11 Days Beijing Xian Yangtze River Shanghai Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Hello and welcome to Beijing, China’s famous capital city!

   When you arrive at the airport or train station, your local driver will meet you in the arrival hall by holding a welcome board "China Xian Tour". Then, you will be sent to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you to relax. If you want to explore nearby, you can ask your travel consultant or tour guide for helpful tips.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Essence in Beijing City
   Tread Emperors' Marble Dreams Between Crimson Walls and Jade Lakes

   After breakfast, begin your exploration by visiting Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square in the world. At the northern side, Tiananmen Gate is the place where Chairman Mao announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Then, go for 10 minutes on foot to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This huge complex has nearly 9,000 rooms. Walk through different gates and you can admire the beautiful buildings with yellow tiled roofs, white marble bases, and colorful paintings. Your guide will share some historical facts about the grand palace.

   After lunch, head to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors used to hold special ceremonies. While exploring the large buildings and gardens, you will learn about the rituals of the Ming and Qing emperors, who prayed for good harvests. Besides its history, you will see local people doing Tai Chi and exercising in the park around the temple. After that, spend a relaxing time at the Summer Palace. The place was the favorite summer home for Qing Dynasty emperors. Here, you can explore the beautiful nature and royal buildings, and learn about traditional Chinese garden design. You can also choose to take a boat trip on the Kunming Lake in the palace (optional, at your own expense on site). Today at an appropriate time, we will take you to a pearl factory.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Great Wall Adventure in Beijing
   Hike on Stunning Mutianyu Great Wall to Touch the Historic Watchtowers

   After breakfast, drive for about 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall. This is the longest section of the Great Wall, with over twenty enemy towers. You can hike up the wall or take a cable car (optional, the guide will help you with the tickets) to save energy. Walk along the winding walls and enjoy the wide green views in summer, golden scenery in autumn, or snowy walls in winter.

   The No.1 Tower, aka the Big Corner Tower, is an important stop, which connects 3 sections of the Great Wall, including Badaling and Gubeikou. The Zhengguan Terrace (No.4 Tower) is a highlight, with three neatly arranged watchtowers, each having two floors. From here you see ancient defensive structures up close. No.20 Tower is the highest point of Mutianyu, offering a panoramic view of the Great Wall stretching across the mountains. After exploring these towers, enjoy some free time on the Great Wall. Today, you will be led to visit a jade shop to appreciate beautiful jade products. After the Great Wall tour, drive you back to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by Bullet Train
   Visit the Very Center of Xian and Taste Delicious Street Foods

   In the morning, the Beijing driver will pick you up after your breakfast at the hotel. Then you will be transferred to the railway station for a bullet train (5 hours) to Xi’an. The Xian local driver will meet you with a welcome sign and then escort you to the comfortable in the city center.

   In the evening around 6 pm, the guide will take you to the Bell and Drum Tower Square, located in the center of Xi'an, where East, South, West, and North Streets meet. To the east stands a 600-year-old clock tower, and to the west is China’s largest remaining drum tower. The square has cafes, store, and small shopping centers. On weekends, many locals come here to relax and shop. Then walk for 5 minutes to the bustling Muslim Quarter, where you can find different local snacks. Try some famous ones such as Biangbiang Noodles, Roujiamo, soup dumplings, and ice peak, while exploring Muslim culture. After the food tour, escort you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xi’an

   

5. Day 5: Landmarks of Xian
   Explore the Must-see Ancient Sites and Tang-style Architectural Complex

   Between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning, your guide will pick you up for a cultural tour of Xi’an. Drive about one hour to visit the Terracotta Warriors, the eighth wonder of the world. Here, you will explore the three pits for about 2-2.5 hours. In Pit 1, be amazed by over life-size clay soldiers arranged in battle formation. Pit 2 shows detailed figures, including kneeling and shooting warriors, while Pit 3 represents the ancient military headquarters. From your guide, you can learn about why it was built and what these warriors were made of. This is a must-see tourist attraction when visiting Xi'an.

   After lunch, go back to the downtown area to admire the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The tower is located inside the Daci’en Temple, with a height of about 64.5 meters and a total of 7 floors (originally 5 floors). It was built to store the scriptures brought by Xuanzang from India. If you would like to climb up the pagoda’s top, you need to pay an extra fee. Today’s last stop is the Grand Tang Everbright City, adjacent to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This is a large-scale Tang style architectural complex pedestrian street with the background of the prosperous Tang culture. At the square you can watch one of the largest musical fountains in Asia. You will be driven back after the visit.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xi’an

   

6. Day 6: History & Culture Exploration, Xian to Chongqing by High-speed Train
   Walk on the Ming-Era Ramparts, Inhale Centuries of Ink Wisdom

   After breakfast, we climb to the Ancient City Wall, China’s best-preserved and the largest city wall. Have a historical walk and see the modern Xi’an city. Also, you can rent a bike (optional, at an extra fee of CNY 45 for a single-person bicycle) for a leisurely ride. The routes are flexible. The last stop in Xian is Shuyuan Gate. This cultural street is named after Guanzhong Academy, the top academic institution in Shaanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the street, you can catch the scent of Chinese ink in the air. The shops here mainly sell calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, antiques, and handmade souvenirs.

