Hong Kong – Guilin – Shanghai – Yangtze River Cruise – Chengdu – Xi’an – Beijing
The masterfully planned itinerary takes in China’s most popular destinations plus a 3-day/4-night luxury cruise on the Yangtze River. From futuristic skylines in Shanghai and Hong Kong to world-class historical sites in Beijing and Xian, the sensory overload is just overwhelming.
Important Features Include:
- Small group size
- Expert professional guides
- No shopping stops of any kind
- Luxurious accommodations
- Immersive cultural activities
- Quality meals at non-tourist restaurants
- Optional day trip to Macau from Hong Kong
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
| Southbound version |
Day 1/Sat: Departing for Hong Kong
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Sun: Arrival in Hong Kong
Meet your driver on arrival for your private transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3/Mon: Hong Kong (B/L)
Hong Kong (meaning “fragrant harbour”) is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China, along with Macau. Comprising more than 260 islands, the territory is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong Province in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south. Hong Kong was a dependent territory of the United Kingdom from 1842 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. The Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Hong Kong stipulate that Hong Kong operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2047, fifty years after the transfer. Under the policy of “one country, two systems”, the Central People’s Government is responsible for the territory’s defense and foreign affairs while Hong Kong maintains its own legal system based on English common law, police force, monetary system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to international organizations and events.
Our morning sightseeing in Hong Kong begins with a ferry ride across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central. The heart of Hong Kong’s business district, Central is home to the regional headquarters of many multinational financial services corporations. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is the government of Hong Kong.
We then proceed to the top of Victoria Peak. Also known as Mount Austin or The Peak among locals, Victoria Peak is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island with an altitude of 552 meters (1,811 feet). The peak offers sweeping views over Central, Victoria Harbour and the surrounding islands.
We proceed to lunch after a brief stop at Repulse Bay – one of the most expensive residential areas in the world.
After lunch, we spend the rest of the day exploring on our own. Feel free to ask the guide for advice on what to do.
Day 4/Tue: Hong Kong – Macau – Hong Kong (B)
Free day to explore on your own. Please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
Optional Day Tour to Macau
This option requires a minimum of 2 to operate. Price per person starts from US$185/CA$259, which includes a private guide from Hong Kong, taxi fare to ferry terminal from hotel in Hong Kong and shuttle bus ticket back to ferry terminal in Hong Kong, any applicable admission fees in Macau.
Itinerary
We depart from the hotel at 08:00 for the turbojet ferry terminal. Our modes of transportation today includes taxi, high-speed ferry and shuttle bus. The ferry ride to Macau takes slightly less than one hour.
Macau sits across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. It is an autonomous region of China and was under Portuguese rule for 442 years before being returned to China in 1999.
Our sightseeing in Macau focuses on the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Historic Centre of Macau which includes the Ruins of St Paul’s and Senado Square nearby. We will also meander through the alleyways of the charming city. Of course, our day trip won’t be complete without stopping by at one of its giant casinos. Nicknamed as Las Vegas of Asia, Macau attracts millions of visitors to its casinos and malls every year.
Day 5/Wed: Hong Kong – Guilin (B)
Meet your guide in hotel lobby at 10:30 for transfer to the train station. The high-speed train #G320 departs Hong Kong at 11:54, arriving in Guilin at 15:00.
A small city by Chinese standard, Guilin has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means ‘forest of sweet osmanthus’, due to the prolific growth of these flowers throughout the city.
No sightseeing is scheduled for today. A walk along Li River flowing in front of the hotel is highly recommended.
Day 6/Thu: Guilin (B/L)
Enjoy a full-day hiking excursion to the terraced rice fields in Longji. Located 80km (2 hours drive) to the north of Guilin, Longji, meaning dragon back, is famous for its terraced rice fields. Because the villages at Longji are in the jurisdiction of Longsheng County, the tourist attraction is often collectively referred to as Longsheng Terraced Fields. The scenery is arguably at its best in early May during transplanting and in late September to mid-October when the fields turn golden.
Built by local farmers of different ethnic groups from Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the mountainous fields cover a total area of 66 square kilometres, rising between 300 meters and 1,100 metres above sea level.
We wrap up the day with a quick tour of Fubo Hill (elevation 63 metres) located 2 km from the hotel. Walking back to the hotel along the Li River is a perfect way to soak in the beauty of the city.
Day 7/Fri: Guilin – Shanghai (B/L)
We begin today with a five-hour cruise down the Li River. The 83 km stretch of river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo growths, and picturesque villages — sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations.
