• Iconic China Tour With Yangtze River Cruise

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 698 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2462

    Destination: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Yangtze Cruise, Shanghai

Duration

14 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

On this 14-day journey, spot China’s icons, including the magnificent Great Wall, the fabled Terracotta Warriors, the lovely pandas, and the glistening skyscrapers along the Bund, spiced up with a scenic Yangtze River cruise. Besides, sample authentic Chinese cuisine such as Peking Roast Duck, join a home cooking experience with a local family in Xi’an, and enjoy the laid-back life at a tea house in Chengdu. Finally, discover the ancient and modern charms of Shanghai and neighboring Zhujiajiao Water Town. Traveling at a comfortable, well-paced rhythm, especially suitable for senior travelers, you will have time to truly enjoy each destination.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1 – 4BeijingForbidden City Heritage Walk, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven
5 – 6Xi’anTerracotta Warriors, Muslim Street, Local Family Visit
7 – 8ChengduGiant Panda Breeding Base, Hot Pot, River Viewing Tower Park with Tea Tasting
9 – 11Yangtze River CruiseShennong Stream, Three Gorges Dam
12 – 14ShanghaiThe Bund, Yu Garden, Former French Concession Walking, Zhujiajiao Water Town
Quick Question

Itinerary

Welcome to Beijing, the vibrant capital of present China! Upon your arrival, your private tour guide will put you at ease with a warm smile. Later, you will be transferred to your downtown hotel by private vehicle. After check-in, enjoy some free time to recover from your long flight.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Begin your city exploration at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and the site of many significant moments in modern Chinese history. From there, continue to the Forbidden City, a majestic imperial complex that served as the seat of power for more than 500 years. In addition to visiting the three main halls along the central axis, explore palace chambers rarely visited by most travelers, admire exquisite sculptures and artifacts that reflect the splendor of the imperial court, and gain insight into life inside the palace.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Travel out of the city to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best-preserved parts, which takes about 2 hours on the road. This section of the Great Wall has gentle slopes, making it ideal for a relaxing hike while enjoying the scenery, and a round-trip cable car ride is included for an easy and safe way up and down.

Afterward, drive back to your hotel for a short rest. In the evening, you will be accompanied by your guide to taste the most iconic cuisine of Beijing – Peking Roast Duck.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Enjoy your morning at the Temple of Heaven, a magnificent architectural complex showcasing Eastern aesthetics. It was the place where ancient Chinese emperors prayed for bumper harvests, and now it’s a beloved public park. While visiting, you may see local retirees practicing Tai Chi and other morning exercises in the peaceful park.

Later, take a high-speed train to Xi’an, which costs around 4-5 hours. On your arrival, your private guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Terracotta Warriors will be the top highlight of your Xi’an tour. Emperors in history wanted to live forever, but none of them succeeded – Emperor Qin Shihuang is no exception. To guard him in the afterlife, more than 8,000 life-size pottery soldiers, horses, and chariots were buried in battle formation near his mausoleum. Facing this vast underground army, you can feel the power and ambition of the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC).

After the visit, return to the city for the lively Muslim Street and the peaceful Great Mosque behind it. Step into this bustling lane for a delicious introduction to local food culture, where countless authentic flavors await discovery.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Spend a memorable morning with a local family, join in the daily life of a typical Chinese family, and learn the recipes for making dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and other traditional dishes. If time permits, join your host for a leisurely walk through the market, pick up fresh ingredients, and experience daily life like a local.

After that, a 4-hour high-speed train will take you to Chengdu. Upon your arrival, be met and taken to your hotel for rest.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

The panda is a major reason to visit Chengdu. It’s best to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the early morning, when these lovely creatures are most active. You can see pandas enjoy their breakfast and do joyful exercises. Afterward, enjoy the world-famous Sichuan Hot Pot for lunch.

In the afternoon, soak in the local life and culture at River Viewing Tower Park, where you can join locals in a game of Mahjong and taste a cup of traditional tea. As the day concludes, wander through Jinli Street, steeped in history, sampling authentic Sichuan cuisine and browsing distinctive handicrafts.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Free morning for you to experience the slow life in Chengdu. In the afternoon, proceed to Chongqing by a high-speed train.

On arrival, your private tour guide will transfer you directly to board your cruise. Enjoy a buffet dinner after embarkation. In the evening, join the captain’s welcome reception as you embark on your journey along the majestic Yangtze River.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start a relaxing day with Tai Chi on the deck. After breakfast, take a shore excursion to the 816 Underground Project, a massive Cold War-era nuclear installation. Delve into its historical significance and marvel at its colossal scale as you uncover secrets hidden deep within the mountain. Alternatively, visit the Underwater Museum of White Crane Ridge displaying centuries-old inscriptions before absorbing the energy of the bustling local market.

Relaxation time in the afternoon and learn about some traditional Chinese culture by taking part in the activities provided onboard.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

In the early morning, the ship will take you past two of the well-known Three Gorges – Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge – in turn. Around 11 am, disembark and head to Shennong Stream. Traverse through towering cliffs and lush forests, witnessing cascading waterfalls and unique rock formations along the way. Enjoy a tranquil picnic lunch at Tracker’s Village, nestled along the banks of Shennong Stream amidst nature’s beauty.

Return to the ship for some leisure time. Around 6 pm, witness the grandeur of Xiling Gorge as the ship sails through.

Note: In low season, the itinerary of today may be a little different. It is subject to the cruise company.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, disembark and take the excursion to the Three Gorges Project Dam, one of the world’s largest hydroelectric power stations, measuring approximately 2,335 meters in length and standing about 185 meters tall. You can feel its immense scale and majestic grandeur, deeply experiencing the magnificence of human engineering prowess. Afterward, you will be transferred to do quick sightseeing in the city before your flight to Shanghai.

Upon your arrival, be greeted and taken to your hotel for a restful night.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start your city journey from the Bund, where the sparkling modern skylines meet colonial buildings; then, tour the Yu Garden, located in the old town of Shanghai, where you will find another kind of traditional Chinese garden different from the royal gardens in Beijing.

This afternoon goes with a leisurely walk through the Former French Concession, from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli and Sipailou Road, discovering traditional stone arched gates and visiting a local market. The past, present, and future of Shanghai will catch your eye.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Spend today in exploring Zhujiajiao, a water town steeped in history and rich cultural heritage. Glide through winding waterways aboard a wooden boat, admiring ancient stone bridges and riverine houses. As you wander along the stone-paved old street, sample local delicacies and hunt for unique handicrafts to experience the charm of this Jiangnan water town.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Your guide will escort you on a private transfer to the airport in time for your home-bound flight.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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