   After the visit, we drive to the train station for a high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, the local driver will meet you and escort you to embark on a cruise ship at Chaotianmen for your Yangtze River cruise. Check-in time is 18:00 - 20:00. Please note: a mandatory tip of CNY150 per person is request when you board the cruise.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: on Cruise

   

7. Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise
   Move With Tai Chi at Sunrise Before Visiting Quiet Forest Temples

   Wake up with the morning light shining over the Yangtze River. You can admire the beautiful river view from your transparent window. Sip morning tea or coffee on the observation deck. If you like, join others for a Tai Chi session. This traditional Chinese practice combines Taoist philosophy, the Yin-Yang and Five Elements concepts. With its slow movements, Tai Chi helps improve heart and lung health, and boosts immunity.

   After enjoying a buffet breakfast, set out for a shore excursion to Fengdu Shuanggui Mountain, covering 100 hectares. The park is famous for its unique peaks, ancient temples and quiet valleys. You can hear the gentle sound of streams and see towering old trees. On the mountain, you’ll also find many buildings honoring famous figures from both ancient and modern times, including Zhou Enlai, Su Shi, and Qi Baishi.

   At noon, return to the cruise ship for lunch and some rest. In the evening at 17:30, enjoy the captain’s welcome party. Today also offers two optional activities (extra cost): in the morning from 8:00 to 12:00, visit the mysterious Fengdu Ghost City, or in the evening from 19:00 to 21:30, watch the grand live show Romance of the Three Kingdoms and glimpse the rich culture of that era.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: on Cruise

   

8. Day 8: Three Gorges Adventure
   Cruise Past the Grand Three Gorges, Enjoy Untouched Beauty of Goddess Stream

   Wake up early and watch the sunrise from the deck while sipping coffee. Today, the ship will pass through the magnificent Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge is only 8 km long but the steepest. Sheer rocks rise on both sides as the river rushes between them. Next is Wu Gorge, famous for its beauty, where towering peaks line the long, deep valley.
   After lunch, take some time to rest. Around 15:00, board a smaller boat along the scenic Shennv (Goddess) Stream to see up close the tall peaks and enjoy the untouched natural beauty.

   Return to the ship afterward. In the evening, join the captain’s farewell banquet for your last night on board. Then you can watch the Crew Cabaret show.

   Optional activity (extra fee): Today in the morning, you have a chance to visit Baidi City, aka the White Emperor City, built in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. It features Ming and Qing palace buildings, a rich collection of poems, inscriptions, and relics from the Sui and Tang dynasties.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: on Cruise

   

9. Day 9: Yichang to Shanghai by Bullet Train
   Conquer The World’s Mightiest Concrete Dragon from Three Epic Angles

   After breakfast, pack your things. The guide will lead you ashore to visit the world’s largest hydroelectric project — the Three Gorges Dam. This structure is 2,308 meters long and 185 meters high. You can explore 3 areas.

   The 185 Observation Deck sits on the left side of the crest, at the same height as the dam itself. Tangziling, standing at 262.48 meters above sea level, is the best place to see the whole dam. The Commemorative Park, located downstream on the Yangtze River, where you can get a panoramic view. In its exhibition hall, learn detailed facts about the dam’s construction and importance.

   After the visit, take a shuttle bus to Yichang Three Gorges Central Cruise Terminal. And then you will be escorted to take a high-speed train to Shanghai, a bustling metropolis. The Shanghai local driver will pick you up and send you to your hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Shanghai City Exploration
    Trace Koi Shadows in Ming-Dynasty Ponds, Chase Neon Rivers Through Art-Charged Industrial Ruins

    Have breakfast and meet your guide at the hotel lobby. Next, you will be led to visit Yuyuan Garden, one of the most famous ancient gardens in the Jiangnan region. It perfectly shows traditional Chinese garden style, with sparkling ponds full of swimming fish, tall pine trees reaching for the sky, and beautifully decorated pavilions — all carefully designed to relax.

    Next, stroll along the Bund and photograph 52 classical revival buildings with different styles, known as the International Architecture Exhibition Group. Across the Huangpu River, admire the modern skyline of Lujiazui. Then, walk to Xintiandi to enjoy art exhibitions and browse stylish shops in old Shikumen lanes.

    In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jade Buddha Temple to see a large reclining Buddha made of Burmese jade. Besides, experience the mix of incense-filled temple atmosphere with the city around it. Feel your inner peace and gain a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Afterward, explore M50 Creative Park, once a textile factory but since 2000 transformed into an art hub with vibrant street graffiti.

    After that, you’ll go to 1000 Trees, a unique building complex covered with thousands of green plants. During the evening, the lights turn on, creating a magical and colorful display that feels like a fairytale. Last, be transferred to the Mid-lake Pavilion Tea House, where you can take part in a traditional tea ceremony, learning about Chinese tea culture.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai Departure

    After enjoying your final breakfast, the 11-day Beijing Xi’an Yangtze River Shanghai group tour comes to an end. The driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport for your departure flight. Hope you have a safe and pleasant journey home!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Shanghai