Beyond the Classics: Dive into China's Past & Future Tour

12-Day Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise, Shanghai Tour

This enchanting 12-day expedition enriches China's classic golden route (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai) with two extraordinary additions: a 4-day Yangtze River cruise through the splendid Three Gorges, and Chongqing—the most viral cyberpunk metropolis mesmerizing social media.

From US$
Per person based on 2 travelers in 4-star hotels

Highlights

China Impression Journey

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1Arrival in Beijing and Transfer to Hotel
  • Novotel Peace Beijing4-star hotel
  • None

Your English-speaking guide will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel. Check in and take some time to recover from any jet lag.

The guide with a flag bearing the China Travel logo
The guide with a flag bearing the China Travel logo
DAY 2Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven
  • Novotel Peace Beijing4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, you will visit Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares.

Continue northwest to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, which served as the imperial residence for over 500 years.

Your guide will unveil the stories behind the emperors and concubines who once resided within its walls.

The guide leads the guests on a tour of the Forbidden City
The guide leads the guests on a tour of the Forbidden City

Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your will savor Beijing Roast Duck. 

Sliced the Duck
Sliced the Duck

After lunch,  enjoy a leisurely visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once worshiped.

Wander through the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven as you immerse yourself in the history of this ancient religious complex. Take time to explore the surrounding Tiantan Park, with its beautiful green spaces, scenic walking paths, and tranquil retreat from the bustling city. 

the Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven

Conclude your visit to the Temple of Heaven as the guide takes you back to your hotel. Dinner will be on your own. 

DAY 3The Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutong Walking Tour
  • Novotel Peace Beijing4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing.

The Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall

In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14.

Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route".

Hike between the 14th and 23rd watch towers
Hike between the 14th and 23rd watch towers

Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences.

After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Hutongs in Beijing's Dongcheng district for a walking tour, where you'll also have the opportunity to learn about applying Peking Opera facial makeup.

Hutongs are historic alleyways flanked by traditional single-story courtyard houses, relics of old Beijing that are rapidly fading. As you wander through these narrow paths, you can visit local residents to experience the traditional lifestyle and learn about the preservation of these unique homes and their culture.

Hutong
Hutong

In a workshop within the hutongs, you'll also learn how to create Peking Opera masks. Additionally, you can ascend the Bell Tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the hutongs.

Learn How to Create Peking Opera Masks
Learn How to Create Peking Opera Masks

After concluding the hutong tour, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel for some rest, with dinner on your own.

DAY 4Summer Palace, "Smart" Restaurant Lunch and Beijing’s New CBD Skyline, Taking the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an
  • Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel 4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

Today marks the final day of your Beijing journey. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you'll head out to explore the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is the largest and most impeccably preserved royal park in China. Renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance, the Palace has profoundly influenced Chinese horticulture and landscape design, earning the title 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. 

Summer Palace
Summer Palace

After touring China’s ancient royal gardens, your guide will introduce you to modern Beijing and its striking new CBD skyline.

You will lunch at China’s first "smart restaurant," experiencing cutting-edge technology. The waiting area resembles a theater where you can enjoy cooking-themed video games with other guests, ensuring you remain entertained.

Haidilao, the smart restaurant in Beijing
Haidilao, the smart restaurant in Beijing

Following lunch, you will proceed to board a high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North railway station at approximately 3:00 PM. The final booking confirmation will detail the train number and departure times.

DAY 5Terracotta Army Deep Dive: Exploring the Warriors, Handling Qin Relics, and a Warrior Restoration Experience, the Muslim Quarter
  • Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is situated at the northern foothills of Mount Li in Lintong District, Xi'an, approximately 37.5 kilometers from the city center. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the site from central Xi'an. 

Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army

Here, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors, experience Qin Dynasty artifacts, and partake in a restoration activity.

Follow a professional guide to explore the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors.

At a nearby museum, get an up-close look at the first batch of restored warriors, including the renowned First Warrior, and learn about the visionary curator's initial restoration efforts.

Then, in the conservation lab, touch authentic Qin Dynasty artifacts, deepening your connection to history.

Finally, participate in a hands-on mini restoration experience guided by professional conservators, and take home your creation as a unique memento.

Mini-restoration Experience Guided by Professional Conservators
Mini-restoration Experience Guided by Professional Conservators

After concluding your visit to the Terracotta Warriors, the guide will arrange lunch for you at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, you will return to Xi'an's city center and visit the Muslim Quarter.

Located 100 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xi'an. This 500-meter-long avenue, paved with bluestones, is lined with unique stalls, souvenir shops, cafés, and bars, predominantly operated by Muslim locals.  

The Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter

After exploring the Muslim Quarter, today's itinerary concludes, and the guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest.

DAY 6Ancient City Wall, Xi'an to Chongqing by train
  • Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, dinner

After enjoying breakfast and completing the checkout process at the hotel, meet with the guide in the lobby, then proceed to visit the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an.

The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, it s surrounding the city centre. You can walk alon the wall with great views of the city on either side.

Ancient City Wall
The City Wall of Xi'an

Upon the conclusion of your tour, your guide and driver will accompany you to Xi'an North Railway Station, where you will take a high-speed train to Chongqing.

