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Yangtze Essence

13 days - From $3550

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Yangtze Essence

FromPrices From $3550
13 Days / 11 Nights

Experience the rich diversity of China on this 13-day trip through the country’s most famous cities and the mystical Yangtze River. Retrace the steps of ancient warriors as you walk along the Great Wall and step into the future among gleaming skyscrapers in Shanghai. Snap a photo with pandas in Chongqing and marvel at the inspiring Three Gorges. This journey showcases the manmade wonders and natural highlights of this unforgettable country

Beijing (3 nights)
Xian (2 nights)
Chongqing
Yangtze River (3 nights)
Yichang
Shanghai (3 nights)

Escorted

Moderate

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Itinerary at a glance

DAY 1

USA – Beijing, China

DAY 2

Arrive in Beijing

DAY 3

Beijing

DAY 4

Beijing

DAY 5

Beijing – Xian by high speed train

DAY 6

Xian

DAY 7

Xian – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise

DAY 8

Yangtze River Cruise

DAY 9

Yangtze River Cruise

DAY 10

Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai

DAY 11

Shanghai

DAY 12

Shanghai

DAY 13

Shanghai - USA

Full Itinerary

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DAY
1

USA – Beijing, China: Fly to China

DAY
2

Arrive in Beijing: Arrival & Leisure Time in Beijing

DAY
3

Beijing: Full Day City Tour

Today enjoy an introductory tour of Beijing, whose origins extend back 3,000 years. The seat of the Ming and Qing emperors until the early 20th century, China’s capital fuses gleaming temples with austere public monuments built by Chairman Mao. Ogle Tiananmen Square, the world’s biggest public square, and visit the Forbidden City, the secret-steeped residence of 24 emperors. This UNESCO World Heritage site is girded by 10-metre high walls and consists of more than 8,000 rooms, all exuding imperial mystique. Later, visit the gorgeous UNESCO-protected Summer Palace. Walk around this entrancing park, a vision of Chinese landscaping, to view the elaborate bridges, temples and pagodas that flank Kunming Lake.

Included

Accommodation

Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar (Standard Twin)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

DAY
4

Beijing: Great Wall & Temple Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to the Great Wall or ‘Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li’ as it’s named in old Chinese. Built over 2,000 years ago to stave off nomadic invasions from the north, the gargantuan wall trails for over 5,500 miles across China like an imperial dragon. Stride along the battlements and behold the views over the mountains and valleys stretching into the distance. Next, continue to visit Temple of Heaven, a fascinating complex of imperial cult buildings centered on a sacrificial altar pavilion. Constructed in the early 15th century, the temple compound was used by China’s emperors to perform animal sacrifices that they believed would secure bountiful harvests. Dinner on your own or join the optional tour to taste the famous Peking Duck.

Included

Accommodation

Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar (Standard Twin)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

Optional Tours & Extras

Peking Duck Dinner (Min 10 Pax)

$50 per person

DAY
5

Beijing – Xian by high speed train: High-Speed Train to Xian + City Wall

DAY
6

Xian: Full Day Xian Tour

Once China’s capital and eastern terminus of the Silk Road, the vibrant city of Xian dates back 3,000 years and is best known as the home of the Terracotta Warriors. Unwittingly unearthed by farm workers in 1974, this 6,00o-strong mass of carved life-size soldiers and horses represent the real army that guarded China’s first emperor, Qin Shih Huang, and were interred with his tomb in 200 BC. After viewing the ranks of warriors, neatly arranged in the battle order of the time, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit the ornate Big Wild Goose Pagoda . Enjoy the Tang Dynasty dinner show at night.

Included

Accommodation

Hilton Xian or Similar (Standard Room)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show

DAY
7

Xian – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise: Fly to Chongqing + Board Yangtze Cruise

After breakfast, board the flight to Chongqing. See the rare pandas at Chongqing Zoo and Hongya Cave, a multi-function complex consisting of restaurants, food market and retail stores. It is built into the hillside along the southern bank of the Jialing River, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Enjoy the world-known Sichuan cuisine for dinner before boarding the Yangtze River Cruise ship.

