Duration

12 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

About This Trip

Experience the best part of China by visiting the Golden Triangle, Yangtze River, and Suzhou. From the iconic Great Wall and the splendid Forbidden City to the world-famous ancient Terracotta Warriors, from the incredible Three Gorges Dam and scenic Yangtze River cruise to the vibrant city life of Shanghai, and from the UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden to the charming waterways of Suzhou, this 10-day private journey brings together China’s most remarkable landmarks, landscapes, and cultural experiences. Enjoy a worry-free journey with private guides and comfortable transportation throughout, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1 – 4BeijingGreat Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Sacred Road
5 – 6Xi’anTerracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower, Muslim Community, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
7 – 9Yangtze River CruiseThree Gorges Dam, Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge, Shennong Stream, Shibaozhai
10ShanghaiThe Bund, Shanghai Museum East,Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Urban Area Walking Tour, Shanghai Tower
11SuzhouLingering Garden, Grand Canal Cruise, Pingjiang Old Street
12ShanghaiDeparture
Quick Question

Itinerary

Say Hello to China! When your flight lands in Beijing, your local guide is ready to meet you at the customs exit, holding a placard with your name. Later, you will be escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the jet lag or to ramble around on your own.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

In the morning, you will first visit the iconic Tiananmen Square. Walking through Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City. With a history of 600 years, this royal palace continuously delights its visitors with imposing pavilions, elegant ornaments, and lively historic stories.

In the afternoon, you will admire the Temple of Heaven, where emperors in ancient times worship Heaven for a good national harvest. Later, visit the Longing Pearl Store.

Optional: Making Chinese Kung Fu Show as your night entertainment, you can learn more about the Chinese martial art.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

The Great Wall, the 8th Wonder of the World, is your first stop today. As a popular symbol of Chinese civilization, the wall winds its way through the mountains, grasslands, and deserts for 4,000 miles across northern China. Descending the wall, you will take a leisurely stroll along the Sacred Road, a tranquil royal path lined with various statues of divine beasts and officials that serve emperors’ afterlife.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, you will visit the exquisite Summer Palace. As a World Heritage Site, it is an imperial summer resort famed for its beautiful garden landscapes and fascinating legends of the late Qing Dynasty.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. Upon your arrival, your local guide will meet and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

On this day, you’ll first visit the incredible Terracotta Warriors. More than 8,000 life-size terra soldiers and horses in battle formation have guarded Emperor Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum for 2,200 years. You will then proceed to a jade gallery.

In the afternoon, you will tour the Ancient City Wall, the largest city walls on the earth. Strolling and cycling along the wall is quite an experience. After that, you will proceed to the ancient Bell Tower.

Optional: If you prefer, the dancing performance Tang Dynasty Show will bring you a memorable night in Xi’an.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, set out to the Great Mosque to appreciate the exotic Muslim architecture and culture, and then visit the Muslim Community, where you can see the daily life of Xi’an Muslims. Continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the city symbol of Xi’an, before transferring to the airport for the flight to Chongqing.

Upon your arrival in Chongqing, you will be greeted and escorted to your Yangtze cruise ship, which leaves at 9:00 pm.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of Ch’ing Dynasty, the peculiar Shibaozhai serves as your morning shore excursion today. As an architectural marvel in Chinese history, it has been classified as one of the “eight strange structures of the world”.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Besides the enchanting landscape along the Yangtze River, today’s sightseeing will be highlighted by the shore excursion to the picturesque Shennong Stream at about 1:00 pm. When you take a sampan drifting along it, you will be absorbed by its crystal clear stream flowing swiftly from north to south through deep gorges; you will also be enchanted by the steep ridges and peaks, thick vegetation and wild flowers, along with the minorities singing their sweet love songs.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, the last shore excursion is the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric complex. Disembark the cruiser at around 12:00 noon and meet your local guide at the pier. Continue on to stroll around Yiling Square and a local market to get an insight into the lives of the locals.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, walk along the Bund, the historic waterfront promenade on the Huangpu River. Across the water, the skyscrapers of Pudong create a striking contrast with the grand buildings along the riverfront. Visit the Shanghai Museum East and explore its collection of ancient Chinese art, including ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy, and paintings. Continue to the Jade Buddha Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple known for its jade Buddha statues.

The afternoon brings a more local perspective through a walking tour around Fuxing Park, Bugaoli, and the surrounding streets. Stop at a local market, browse the stalls, and sample a few traditional Shanghai snacks along the way. End the day at Shanghai Tower, with panoramic views across the city from the observation deck.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, you will head for Suzhou for a wonderful day tour. Begin with the Lingering Garden, celebrated for its elegant design, intricate carvings, and serene courtyards. Continue your day with a cruise along the Suzhou Canal, where you can enjoy the peaceful waters and glimpse traditional waterside life. Finally, stroll through Pingjiang Old Street, a charming historic street lined with shops, teahouses, and canals, reflecting the cultural heritage of Suzhou.

After the tour, get back to Shanghai for an overnight stay.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

You will enjoy some free time before your guide escorts to the airport for your flight back home.

🍽 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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