Best of China with Yangtze Cruise

Best of China with Yangtze Cruise

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15 Days From

$7475

Best of China with Yangtze Cruise

15 Days Starting in Beijing, China and ending in Shanghai, China

Visiting: Beijing, Great Wall of China, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Three Gorges, Shanghai

Tour operator:

Trafalgar

Tour code:

CLBYN20

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Cruise

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $7475

NB: Prices correct on 23-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through China with the "Best of China with Yangtze Cruise" tour. This immersive experience takes you from the historic streets of Beijing to the vibrant cityscape of Shanghai, with stops in Xi'an and Chengdu. Marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City. Enjoy a unique cultural experience with a local family in Beijing's hutongs and witness the conservation efforts at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Cruise along the majestic Yangtze River, exploring the breathtaking Three Gorges and the mystical Fengdu 'Ghost City'. Delight in the flavors of Sichuan cuisine and the vibrant energy of Shanghai, with its stunning skyline and rich history. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, natural beauty, and modern marvels, ensuring a truly memorable adventure in China.

Highlights

  • Explore Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai.

  • Visit the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

  • Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.

  • Experience the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu.

  • Cruise the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges.

  • Discover the vibrant 'Bund' waterfront and Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai.

  • Witness the Shanghai Acrobats' performance.

Places You'll See

The Great Wall Of China

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Say Ni Hao To China

Location: Beijing

Accommodation: Novotel Peace

Accommodation Name: Novotel Peace

Journey to the “Northern Capital” – a land of emperors, epic monuments and the cultural heart of China. On arrival in Beijing, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you can relax before meeting your Travel Director for a welcome drink and appetizers at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Journey To The Great Wall

Location: Great Wall of China

Accommodation: Novotel Peace

Accommodation Name: Novotel Peace

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit the iconic Great Wall of China at Juyongguan this morning – its stone ramparts and walls snaking thousands of miles into the distance to defend the empire against nomadic invaders since 5th century B.C. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and this evening for dinner indulge in a Regional Dinner of succulent Peking Duck – a must during any visit to Beijing.

Day 3: Discover The Icons Of Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation: Novotel Peace

Accommodation Name: Novotel Peace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Surround yourself with the grandeur of Beijing’s landmark Great Hall of the People, Qianmen Gate and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong as you walk through one of the world’s largest public areas, Tiananmen Square. Delve into China’s imperial heritage, passing the south gate into the frozen-in-time Forbidden City – once home to emperors and their households and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, indulge in a relaxing foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center to ease you into an evening at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience.

Day 4: Explore Beijing's Hutong And Onwards To Xi'an Connect With Locals

Location: Beijing

Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Meals Included: Breakfast

Navigate the ancient alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences, weaving through lively neighborhoods on the back of a traditional rickshaw. Stop at the home of a local family where you’ll Connect With Locals, enjoying a Be My Guest lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine, then visit a nearby tea house. Here, you’ll delve into the art of chayi, joining a Local Specialist who’ll share first-hand the age-old ritual of tea-making. Leave Beijing behind, bound for Xi’an, an ancient departure point on the Silk Road.

Day 5: Marvel At The Legendary Terracotta Warriors Make Travel Matter

Location: Xi'an

Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Descend into the subterranean tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang to view his legendary army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, followed by a delicious traditional meal of Chinese noodles. Your final stop today is to a Jade factory where you’ll admire the favored stone of emperors, more precious to the Chinese people than gold.

Day 6: Take The Bullet Train To Chengdu Dive Into Culture

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza City Center

Accommodation Name: Rhombus Park Auro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, your choice of activities gives you an opportunity to join a Local Specialist in their T'ai Chi practice or embark on a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. Get stuck in to the ancient art of dumpling making next, with an opportunity to sample the juicy results for lunch, then transfer to the railway station for your high-speed bullet train trip to Chengdu. On arrival in the hometown of the giant panda, you’ll Check in to your hotel and savor the leisurely pace of local life on your terms.

