Best of China & Yangtze River Cruise
Beijing & 4 night Deluxe Yangtze River cruise, plus Xi’an, Hangzhou & Shanghai. Stay in 5 star hotels throughout; optional extension to Hong Kong
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 16 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, Grand Tours, River Cruises | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | Small groups guaranteed not to exceed 24 passengers. This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. The Yangtze cruise portion of the tour may have up to 268 cruise passengers. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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For travelers yearning to experience a culture truly different from their own, China is an experience of a lifetime! Throughout its 5,000 year old history, this expansive nation has been a leader in technology and scientific discovery--it's the birthplace of movable type, astronomy and spaghetti! Today, it is the third-largest nation in the world in size, bordered by 14 other countries and encompassing virtually every type of terrain imaginable. From ancient temples, serene monks and the quiet villages that dot the countryside to majestic cities, neon cities, and tech advances—China has topped “must visit” lists for centuries.
On our Best of China & Yangtze River Cruise small group tour, you’ll experience the very best China has to offer with no compromises on quality and content. Start your bucket-list trip by flying non-stop into Beijing for more than three days of guided touring with your local, English speaking expert guide. Walk the greatest Great Wall in the world. Wander a labyrinth of Terra Cotta soldiers, sample flavorful noodles and steaming dim sum, and reflect on history at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Enjoy your stay in picturesque Hangzhou, the tea capital of China and a city Venetian explorer Marco Polo once called “the city of heaven.” Then, board your deluxe river cruise ship and watch the world go by from your balcony as you sail the Yangtze River, taking in the stunning panoramas including the Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge. If you've wanted to experience the best of China, from its most dynamic, modern cities to its timeless villages and breathtaking natural wonders, this is one trip you won't want to miss.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip flights from Los Angeles via Air China including taxes & fees
- All intra-China flights, transfers and ground transportation
- 11 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels
- 4 nights deluxe Yangtze River cruise with outside balcony cabins and FREE upgrade to Bridge deck aboard MS Victoria Anna. Executive cabin amenities including: use of Executive lounge with hot, cold & soft drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi; Happy Hour cocktails before dinner, house wine and beer at dinner, dining selection of two restaurants, and more
- 34 meals: 15 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 6 dinners. Special meals include Mongolian Hotpot lunch in Beijing, Dumpling lunch in Xi'an, Peking Duck dinner in Beijing, and Tang Dynasty dinner in Xi'an
- Private shore excursions during Yangtze River cruise
- Tips on board the cruise to all staff (excluding river guide and cruise director)
- Professional English-speaking tour director and local guides
- Advanced audio headset guided tour system
Optional add-ons
- Optional excursion to Suzhou
- Optional post-tour extension to Hong Kong
Why you'll love it
- Visit the Temple of Heaven, the largest existing masterpiece among China's ancient buildings.
- Walk along a portion of the Great Wall of China, which stretches more than 13,000 miles.
- Explore the world's largest palace complex and UNESCO World Heritage site — the Forbidden City.
- See where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China at Tiananmen Square.
- Participate in a private Chinese calligraphy lesson at the Tang Dynasty Art Museum.
- Learn about the origin of Chinese medicine at Hu Qing Yu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum.
- Examine more than 8,000 unearthed, life-size sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses that make up Xi'an's 2,200-year-old Terra Cotta Army.
- Admire the stunning beauty of West Lake on a relaxing boat ride.
- Embark on a deluxe Yangtze River cruise and learn how the Three Gorges Dam produces electricity and reduces the potential for floods.
- Experience a birds-eye-view of Shanghai as you ascend the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, one of the city's most iconic sites.