We will disembark in Yangshuo after lunch on the ship, then drive back to Guilin for late afternoon flight to Shanghai (2 hours).
Day 8/Sat: Shanghai (B/L/D)
With a population close to 25 million, Shanghai is China’s largest city and a dynamic hub of global trade and cultural exchange. The city delights visitors from around the world with its futuristic skyline and historical landmarks.
We begin our day with a visit to Jade Buddha Temple located in an old neighbourhood. We then walk the famous Bund – a waterfront promenade with a riveting history.
After lunch, we stroll the historical People’s Park and adjacent People’s Square in the heart of the city. Originally part of the Shanghai Race Club first established in 1850, the park and the square are surrounded by world-class museums and shops, which attract millions of visitors each year.
We wrap up the day’s sightseeing with a tour of the exquisite Yu Garden in the old town centre.
Day 9/Sun: Shanghai (B)
Free day to explore on your own.
If you are interested in art and history, Shanghai Museum would be a great place to spend half a day. This museum houses a huge collection of precious national treasures. Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum and Nanwaitan Fabric Market (high-end tailor shops) are also recommended.
Optional Suzhou Day Tour
After breakfast we ride the high-speed train (30-40 minutes) to Suzhou, an ancient city most famous for its gardens, ancient canals and silk industry. In the late 13th century a Venetian named Marco Polo visited Suzhou and was very impressed by what he saw. He vividly described the prosperous silk industry and dubbed Suzhou “Venice of the East” due to the small waterways crisscrossing the city.
Our full-day schedule takes in the historic Tiger Hill, Humble Administrator’s Garden, North Pagoda, a short canal cruise, and a visit to Suzhou Silk Embroidery Research Institute if time allows. We return to Shanghai by train in early evening.
The all-inclusive price with lunch starts from US$250 per person and requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate.
Day 10/Mon: Shanghai – Yichang (B/D)
After breakfast, we board the high-speed train (D952, 08:30/14:43) to Yichang. Since lunch is not provided, please buy some snacks before boarding the train. If you don’t want the hassle, you can buy hot food and all kinds of beverages on the train.
In the past 20 years, China has been on a building spree expanding the country’s rail network and upgrading existing railways. Its high-speed rail service rivals France’s TGV and Japan’s “shinkansen” in terms of safety, speed, comfort and punctuality.
We visit a riverfront park and a food market on arrival. We board the Yangtze cruise ship after dinner.
Day 11/Tue: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
At 6,380 km the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges stretching 119 km.
Today’s shore excursion takes us to the Three Gorges Dam, the site of the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. Later today, we sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (66 km/41 miles) and deepest of the Three Gorges.
Day 12/Wed: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Morning excursion to picturesque Shennong Stream involves transfer to a smaller vessel. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Goddess Stream.
Have your camera ready for the 25-mile-long Wu Gorge, which is known for its quiet beauty, forest covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Soon after, the ship enters Qutang Gorge – the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic of the Three Gorges.
Day 13/Thu: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Today’s excursion calls for scenic Snowy Jade Cave (karst formation of stalactites and stalagmites) and Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park. The park is a relocation site for architectural and cultural relics rescued across Fengdu County before the completion of the Three Gorges Dam.
Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai – a maroon-coloured wooden pagoda built against the side of a hill overlooking the Yangtze.
Day 14/Fri: Chongqing – Chengdu (B/L/D)
We disembark the cruise ship in Chongqing after breakfast and ride the high-speed train (G8646, 10:43/12:11) to Chengdu.
Capital of populous Sichuan Province, Chengdu is an ancient city with a population of 14 million. The fertile Chengdu Plain, on which Chengdu is located, is often referred to by the Chinese “Country of Heaven”, a phrase also translated as “The Land of Abundance”. The discovery of the Jinsha archaeological site suggests the area had become the centre of the Bronze Age Sanxingdui Culture around the time of the establishment of the state of Shu prior to its annexation by Qin in 316 BCE.
Afternoon sightseeing includes Wang Jiang Lou Park and a traditional local tea house. “Wang Jiang Lou” means “river-overlooking tower” and the park is so named because of the ancient pagoda-shaped wooden tower onsite. The beautiful little park dotted with verdant bamboo groves has long been a favourite spot among locals for leisure.
