14 Days China Yangtze Cruise Tour with Li River Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong

   Welcome to Hong Kong, renowned as the Pearl of the Orient and a Shopping Paradise! Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Check in and relax. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

   Hello! Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient! Hong Kong is also a Shopping Paradise! Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, the local driver will pick you up with a welcome board “China Xian Tour” and send you to your hotel. Check in and relax. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

   

   Between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island, there is the Star Ferry for you to take, viewing the illuminated skyline. Next, find some tiny souvenirs on Temple Street Night Market. The market is 600 meters long and also sells clothing, glasses, watches, toys, accessories, paintings, and more. If you want to try authentic snacks, this market won't disappoint you.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Hong Kong

2. Day 2: Hong Kong Highlights
   Climb the Highest Point on Hong Kong for the Stunning Skyline

   Start your China tour in Hong Kong with a visit to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island. Many travel to Hong Kong just for its magnificent view. It offers a spectacular panorama of the city's skyline, the harbor, and the neighboring islands. You will ride the Peak Tram to the top.

   After that, head to Aberdeen Fishing Village, a historical area known for its view above water. You will experience a sampan boat ride (about 20-30 minutes), glimpsing the daily lives of the fishermen.

   

   Continue on to the shopper's paradise - Stanley Market. The stalls here mainly sell tourist souvenirs, such as postcards, T-shirts, and antiques featuring Hong Kong attractions. You can even find authentic famous foreign brand jeans. Afterwards, visit Wong Tai Sin Temple, one of the famous temples in Hong Kong founded in 1921. According to legend, the Wong Tai Sin enshrined in the temple is a "responsive" deity. It is the only Taoist temple in Hong Kong that can hold Taoist weddings.

   Next, relax in the tranquil Nan Lian Garden, a classic garden like an oasis in the bustling city. Last, take a leisurely walk along the famous Avenue of Stars, which is a picturesque waterfront promenade where you can see the Victoria Harbor and the city skyline.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hong Kong

   

3. Day 3: Hong Kong to Guilin by High-speed Train

   After breakfast, you will be transferred to take a high-speed train (3 hours) from Hong Kong to Guilin. Upon arrival, the local driver will be waiting for you at the Arrival Hall and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in the downtown area. You can enjoy the rest of the day exploring Guilin at your own pace.

   

   As night falls, you can head to Two Rivers and Four Lakes, an excellent place that combines natural beauty with urban scenery. You can leisurely stroll along the lakeside, admiring the sparkling lights reflected on the water surface, which is an excellent material for photography.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Guilin

4. Day 4: Guilin's Rice Terraces
   Hike the Breathtaking Rice Terraces & Learn about Local Culture

   After breakfast, the Guilin tour takes you to Longji Rice Terrace (Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces), which has a history of 650 years. After arrival, hike 30-40 minutes along the terraced fields, enjoy a cascading sea of green or yellow. Next, go to explore Huangluo Yao Village, which has beautiful scenery and Jinjiang River running through the village. Here resides the Yao ethnic group, the women of this ethnic group's long hair, singing and dancing, and clothing are beautiful folkloric scenery.

   

   Continue your hike to Ping'an Zhuang Village, another ethnic minority village surrounded by rice terraces. You will understand the Zhuang minority culture and their traditional way of life. Next, you can climb up to the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers observation deck to enjoy a panoramic view.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Guilin

5. Day 5: Guilin to Yansgshuo by Cruise
   Enjoy a Scenic 4-hour Li River Cruise from Guilin

   In the morning, meet your tour guide and driver at your hotel and transfer to Mopanshan Dock to board the 3-star cruise ship on Li River. The whole Li River cruise last about 4 hours and you will enjoy lunch on the ship. During the cruise, you will have a outer visit of the highlight sites of limestone peaks and picturesque villages.

   

   In the afternoon, the cruise ends in Yanshuo. The local driver will meet you at dock and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in at your local hotel, you can either rest up for the evening's exploration or choose to ride along the Yulong River or experience bamboo rafting (extra charge) and enjoy the "Hundred Mile Gallery".

