Beijing – Xi’an – Dunhuang – Urumqi – Kashgar – Turpan – Chongqing – Yangtze Cruise – Yichang – Wuhan – Guilin – Shanghai
This exciting grand adventure begins in China’s capital of Beijing and ends in Shanghai – a dynamic modern metropolis where East meets West. From the eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road (Xian) to the westernmost tip of China (Kashgar), this exotic journey of discovery following in the footsteps of Marco Polo is nothing short of a cultural extravaganza. Trip highlights are too many to mention but here are a few that should whet your curiosity: Mogao Grottos, Jiaohe Ruins, Old Town of Kashgar and the scenic drive to Karakul Lake on winding Karakoram Highway.
Important Features
- Expert local guides handpicked by company owners.
- Small group size – average 15, maximum 20.
- No annoying forced shopping stops.
- Quality meals at non-tourist restaurants.
- Outside cabin on or above bridge deck for Yangtze cruise.
- Exclusive amenity package during Yangtze cruise.
- Unlimited supply of bottled water during group activities.
- Free Wi-Fi in all hotels.
- Great Wall visit at Mutianyu with cable car.
- Day hike at Longji terraced rice fields.
Options Available
- Peking opera show in Beijing.
- Tang Dynasty cultural show with dinner in Xi’an.
- Immersive tea farm visit in Guilin.
TOUR ITINERARY
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Thu: Departing for Beijing
The trip starts with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Beijing
Meet the driver on arrival for transfer to the hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure. The guide will get in touch with you tonight.
Day 3/Sat: Beijing (B/L/D)
The capital of China, Beijing is a world-class cultural and educational centre. It has a population slightly above 21 million and ranks behind Shanghai as China’s second largest city. 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.
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 4/Sun: Beijing (B/L)
After an early breakfast we embark on an 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 whose 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.
Day 5/Mon: Beijing – Xi’an (B/L/D)
We begin our sightseeing today with a visit to a traditional hutong neighbourhood. Hutong refers to an ancient alleyway with siheyuan or ”4-sided courtyard house” on both sides. The name hutong dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368 CE). According to some experts, the word originated from the Mongolian language, in which it is pronounced as “hottog” and means “well.” In ancient times, people tended to gather and live around wells. So the original meaning of hutong should be “a place where people live around”.
Next on our schedule is the Summer Palace, a well-preserved UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The imperial resort was first named Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by the allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War (referred to as Arrow War by the British). Reconstruction started 25 years later and was completed in 1895 when the name was changed to Yi He Yuan (Garden of Good Health and Harmony). The design gives prominence to Longevity Hill, as well as Kunming Lake south of the hill. The sprawling complex covers an area of 290 hectares and the buildings inside consist of over 3,000 bays.
We travel to Xi’an by high-speed train (#G87, 14:00/18:23). The 4-hour-23-minute rail journey through fertile farmland dotted with villages provides the visitor with an excellent way to enjoy the beautiful countryside. The track we travel on between Beijing and Zhengzhou is part of the new 2,298 km high-speed railway linking Beijing and subtropical Guangzhou and is also the longest high-speed rail line in the world. In the past 20 years China has been on a building spree expanding the country’s rail network and upgrading existing railways. Its new high-speed rail service rivals France’s TGV and Japan’s “shinkansen” in terms of safety, speed, comfort and punctuality.
Day 6/Tue: Xi’an (B/L)
With a history going back over 3,000 years, Xi’an served as China’s capital of several ruling dynasties including the Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) and the Tang (618 – 907). It is home to the famous Terracotta Army and the eastern terminus of the ancient 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 archeological 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.
Day 7/Wed: Xi’an – Dunhuang (B/L)
Morning sightseeing begins at Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xi’an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city.
We then visit the grand mosque in the old town centre and the adjacent Muslim bazaar. 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.
The late afternoon or evening flight to Dunhuang takes 2 hours 30 minutes.
Day 8/Thu: Dunhuang (B/L/D)
A major link on the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang is an oasis city once known as Shazhou or “City of Sands”. The single biggest attraction of Dunhuang is the nearby Mogao Grottoes, which along with Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and Yungang Grottoes in Datong, form the three most famous Chinese grottoes of Buddhist sculptures – all on UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Morning sightseeing introduces us to the brilliant murals and sculptures inside Mogao Grottos, one of the most celebrated legacies of the Silk Road era. Situated at a strategic point along the Silk Route, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, the 492 cells and cave sanctuaries in Mogao are famous for their statues and wall paintings, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art.
In the afternoon, we visit the Crescent Moon Lake and Singing Sand Dunes.
Day 9/Fri: Dunhuang – Urumqi (B/L/D)
Morning sightseeing takes in Dunhuang Museum and a food market.
After lunch, we drive to Liuyuan train station to board our high speed train to Urumqi.
Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, is a modern city with a rich blend of cultures. As the farthest city from any ocean in the world, it serves as a vibrant gateway to the Silk Road, offering a unique mix of Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, and other ethnic influences.
