- 4.9/5 1638 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 14 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
Most China itineraries run between cities by plane. This 14-day private trip adds a river: a three-night cruise down the Yangtze through the Three Gorges, between the mountain city of Chongqing and the Three Gorges Dam.
Before the river, you walk a restored stretch of the Great Wall, stand in the Forbidden City, see the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and drift down the Li River past Guilin’s limestone peaks. After the cruise, you finish with Shanghai’s skyline. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide in every city, high-speed trains and domestic flights, and suits travelers who want China’s headline sights plus a slower stretch on the water.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Beijing
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven
4
Beijing to Xi’an
Hutong rickshaw ride, high-speed train
5
Xi’an
Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter
6
Xi’an to Guilin
Flight, Reed Flute Cave
7
Guilin to Yangshuo
Li River cruise, West Street
8 - 9
Yangshuo to Chongqing
Train, Ciqikou Old Town, Shancheng Alley, board the ship
10 - 11
Yangtze cruise
Fengdu Ghost City, Three Gorges, Shennv Stream
12
Yichang to Shanghai
Three Gorges Dam, flight
13 - 14
Shanghai
The Bund, Former French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Your driver meets you after customs and takes you to your hotel, a 45-90 minute drive depending on traffic. Rest, then meet your guide in the evening for a briefing on pickup times and early starts. Keep your passport handy, since ticketed sites require it.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Explore the Forbidden City
Start at Tiananmen Square and walk through the Forbidden City, the palace of Ming and Qing emperors. Tickets are limited, so we book them in advance. In the evening, there’s an optional Kung Fu show at extra cost.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Drive about 1.5 hours to Mutianyu, a restored section along forested ridges. Take the cable car up and walk between watchtowers for as long as you like, since the steps are steep. On the way back, your guide adds the Temple of Heaven or the Ming Tombs, depending on timing.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Hutongs and High-Speed Rail to Xi’an
Spend the morning on a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s old lanes, then take the high-speed train to Xi’an, about 4.5 hours. You arrive in the evening and check in.
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- Xi’an
- Day 5: Terracotta Army and the Muslim Quarter
Visit the Terracotta Army early, before tour groups arrive, and see the pits where thousands of life-size soldiers stand in formation. In the afternoon, walk the top of Xi’an’s city wall. In the evening, eat in the Muslim Quarter, or add an optional Tang Dynasty show.
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Fly to Guilin and Reed Flute Cave
Fly from Xi’an to Guilin, about 2 hours, and go straight to Reed Flute Cave. The colored lighting brings out its stalactites, and the walk is flat and takes about an hour. Finish with an easy evening stroll by the lakes and twin pagodas.
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- Guilin
- Day 7: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Cruise the Li River for about four hours, past the limestone peaks on the 20-yuan note, with lunch on board. In dry months low water can shorten the route, so your guide confirms the starting point. In the late afternoon, walk West Street in Yangshuo.
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- Yangshuo
- Day 8: Yangshuo to Chongqing
This is a transit day with no sightseeing. Drive to Guilin and take the high-speed train to Chongqing, about 6 hours, arriving in the evening. Bring snacks and entertainment, and your guide handles tickets and luggage.
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- Chongqing
- Day 9: Chongqing and Boarding the Ship
Walk the stone lanes of Ciqikou Old Town, then Shancheng Alley and Huguang Guild Hall. Chongqing is built on steep hills, so expect stairs. In the evening, board your Yangtze cruise ship.
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 10: Fengdu Ghost City
The ship sails downstream overnight and stops at Fengdu, a hillside complex of temples and statues built around folklore about the afterlife. You can climb on foot or take the cable car. The rest of the day is for the deck and the river views.
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 11: Shennv Stream and the Three Gorges
Sail through the Three Gorges, then take a small boat up Shennv Stream, a narrow tributary with sheer cliffs. In the evening, the ship passes through the Three Gorges Dam locks. Water levels and weather can change the order of stops.
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 12: From Yichang to Shanghai, Visiting the Three Gorges Dam
Today, you will marvel at the engineering wonder of the Three Gorges Dam, stretching across the mighty Yangtze River and recognized as one of the world’s largest hydroelectric power stations.
Your memorable Yangtze River cruise concludes in Yichang. After disembarking, your private guide will escort you to the Yichang tourist center, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Shanghai.
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- Shanghai
- Day 13: Discover Shanghai
Walk the Bund for the colonial skyline, then wander the Former French Concession and visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Add the Shanghai Museum or Yu Garden if you have time. In the evening, there’s an optional acrobatic show.
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- Shanghai
- Day 14: End of Shanghai Tour
Enjoy some free time this morning until your guide arrives to escort you to the airport for your flight home. Bid farewell to China and cherish the memories of your journey!
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