Day 15/Sat: Chengdu – Xi’an (B/L/D)
Morning sightseeing at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The giant panda, unrelated to the red or lesser panda, is a bear native to south central China, living in mountainous regions. It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda’s diet is over 99% bamboo. The giant panda has an insatiable appetite for bamboo. A typical animal eats half the day – a full 12 out of every 24 hours – and relieves itself dozens of times a day. Giant pandas are solitary creatures. They have a highly developed sense of smell that males use to avoid each other and to find females for mating in the spring. After a five-month pregnancy, females give birth to a cub or two, though they cannot care for both twins. The blind infants, born fully white, weigh only 5 ounces (142 grams) at birth and cannot crawl until they reach three months of age.
The panda is a conservation reliant endangered species. Recent statistics (late 2022) shows 637 pandas living in captivity with most of them inside China. The most authoritative estimate as of late 2022 puts the number of giant pandas living in the wilderness at 1864.
The high-speed train to Xian takes less than 4 hours (G90, 15:00/18:18).
Day 16/Sun: Xi’an (B/L)
With a history dating back over 3,000 years, Xi’an served as China’s capital of several dynasties including the Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) and the Tang (618 – 907). It is home to the famous Terracotta Army as well as the eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road – a network of trade routes connecting China proper with regions as far as the Mediterranean beginning in the Second Century BCE.
We spend the morning visiting the Terracotta Army. Built on the excavation site, the museum is located 30 km east of the city. Designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) into eternity, the Terracotta Army represents one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
After lunch we return to the city for a stroll on the ancient city wall. Declared a national treasure by the State Council in 1961, the wall (first built in 1370) encircles an area of 14 square kilometres. It runs 13.7 kilometres long and measures 12 metres in height with a thickness at the base between 15 to 18 metres.
Dinner is not included for today. There are many restaurants around the hotel. Ask your guide for recommendations.
Day 17/Mon: Xi’an – Beijing (B/D)
We spend the morning exploring Xi’an ancient Muslim quarter in the old town centre. The grand mosque the adjacent Muslim bazaar are the highlights of the Muslim quarter.
The mosque was established in the 8th century and the majority of the complex was constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was further expanded in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, this mosque is completely Chinese in style. It has neither domes nor traditional minarets.
Our travel to Beijing is again by high-speed train (#G668, 12:05/16:32). Since lunch is not provided, please buy some snacks before boarding the train. If you don’t want the hassle, you can buy hot food and all kinds of beverages on the train.
Day 18/Tue: Beijing (B/L)
The capital of China, Beijing is a world-class cultural and educational centre with a population around to 21 million, ranking it China’s second largest city behind Shanghai. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates – treasures that make it the most popular tourist city in China by the number of visitors it receives every year.
We begin today with a visit to the Forbidden City. Officially known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties lived and carried out their administration. Construction of the Forbidden City took 14 years (1406-1420) to complete. The complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 hectares or 180 acres. It exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. Though the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1912, the royal family was allowed to continue to live in the Forbidden City till 1924, when the last emperor, Pu Yi, was driven out of the imperial palace. One year later the Forbidden City was turned into a museum. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, this is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
Next up is Tian’anmen Square. Located in the heart of Beijing, the square measures 880 metres from north to south and 500 meters from east to west. Said to be the largest public plaza in the world, Tian’anmen Square has the capacity to hold one million people. The imposing Tian’anmen Tower sits at the north end of the square while the Monument to the People’s Heroes dominates the centre. The square is flanked by The Great Hall of the People (west) and the National Museum (east). Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and Qianmen (Front Gate) are located in the south of the square. One of the top 16 tourist attractions in Beijing, Tian’anmen Square is also the witness of the Chinese people’s great struggles for democracy and personal freedom since 1919.
Afternoon sightseeing takes place at the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in southeastern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is China’s largest extant sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperors conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to “the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.” Construction of the temple started in 1406, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle, and took 14 years to complete. The temple was expanded under the Qing emperors Qianlong (1736-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820). Occupying 2.73 square kilometres (roughly 1,700 by 1,600 metres), the area of the Temple of Heaven is more than twice that of the Forbidden City.
The famous Hongqiao Pearl Market, the largest pearl market in the world, is right across the street from the Temple of Heaven. Recommended by numerous guidebooks for freshwater pearls, Hongqiao teems with domestic and international shoppers. If you are interested, please ask the guide to drop you off there. However, you’ll need to get back to the hotel by taxi, which costs about 8 US dollars.
Dinner is not included for today. There are many restaurants around the hotel. Ask your guide for recommendations.
