Essence of China with Yangtze Cruise (14 days)

Beijing  – Xi’an – Chengdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise – Yichang – Shanghai

Experience some of China’s greatest attractions on this premium small-group tour. Explore historic sites in Beijing and Xi’an, observe giant pandas in Chengdu, cruise the mighty Yangtze River, and savour authentic Chinese cuisine at quality restaurants. With expert guides and attentive service throughout, this journey offers an excellent introduction to China’s rich history, culture and natural beauty.

Essence of China with Yangtze Cruise (14 days)

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 1/Thu: Departing for Beijing
Depart from a city of your choice, losing a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Beijing
Meet our driver on arrival for your transfer to the hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure. The guide will contact you in the evening.

Day 3/Sat: Beijing (B/L/D)
The capital of China, Beijing is a major cultural, educational and political centre with a population exceeding 20 million. One of China’s great historic cities, it served as the imperial capital for much of the past eight centuries. Beijing is renowned for its magnificent palaces, temples, ancient city gates and other historical landmarks, many of which date back to the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties.

We begin today with a visit to the Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum. This vast imperial complex served as the residence and administrative centre of the emperors of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. Built between 1406 and 1420, it comprises approximately 980 buildings spread over 72 hectares (180 acres). Its traditional Chinese palatial architecture influenced palace design throughout East Asia. Although the Qing Dynasty fell in 1912, the last emperor, Puyi, was allowed to remain in the Forbidden City until his expulsion in 1924. The Palace Museum opened the following year. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Forbidden City is one of the world’s largest and best-preserved complexes of ancient wooden buildings.

Next is Tian’anmen Square, measuring approximately 880 metres from north to south and 500 metres from east to west. Tian’anmen Gate stands at its northern end, with the Monument to the People’s Heroes near the centre. The Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China flank the square to the west and east, respectively, while Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and Qianmen (Front Gate) lie to the south. Since the May Fourth Movement of 1919, Tian’anmen Square and its surroundings have been associated with major political events and demonstrations, including the pro-democracy protests of 1989.

Our afternoon sightseeing takes us to the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in southeastern Beijing, this vast complex was where Ming and Qing emperors performed elaborate ceremonies and offered sacrifices to Heaven, praying for good harvests and the well-being of the empire. Construction began in 1406 under the Yongle Emperor and was completed in 1420. The complex was subsequently expanded and renovated during the Qing Dynasty. Covering 273 hectares (674 acres), the Temple of Heaven is nearly four times the size of the Forbidden City.

The Hongqiao Pearl Market is located across the street from the Temple of Heaven. Known for its freshwater pearls, jewellery and other merchandise, it attracts both local and international shoppers. If interested, you may ask the guide to drop you off there after sightseeing, but you will need to return to the hotel independently by taxi.

Dinner tonight features Peking roast duck, one of Beijing’s best-known dishes. Traditionally roasted until the skin is crisp, the duck is carved tableside and served with thin pancakes, scallions, cucumber and a savoury sauce.

Day 4/Sun: Beijing (B/L)
After an early breakfast, we set out on a full-day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, approximately 75 kilometres northeast of central Beijing.

The Great Wall is one of China’s most impressive engineering achievements. Its earliest sections date back to the 7th century BCE, when individual states built defensive walls against rival states and nomadic groups. Following China’s unification in 221 BCE, the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ordered existing fortifications to be connected and extended. Successive dynasties continued to build and maintain defensive walls, but the most extensive reconstruction took place during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when much of the brick-and-stone Wall familiar to visitors today was built.

Stretching across northern China, the Great Wall was intended to defend against incursions from the north, regulate border crossings and facilitate military communications. Despite its formidable appearance, it was never an impenetrable barrier, as demonstrated by the Mongol conquest of China in the 13th century under Genghis Khan and his successors, including Kublai Khan.

The Mutianyu section, originally established in the 6th century and substantially rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, is known for its well-preserved watchtowers and mountain scenery. Cable car rides are included, allowing visitors to spend more time exploring the Wall itself.

Day 5/Mon: Beijing – Xi’an (B/L)
We begin our sightseeing with a visit to a traditional hutong neighbourhood. Hutongs are narrow alleyways lined with siheyuan, traditional courtyard houses typically enclosed by buildings on four sides. The term hutong dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and is believed to derive from a Mongolian word meaning “water well,” reflecting the importance of wells as gathering places in early settlements.

