Buddha Temple
- Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony
Landmarks Yu Garden The Bund Huangpu River Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street Shanghai No. 1 Department Store Xintiandi Jade Buddha Temple - Day 11
Shanghai Departure
Your driver picks you up in the morning and takes you to Shanghai airport or the high-speed railway station. That wraps up your 11-day trip through China—from Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and the Yangtze Three Gorges to Shanghai's gardens and modern energy. Hopefully you've had a great time and you'll come back sometime to see more.
- End point
- Shanghai, China (Shanghai airport or train station)
