11 Days China Private Tour: Beijing-Xian-Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Our tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit of Beijing airport, holding a welcome sign with your name on it. Then you will be transferred to the hotel where we have booked for you and check in . In the rest of the day, take the time to relax yourself or explore the city.

   Accommodation: Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Chinese Kung Fu Show (Breakfast+ Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, our guide will pick up you from hotel. Begin our today’s trip from the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban center square. The Square has an area of 44 hectares (109 acres) that can accommodate as many as one million people for public gatherings, witnessing may historical events in China’s modern history.

   Next, walk forward to Forbidden City, the largest as well as best-preserved imperial palace complex. It is located in the center of China’s capital, Beijing, displaying an extraordinarily harmonious balance between buildings and open space within a more or less symmetrical layout. As one of the most popular attractions nationwide, there is huge tourist volume every day, so please do follow your guide closely to trace back the ever history of Chinese emperors.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the included lunch, we will continue our tour to the Temple of Heaven, which is the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world. Located at southern part of Beijing, it served as a complex of sacrificial building where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest.

   Finishing the day tour, you will appreciate a lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at night. Different from traditional Kung Fu Show, this show is featured with a story of dramatic interest, which makes it more interesting and attractive. After the tour, the driver will transfer you back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing
   Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tomb, Bird’s Nest (Breakfast+ Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, board the private car to The Ming Tombs. Today we will visit the underground palace of Dingling (one of the 13 tombs). Dingling Mausoleum is the tomb of Emperor Shenzong, Zhu Yijun, who reigned 48 years, the longest during Ming emperors.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   After lunch, we will move to visit the Badaling Great Wall, the most famous and best-preserved section of the great wall. The mountain slope is very steep and the roads are tortuous, which made it an important military stronghold in ancient times. The wall is like a strong dragon winding its way along the mountain ranges. After hiking, we will return to downtown.

   On the way back to city area, we will make a stop at Water Cube and Bird Nest where you can pay an outer visit to the gyms which were especially built for 2008 Beijing Olympics. It would also be a great chance to take some great pictures. Finally, say goodbye to the driver and guide at your hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing-Xian Tour by Flight
   Summer Palace, Beijing Hutong (Breakfast+ Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, we will explore the Summer Palace and have a Hutong tour. Summer Palace is the most beautiful and the largest imperial garden existing in China, and it is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world.

   Next we will head to Hutong. Enjoying the rickshaw riding through Hutongs will be your memorable experience. You can learn special Beijing culture and history by visiting the famous romantic Shichahai and so on.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, you will be transferred to the Beijing airport and fly to Xian. Upon arrive in Xian airport, our local driver will meet you at the exit by holding a sign with your name. Board the private car to hotel and check in.

   Accommodation:Xi’an

   

5. Day 5: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Tang Dynasty Dance Show and Dumpling Dinner (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner)

   AM: After breakfast, we will first visit the ‘Eighth Wonder’ of the world, Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, visit to the Ancient City Wall which is known as the most complete and the best preserved city wall in china. The city wall of Xi’an is an extension of the prior Tang dynasty structure. It was stared in 1370 and finished in 1378 and has a rectangular –shaped construction.

   Finishing the day tour, you will have a Dumpling Dinner and enjoy a marvelous Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. The show will bring you back to 1400 years ago – the dreamy and glorious Tang Dynasty. After the tour, the driver will transfer you back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Xi’an

   

6. Day 6: Xian – Chongqing by Flight-Yangtze River by Car
   Shaanxi History Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: After the breakfast, you will visit Shaanxi History Museum, known as “ancient capital pearl, Chinese treasure house”, is an artistic hall which displays Shaanxi history, culture and Chinese ancient civilization. Then we will come to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion, its simple but appealing style of construction, and its new square in front of the temple.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, board the car to Xian airport to take a flight to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you at Chongqing airport by holding a sign with your name. Then in the evening you will embark on the luxurious President Ship and begin your Yangtze cruise.

   Accommodation: President No. 1

   

7. Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise
   Shibaozhai (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner)

   After breakfast, the river guide will give you a brief introduction of the cruise and the schedule. Our next destination is Shibaozhai. Upon arrival, we will disembark at Shibaozhai. It is famous for its fanciful architecture and many interesting legends. Enjoying a reputation of ‘Pearl on the River’, Shibaozhai has attracted 220,000 visitors from home and abroad every year. Now it has become the ‘little Penglai’ for visitors to overlook stunning river view. The Captain’s Welcome Party will be held tonight.

   Accommodation: President No. 1

   

8. Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise
   Shennong Stream (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner)

   Today will be the highlight part of your cruise. Along the yangtze River, you will appreciate the unique scenery of the Three Gorges. There is the famous Shennong Stream on the border between the Wu Gorge and the Xiling Gorge, where you will disembark and take an interesting sampan adventure. You will take a small boat to navigate deep into the gorges. Sitting on the special local wooden boat, you will travel along the zigzagging watercourses and enjoy the grotesque rocks and picturesque scenery along the banks, accompanied by the folk songs from the trackers. The Shennong Stream adventure will last about 3 to 4 hours. Doubtlessly, the perfect natural beauty makes the best setting for your China holiday.

   Accommodation: President No. 1

   

9. Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise-Yichang by Car -Shanghai by Flight
   Three Gorges Dam (Breakfast+Lunch)

   Today your amazing ship journey will end with an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, which is the major construction of the Three Gorges Project. It is also known as the largest irrigation project in the world. When disembark again, it’s time to say goodbye to your fantastic Yangtze cruise excursion. After lunch, you will fly to Shanghai. Upon your arrival to Shanghai airport, our local driver will be waiting for you with holding your name and transfer you to the hotel.

   Accommodation: Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Shanghai
    Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, the Bund area (Breakfast+Lunch)

    AM: Meet your Shanghai guide at your hotel lobby in the morning and then take subway to explore the Yuyuan Garden. It is a classical and famous ancient Chinese private official garden style in Shanghai boasting with elegant pavilions, villa, lotus pond and bridges. Nearby the Garden, you could stroll at the Yuyuan Gardern Market to have a look at those local snacks and crafts. The next stop is Shanghai Museum which introduces you the history of this world-renowned metropolis, from where you will get a better idea of Shanghai City.

    Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

    PM: After lunch, you will wander around Shanghai Old Street which combines sightseeing, shopping, entertainment and cultural exhibition. Next, visit former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943.

    Afterwards, it's time to enjoy a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River, having totally different scenes about Shanghai along the banks of Huangpu River. Disembarked at the Bund area, listen to the guide’s explanation and appreciate the beautiful Huangpu river and architectures combined with both western and Chinese elements as special heritage of colonial period.

    Finally, end today with hotel drop-off.

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai Departure

    Our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport for your flight back home after this pleasant journey. Your 11-day China private tour of Beijing Xian Yangtze River Cruise ends here!