Essential River Cruise Tour of China

Home > Guilin > Essential River Cruise Tour of China

Essential River Cruise Tour of China

★★★★★

4.9/5 753 Latest reviews

Tour Code: ODY-CN-011

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

Duration

16 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

About This Trip

Kick off in Shanghai and end in Beijing. This 16-day journey takes you through some of China’s most fascinating cultural and scenic highlights, with several short cruise experiences along the way. Explore the Bund and enjoy panoramic views over Shanghai, discover the elegant landscapes of Suzhou’s classical gardens, and see the Three Gorges Dam during a relaxing Yangtze River cruise. In Guilin, cruise along the Li River and take in the dramatic karst scenery, before visiting the ancient Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and exploring the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing.

Itinerary Summary

DAY	PLACE	HIGHLIGHTS
1 – 2	Shanghai	The Bund, Bugaoli, Fuxing Park, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai World Financial Center
3 – 4	Suzhou	Lingering Garden, Pingjiang Old Street & Traditional Teahouse Experience, Garden Show at Master of Nets Garden, Tongli Water Town
5 – 9	Yangtze River Cruise	Three Gorges Dam, Wu Gorge, Fengdu Ghost City
10 – 11	Guilin	Li River cruise, West Street and Countryside Tour in Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave
12 – 13	Xi’an	Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Street, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Calligraphy Class
14 – 16	Beijing	Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Sacred Road

Itinerary

Say Hello to China. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jet lag.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, your first stop is the Bund – Shanghai’s standout landmark, and then pay a visit to the Shanghai Museum – one of the most important museums in China. After that, your private guide will escort you to visit the famous Jade Buddha Temple.

In the afternoon, you will take a walk from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli. You will have a chance to see the locals enjoy their leisure time in the park, see the traditional Stone Gate (Stone Arched Gates) at Bugaoli and try some popular dim sum at a local market. The last stop of the day will be the World Financial Center, where you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Shanghai.

Optional: The amazing acrobatics show is highly recommended for you tonight. It will bring you a memorable experience in Shanghai.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, you will take a private car and head to Suzhou, a city shaped by classical gardens, canals, and old neighborhood.

Lingering Garden offers an introduction to the refined garden style, with pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and winding paths arranged within a compact space. From the garden, a traditional pedicab ride takes you through the old city, passing canals, residential lanes, and everyday street scenes before reaching Pingjiang Road. Take your time along the historic street and settle into a local teahouse for Suzhou tea and traditional pastries.

In the evening, the gardens take on a different character during the night show at Master of the Nets Garden, with light, music, and live performances woven into the classical setting.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

In the morning, you will be driven to Tongli Water Town (20 minutes). Pay a visit to the Garden of Seclusion and Meditations, the Pearl Pagoda, the Triple Bridge and Ming and Qing Dynasty Street. After your trip to this beautiful village, your chauffeur will drive you back to Shanghai.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

You will be free on this day until your personal guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Yichang.

Upon your arrival in Yichang, be met and escorted to the dock for your Yangtze cruise.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Sailing along the Yangtze River, you will see its amazing natural beauty and real China countryside views. Various onboard entertaining programs, such as Taiji Lessons and Chinese Herbal Facial, which provide you excellent access to appreciate Chinese culture.

There will be a shore excursion to the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, which is the world’s largest hydroelectric dam with extraordinary sights whatever your views on the project. After the excursion, return to your ship, have a rest and get ready to enjoy the Welcome Dinner Party hosted by the captain in the evening.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Spend the second full day on board with a shore excursion to the tranquil waters of Shennong Stream or to the picturesque Lesser Three Gorges, which is decided by the shipping company according to local weather conditions. After the excursion, you will sail through the impressive Wu Gorge, a nice chance to take some marvelous photos.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today your cruise will stop for the final shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, an age-old temple complex perches on cliffs above the river with commanding views. Inside the temple, you will see various precious sculptures depicting the paintings of the afterlife world and gain insight into the mystic Chinese Ghost culture.

After the excursion, re-board your cruise and enjoy yourself at the Farewell Dinner Party in the evening.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, you will disembark in Chongqing at 9:00 am and then be picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin.

Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal 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

Today’s highlight is the Li River cruise. Embark at Zhujiang Pier, and cruise down the picturesque Li River. Along the way, amazing rock formations, dense vegetation, water buffaloes, and working farmers will add pleasure to your journey.

After disembarkation in the early afternoon, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo. Later, you can enjoy your time roaming the well-known West Street with bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Optional: If you’d like more recreations in Yangshuo, an open-air show of Impression Sanjie Liu would be heartily recommended.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, you will have a countryside tour in Yangshuo whether by bicycle or private car. Later, your chauffeur will drive you back to Guilin. Upon arrival, you will have a 1-hour tour of Reed Flute Cave to enjoy the perfect combination of nature and light.

After that, you will drop by the Pearl Museum to see how the pearls are made and you may find one you like. Finally, you will take a flight to Xi’an and be escorted to your hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today you will begin your tour from Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974, more than 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers and horses are an amazing form of funerary art buried, with China’s first Emperor Qin Shihuang, to help rule another empire in his afterlife. Then visit a ceramic factory to watch how these statues can be made. In the afternoon, you will walk along the Muslim Street to explore exotic gourmet. After that, have a visit to the peaceful and relaxing Great Mosque. Tonight is free.

Optional: If you want to explore further the Xi’an city, you can consider enjoying the famous Tang Dynasty Show as the night entertainment.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, you will first visit the Ancient City Wall and take a calligraphy class at Small Wild Goose Pagoda. After lunch, you will be escorted to the railway station for a high-speed train heading to Beijing. Upon arrival, your personal guide will meet you up and escort you to the hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square, the most sacred square in China. Pass through Tiananmen Gate and then enter the splendid Forbidden City, China’s No.1 palace complex famous for its grand buildings, exquisite ornaments and priceless royal treasures.

In the afternoon, marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where emperors in ancient times worshiped Heaven for the national good harvest.

Optional: At night, the Chinese Kung Fu Show can let you know the charm of this martial art closely.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you will tour it. We have chosen older but less-crowded Mutianyu section for you (round-trip cable car included), so you can enjoy more of the wonderful view. After descending the Great Wall, stop by a jade gallery, and then take a leisurely stroll along the Sacred Road, a royal path noted for vivid stone statues and afterlife stories.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

It’s time to say goodbye. You will be escorted to the airport for your return flight. Hope you travel with Odynovo again!

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Gallery

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

How It Works

Step 1

Tell us your tour ideas
Complete our inquiry form

Step 2

Discuss with a travel specialist
Customize your itinerary

Step 3

Securely book your tour
Confirm when you’re satisfied

Essential River Cruise Tour of China

About This Trip

Itinerary Summary

Itinerary

Gallery