Included

Accommodation

Victoria Cruises Lines or Similar (Standard Room RDV)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
8

Yangtze River Cruise: Yangtze Cruise Shore Excursion

DAY
9

Yangtze River Cruise: Yangtze Cruise Excursion + Gorge Views

Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. Today pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.

Included

Accommodation

Victoria Cruises Lines or Similar (Standard Room RDV)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
10

Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai: Disembark Cruise + Fly to Shanghai

Disembark the cruise, visit the incredible Three Gorges Dam, the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam. Spend some time in Yichang with visits to the local market, Riverside Park before taking the flight to Shanghai.

Included

Accommodation

The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
11

Shanghai: City Tour: Bund, Yu Garden & Nanjing Road

Shanghai was once known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, a heritage built on its important trading role in goods such as tea, silk and opium. Today, immerse yourself in this pulsating city, a mass of glass skyscrapers, colonial-era architecture, teahouses and temples. Enjoy a guided tour of the highlights, including the handsome Bund waterfront, busy shopping boulevard of Nanjing Road, City God Temple Bazaar , Yu Garden and the teeming shopping avenue of Nanjing Road .

Included

Accommodation

The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar (Standard Room)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Meals

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

Optional Tours & Extras

Night tour of Shanghai with dinner (min 10 pax)

$60 per person

DAY
12

Shanghai : Leisure Day or Optional Suzhou Tour

DAY
13

Shanghai - USA: Depart from Shanghai

What's included

Comprehensive sightseeing tours including entrance fees as per itinerary

All hotel taxes, duties and surcharges, airport taxes

All hotel taxes, duties and surcharges, airport taxes (for land & air packages)

Tour Guide

Specialist English-speaking local guides

Air

Xian to Chongqing flight economy class

Yichang - Shanghai flight economy class

Highlights

Beijing : Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and Great Wall

Xian : Terracotta Warriors Museum, City Wall

Shanghai : The Bund, Nanjing Road

Special entertainment: Xian - Tang Dynasty Dinner Show

Meal

11 hotel buffet breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners

Transfer

Beijing to Xian High Speed train experience

Deluxe air-conditioned motor-coach touring

Important Notes

Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 10 guests

Where you could stay

Beijing

Grand Hyatt Beijing or Similar

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Located on Wangfujing, within walking distance of The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, Grand Hyatt Beijing is part of Oriental Plaza with direct access to the adjacent shopping mall. Blending both western and oriental traditions encompassing contemporary design and classic standards of service and excellence, our hotel allows you to experience Beijing in our own way.

Xian

Hilton Xian or Similar

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Find us within the ancient city walls of Xi'an, directly opposite the popular Dongxin Street Night Market. Wulukou metro station is 900 meters from our hotel, and historic sites such as the Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda are within seven kilometers. We have landscaped roof gardens, an indoor pool, and a spa.

Yangtze River

Victoria Cruises Lines or Similar

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Established in New York City in 1993, Victoria Cruise Lines has been the leader in luxury cruising on China’s majestic Yangtze River. Celebrating 30 Years. Over two million satisfied passengers have sailed with us. We have become the Yangtze’s preeminent cruise line because of the quality of our fleet, our outstanding service, and innovative itineraries. Victoria Cruises is an allied member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), an associate member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), and a member of the New York Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Shanghai

The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai or Similar

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The award-winning Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai is a landmark located in a retail, dining and entertainment complex on the famous West Nanjing Road. Situated in the heart of the commercial, shopping and entertainment district of the city, our luxury hotel features unparalleled service, exquisite dining experiences and spacious accommodations.

Suzhou One Day tour with lunch (min 10 pax)

Suzhou is nicknamed the "Venice of the East''. Strategically situated on the ancient trade route, this lovely city has been a center of silk production for centuries and offers picturesque canals, stone bridges and ornamental gardens. Witness its highlights on our tour, which includes a boat ride on the Grand Canal and visit the UNESCO

DAY 12: SHANGHAI $85 PP