   In the evening, your guide will lead you to the must-go place - West Street. Take a walk in this 1,400-year-old street for about 1 hour to see lots of ancient style buildings, see local people's life and try some local food if you like.

   Recommended Activity: you can enjoy the performance of Impression Liu Sanjie, a grand open-air show featuring local folk songs and stunning visual effects (at an additional expense).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yangshuo

   

6. Day 6: To Chongqing and Board the Cruise
   Chongqing City Tour to the Highlights

   After a breakfast, drive back to Guilin and depart for Chongqing by a high-speed train. Chongqing is a city renowned for its spicy cuisine. After arrival, begin your exploration with a visit to Ciqikou Ancient Town, which is famed Little Chongqing. It is a time-honored place that has a long history dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). You can see many ancient architecture and try the local delicacies here.

   

   After that, head to the Three Gorges Museum, a comprehensive museum of Chongqing history and art, especially those of Ba-Yu culture and Sanxia culture. You will learn about the history of southwest China.

   After the museum visit, your guide will escort you to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze River cruise ship. Boarding time is usually from 6 pm to 8 pm.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: on Cruise

7. Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise
   Being in the Midst of the Splendid River Scenery

   The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, with incredible natural scenery, enormous cultural and historical significance, and more. Do you feel a bit skeptical? Today you will understand why this river is so popular among locals and tourists. The fresh morning air will wake you up. First, experience the Tai Chi class on the deck to awaken your body. People can exercise their heart through slow, continuous exercise and breathing exercises. Next is a lecture on the history and culture of the Yangtze River. Afterward, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape on both sides of the Yangtze River while drinking coffee, and take amazing photos from different angles.

   

   After that, take a shore tour to Shibaozhai Pagoda. It is located in Shibao Town, Chongqing City, with a height of 56 meters. This tower is a 12 storey wooden structure building surrounded by water on all sides. It is astonishing that the entire architectural complex has no nails, which is rare in the world. The tour guide will lead you to admire a white jade relief wall depicting the story of Guan Yu (deified as a war god) during the Three Kingdoms period. Climbing to the top of the pagoda, visit the Heavenly Kings Hall with a history of over 400 years, which is the earliest surviving building in Shibaozhai. There is a bridge located in the courtyard behind the hall, called the Love River Bridge. Legend has it that a person full of love can cross the bridge in just three steps. Come and give it a try!

   Optional Activity:

   You may consider visiting Fengdu Ghost City, famous for its exquisite temples and mysterious Chinese myths (additional fees apply).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: on Cruise

8. Day 8: Past the Three Gorges
   Admire the Splendor of the Three Gorges

   Today, the cruise ship will sail through the essence of the Yangtze River - Three Gorges, including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge. You will see lush vegetation and tall peaks along the riverbanks.

   

   After sailing for a while, hop on a smaller boat to explore the narrower Shennv Creek. Here you can enjoy the most pristine valley. Also, experience the culture of the Tujia people through local music and dance performances. After that, return to the cruise ship.

   Optional Activity:

   Today you have a chance to visit White Emperor City. During the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), famous poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu visited this place and wrote a lot of poems. Therefore, White Emperor City has the reputation of "Poetry City". Surrounded by water on all sides, the highest point of the City allows one to overlook the Yangtze River and the surrounding spectacular scenery.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: on Cruise

9. Day 9: Yichang to Xian by Flight
   Visit the World's Largest Water Conservancy Project

   After breakfast, take a guided tour of the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, an engineering miracle. You can climb the 262.48-meter-high Tanzi Ridge, where you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Three Gorges Dam. In addition, you can climb up to the 185 Viewpoint to get a closer look at the dam.

   

   After the visit, take the bus arranged by the cruise company to the Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. There will be a dedicated driver to escort you to the airport for your flight to Xian.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

10. Day 10: Xi'an's Ancient Wonders
    Dig into Profound Historic Heritages of the Ancient City

    Today, the Xian tour will transport you back in time when visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", this underground army features life-sized warriors, and many horses and chariots. Your guide will lead you through Pits 1, 2 and 3 of the Terracotta Army and learn the stories behind them.

