11 Days China's Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze Cruise

Summary

Itinerary Highlight
Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
Day 3 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Beijing National Olympic Stadium
Day 4 Beijing: Nanluoguxiang, Beijing to Xian by high-speed train
Day 5 Xian: Terra-cotta Warriors Museum, Big Goose Pagoda, Dumpling Banquet & Tang Dynasty Show
Day 6 Xian: Xian Ancient City Wall, Xian to Chongqing by Flight
Day 7 Yangtze River: Yangtze Cruise, Fengdu, Mingshan Hill, Shibaozhai
Day 8 Yangtze River: Daning River Small Gorges, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, White Emperor City
Day 9 Yichang-Shanghai: Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge, Yichang Museum, Fly to Shanghai
Day 10 Shanghai: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Silk Factory, Jade Buddha Temple
Day 11 Shanghai Departure

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing

Upon on your arrival, our guide will meet you at Beijing Airport with a welcome signage "China Private Tour". And then, drive you to your hotel in Beijing downtown. The rest day is free on your own to explore the city or recover the jetlag.

Day 2 Beijing

Your day begins with an iconic journey into the heart of Beijing. Tiananmen Square, spanning an impressive 440,000 square meters, embodies the pulse of China's capital city. As you stand amidst this vast expanse, you'll witness the monumental significance of historical events and cultural gatherings that have shaped China's modern history. Your guide will narrate the stories behind landmarks like the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People, enhancing your understanding of China's political landscape.

From Tiananmen Square, a short walk leads you to the legendary Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. Enclosed within majestic walls, this imperial palace complex served as the residence of Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. Stroll through its ornate halls, courtyards, and gardens, marveling at the intricate architecture and opulent decorations that reflect China's imperial grandeur. Your guide will unveil tales of dynastic power, court intrigues, and architectural splendor, bringing the Forbidden City's history to life.

A sumptuous lunch awaits at a renowned local restaurant specializing in Peking Roast Duck, a dish steeped in centuries of tradition. Indulge in this culinary masterpiece, meticulously prepared to achieve crispy skin and tender meat. Your guide will explain the cultural significance of this imperial delicacy, originally savored by Ming dynasty royalty. Alongside the roast duck, savor authentic Beijing cuisine, offering a delightful exploration of local flavors.

After lunch, embark on a short drive to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, this spiritual sanctuary covers 2.7 million square meters. Explore its vast complex, featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, where emperors once performed solemn rituals to ensure bountiful harvests. Your guide will illuminate the significance of these rituals and the architectural symbolism that underscores China's reverence for cosmic harmony.

Conclude your day at the enchanting Summer Palace, a tranquil retreat nestled amidst Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Wander through lush gardens, across graceful bridges, and past ornate pavilions that embody classical Chinese landscaping principles. Your guide will recount the palace's role as a royal retreat and cultural haven, frequented by emperors seeking respite and inspiration. Reflect on the blend of natural beauty and imperial opulence that defines this UNESCO World Heritage site.

As your day draws to a close, relax on your return journey to the hotel, reflecting on the enriching experiences of the day. Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guide ensures personalized attention and insightful commentary, enriching your understanding of Beijing's cultural heritage and culinary delights. Feel reassured knowing that each aspect of your journey is curated with expertise and care, ensuring a memorable exploration of Beijing's treasures.

Day 3 Beijing

In the morning, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby. Your tour starts with visiting Mutianyu Great Wall, it about 70KM far way from downtown. There is an old saying "If you haven't climbed the Great Wall, you haven't seen China." Many of your friends who visited China before might have told you this. It is indeed an experience of life. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Mutianyu section of Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It's known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. 

Your lunch is offered near the Great Wall in a local Chinese restaurant.

After lunch, the Sacred Way, affiliated with the Ming Tombs, is a main attractions arranged for you. The Ming Tombs lie in Changping County, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest from the urban area of Beijing. It is actually a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including thirteen emperor's mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines and one grave for eunuchs.  

On the way back to your hotel, you are fortunately to pass by the famous Bird's nest and the Water Cube. You can take their exterior photography photographs to keep track of the two grand constructions and leave a pleasant memory here.

Day 4 Beijing-Xian

In the morning, check out from your hotel. Our guide will take you to start the Beijing hutong tour. Hutong is a window into Beijing folk life. Drive you to Nanluoguxiang Hutong, it's one of the best preserved historical areas in downtown Beijing, is famous for its hutong and siheyuan courtyards. Recently the popularity of Nanluoguxiang has increased noticeably with tourist numbers on the rise after 2008 Olympic Games. You will do a short walking along the authentic Beijing Hutong. Will give you a deep impression of the local residents’ live. You will have lunch at local family, to taste the home cooking style.

After lunch, transferred to Beijing West Train Station for the train to Xi'an. It takes around 5 hours. Once arrived at Xi'an train station, you will be greeted by our guide at the exit of the train station with a welcome signage “China Private Tour". Our guide will take you have a dinner at local restaurant. After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Xian.

Overnight in Xian.

Day 5 Xian

In the morning, our guide will meet you at the pointed time. Today, you will visit the highlights of Xi'an city.

Firstly, drive you to Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, it known as “the eighth Wonders of the world”, the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture which is listed as the most significant discovery of the 20th century. Up to now, there has discovered a total of 179 accompanying burial pits of different connotations and various shapes in Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum area. The discovery of these pits has provided all important significance in the research of the burial system of the Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the characteristics structures and characteristics of the burial pits. However, what makes people feel amazing is that of all the burial pits, none has been found survived from being burnt down. 

