• China Essence Tour with Chongqing & Yangtze Cruise

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 511 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2564

    Destination: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise, Shanghai

Duration

14 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

This 2-week journey through China offers not only the essence of its iconic landmarks but also a sense of ease and tranquility, as if you were traveling through a living landscape painting. Stroll Beijing’s royal landmarks and ancient hutongs, stand in awe before the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, cruise the postcard-perfect Li River in Guilin, and dive into wartime history in dynamic Chongqing. Then, relax aboard a scenic Yangtze River cruise before ending your adventure among the sparkling skyline and colonial architecture of Shanghai.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1 – 4BeijingForbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Rickshaw Ride in Hutongs
5Xi’anTerracotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots, Muslim Street
6 – 8GuilinLi River Cruise to Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave, Leisure Time in Yangshuo’s Countryside
9ChongqingLiziba Station, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Shancheng Alley, Eling Park
10 – 12Yangtze River CruiseFengdu Ghost City, Goddess Stream, Three Gorges Dam
13 – 14ShanghaiThe Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Former French Concession, Silk Workshop
Quick Question

Itinerary

Welcome to Beijing, China’s vibrant capital and cultural heart.

Upon arrival at the airport, your personal guide will meet you at the exit and escort you by private vehicle to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind, adjust to the time difference, or explore the city at your leisure.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Begin your day in historic Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of modern China. Just steps away lies the majestic Forbidden City, where grand palaces and centuries-old relics reveal China’s imperial past.

In the afternoon, wander the tranquil gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace. If the weather permits, enjoy a peaceful boat ride across Kunming Lake.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

No visit to China is complete without a walk on the Great Wall. This morning, travel to the Mutianyu section, a scenic and less crowded stretch famed for its watchtowers and forested surroundings. Take a cable car up and hike along the ancient stone path of the world’s largest ancient fortification for stunning panoramic views.

In the afternoon, dive into local communities divided by intricate lanes called Hutong. Take a rickshaw ride to weave through and learn more about local cultures and the daily life of Beijingers.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start your day at the Temple of Heaven, an imperial sanctuary surrounded by a lively park where locals practice tai chi and traditional exercises. Listen to the stories about this architecture, then join the exercises with locals and be ready to get inspired by their energy.

Then, board a high-speed train (approx. 5 hours) to Xi’an. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel with your guide’s assistance.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, explore Xi’an’s most famous archaeological marvel – the Terracotta Army. Walk among thousands of life-sized clay soldiers that have guarded the tomb of China’s first emperor for over two millennia. You may also be surprised by their expressions – each different from the others. In the afternoon, return to the city and stroll through the bustling Muslim Quarter, where lively street food stalls and souvenir shops line the lantern-lit alleyways.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, fly to Guilin, a city famed for its otherworldly karst landscapes. Upon arrival, your guide will accompany you to the Reed Flute Cave, a natural gallery of stalactites and stalagmites artfully lit in vibrant colors. Learn about the geological forces that sculpted these formations over millions of years before checking into your hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, explore the idyllic Li River, the most representative scenery of Guilin’s karst landform. After breakfast, embark on a scenic cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo, gliding past limestone peaks, tranquil villages, and lush rice paddies. Depending on water levels, the journey typically takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Upon disembarkation, explore the lively West Street with your guide and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore independently.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Yangshuo’s countryside. You may wander through nearby villages, where rice paddies, winding country lanes, and limestone peaks create postcard-perfect scenery. If your visit coincides with a local market day, you might even come across villagers trading fresh produce and handmade goods in a lively rural fair.

Later, enjoy a 5 to 6-hour high-speed train ride to Chongqing, with the scenery changing from Guangxi’s limestone hills to the southwestern mountains. On arrival, you’ll be greeted at the station by your local guide and taken to your hotel, where you can settle in and unwind after the long ride.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start the day in Ciqikou Old Town, where traditional Bayu charm meets lively streets filled with snacks like sticky rice cakes and Chongqing noodles, along with shops selling tea, peppers, and local crafts. Continue to Shancheng Alley, a unique quarter that weaves together steep slopes, stairways, and residential blocks – offering a true sense of life in this mountain city. Then, pause at Liziba Monorail Station to witness the train passing through a building.

Ride the monorail to Eling Park for panoramic views before strolling down to Eling Second Factory, now a creative hub of cafés and studios, for a relaxed lunch. Afterwards, visit the Huguang Guild Hall, known for its ornate carvings and traditional performances over tea. Enjoy the dazzling sight of the Huangjuewan Interchange, then head onward to the port to set sail on your Yangtze River Cruise.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Greet the morning with a Tai Chi session on deck before docking at Fengdu. You may join the excursion to Mount Shuanggui, known for its tranquil Buddhist temples and centuries-old trees.

Optional Activities:

  • Fengdu Ghost City Excursion: If you want to experience more than Mount Shuanggui, opt for a visit to Fengdu Ghost City, rich in ancient folklore and Taoist legends.
  • FengYan SanGuo Show: It’s an epic outdoor performance inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms, complete with martial arts, theatrical storytelling, and stunning stage effects. You can choose to enjoy in the evening.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Enjoy a free morning, with the cruise sailing through Qutang Gorge’s dramatic cliffs, then into the misty beauty of Wu Gorge. In the afternoon, take a side excursion to the enchanting Goddess Stream aboard a small boat, where you’ll glide through a peaceful canyon dotted with waterfalls and hidden hamlets.

Optional Activity:
White Emperor City: A spot you can choose to visit in the morning, it perches above Qutang Gorge and is famed for its ancient poetry and imperial history.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Disembark at Yichang and visit the monumental Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Walk along panoramic viewing platforms and learn about the dam’s massive scale and engineering prowess.

Later, board a high-speed train (about 6 – 7 hours) to Shanghai and check into your hotel upon arrival.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start at the Shanghai Museum, showcasing centuries of Chinese art and artifacts. Continue to Yu Garden and its neighboring market, where classical elegance collides with the energy of the streets. Learn about how locals greet a day from the vendors’ hawking and shoppers’ baskets, and try traditional snacks on your own.

Then, visit a local silk workshop to learn about the fabrication of silk, or buy a lovely silk scarf as a souvenir. Wander through the leafy boulevards of the Former French Concession, a reminder of Shanghai’s colonial past. End your day with a walk along the Bund, where colonial facades face futuristic skyscrapers across the Huangpu River.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, you will be free until the tour guide picks you up and transfers you to the airport for your flight departing Shanghai.

🍽 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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