Day 10/Sat: Urumqi – Kashgar (B/L/D)
Our sightseeing in Urumqi includes Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum where the famous Tarim Mummies are on display and the Red Hill Park.
The afternoon flight to Kashgar takes 2 hours 10 minutes.
Nestled in the far west of China’s Xinjiang region, Kashgar is a city where ancient Silk Road heritage meets vibrant Uyghur culture. For centuries, this historic oasis has been a melting pot of traders, explorers, and diverse traditions. Stroll through the winding alleys of the Old City, soak in the lively atmosphere of the famous Sunday Bazaar, and marvel at the grand Id Kah Mosque. With its blend of stunning desert landscapes, traditional architecture, and warm hospitality, Kashgar offers an unforgettable glimpse into a world where East meets West.
Day 11/Sun: Kashgar (B/L)
Our schedule today includes the Old Town centre, Abakh Khoja Tomb (also known as Fragrant Concubines’ Tomb) and Id Kah Mosque. We will also visit a local Uyghur family and the extraordinary Sunday Bazaar where half of Central Asia seems to converge. The market, now called Central Asia International Grand Bazaar, is open every day except for three days during the three-day holiday known as Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).
Day 12/Mon: Kashgar – Lake Karakul – Kashgar (B/L)
After breakfast we embark on a full-day excursion to Karakul Lake, 198 kilometres southwest of Kashgar.
Accessed via legendary Karakoram Highway leading to Pakistan, the lake, 3,600 metres above sea level, sits on the laps of Muztagh Ata and Kongur, two towering peaks of the Pamir Mountains. The scenery along the way is simply stunning. As we drive higher and higher into the mountains, farmland along the river valley on the edge of the desert gradually gives way to high mountain pastures nibbled by camels and yaks tended by yurt-dwelling Kirgiz and Tajiks.
The Karakoram Highway is the highest paved international road in the world, connecting China’s Xinjiang region with the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass, at an elevation of 4,693 metres. The highway was built by the government of Pakistan and China. It was started in 1950 and opened to the public in 1979. About 810 Pakistanis and 200 Chinese workers lost their lives during the construction of the highway, mostly in landslide and falls.
Day 13/Tue: Kashgar – Urumqi (B/L/D)
We fly back to Urumqi early in the morning.
Upon arrival, we drive 2 hours (100 km east of Urumqi) to the Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) nestled in the Tianshan Mountains. This is a breathtaking alpine lake known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain backdrop. Surrounded by lush forests and snow-capped peaks, the lake is also home to nomadic Kazakh herders who graze their livestock in the summer months. Visitors can take a boat ride, hike scenic trails, or visit traditional yurts to experience Kazakh hospitality and culture.
Day 14/Wed: Urumqi – Turpan – Urumqi (B/L)
Day trip to Turpan by high-speed train (53 minutes each way).
Situated on the northern route of the Silk Road, Turpan is an ancient oasis on the Silk Road, famous for its scorching summers, historic ruins, and lush vineyards. With a rich Uyghur heritage and some of China’s sweetest grapes, Turpan offers a fascinating mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Ethnic Uyghurs make up 70% of the local population.
Our sightseeing in Turpan features Jiaohe Ruins (Yarkhoto, an ancient garrison town), the Karez museum and the Bezeklik Buddhist Caves in the Flaming Mountains.
Day 15/Thu: Urumqi – Chongqing (B/D)
Free morning to explore on your own. Please ask your guide for recommendations on what to do.
The afternoon flight to Chongqing takes four hours.
Day 16/Fri: Chongqing – Yangtze Cruise (B/D)
Chongqing, one of the largest cities in China, offers a dynamic blend of ancient culture and modern marvels. Famous for spicy hotpot, dramatic mountain scenery, and the Yangtze River, it’s a gateway to natural wonders like the Three Gorges.
Today’s sightseeing includes People’s Square and Ciqikou, a historical waterfront district once known for its porcelain production during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Optional excursion to Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be arranged on request. The excursion with hot lunch costs US$185 and requires a minimum of 4 participants to operate.
We board the Yangtze cruise ship after dinner.
Day 17/Sat: 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.
On today’s shore excursion we visit Precious Stone Fortress (shi bao zhai) built atop a hill overlooking the Yangtze. It was so named because the location was once used as a stronghold by a group of uprising peasants in the mid-17th century. About one hundred years later a Buddhist temple was built on the hill. Several more decades passed before a staircase covered by a 9-storey wooden pagoda was added. In 1956, the pagoda was expanded to the current 12 storeys.
Day 18/Sun: Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Admire nature’s grandeur while sailing through spectacular Wu Gorge (45 km) and Qutang Gorge (8 km). Later this morning we hop on a small vessel to explore Goddess Stream. A tributary of the Yangtze, the emerald-coloured stream traverses through narrow gorges walled by soaring cliffs.
