12 Days China Highlights Package

Arrive in Shanghai, the Pearl of the Orient, and be welcomed enthusiastically by your local Shanghai guide. Keen to help you relax and feel comfortable, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel sharing a little of this exciting city’s highlights, history, and culture. With free time available to explore, you can make the most of the remainder of the day, visiting local sights and partaking in some delicious local specialties.

Meals included: None

Shanghai is truly an international city and you’ll understand why when you start your day by visiting the Shanghai Museum home to over 140,000 artifacts. Explore on your own or listen to your guide share the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city.

Few places capture the intersection of commerce and culture in Shanghai like The Bund. Famous for its location in proximity to the trading centre of Shanghai, the Bund is an outstanding example of old Shanghai glamour. While shopping may not be front of mind, a walk through the busiest shopping precinct in China, Nanjing Road, will open your eyes to shopping China-style. Big high street fashion stores sit alongside quirky silk traders and shops selling every imaginable thing.

Gain an insight to the life and prestige of local merchants from times past when you visit Yuyuan Garden. The beautifully designed buildings and stunning gardens are a welcome reprieve from Shanghai’s big city bustle. You’ll find plenty to capture in beautiful travel memories. Stroll around the nearby Chenghuangmiao bazaars and make a worthwhile detour by visiting the Shikumen Museum in New Spot (XinTianDi) for a true taste of old world Shanghai. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai captured in this historical retail and residential precinct.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: As the Shanghai Museum is closed to public on Mondays, a visit to the Shanghai History Museum is arranged as an alternative.

Looking for iconic Shanghai mementos to remember your travel adventure? Talk to your local guide. With personal knowledge of where to find silk, porcelain, and other treasures, your guide can save you time and ensure your purchase is authentic.

See how the influence of coffee extends well beyond the plantation when you travel with your guide to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Shanghai, one of the largest Starbucks in the world. Here you can grab a cup of coffee and immerse yourself in the process for how the beans are roasted and finally make their way to the coffee cup. Take a step back in time at the Jade Buddha Temple, a place of peace located in the heart of the city. You’ll be primed for a relaxed flight to Yichang and ready to embark on your Yangtze River cruise. In Yichang, you’ll be greeted by your guide and taken to Maoping Pier to board. Before the ship sails, there is a requirement to attend a safety briefing. Once completed, find a seat on the river deck to take in the city lights and unusual landscape as you slowly ease along the river.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today enjoy cruising the Yangtze at a relaxed pace. Let inspiration spur you onto participate in the daily cruise activities, including an early morning Tai Chi class. After lunch time, a guided bus trip will educate you about the largest hydroelectric project in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. Locals, many of whom are involved in tourism profiling the dam, are extremely proud of the design, construction, and industry which is now fundamental to their life and region. After the tour, you’ll be transferred by shuttle bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourism Center. Head back to the boat and prepare for the evening’s festivities at the Captain’s Welcome Party. Sit back and enjoy the Chinese folk dancing and music performance – or get up and be part of it!

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours. Please note, payment for these excursions is not included in the cruise price and will be arranged while onboard the boat with the cruise company.

Continue sailing past the impressive Wu Gorge. For the more adventurous, there’s a unique opportunity to explore this part of the Yangtze River in a small wooden boat. Ease gently into the magnificent Shennv Stream, an experience that allows you to appreciate the magnitude of the gorge and idyllic scenery. Return to the ship and enter the eastern section of the Qutang Gorge, which you can observe as you sail past into the evening. Enjoy dinner and a relaxed evening onboard.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours.

