22 Day Ultimate China & Yangtze Cruise

Welcome to China! You’ll be welcomed on arrival and transferred to your hotel, to check in and relax.

Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in China and the final resting place of the first Emperor of China. It’s home to many historical sites and was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang Dynasty. Xi’an was the capital for 11 dynasties, over a period of more than 2,000 years. 

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.

Today, you’ll experience the magnificence of the famous Terracotta Warriors. View the enigmatic ranks of the underground Terracotta Army, the 2000-year-old army of clay statues that guarded the tomb of China’s first emperor until a chance discovery in 1974.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was one of the most significant archeological discoveries of the 20th century. We’ll visit a reproduction factory.

After lunch, take a walk through the lively Muslim Quarter, where many delicious local snacks and souvenirs are available for purchase.

Optional Tour - Tang Dynasty Show Performance with Dumpling Banquet dinner
The Tang Dynasty Show, also known as "Music & Dance Dinner Show in Xian" is the pride of the city. Hosted at the "Tang Dynasty Palace", which is a leading entertainment theatre & dinner restaurant in China. This legendary venue offers you a unique opportunity to indulge themselves in exotic Chinese entertainment with a delicious dumpling dinner.

It’s a free day for you in Xi’an today. 

Perhaps visit the ancient City Wall; the oldest, largest and best-preserved Chinese city walls. It was originally built during the old Tang Dynasty (618–907), then enlarged during the Ming Dynasty to protect the city. The entire wall is 13.7 km long, with a deep moat and 98 ramparts to defend against the enemy climbing up.

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Xi’an Railway Station for your high-speed train ride to Luoyang. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Luoyang is referred to as the cradle of Chinese civilisation, serving as the capital of many ancient dynasties and kingdoms over 4,000 years. It was also the start of the fabled Silk Road.

Today we’ll discover the Longmen Grottoes, densely scattered along the cliffs on both banks of the Yi River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an impressive collection of Buddhist carvings, a treasure trove of Chinese art. Construction began in the fifth century during the Northern Wei Dynasty and now there are more than 2,300 caves and niches with nearly 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, over 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles.

We’ll explore the traditional shops and enjoy a local lunch in Luoyang’s old town, with its stunning ancient architecture and imposing seventh-century city gate.

Today we’ll visit the Shaolin Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple in Songshan Mountain, the central mountain of China’s sacred Five Great Mountains. Believed to have been founded in the fifth century, it’s the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu.

The main points of interest are the Heavenly Kings (Devaraja) Palace Hall, the Great Hall, Sutra Room, the Hall of Thousands of Buddha and the Pagoda Forest – one of the largest pagoda forests in China.

After a special Shaolin vegetarian lunch, visit a local martial arts school to come face to face with a group of kids dedicated to Chinese Kung Fu.

Later this afternoon, we’ll head to Zhengzhou.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Zhengzhou Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Beijing. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

A city of roughly 22 million people, Beijing is bustling, energetic and it just doesn’t stop. There is plenty to see, do and, of course, eat – whether it’s dumplings at a night food market or a taste of traditional Peking duck. It’s home to magnificent palaces, important temples and several of China’s most famous tourist attractions, like the Forbidden City.

Optional Tour - Peking Duck Banquet Dinner:
Enjoy an authentic Peking Duck Banquet served with all the traditional accompaniments. This iconic dish has been served in Beijing since the imperial era.

This morning after breakfast we’ll begin exploring this amazing city.

We’ll start with Tiananmen Square, the site of several important events in Chinese history. At 440,000 square metres, it was built as a sign of the strength of Communism. It’s designed to hold one million people. Tiananmen means ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace’ and the north side of the square is flanked by this gate that leads to the Forbidden City. The square holds great cultural significance and also contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong.

Next we’ll visit the Forbidden City, directly opposite Tiananmen Square. The former Chinese imperial palace is a famous landmark of Beijing and a great place to learn about Chinese culture and history. It was the centre of imperial China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Don’t miss the magnificent Meridien Gate or the Golden River Bridges, five richly-decorated white marble bridges. It’s undoubtedly China’s top tourist site so be prepared for crowds!

Optional Tour - Golden Mask Show:
A must-see production in Beijing, take in the colourful, spectacular performance of ‘The Golden Mask Dynasty’. This large-scale musical drama tells this ancient romantic legend with dancing, acrobatics, magnificent costumes and one or two surprises.

Your excursion to the majestic Great Wall (Juyong Pass) won’t disappoint – it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

On the way we’ll stop at a jade museum to learn the history of this popular stone and observe skilled artisans at work, creating their intricate designs. Known as the royal gem, jade has been a popular stone for prosperity and luck since ancient times.