Day 7: See The Giant Pandas Of China Make Travel Matter

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza City Center

Accommodation Name: Rhombus Park Auro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Witness the ground-breaking work being done by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding this morning. Join a Local Specialist and learn how this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the non-profit research breeding facility which rescues and protects the endangered giant panda, of which fewer than 2,000 remain. Afterwards, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Day 8: Discover The Cuisine Of Sichuan Dive Into Culture

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza City Center

Accommodation Name: Rhombus Park Auro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Indulge in the bold and spicy flavors of local cuisine as you Dive Into Culture and learn about regional cooking practices at the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine. Experience the art of grinding chili into powder using a Qing Dynasty pestle and mortar, and discover ancient kitchenware, books and manuscripts faithfully recording the history of Sichuan culinary cultures. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating scents wafting through Restaurant Alley, pay tribute to the Kitchen God before attempting to create your own culinary magic under the guidance of a local chef. Stomach and soul sated after a delicious encounter with Chengdu, you’ll have an afternoon to relax, explore further or perhaps take the opportunity to do some shopping.

Day 9: Board Your Yangtze River Cruise

Location: Chongqing

Accommodation: Victoria Jenna

Accommodation Name: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Rub shoulders with the locals during a visit to People’s Park with its beautiful Chinese gardens, lake and tea houses. Gain insights into the day-to-day lives of the locals who spend their free time in tranquil surrounds indulging in a leisurely game of mah-jong, a quiet nap or neck massage. Venture to lively Jinli Old Street next, crossing beneath the imposing archway into a world of intricate handicraft, paintings and calligraphy. Stroll along the narrow street whose façades were modelled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province, then transfer to the railway station for a high-speed bullet train ride to Chongqing. Here, you’ll enjoy a city orientation tour with dinner before boarding your Yangtze River Cruise.

Day 10: Cruise The Great Yangtze River

Location: Yangtze River

Accommodation: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina

Accommodation Name: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark this morning for a short visit to Shibaozhai to admire its 12-storey cliff-top temple, built in the 19th century. Stretch your legs and climb up to the temple, tackling the red pavilion which leans against the side of the steep peak, now an island due to the rising waters of the Three Gorges Dam. Return to the Yangtze, cruising to Fengdu’s ‘Ghost City’ to explore the mystical shrines, temples and monasteries that are dedicated to the afterlife.

Day 11: Sail Through The Imposing Three Gorges

Location: Three Gorges

Accommodation: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina

Accommodation Name: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Connect with your exquisite natural surrounds as you cruise gently down the Yangtze to the imposing Three Gorges. Squeeze through the narrow Qutang Gorge, admiring its dramatic vistas, before your journey takes you through Wu Gorge, renowned for its quiet beauty, forest-clad mountains, and cliffs so sheer the sun barely penetrates their precipices and finally, Xiling Gorge. A small motor boat will ferry you through the magical landscape of the Goddess Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze – its limestone cliffs covered in greenery provide a tranquil backdrop for your relaxing encounter with this mighty river.

Day 12: Onwards To Shanghai Stays With Stories

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing'An

Accommodation Name: The Kunlun Jing An

Meals Included: Breakfast

View the engineering marvel that is the world's largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam, before disembarking your cruise ship and transferring to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival into China's biggest city, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 13: Discover Vibrant Shanghai Dive Into Culture

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing'An

Accommodation Name: The Kunlun Jing An

Meals Included: Breakfast

Shanghai’s famous ‘Bund’ waterfront is the first stop on a day of sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Admire the ornate neoclassical colonial buildings and skyscrapers that have sprung up from this former marshland, then Dive Into Culture during a visit to a silk museum. Embrace the tranquillity of the famous Yu Garden next, with its pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters. Then, enjoy some free time for a local lunch of soup dumplings perhaps and shopping in the Old Town, a treasure trove of winding streets and vibrant markets that was once enclosed by the ancient walled city of Shanghai. Our final stop this afternoon is a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1928 after the original temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Admire the beauty of its precious jade Buddha statues made out of crystal-clear white jade, before you settle into an evening performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

Day 14: More Treasures Of Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing'An