Day 19/Mon: Yichang – Wuhan (B/L/D)
Morning visit to the Three Gorges Dam site. This is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometres upstream.
We disembark the ship at noon and travel to Wuhan by high-speed train (2 hours). Due to time constraints, we will not be able to have a proper lunch; instead, a lunch box would be provided for you to carry onto the train.
Day 20/Tue: Wuhan – Guilin (B/L/D)
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province and a powerful economic engine in central China. A pivotal hub of transportation, the sprawling city straddles the Yangtze. It became known as Wuhan in 1927 when Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankou were amalgamated. The city contains many beautiful lakes and parks including the expansive East Lake.
We begin today with a stroll along the scenic East Lake. This is followed by a visit to Hubei Provincial Museum where one of the highlights is a live performance featuring a set of bronze chime bells replicated from originals made two and half millennia ago.
After an early lunch we board the high-speed train G435 (13:13/18:27) for Guilin. A small city by Chinese standards, Guilin has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means “forest of sweet osmanthus”, owing to the large number of fragrant sweet osmanthus trees in the city.
Day 21/Wed: Guilin (B/L)
Enjoy a full-day hiking excursion to the terraced rice fields in Longji. Located 80 km (2-hour drive) to the north of Guilin, Longji (meaning dragon’s 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 the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the 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.
Optional Tea Farm Visit
If time permits, we can arrange a late afternoon visit to Guilin Tea Science and Research Institute for a nominal fee, subject to a minimum of 6 participants. Founded in 1956, the state-owned institute has an experimental tea farm covering an area of 42 hectares and boasts 250 species of tea plants. The predecessor of the institute was said to be one of the tea suppliers to the imperial court during the Ming Dynasty. The farm sits on fertile soil ideal for tea growing. During harvesting season, the farm employs 150 workers full time to pick tea leaves. Each year the institute produces around 42 tons of organically grown tea of different flavours.
Day 22/Thu: Guilin (B/L)
We begin today with a five-hour cruise down the Li River. The 83 km stretch of the river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque villages — sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations.
We disembark in Yangshuo after lunch on board and drive back to Guilin. 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 Li River is a perfect way to soak in the beauty of the city.
Day 23/Fri: Guilin – Shanghai (B)
Free morning to explore on your own. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Shanghai.
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.
Day 24/Sat: Shanghai (B/L/D)
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 25/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. We return to Shanghai by train in the afternoon.
The all-inclusive price with lunch starts from US$250 per person and requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate.
Day 26/Mon: Shanghai – Home City (B)
The tour tour ends this morning. Transfer to the airport any time for return flight. Guests flying back to North America will regain a day upon re-crossing the International Date Line, thus arriving home the same day as departing from Shanghai.
| City | Nights | Hotel/Ship | Category |
| Beijing | 3 | New Otani Chang Fu Gong | luxury/5 stars |
| Xi’an | 2 | Sheraton Xi’an North City | luxury/5 stars |
| Dunhuang | 2 | Silk Road Hotel | luxury/5 stars |
| Urumqi | 1 | Hongfu Hotel | luxury/5 stars |
| Kashgar | 3 | Radisson Blu | luxury/5 stars |
| Urumqi | 1 | Hongfu Hotel | luxury/5 stars |
| Chongqing | 1 | Glenview ITC Plaza | luxury/5 stars |
| Yangtze Cruise | 3 | Century Cruises | luxury/5 stars |
| Wuhan | 1 | New World Hotel | luxury/5 stars |
| Guilin | 3 | Sheraton Guilin | luxury/5 stars |
| Shanghai | 3 | Amara Signature Shanghai | luxury/5 stars |
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Dates & Prices
| Depart (Thu) |
Return (Mon) |
Land Only* CA$/US$ |
Single Supplement CA$/US$ |
| 2026 | |||
| 26-Mar | 20-Apr | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 02-Apr | 27-Apr | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 07-May | 01-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 14-May | 08-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 21-May | 15-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 28-May | 22-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 06-Aug | 31-Aug | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 13-Aug | 07-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 20-Aug | 14-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 27-Aug | 21-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 03-Sep | 28-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 08-Oct | 02-Nov | $10,345/$7,550 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| Depart (Thu) |
Return (Mon) |
Land Only* CA$/US$ |
Single Supplement CA$/US$ |
| 2027 | |||
| 25-Mar | 19-Apr | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 01-Apr | 26-Apr | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 06-May | 31-May | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 13-May | 07-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 20-May | 14-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 27-May | 21-Jun | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 05-Aug | 30-Aug | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 12-Aug | 06-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 19-Aug | 13-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 26-Aug | 20-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 02-Sep | 27-Sep | $10,950/$7,990 | $3,640/$2,660 |
| 07-Oct | 01-Nov | $10,345/$7,550 | $3,640/$2,660 |
* Land Only price excludes international airfare. Please contact us for a fare quote.
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What the tour price includes:
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What the tour price excludes:
See Terms & Conditions for more information. |