A scenic drive through the rugged mountainous scenery of this countryside brings us to China’s most renowned monument. We’ll visit Juyong Pass, one of the most important forts on the Great Wall. It’s not as crowded as the other sections. You’ll have a chance to climb a portion of this ancient wall.

Please note: The Great Wall of China does not have an option for a lift or gondola that takes you to the top. You will have 1 - 2 hours to visit. Usually, it takes 1.5 hours for the portion that you will be climbing.   

Optional Tour - Tour Beijing’s 700-year-old Hutongs with Dinner:
Explore the hutongs of Beijing on the backs of rickshaws, a traditional mode of transport in Beijing. These old city lanes, rapidly-disappearing traditional neighbourhoods, offer an authentic glimpse into the Beijing of the past. You’ll even visit a local family living in a courtyard-style home.

Start the day with an oriental foot massage at a traditional Chinese medicine centre, where you’ll learn about alternative treatments and have the chance to consult with a Chinese medicine professional. 

Please note that following your foot massage, you will be asked for a tip. This is completely at your discretion and if you politely decline, this will be accepted. Following your conversations with the Chinese medicine professional, they may recommend that you purchase some Chinese herbal medicine. Please consider your purchase carefully and should you have any difficulties or concern, consult your Tour Guide for advice. 

Later, we’ll board a high-speed train to Suzhou for a journey of about four and a half hours. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

Beautiful Suzhou is also known as the Oriental Venice for its exquisite canals, bridges, pagodas and beautiful gardens. Nine of its classical gardens are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, admired as the most refined representations of the art of classical Chinese garden design.

We’ll visit Lingering Garden, a classical private garden with 500 years of history.

China is renowned for its exquisite silk, so naturally we’ll visit a silk-spinning factory, to discover the intricacies of the silk-making process. 

It’s about a one hour drive to Wuxi, where you’ll have free time to explore Nanchang Street, an ancient street that has been developed and modernised to turn it into an entertainment destination. Street hawkers offer local delicacies like tofu pudding and you’ll find handicrafts, like sugar paintings, produced by folk artists.

Optional Tour - Suzhou Grand Canal:
After lunch, you will have the option to take a boat trip along the longest canal in the world - Suzhou's Grand Canal. Some sections date as far back as the 5th century BC and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site - there are many beautiful homes to admire along this impressive waterway.

This morning we’ll visit Lihu Park, a charming spot to stretch your legs. We’ll see picturesque Taihu Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in China. 

We’ll stop at a pearl outlet – pearls are believed to attract wealth and luck and offer protection. China is the largest producer of cultured pearls in the world. 

In the afternoon, it’s about a two-hour drive to Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient capitals of China.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace.

Optional Tour - The Romantic Song of Song Cheng:
This evening, join the symbolic performance of Hangzhou. It has been performed over 2,000 times, and entertained over 60 million audiences. It is regarded as one of the top three famous shows in the world along with the O Show in Las Vegas and the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Today we’ll visit West Lake, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, to appreciate the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou’s willow-draped islands. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake, a relaxing way to enjoy this delightful scenery. 

Hangzhou is considered the tea capital of China. We’ll make a special visit to Meijiawu Tea Village, located in the West Lake hinterland. It’s an important production base for the much-loved longjing green tea, also known as Dragon Well. Enjoy the beautiful village scenery while learning more about tea culture. At the teahouse, learn how to make this tea, including picking, frying and tasting the leaves.

Then we’ll drive to Shanghai, the largest city by population in the world. It’s a journey of approximately two hours. Shanghai is renowned for its architecture, world-class museums and galleries. It’s a city of contrasts and the interesting blend of old and new is part of its charm. 

We’ll visit the famous Bund – this waterfront promenade is a great place to enjoy the combination of traditional Chinese and Western culture. You’ll see historic buildings – a living museum of colonial history – and across the water, enjoy the contrast of the famous Shanghai skyline with the modern skyscrapers of the Pudong District. Shanghai is home to some of the world’s biggest buildings. Try to spot the 632m-tall Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with its distinctive pink spheres.

Optional Tour - ERA and the Intersection of Time:
Experience this extravagant show that tells the captivating story of China’s history through traditional martial arts, acrobatics, special effects and elaborate costumes. A traditional love story collides with modern performing art, and the use of technology, lighting and sound effects, original live music and more. It’s a spectacle.

This morning, we’ll head to the People’s Square and step back in time at the Shanghai Museum, housed in a modern building with a distinctive round top to represent heaven and a square base to represent land. You’ll find five floors of ancient Chinese history, from ancient bronze and jade artefacts to old coins, paintings and ceramics. There are more than 120,000 pieces here across 11 galleries. 