Day 19/Wed: Beijing (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast we embark on a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 75 km northeast of the city.
Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. As history shows, the Wall failed the Chinese rulers miserably, especially in the case of Kublai Khan who and his men swept across China from the Mongolian steppe, thus the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).
Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the 7th century BCE. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort.
Today we enjoy a delicious dinner at a popular Peking Roast Duck restaurant. Peking Roast Duck is a famous Beijing dish prized for the thin and crispy skin with authentic versions serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners.
Day 20/Thu: Beijing (B)
Today is a free to explore on your own. The National Museum, Confucius Temple and Summer Palace are highly recommended. Please ask your guide for other recommendations if needed.
Day 21/Fri: Returning Home (B)
Your tour ends this morning. Transfer to the airport any time. Guests flying back to North America will regain a day upon crossing the International Date Line, thus arriving home the same day as departing from Beijing.
HOTELS & SHIP
| City/Location | Nights | Hotel/Ship | Category |
| Hong Kong | 3 | Harbour Grand Kowloon | 5-star/luxury |
| Guilin | 2 | Sheraton Guilin | 5-star/luxury |
| Shanghai | 3 | Amara Signature Shanghai | 5-star/luxury |
| Yangtze Cruise | 4 | Victoria Cruises – Sabrina | 5-star/luxury |
| Chengdu | 1 | Chengdu Taihe International | 5-star/luxury |
| Xi’an | 2 | Sheraton Xi’an North City | 5-star/luxury |
| Beijing | 4 | New Otani Chang Fu Gong | 5-star/luxury |
DATES & PRICES
| Depart (Sat) |
Return (Fri) |
Land Only* CAD/USD |
Single Supplement CAD/USD |
| 2025 | |||
| 06-Sep | 26-Nov | $8,330/$5,950 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 04-Oct | 24-Oct | $8,330/$5,950 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 11-Oct | 31-Oct | $8,330/$5,950 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 18-Oct | 07-Nov | $8,330/$5,950 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 2026 | |||
| 04-Apr | 24-Apr | ||
| 11-Apr | 01-May | $8,380/$5,990 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 09-May | 29-May | $8,380/$5,990 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 16-May | 05-Jun | $8,380/$5,990 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 06-Jun | 26-Jun | $7,950/$5,680 | $5,950/$4,250 |
| 12-Sep | 02-Oct | $8,610/$6,150 | $2,730/$1,950 |
| 03-Oct | 23-Oct | $8,610/$6,150 | $2,900/$2,075 |
| 10-Oct | 30-Oct | $8,610/$6,150 | $2,900/$2,075 |
| 17-Oct | 06-Nov | $8,610/$6,150 | $2,900/$2,075 |
| 24-Oct | 13-Nov | $8,610/$6,150 | $2,730/$1,950 |
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
| Tour price includes: | Tour price does NOT include: |
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See Terms & Conditions for more information. |
Passport & Visa
Your passport needs to have at least one blank visa page and six months validity at the end of the tour.
Tourists from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand may need a visa to enter mainland China; check with us for the latest information at the time of tour booking.
You do not need a visa to enter Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macau.
Vaccination
No vaccination of any kind is required. Vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended.
Travel Health
Tap water is safe for showering and tooth-brushing but is not recommended for drinking. You can boil water using the kettle in the room to make tea or coffee. Locals normally boil tap water to drink.
Always carry a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of hand sanitizer. In general, public toilets do not provide paper towels for hand drying; many of them have no electric hand dryers either.
You should carry a small towel as many locals do when going out.
Currency Exchange & Credit Card
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China all have their own currencies. You are not advised to buy any of them prior to arrival. Withdrawing cash from local ATMs after arrival remains our recommended method of currency exchange. Keep your inventory of local currency low as your tour fare already covers all the expensive items. You only need some cash for incidentals and meals not included in the tour price.
Credit cards are widely accepted across all destinations. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, taxi drivers only accept cash in most cases. For any purchase over $50, please use a credit card for protection.
Travel Insurance – When to Buy
Your deposit will be kept as credit if you cancel for any reason. The transferable credit has no expiration date. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to spend $30 to $50 on cancellation insurance just to protect the deposit.
However, purchase of trip cancellation & emergency medical insurance is strongly advised when your balance is due. If you don’t have proper coverage, the loss can be devastating in case of cancellation before or after commencement of the booked trip or in case of a serious medical emergency during the trip. Please ask us for premium quotes when your balance due date is near.