Today’s cruising is the opportunity to enjoy more of the scenery and history found on both sides of the river. The cruise offers optional shore excursions at various sights of historical significance, including Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai (depending on the water level and cruise company you are traveling with.) Fengdu Ghost City is considered the final resting place for all souls. Shibaozhai is a tower nearly 56 metres in height leaning against the Yuyin Hill. Since construction of the Three Gorges Dam project in 2003, there is a moat surrounding it. In the evening, take time to connect with other travelers and join the crew at the farewell party.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast you’ll disembark in Chongqing where you’ll be greeted by a local guide. If the schedule permits, there’ll be a chance to enjoy a brief tour through Ciqikou Old Town. You’ll then be be transferred to the airport where you’ll board your flight to Xi’an. On arrival in Xi’an, you will be greeted by your guide and taken to your hotel for check in. On the way, enjoy a preliminary introduction to this lively and interesting city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Few sights in China can match the magnitude and awe of the the world-renowned Terracotta Army. This first day of touring is the opportunity to take it all in. Considered by historians worldwide to be the largest underground military base in the world, the Terracotta Army defies belief with the thousands of unique life-sized figures, including soldiers, horses, carts and weapons. On return to Xi’an, enjoy a change of pace as you explore the ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometres long, do a full circuit on a bike (tandems available!) or simply explore on foot. Spend the afternoon in contemplation at Xi’an’s Great Mosque. Beautiful gardens and a stunning complex of buildings built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Follow your nose to Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and souvenirs. Ask your guide for their favourite foodie recommendations before the final destination of the day, the famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. You will be returned to your hotel to relax and reflect on the day’s activities.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, it’s time to explore the Shaanxi History Museum. Discover – and perhaps feel a little mesmerized – at the 370,000 plus relics which chronicle China’s ancient history. Explore Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi’an. Depending on timing, the may be an opportunity to enter the top of the pagoda and cast your gaze out over Xi’an’s 1,400 years of history. Follow the view with a meditative walk through the temple and gardens. As the afternoon commences, you’ll be driven to the railway station to board the high speed train to Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel, providing a brief history introduction to Beijing on the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

The Beijing stage of your China adventure starts this morning with a visit to the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Seriously large, even by China’s standards, Tiananmen Square is auspicious, as China’s political heart, flanked by the Great Hall of the People, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the National Museum of China. Your guide will lead you across the road the to the awe-inspiring Forbidden City. A culturally historic landmark in Beijing, the Forbidden City seems to go on and on. The detailed planning, careful construction, and symbolic representation of every part of this former residence of Chinese royalty is to be admired. Be prepared to walk in wonder. From the Forbidden City, your guide will lead you to the Summer Palace, highlighting the uniqueness of its elaborate design, beautiful gardens, and the man-made Kunming Lake. It will be easy to imagine Empress Dowager Cixi spending her summers here, overseeing the intrigue and plots that were characteristic of imperial life. Reflect on China’s opening up to the world when you take a stopover to explore the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – the stadium and pool constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. After a full day of exploring, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.

China is home to many iconic historical structures and monuments, however few are as remarkable as the Great Wall. Today is your chance to climb the wall at the Mutianyu section and understand a little of its impressive history. A quick stop at the famous local food market Sanyuanli on the way means you can stock up on fruit and snacks for today’s trip. Every section of the Great Wall attracts interest, however the Mutianyu Great Wall is one which is less frequented. Located about 90 minutes drive from Beijing, you can sit back and enjoy being driven, while having the opportunity to ask your guide questions about points of interest along the way. The wall is accessible by cable car and a short trip up provides wonderful views of the surrounding country. It also makes you reflect on this incredible feat of construction, which involved over 800,000 soldiers and civilians. Make like a guard and walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. There will be plenty to talk about on the return trip to Beijing. Your afternoon is spent visiting the Confucius Temple, first built in 1302 to honor Confucius and the philosophers who studied Confucianism over centuries. You’ll also visit the Imperial College Museum too and it’s here you’ll learn of its importance to scholars, past and present, who studied and took exams there to advance their careers. Finish the day’s itinerary by wandering through Wudaoying Hutong. This is a chance to visit Beijing’s most creative and artistic hutong and make like a local as you visit the curious shops, cafes, and witness the lifestyle of a unique Beijing community.

Meals included: Breakfast

Spend the final morning of your tour exploring for beautiful mementos of your travels. If in doubt, be sure to talk to your guide. They can help you find exactly what you want before your final departure. Your guide will collect you from hotel at the appropriate time and transport you to the airport catch your departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Travel Note: Looking to extend your tour? We can do that! Let us help you make the most of every minute and provide you with exceptional guided travel anywhere in China. With a network that spans across China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your departure train or flight from Beijing. (A surcharge will apply).