Next is the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s finest imperial gardens. Originally known as the Garden of Clear Ripples, much of the complex was destroyed by British and French forces in 1860 during the Second Opium War. Reconstruction began in 1886, and the garden was renamed Yiheyuan (Garden of Nurtured Harmony). Covering approximately 290 hectares, the Summer Palace is dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, with more than 3,000 bays of traditional buildings spread throughout the grounds.

After lunch, we board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approximately 4 hours 20 minutes). The journey takes us through the North China Plain, passing farmland, villages and rapidly developing cities. China’s extensive high-speed rail network, built largely over the past two decades, has transformed intercity travel, making long-distance journeys faster and more convenient.

Day 6/Tue: Xi’an (B/L)
With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Xi’an served as the capital of several Chinese dynasties, including the Han (206 BCE–220 CE) and Tang (618–907). It was also the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting China with Central Asia and regions as far west as the Mediterranean.

We spend the morning visiting the Terracotta Army, located approximately 30 kilometres east of Xi’an. Discovered by local farmers in 1974, this extraordinary collection of life-sized terracotta warriors and horses was created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor (221–210 BCE), in the afterlife. The site is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch, we return to the city for a stroll along the ancient city wall. Originally built in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, it is one of China’s best-preserved city walls. The wall runs approximately 13.7 kilometres around the old city, enclosing an area of 14 square kilometres. Standing 12 metres high, it measures between 15 and 18 metres thick at its base.

Day 7/Wed: Xi’an – Chengdu (B/L/D)
Morning sightseeing begins at Xi’an Museum. One of the city’s leading cultural institutions, Xi’an Museum houses more than 110,000 historical artefacts, including ancient bronzes, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures and works of art spanning several thousand years of Chinese history. The museum complex also encompasses the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang dynasty (618–907), and the historic Jianfu Temple grounds. Together, these attractions offer a fascinating introduction to Xi’an’s rich cultural heritage and its importance as one of China’s great ancient capitals.

We then visit the Great Mosque in the old town centre and the adjacent Muslim Quarter. The mosque was established in the 8th century, although most of the surviving complex dates from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), with further additions during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). Unlike many mosques in the Middle East, the Great Mosque is predominantly Chinese in architectural style, with traditional courtyards, pavilions and tiled roofs rather than the domes and minarets commonly associated with Islamic architecture elsewhere.

This afternoon, we travel by high-speed train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Situated on the fertile Chengdu Plain, the city is known for its rich history, distinctive cuisine and relaxed lifestyle. The surrounding region has long been called the “Land of Abundance,” owing to its agricultural productivity.

Archaeological discoveries at Sanxingdui and Jinsha reveal that the Chengdu region was home to a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization long before the Qin conquest of the ancient state of Shu in 316 BCE.

Day 8/Thu: Chengdu (B/L)
Morning sightseeing takes us to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of China’s leading centres for giant panda conservation and research. Native to the mountainous regions of south-central China, the giant panda is easily recognized by its distinctive black-and-white markings. Although classified as a carnivore, it feeds almost exclusively on bamboo, spending much of its waking time eating. Giant pandas are generally solitary animals, and females usually give birth to one or two cubs after a gestation period of approximately five months. Newborn cubs are blind, nearly hairless and weigh only about 100 to 150 grams.

We spend much of the afternoon at Jinsha Site Museum, built around an important archaeological site discovered accidentally by construction workers in February 2001. Dating primarily from approximately 1200 to 650 BCE, Jinsha was a major centre of the ancient Shu civilization that flourished in the Chengdu region during the Bronze Age.

Excavations have uncovered thousands of artefacts made of gold, bronze, jade, ivory and stone, providing valuable insight into the religious beliefs, artistic achievements and daily life of this ancient society. Among the most celebrated discoveries is the exquisite gold ornament known as the Sun and Immortal Birds, which has become a symbol of China’s cultural heritage.

Jinsha shares many cultural characteristics with the earlier Sanxingdui civilization, whose principal archaeological site lies about 50 kilometres northeast of Chengdu. Archaeologists generally regard Jinsha as a later centre of the ancient Shu civilization, reflecting a shift in political and cultural activity towards the Chengdu Plain.

We conclude our sightseeing at Wangjianglou Park, known for its bamboo groves, traditional gardens and historic riverside tower. The park commemorates Xue Tao (768–831), one of the most celebrated female poets of the Tang dynasty. A stop at a traditional Chengdu teahouse offers a glimpse of the city’s relaxed lifestyle.

Day 9/Fri: Chengdu – Chongqing (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we transfer to the railway station for our high-speed train to Chongqing, arriving around midday.

Situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing is one of China’s largest cities and a major economic centre in western China. Built across steep hills overlooking two great rivers, the city is famous for its dramatic skyline, multi-level streets and distinctive cuisine. Chongqing also played an important role in modern Chinese history, serving as the wartime capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).

Following lunch, we visit China Three Gorges Museum, whose extensive collections trace the history and culture of the upper Yangtze region, including the ancient Ba civilization and the enormous changes brought about by the Three Gorges Dam.

Across People’s Square stands Chongqing People’s Great Hall, an imposing landmark completed in 1954. Inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, the building is one of the city’s best-known landmarks.

We continue to Jiefangbei, Chongqing’s bustling commercial centre, where modern skyscrapers, shopping streets and lively public spaces reflect the city’s rapid development. Time permitting, we also visit nearby Shibati, a historic neighbourhood of steep stone stairways and traditional buildings that offers a glimpse of old Chongqing.

After dinner, we stop at Hongyadong, an 11-storey riverside complex inspired by traditional stilt-house architecture. Illuminated after dark, its tiered buildings against the steep riverbank create one of Chongqing’s most striking night scenes.

We then transfer to the cruise terminal to board our Yangtze River ship.

Day 10/Sat: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
At approximately 6,380 kilometres, the Yangtze is Asia’s longest river and the third longest in the world, after the Nile and Amazon. Rising on the Tibetan Plateau, it flows eastward across China before emptying into the East China Sea near Shanghai. For thousands of years, the river has served as a vital transportation artery and supported the development of Chinese civilization.

Today’s shore excursion takes us to Shibaozhai, one of the most distinctive historical landmarks along the Yangtze. Situated on a rocky hill overlooking the river, the site takes its name from a local legend that the enormous rock was a precious stone bestowed by a goddess.

A Buddhist temple was established on the hill during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). Its most striking feature is a wooden pagoda built against the cliff in the early 19th century, providing access to the temple above. Originally nine storeys high, the pagoda was extended to 12 storeys in 1956. The entire complex is now protected from the rising waters of the Three Gorges Reservoir by a surrounding embankment.

Day 11/Sun: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Today’s cruise takes us through some of the most spectacular scenery along the Yangtze River, including Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, two of the celebrated Three Gorges.

Qutang Gorge, the shortest of the three at approximately eight kilometres, is renowned for its narrow passage and towering cliffs. At its western entrance, the imposing Kuimen Gate has long been regarded as one of the most dramatic sights along the Yangtze.

Stretching approximately 45 kilometres, Wu Gorge is famous for its steep, forested mountains and the legendary Twelve Peaks, including Goddess Peak. The scenery here has inspired Chinese poets and painters for centuries.

We also enjoy a shore excursion into Goddess Stream, a narrow tributary surrounded by steep cliffs and lush vegetation. Travelling aboard a smaller sightseeing boat, we venture into a landscape that is inaccessible to larger cruise ships.

The remainder of the day is spent enjoying the river scenery as our ship continues downstream towards the Three Gorges Dam.

Day 12/Mon: Yichang – Shanghai (B/L)
This morning we visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity. Completed in stages between 1994 and 2012, the massive project spans the Yangtze River near Yichang. Its reservoir extends approximately 600 kilometres upstream, providing flood control, hydroelectric power and improved navigation. The project has also been controversial because of its environmental impact and the displacement of more than a million residents.

We disembark the ship at noon and travel to Shanghai by high-speed train (D954, 14:00/20:21). Due to time constraints, a boxed lunch will be provided for the train journey.

Day 13/Tue: Shanghai (B/L/D)
With a population of nearly 25 million, Shanghai is China’s largest city and a major centre of international trade and commerce. Its modern skyline contrasts with historical landmarks that reflect the city’s colourful past.

We begin our day with a visit to Jade Buddha Temple in an old neighbourhood. We then walk along the famous Bund, a waterfront promenade with a fascinating history.

After lunch, we stroll through the historic People’s Park and adjacent People’s Square in the heart of the city. Originally part of the Shanghai Race Club, established in 1850, the park and square are surrounded by museums, shops and other cultural attractions.

We wrap up the day’s sightseeing with a tour of the exquisite Yu Garden in the old town centre.

Day 14/Wed: Shanghai – Home City (B)
The tour ends this morning. A private vehicle with a driver (no guide) is provided for your transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Travellers flying directly to North America arrive home on the same calendar day they depart Shanghai after crossing the International Date Line.

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. International airfare is not included.

* Land Only price excludes international airfare. Please contact us for a fare quote.