    

    After lunch, drive back to the downtown area to explore the Ancient City Wall. It is a well-preserved defensive structure encircling the city center. You can choose to take a leisurely bike ride along the wall to enjoy scenic views of Xian. Then, find many kinds of delicious local snacks such as Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger), and Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup) at the Food Paradise - Muslim Quarter. In the evening, wander along the illuminated Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Xian

11. Day 11: Xian to Beijing by High-speed Train
    Dive into the History of Xian and Shaanxi Area

    Today's Xian tour takes you to Da Cien Temple, where you will admire the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It was built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). If interested, you can climb the pagoda (an additional fee of 30 RMB)

    

    Next, you will be escorted to visit the Xi’an Museum which is situated in the scenic area of Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Nearly 114,000 exquisite artifacts are exhibited in chronological order. Most of them were excavated in Xi’an and its vicinity. Visually, the architectural style of the museum is based on a traditional Chinese concept of “round sky, square earth.” Upon entering the venue, one can enjoy different types of exhibits such as gold and silver, bronze, porcelain, jade and pottery articles, calligraphy and painting works covering more than 2000 years of history.

    In the late afternoon, say goodbye to Xian and catch a high-speed train to China’s capital, Beijing.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

12. Day 12: Beijing City Sightseeing
    Stroll the Magnificent Imperial Buildings from Hundreds of Years Ago

    After breakfast, your private guide will wait for you in the hotel lobby. After meeting, our first stop on today's Beijing exploration is Tian'anmen Square. Discover the significance and history of notable buildings, including the Monument to the People's Heroes and Zhengyangmen Gate, through engaging explanations.

    Next, walk for 2.5 hours in the Forbidden City to learn about the stories of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces. Also known as the Imperial Palace, this architectural complex is located at the center of Beijing's central axis. This was once the home of 24 emperors and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The largest and most well-preserved wooden palace in the world preserves numerous cultural relics, with a total of 1862,690 pieces according to statistics. In addition, the architecture is the highlight - it reflects a strict hierarchical system in color and scale, as well as functional zoning between front courts and back bedrooms. The yellow glazed tile roof and red walls are the favorite elements for photography enthusiasts.

    

    After lunch, spend a leisurely time in Summer Palace, China's royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. Based on Kunming Lake and Wanshou Hill (Longevity Hill), and modeled after the scenery of West Lake in Hangzhou, the Summer Palace is one of the best-preserved imperial gardens, and is known as the Royal Garden Museum. Immerse yourself in the harmonious blend of nature and architecture.

    In the evening, you have the option of watching a Chinese Kung Fu Show where skilled performers demonstrate martial arts techniques and acrobatics (extra charge).

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

13. Day 13: Great Wall Hike in Beijing
    Enjoy a Scenic Great Wall Hiking Tour on Mutianyu

    After breakfast, hop on an exciting excursion to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Connected to Juyongguan Great Wall in the west and Gubeikou in the east, Mutianyu has been a military stronghold guarding Beijing since ancient times. With its dense enemy towers and charming scenery, it is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. We will arrange for you to go up by cable car and then take a hike to enjoy the natural scenery. Of course, you can also choose to hike up for a memorable experience if energy permits.

    

    After descending from the Great Wall, take you to visit Ding Tomb, one of the Ming Dynasty Tombs. You will admire its architectural beauty & historical significance.

    Drive back to Beijing, stopping to view the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube from the outside. They are the famous buildings from the 2008 Olympic Games. In the evening, you can enjoy the famous palace dish - the famous Peking Roast Duck at Quanjude Restaurant (additional charge).

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

14. Day 14: Departure from Beijing
    Gain an Insight into the Beijingers' Daily Life

    After breakfast, you will be taken to the Temple of Heaven. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a special altar used by the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the heavens, ask for rain and pray for a good year. Next, go to experience a rickshaw ride through the traditional hutongs. You will pay a visit to a local family and get a glimpse of their daily life and even experience cultural activities such as learning calligraphy and weaving Chinese knots (extra charge).

    

    After the tour, your driver will escort you to the airport for your next destination or return home. This is the end of your 14-day China Yangtze River Cruise tour. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A