Your lunch is arranged at local restaurant with tasting local cuisine. Such as Liangpi, it is made from rice, this cold noodle dish is a summer favourite through Shaanxi province as well as other places around China.

After lunch, drive you back to the Xian downtown, keep going to visit the Drum Tower & Bell Tower, which is the largest bell tower in structure and shape and the best-preserved one in China. The Drum and Bell towers located in the center of the ancient city of Xian, are two of its most famous symbols.

At night, you will have a Xi'an Dumpling Dinner, which is famous in Xi'an. Our guide will lead you to Shaanxi Grand Opera House and help you find your seat for the most famous Xi'an Dumpling Dinner within the Opera House.In Xian, a must for visitors to try is the delicious dumplings. While tasting those dumplings, customers will be astonished by the cooks' smart cooking methods include steaming, boiling, pan-frying, deep frying, and roasting. It seems that all of the indigenous meat and vegetables can be used for the dumplings' stuffing, such as pork, mutton, beef as well as celery, radish, cabbages, etc. Nowadays, by the cooks' continuously improving, the dumpling has been one of the local best foods to entertain visitors from home and abroad..

After dinner, you will enjoy the local colorful and splendid Tang Dynasty Dance Show, which is a performance of music and dance that imitate the Tang Dynasty over one thousand-year ago. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian.

Drive you back to your hotel.

Day 6 Xian-Chongqing

Get up early and head to the Ancient City Wall. This wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Now it is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide over14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. You can walk, or even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing. 

After lunch, transfer to Xi'an airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival,our Chongqing local guide will pick you up at the exit of airport with a signage"China Private Tour" and take you to board Yangtze Cruise Ship.

Overnight on the Ship.

Day 7 Yangtze River

As the largest water system in China, Yangtze River is historically, economically and culturally important to the country. It has numerous tributaries including Min River, Han River, Jialing River, Gan River, and Huangpu River.

You will have an excursion to Fengdu, visiting either the "Ghost City" known for its statues of ghosts and devils onMingshan Hill, or the new relocation village, built for families who have moved as a result of the Yantgze's rising waters brought by the Three Gorgres Dam.

Optional Excursion to Shibaozhai (river conditions permitting), visiting the impressive 12-story pagoda. Known as "The pearl of the Yangtze", it is one of the gems of Chinese architecture. The 18th Century red wooden temple is an architectural delight full of Legends and beautiful stories. Climbing on the top, you can have a panoramic view of the Yangtze River. Inside the pavilion, there are steles and inscriptions of past dynasties of each floor. Visitors can also admire the spectacular Yangtze River from the windows of each floor.

?Day 8 Yangtze River

Continue your voyage on Yangtze River through hidden reefs and tumbling rapids. Take an excursion through the Daning River Small Gorges, which are narrower than the Three Gorges but also impressive. Enter Wu Gorge known for its forest-covered mountains and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices.Wu Gorge is famous for its zigzags, weird peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights.

Then sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic gorge. The combination of narrow canyons among high mountains with several switchbacks in only 8 kilometres creates spectacular vistas, and the Qutang Gorge is often considered the most beautiful of all the Three Gorges. Although it is primarily famous for its scenery, the Three Gorges region is also a historically and culturally important location in China.

Optional excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting), an ancient city overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge. Many relics housed in the Baidi Temple such as ancient architectures, a stele forest, ancient suspended wooden coffins, painting and calligraphy works by celebrities of different dynasties.

Day 9 Yangtze River

This morning you will visit the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the largest hydroelectric power project in the world. As well as producing electricity, the dam is intended to increase the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduce the potential for floods downstream by providing flood storage spaceLater sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks.

Sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles) and the deepest of the Three Gorges. Because of numerous reefs and odd-shaped stones existing in rapid shoals, it is also well known for its danger. Scenery along the Xiling Gorge is spectacular. Some renowned streams, springs, stones and karst caves can be found along this section.

In the afternoon, you will have a chance to visit the Yichang Museum if time permits. There are three main exhibition halls in the museum with a total area of 920 square meters displaying altogether 617 pieces of relics, 230 photos and drawings and 100 pieces of text. Then the cruise finish and we will drive you to Yichang airport for the flight to Shanghai. You can have a comfortable sleep in a cosy hotel of Shanghai.

Day 10 Shanghai

After breakfast, you will cross Huangpu River and visit The Bund, which is teemed with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings - Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Building, Bank of China Tower. Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favorite sight for tourists in Shanghai. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. On the TV Tower, to have a bird's eye view of Shanghai City.

Later you will be taken to visit the 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden – the representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden is expressing the quintessence of South China landscape design from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Over forty spots, divided by dragon walls, wound corridors and beautiful flowers, form a unique picture featuring "one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty". Out from Yuyuan Garden, move to Yuyuan Bazaar to explore how elaborate and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and savor some local flavor snacks here.

Followed a trip to a Silk Factory to see how silk is produced from the cocoons of silk worms, and turned into the beautiful fabric we all know and love.

Then continue to Jade Buddha Temple to admire the largest jade Buddha in the world and exquisite religious artifacts. The essence of the temple is the two jade Buddhist statues brought back from Burma by the Monk Huigen for Putuo Mountain during the Qing Dynasty.

Day 11 Shanghai Departure

Free on your own in the morning, then you will be transferred to the airport and you can fly back home. Have a pleasant trip!

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.