14 Days China Leisure Tour by High Speed Trains:
Shanghai-Yangtze River Cruise-Chengdu-Xian-Beijing
Tour Highlights
⦁ Experience the convenience and speed of China's extensive high-speed rail network.
⦁ Taste Chinese Cuisine, and learn about Chinese cuisine culture.
⦁ Enjoy a relaxing upstream Yangtze River cruise, with stops at historical and natural sites.
⦁ Explore bustling markets and local community, immerse yourself in the local culture.
Itinerary Overview
D1-D2 Shanghai Arrival & Sightseeing
Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund.
D3-D6 Embarkation & Yangtze River Cruise
Enjoy the cruise through the Three Gorges. Visit Three Gorges Dam Site, Shennv Stream, Fengdu Ghost City.
D7-D8 Chongqing & Chengdu Sightseeing
Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Hongya Cave, Chengdu Panda Base, Renmin Park, Kuanzhai Alley.
D9-D11 High speed train to Xian&Sightseeing
Visit Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda,Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City.
D12-D14 Beijing Sightseeing&Departure
Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Hutongs.
Detailed Itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
D1 Shanghai Arrival
Welcome to Shanghai! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up at the airport, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from the jet lag.
D2 Shanghai (B,L)
Start today with an exploration of Yu Garden - an iconic classical garden nestled within bustling Shanghai's core. Situated northeast of Huangpu District's Old Town area, you will see the stylish Chinese pavilion and authentic old architectures in Yu Garden. Surrounding the garden is a bustling marketplace filled with shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, souvenirs. Enjoy shopping time at Yuyuan Bazaar, and you can try snacks and local delicacies like xiao long bao (steamed dumplings).
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Former French Concession to explore the city's unique history, architecture, and modern lifestyle. The city walk starts from Tianzifang, a place filled with artsy shops, studios, galleries, and cozy cafes. Here you can appreciate traditional Shanghai shikumen architecture. Continue north to Sinan Mansions, an upscale residential and commercial complex that exemplifies the elegance of the French Concession era.
Next highlight for today is Shanghai Tower. Stands in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial Zone, Shanghai Tower(632 meters) is the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world. You will take a high-speed elevator ride that swiftly takes you up to the observation deck(118F), reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour (73 km/h). Enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai from the observation deck, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the sprawling cityscape stretching to the horizon.
To conclude your day filled with exploration and discovery, take a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road to the Bund and enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
Optional activity: You can also take a relaxing Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
D3 Shanghai to Yichang by high speed train(B,D)
In the morning, you will get transferred to the railway station for a high speed train to Yichang(abt 6.5hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and transfer you directly to Maoping Port to embark Century cruises ship. Enjoy a buffet dinner(18:30-20:00pm) after embarkation.
Kindly note:
1. All the meals covered in the itinerary during cruise are served with Chinese and Western buffet. If you have special dietary requirements, please inform us in advance.
2. The cruising itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, water level, navigation and seasonal conditions.
3. If the Century Cruises' sailing schedule does not match the travel dates, we will adjust to a cruise of the same class, such as Victoria Cruises series.
4. There are English speaking staff and guides on board. The on board English guide will guide you during shore excursions.
D4 Yangtze River cruise(B,L,D)
Enjoy free morning tea and coffee in the bar. If the weather permits, you can also practice Tai Chi with a professional trainer on the sunshine deck.
After breakfast, either take part in the optional shore excursion to the Three Gorges Tribes or at your leisure onboard. The optional excursion offers stunning natural scenery, and you will also explore local villages that reflect the architectural styles and lifestyles of ethnic minorities.
In the afternoon, you will join in the shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site (about 3 hours),which is the the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. You will tour the dam facilities, view the massive turbines, and learn about the project's scale and technological innovations at the Three Gorges Project Exhibition Centre. You can also change a smaller boat to join the optional tour of the Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator.
D5 Yangtze River cruise(B,L,D)
After breakfast, you will take the excursion at the Shennv Stream (about 3 hours), From your Century Ship transfer to a smaller boat, you will cruise up the newly created waterways between well-wooded hills and sheer cliffs where you can enjoy spectacular scenery and see the most famous hanging coffins.
The ship will sail through the magnificent Wu Gorge, followed by the spectacular Qutang Gorge. The guide will introduce the unique scenery on both sides of the sun deck.
Optional shore excursion: you can take the shore excursion to the historical and cultural site of White Emperor City.
D6 Yangtze River cruise(B,L,D)
There are variety of onboard activities & lectures available in the morning.
After lunch, take the excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (about 2 hours). It's known for the culture of ghosts and integrating of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with diverse of Chinese traditions.
In the evening, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Party.
D7 Chongqing & High speed train to Chengdu(B,L)
After breakfast, you will disembark at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port. Your guide is ready to pick you up at the port, and escort you to explore Chongqing - the "8D Magical City".
Firstly pay a visit to the Ciqikou Ancient Town. Stroll along the narrow cobblestone alleys lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and restaurants. This is a great place to observe local life, shop for souvenirs, and taste regional specialties like Chongqing hotpot ingredients and spicy snacks.
Then experience the Magic of Liziba Metro Station. Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 from Huanghuayuan Metro Station. Get off at Liziba Metro Station, famous for its unique design where the train passes through an 11-story residential building.
The last stop for today is Hongya Cave. The multi-level structure of Hongya Caveis designed to resemble a cliffside village, with several floors stacked upon one another. When lit up, it reflects off the Jialing River, presenting a postcard-perfect image of Chongqing's vibrant cityscape.
After the tour, you will take a high speed train to Chengdu(abt 2hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel for rest.