You’ll have the afternoon free. Perhaps a spot of shopping? The pedestrian-friendly Nanjing Road is the best-known shopping street, also a thriving dining and entertainment precinct. It’s all here – big chain stores, iconic Chinese department stores like Sincere and Wing On, expensive boutiques and street vendors.

Optional Tour - Huangpu River Cruise:
Enjoy an evening cruising the Huangpu River, allowing you to take in the famous sites of Shanghai including the People’s Hero Monument, the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the dramatic skyline of the Pudong business district, bustling Shanghai Cruise Port, the docks, Nanpu Bridge and Yangpu Bridge.

Optional Tour - Half Day City Tour:
On this half-day tour, you’ll see Yu Garden, a beautiful classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming dynasty. The exquisite layout and artistic style of this garden have made it one of Shanghai’s highlights. Afterwards, enjoy free time at the local bazaar at Shanghai Old Street, buzzing Xintiandi and Nanjing Road, and the charming Old Town.

After breakfast you’ll transfer to Shanghai Railway Station for the high-speed train ride to Yichang. It takes about six hours.

You’ll be met at Yichang Railway Station by your tour guide and transferred to the China Goddess, to begin your memorable four-night cruise down the Yangtze River.

You’ll be cruising upstream through this stunning section of the Yangtze River, a place of historic and cultural importance to China. The Yangtze River is the largest river in Asia and the third largest in the world. The river begins in remote mountainous regions and winds its way through stunning gorges to bring life to millions of people. It’s famous for its impressive scenery, much like a dreamy landscape painting.

Start your day with a full buffet breakfast before your first shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site.

The dam is the largest – and most expensive – engineering project in the world, spanning 2,335 metres in length and 181 metres in height. Although the dam will produce clean energy to reduce China’s reliance on coal, it’s not without controversy.

In the evening, return to the ship for the Captain’s Welcome Banquet.

Optional Shore Excursion - Tribe of the Three Gorges:
You may also want to visit the Tribe of the Three gorges, the only large scenic spot that has not been influenced by the Three Gorges Dam project, which showcases the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture.

Today you’ll leave the cruise ship and travel to the smaller, narrower Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream (depending on cruise ship). Here you’ll be able to really take in the dramatic and unique beauty of the Yangtze River and the Qutang and Wu Gorges.

On this excursion, you’ll also visit the Ancient Plank Road, Mangling Stairway and you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins suspended high up on the limestone cliff faces, which contain the remains of descendants of the Tujia people. The scenery is gorgeous, with steep ridges and peaks, thick vegetation and wonderful wildlife like monkeys and tropical birds.

When you return to the ship, you’ll continue sailing into the western section of Exiling Gorge.

Optional Tour - White Emperor City:
An ancient temple complex overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge, White Emperor City has long been the subject of many poems. Located atop Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County, visitors can enjoy views that look back toward the Qutang Gorge – a sight that's depicted on the back of the Chinese 10-yuan bill.

Please note: This shore excursion is dependent on river conditions.

Today you will be visiting the Jade Emperor, also known as the guardian of Buddhism. This conspicuous yellow sacred statue is located next to the northern side of Yangtze River. The Jade Emperor (also known as Yuhuang Shangdi) is the supreme deity of Chinese tradition. You will be taken to the top of one of these mountains to enjoy the views of the Yangtze River.

Optional Tour - Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley:
Take in the serenity and magnificent landscapes of the mountains of Chongqing. You’ll be taken to the top of Fairy Mountain by cable car to savour the lush views. 

After breakfast you’ll disembark in Chongqing and travel to Chengdu by high-speed train. Upon arrival you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy the rest of your day in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The city is well-known for its aromatic cuisine, particularly its spicy Sichuan peppercorns.

Today, you will be visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It’s not only an important non-profit research centre, but a dwelling home for more than 100 giant pandas and their gorgeous cousins, the red pandas. It’s no wonder Chengdu is considered the panda capital of China. 

Walk at leisure through bamboo framed paths, and closely observe giant pandas of different ages eating bamboo, playing with each other, tumbling and climbing trees. There is also a museum for you to learn more about the rarest member of the bear family.

Then we’ll head to the famous Jinli Old Street. The afternoon is free for you to wander before heading back to the hotel. Time will slip away as you walk these lively streets, with delicious local snacks, delicate artefacts and interesting folk shows.

Optional Tour - Traditional Sichuan Hotpot:
Enjoy a traditional Sichuan Hotpot dinner. This is a delicious and communal experience where you will have the chance to eat like the locals.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Chinese adventure comes to an end. After checking out of your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Please note, some flights may arrive home the morning after.

Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.

Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!