- Explore the Fengdu Relocated Village and meet with a local farmer's family.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Beijing
- 3 Beijing
- 4 Beijing
- 5 Beijing
- 6 Beijing & Xi'an
- 7 Xi'an
- 8 Xi'an & Hangzhou
- 9 Hangzhou
- 10 Hangzhou & Shanghai
- 11 Shanghai
- 12 Shanghai
- Optional Excursion: Full day Suzhou tour with lunch (purchased locally) , $95
- 13 Shanghai & Yichang
- 14 The Three Gorges Dam & Xiling Gorge
- 15 Shennong Stream, Wu Gorge & Qutang Gorge
- 16 Fengdu Relocated Village
- 17 Depart Chongqing/Arrive USA
Hong Kong Optional Extension
- 17 Chongqing & Hong Kong
- 18 Hong Kong
- 19 Hong Kong
- Optional Excursion: Full Day Lantau Tour with Lunch , $110
- 20 Depart Hong Kong/Arrive USA
Videos
Detailed Itinerary
Please note that the touring sequence may be modified based on the schedules of intra-China flights and other factors beyond our control. Your kind understanding and cooperation is highly appreciated during such situations.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart the USA on your flight bound for Beijing
Day 3 Beijing
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Special tai chi lesson in the park
- Explore the Summer Palace
- Join your fellow travelers for a Peking Duck dinner and Legend of Kung Fu show
Regent BeijingBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 Beijing
- Stop at a jade factory for a demonstration and shopping
- Explore the Great Wall of China
- See the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs
Regent BeijingBreakfast & lunch
Day 5 Beijing
- Morning tour of Beijing's Hutongs and a Mongolian style hotpot lunch
- Participate in a group photo at Tiananmen Square
- Marvel at the ancient wooden structures in the Forbidden City
Regent BeijingBreakfast & lunch
Day 6 Beijing & Xi'an
- Morning flight to Xi'an
- See the Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Enjoy a demonstration of Chinese ceramics and furniture
- Visit the city wall gate and explore this city's fortifications
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin SquareBreakfast & lunch
Day 7 Xi'an
- Learn about Chinese culture during a lecture at the Tang Dynasty Art Museum
- Try your hand at Chinese calligraphy
- Visit the famous Terra Cotta Army archaeological site
- Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner show
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin SquareBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Xi'an & Hangzhou
- Morning flight to Hangzhou
- Learn about traditional Chinese medicine
- Explore Qinghefang Old Street
Sofitel Hangzhou WestlakeBreakfast & lunch
Day 9 Hangzhou
- Experience the beauty of West Lake on a walking tour and boat ride
- Learn about the art of green tea
- Enjoy a guided tour of the former residence of Hu Xueyan
Sofitel Hangzhou WestlakeBreakfast & lunch
Day 10 Hangzhou & Shanghai
- Board the bullet train to Shanghai
- Balance of the day at leisure
Renaissance Shanghai Yu GardenBreakfast & lunch
Day 11 Shanghai
- Wander the Yu Garden & Zhongshan Park
- View some of Shanghai's iconic sites
- Visit the Shanghai Museum of ancient Chinese art
- Enjoy an exciting acrobatic show
Renaissance Shanghai Yu GardenBreakfast & lunch
Day 12 Shanghai
- Full day at leisure in Shanghai, or optional excursion to Suzhou
Renaissance Shanghai Yu GardenBreakfast
Day 13 Shanghai & Yichang
- Morning flight to Yichang
- Tour of Yichang with lunch
- Board your deluxe Yangtze River cruise ship
Victoria AnnaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14 The Three Gorges Dam & Xiling Gorge
- See the impressive Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping
- Sail through the Xiling Gorge
Victoria AnnaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 15 Shennong Stream, Wu Gorge & Qutang Gorge
- Take an excursion through the Shennong Stream
- Sail to Wu Gorge, the most beautiful section of the Yangtze
- Continue to Qutang Gorge and the Kui Gate
Victoria AnnaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 16 Fengdu Relocated Village
- Explore the Fengdu Relocated Village
- Visit a local farmer's family
Victoria AnnaBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 17 Depart Chongqing/Arrive USA
- Disembark in Chongqing
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight via Beijing
- Arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Hong Kong Optional Extension
Prepare to be dazzled by a breathtaking symphony of lights in cosmopolitan Hong Kong. City-lovers worldwide rank Hong Kong among their must-see destinations, and for good reason. A former British colony perched on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong is a fascinating city of contrasts - a place where East meets West; where the modern blends with the traditional; where shiny skyscrapers stand next to narrow alleys crammed with traditional vendors' stalls; where new technology flourishes alongside ancient Chinese customs. With its glorious harbor, excellent shopping, renowned restaurants, and some of the best nighttime skylines in the world, Hong Kong has it all.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 17 Chongqing & Hong Kong
- Disembark in Chongqing
- Fly from Chongqing to Hong Kong
New World Millennium Hong Kong HotelBreakfast
Day 18 Hong Kong
- Morning tour of Hong Kong Island with peak tram ride
- Afternoon at leisure for independent sightseeing
New World Millennium Hong Kong HotelBreakfast
Day 19 Hong Kong
- Full day at leisure, or join an optional excursion
New World Millennium Hong Kong HotelBreakfast
Day 20 Depart Hong Kong/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight via Beijing
- Arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about China?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Hong Kong?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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