D8 Chengdu(B,L)
Get up early today to pay a stirring visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is globally renowned for its conservation and breeding efforts, boasting a wealth of panda resources and a pristine ecological environment. Take a stroll in the base, you can closely observe pandas engaging in their daily activities such as eating, playing, and resting. Moreover, one cannot miss the chance to encounter adorable baby pandas in the Moon and Sun nursery houses. In addition to giant pandas, the park is also home to various other wildlife species including swans and red pandas. Along the designated route, you will traverse through bamboo forests and verdant spaces while enjoying intimate encounters with nature and giant pandas.
After that, transfer to Chengdu Renmin Park. Make a stop at Heming Teahouse which is an iconic venue that embodies the essence of Sichuanese tea culture. Here, you can relax in a traditional environment, savor local teas like jasmine or Longjing. Visit the famous “Matchmaking Corner”. The scene at the corner is typically filled with advertisements for potential spouses, where parents engage in exchanging information, each striving to find a suitable partner for their unmarried adult children who had surpassed the traditionally preferred age for marriage.
Next to Renmin Park, you will take a stroll at Kuanzhai Alley. Literally translated as "Wide and Narrow Alleys," this charming neighborhood comprises three parallel alleys — Kuan Street (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley (Well Alley) — that reflect the traditional architectural style and local lifestyle of old Chengdu. The area is also famous for its street food and snacks, allowing you to sample authentic Sichuan cuisine.
If energy permits, you can take a leisurely walk from Kuanzhai Alley to Paotongshu Street. Nestled alongside the Kuanzhai Alley, Paotongshu Street exudes a more serene and leisurely atmosphere, preserving a greater sense of old Chengdu's lifestyle.
Optional activity: In the evening, enjoy a wonderful performance of Sichuan Opera which includes folk opera, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, etc.
D9 High speed train to Xian & Sightseeing(B)
After breakfast, get transferred to the railway station for a high speed train to Xian(abt 3.5 hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to check in the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will visit Da Cien Temple, where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda stands as a renowned architectural masterpiece. Soaring to a height of 64.5 meters, this pagoda was constructed by the esteemed Buddhist master Xuanzang during the early Tang Dynasty to safeguard invaluable scriptures he acquired from India. Notably, Xuanzang served as the inspiration for Tang Seng in the celebrated Chinese novel Journey to the West. (Note: An additional fee of 30 RMB is required for ascending the Big Wild Goose Pagoda).
Then you will head to visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. The entire area is designed to resemble the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, with beautifully reconstructed buildings, ornate gateways, and traditional Chinese lanterns hanging overhead. Stroll along the wide pedestrian streets and enjoy the amazing night view.
D10 Xian (B,L)
After breakfast, you will visit Terracotta Warriors Museum which is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in human history. There are more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made to protect the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang in this afterlife. The Terracotta Warriors and horses are all life-sized, and the warriors carry real bronze battle weapons. Orderly arrayed in rows and lines, these figures of warriors and horses make up a great underground army consisting of war chariots, infantrymen, cavalrymen and other armed servicemen. You will also learn to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.
Then drive back to downtown area and pay a visit to the Ancient City Wall. The wall was built for defensive purposes, enclosing and protecting the city from invading forces, constructed initially during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). You will get up to the wall to get panoramic views of the city. If you like, you can also enjoy a relaxing bike riding on the Wall(optional). Leave the City Wall, head to Muslim Quarter, where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.
Optional activity: You can have a dumpling banquet for dinner, followed by a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show.
D11 Xian to Beijing by high speed train (B)
Today is yours until the guide escorts you to the railway station to take a high speed train to Beijing(abt 5hrs). Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
D12 Beijing (B,L)
After breakfast, you will embark on an exploration of Beijing's rich historical heritage with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, which currently holds the distinction of being the largest city plaza in the world. The northern square is home to Tiananmen Gate, where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Upon entering Tiananmen, you will be greeted by one of the world's five most significant palaces – Forbidden City (Palace Museum), an immense complex comprising over 9,000 rooms that once served as residences for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Traverse through various gateways to marvel at its splendid architecture adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble foundations, and exquisite colorful paintings.
In the afternoon, drive to Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Here you can leisurely stroll amidst ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges, and corridors. Take a leisure stroll on the rippling Kunming Lake to enjoy the verdant mountain view of Longevity Hill. You will visit the Long Corridor, boasting a total length of 728 meters and housing 273 rooms. Renowned for its exquisite architectural design, meandering layout, and vibrant color paintings, it has long been hailed as an epitome of artistic brilliance.
Optional activity: In the evening, you can watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at the Red Theater.
D13 Beijing (B,L)
After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Heaven first. The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest.
After the visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit Mutianyu which is one of the best preserved yet less crowded sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall serves as a strategic link between the Juyongguan Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou to the east, effectively safeguarding Beijing throughout history. It has earned the moniker "Perilous Mountain and Mighty Pass". You will take a cable car up to the half way to enjoy some hiking. After that, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car.
Then dive back to Beijing downtown, and make a stop at Beijing Olympic Village to view Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional experience: For dinner, you can taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck. Followed by the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.
D14 Beijing & Beijing Departure(B)
This morning transfer to the scenic Shichahai area, known for its interconnected lakes—Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. Dive into the labyrinthine network of narrow alleys known as Hutongs. Wander down Yandai Xiejie, a 700-year-old sloping street once famed for its tobacco pipe shops. These alleyways are home to some of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods and provide a glimpse into the daily lives of local residents. Hop on a rickshaw to shuttle through the Hutong streets and alleys, and get knowledge of the lifestyle of old Beijing.
After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to next destination.
Tour ends
