12 Days Ancient Capital and Yangtze Tour

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 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 the breakfast, our guide will pick up you at 9:00am in your hotel hall. We will begin our today’s trip from the Tiananmen Square, which is known as 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. It has witnessed may historical events in China’s modern history and is a place for celebrations on such festive days as international Labor Day on May 1st and national Day on October 1st. Next we come to the largest as well as best-preserved imperial palace complex, Forbidden City, located in the center of China’s capital, Beijing. It displays an extraordinarily harmonious balance between buildings and open space within a more or less symmetrical layout.

   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. 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, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

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

   AM: After breakfast, first you will visit the Badaling Great Wall. As one of the greatest wonders of mankind, the majestic Great Wall is always a must-see attraction for many visitors to Beijing. Nowadays, the Great Wall has become the symbol of the Chinese nation and its culture.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the included lunch, we will come to the Ming Tomb. On the way to the Ming Tomb, you will pass through the Sacred Way. The Ming Tomb is the place where 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) were buried. On the way back to downtown center, last we will visit the Bird’s Nest (Olympic National Stadium), which is the main assembly hall of the 29th Olympic sports games in Beijing at the year of 2008. After the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

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

   AM: After the breakfast, we will explore the Summer Palace and have a Hutong tour. The 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 included lunch, you will be transferred to the Beijing airport and fly to Xian. Upon arrive in Xian airport, our tour guide and driver will escort to the well-selected hotel in Xian.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

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

   AM: After the 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 the included lunch, visit one of the landmarks of Xian, 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. 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, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian
   Ancient City Wall, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter (Breakfast+Lunch)

   AM: After the breakfast, we will pay a visit to the Ancient City Wall in the morning, 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. The construction was started in 1370 and finished in 1378 and htook a rectangular –shaped construction.

   Noon: Lunch in lcoal restaurant.

   PM: After the included lunch, will continue to visit the Great Mosque, a place where the local Muslims attend worship ceremony. You may have a glimpse of Muslims’ life here. Out of the Grand Mosque, you can have a free explore at the Muslim Quarter. It is a famous Moslem street with various stories and restaurants. You can see many local special stuffs and taste local snacks. After the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

7. Day 7: Xian - Chongqing by Flight
   Shaanxi History Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Breakfast)

   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 Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which is a famous well-preserved Buddhist pagoda of the Tang Dynasty. The extant pagoda has thirteen stories and it still keeps the primitive features. With delicate appearance, it is reputed to be the exquisite artistic heritage of Buddhist architecture in the Tang Dynasty.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then our tour guide and driver will transfer you to the airport to take a flight to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you at Chongqing airport with holding your name. If time permits, you will have a brief city view to the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo to have a close meet with the adorable Chinese Giant Pandas.

   Then in the evening you will board the luxurious President Ship and begin your Yangtze cruise

   Accommodation: President No. 1

   

8. Day 8: 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

   

9. Day 9: 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

   

10. Day 10: Yichang – 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 world largest irrigation project. When embark again, it’s time to say goodbye to your fantastic Yangtze cruise excursion.

    After lunch, you will head for Shanghai by flight. Upon your arrival in Shanghai airport, our local guide will be waiting for you with holding your name and transfer you to the hotel.

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai
    Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, the Bund (Breakfast+Lunch)

    AM: In the morning, visit Shanghai Museum. It is a large museum exhibiting the ancient art while featuring bronze ware, chinaware, calligraphy and painting. Then, proceed to the Yuyuan Garden. It is one of the most famous southern China gardens, where you can appreciate the typical architecture of Chinese gardens.

    Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

    

    PM: In the afternoon, you will enjoy a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River where you will see totally different scenes about Shanghai along the banks of Huangpu River. Disembarked at the Bund area, you will have some free time to walk around.

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: 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 12-day China Ancient Capital and Yangtze Tour.