You will arrive at Chongqing North Station around 5 PM, where your guide will meet you. You’ll first be taken to the hotel to rest briefly, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Chongqing hotpot
Chongqing hotpot

After dinner, your guide will show you the stunning night views of the mountainous city of Chongqing.

Night view of mountain city Chongqing
Night view of mountain city Chongqing

Concluding the tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel to rest. 

DAY 7E'ling Park, Liziba, Panda House at Chongqing Zoo, Transfer to the cruise terminal for boarding, departing Chongqing at 9:00 PM.
  • Victoria Jenna4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

The guide and driver will collect you from the hotel to begin your visit to Chongqing city.

Liziba Light Rail Station

Liziba is the name of a station on Chongqing Metro Line 2, where you can witness the spectacle of the light rail passing "through the buildings" in this "mountain city." Located within a small building, every time a light rail train enters or exits Liziba station, it creates the spectacle of "light rail passing through the building." 

Liziba Light Rail Station
Liziba Light Rail Station

Goose Neck Park

Very popular with the locals who come here to enjoy the gardens, play Mahjohngg, make music or just relax. Enjoy nice views over the river and Chongqing. 

Bird's Eye View of Chongqing
Bird's Eye View of Chongqing

Lunch at a local restaurant, where you can sample local Sichuan cuisine. Your guide will assist in ordering based on your preferences.

After lunch,  the guide will assist you with checking into the hotel in Chongqing, where you can relax.  

Panda Room in Chongqing Zoo

In Panda Room, visitors can see the giant and lesser pandas and their offspring. 

Panda in Chongqing Zoo
Panda in Chongqing Zoo

After the tour, the guide and driver will take you to the cruise pier to board the cruise, embarking on your Yangtze Cruise journey. 

Three Gorges Cruise
Three Gorges Cruise

Dinner is at your arrangements.

DAY 8During the cruise, Some Additional optional shore excursions, Shore excursion-Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture
  • Victoria Jenna4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Additional optional shore excursion-Fengdu's "Ghost City".

Fengdu's Ghost City
Fengdu's Ghost City

Shore excursion-Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai.

Additional optional shore excursion (river conditions permitting) to Fengyan Sanguo "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Show (evening)

DAY 9Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Goddess Stream, Additional optional shore excursion
  • Victoria Jenna4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Navigating through the scenic Qutang Gorge and cruising along Wu Gorge.

Qutang Gorge
Qutang Gorge

Shore Excursion—Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternative excursion to Shennong Stream may be offered.

Goddess Stream
Goddess Stream

An additional optional shore excursion to White Emperor City is available.

White Emperor City
White Emperor City
DAY 10Shore Excursion-Three Gorge Dam Site, Arrive at the Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal, Yichang to Shanghai by plane
  • Sunrise On The Bund4-star hotel
  • Breakfast

Shore Excursion-Three Gorges Dam Site, alternative optional excursion: Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift. 

Three Gorges Dam
Three Gorges Dam

After the morning tour, take a shuttle to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. There, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to Yichang Airport for your flight back to Shanghai.

You’ll arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport at approximately 23:30 PM. After being greeted by your guide and driver at the airport, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Shanghai. Once check-in is complete, you may retire to your room for some rest.

DAY 11Shanghai in Progress (Shanghai Tower and the Bund in-depth), Yuyuan Garden
  • Sunrise On The Bund4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch

Your local guide will lead you to ascend Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, offering a monumental view over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a sweeping panorama of the city.

A Panoramic View of the Shanghai Tower
A Panoramic View of the Shanghai Tower

Amidst the bustling crowds, board a public ferry across the Huangpu River, drifting slowly from the modernity of Pudong to the historical depths of old Shanghai, crafting the latest chapter of its story.

Public Ferry across the Huangpu River
Public Ferry across the Huangpu River

Begin your historical journey at the Bund, the landing site of foreigners centuries ago. Each building narrates tales of its golden era, and you'll discover the traces of time etched into its structures, reflecting the ebb and flow of history.

Wander through alleys to observe local life, where residents cope with the city's housing pressures by dwelling in confined spaces.  

The Bund
The Bund

Take a moment to relax in a restaurant, savoring exquisite Shanghai delicacies. You'll also have the chance to experience China's most popular method of ordering takeout.

Shanghainese Pan-fried Buns
Shanghainese Pan-fried Buns

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near The Bund. Here, you can savor a wide range of cuisines. 

After lunch, continue your tour with an afternoon visit to Yuyuan Garden

With a history exceeding 400 years, the Yuyuan Garden offers a wealth of attractions—from the dragon-lined walls and ancient trees to tranquil paths and historic halls filled with valuable antiques.

Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden

After concluding today's tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest. 

DAY 12Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport
  • Breakfast

In accordance with your departure flight schedule, your guide will arrive at the hotel at the agreed-upon time to escort you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where you will board your flight and conclude your journey through China.

Shanghai Pudong Airport
Shanghai Pudong Airport

What's Included

Notes

Inquire This Tour

Price is based on a 2-person tour with 4-star hotels in low season.

from US $ p/p

Code: ct-62s

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