Accommodation Name: The Kunlun Jing An

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ascend to the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower for panoramic views of the skyscrapers that loom over the most populous city on earth. Then embark on a walking tour with a Local Specialist through the Shanghai French Concession, for an exhilarating encounter with the opulent age of French colonial China. Wander through the narrow alleyways, past elegant villas and apartments dating back to the early 1900s when the territory was proclaimed a French settlement. Later this morning, you’ll see where the First Conference of the Communist Party took place in Xin Tian Di, whose charming antique façades hide a 21st century world of bars, cafés, boutiques and theme restaurants. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, letting the sights and sounds of Shanghai infuse every sense or consider joining an Optional Experience. Say a fond farewell to newfound friends this evening during a Farewell Dinner.

Day 15: Farewell To China

Location: Shanghai

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our epic encounter with China at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

What's Included

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

    An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

    Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

    All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

    All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

    Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

    Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

    Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

    Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) is included.

  • Optional Experiences and free time

    Optional experiences and free time are included.

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

    On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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What's Not Included

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses are not included in the tour.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • Optional activities

    Optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.

  • International flights

    International flights to and from China are not included.

  • Visa fees

    Visa fees for entry into China are not included.

Dining Summary

14 Breakfast (B)1 Regional Dinner (RD)7 Lunch (L)1 Be My Guest (BMG)3 Dinner (D)1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Dive Into Culture

Beijing: Indulge in a foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center.Xi'an: Discover the traditions and techniques of dumpling making, indulging in an opportunity to sample them.Chengdu: Learn about Sichuan cuisine at a cooking class in Chengdu and taste some of your creations.

Mode of Transport

Travel in style with luxury air-conditioned coaches, high-speed bullet trains, and flights from Beijing to Xi'an and Yichang to Shanghai. Enjoy a scenic Yangtze River cruise, offering a unique perspective of China's breathtaking landscapes.

Accommodation

Experience luxury and comfort at cherry-picked hotels like Novotel Peace in Beijing, Wyndham Grand Xi'an South, Rhombus Park Auro in Chengdu, and The Kunlun Jing An in Shanghai. Enjoy a memorable Yangtze River cruise aboard the Victoria Jenna or Victoria Sabrina.

Check out our Q&As

  • What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of cultural experiences such as a foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center in Beijing, a dumpling-making session in Xi'an, and a cooking class in Chengdu where you can learn about Sichuan cuisine and taste your creations.

  • How does the tour contribute to the conservation of giant pandas?

    The tour includes a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you will learn how your visit supports the non-profit research breeding facility that rescues and protects the endangered giant panda.

  • What is the 'Be My Guest' experience in Beijing?

    In Beijing, the 'Be My Guest' experience involves visiting and having lunch with a local family in their home in one of Beijing's hutongs, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lifestyle.

  • What can I expect during the Yangtze River Cruise?

    During the Yangtze River Cruise, you will visit Shibaozhai to see its cliff-top temple, explore Fengdu's 'Ghost City', and sail through the Three Gorges, including a motorboat ride through the Goddess Stream.

  • What are some of the highlights of the Shanghai portion of the tour?

    In Shanghai, you will visit the 'Bund' waterfront, the Jade Buddha Temple, and enjoy a performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. You will also explore the Shanghai French Concession and visit the Jin Mao Tower for panoramic views.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1947

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Renato Arrieta  

Best tour I joined so far

14-Jan-2023

My first time with Trafalgar and I see no reason why I should not join them again.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
King Ng, Lafayette, California  

Very well planned trip with timely breaks during the coach ride..

08-Nov-2021

It was a well organized tour group and we hit lots of interesting and beautiful scenes. Like our previous trips with Trafalgar, tourists were treated with well manner and professional tour guide/director, making our trip very enjoyable and delightful!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Best of Egypt

14-Jan-2023

We really did see the best of Egypt and beyond. Our tour guide, Mohammad, guided us through the rich history and the urban and rural life of such a unique and delightful country. We felt very safe and pampered.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Marshal Daguio  

Wonderful Best Of Turkey

06-Nov-2021

It was my first time with Trafalgar Tour and I had a wonderful trip from day 1 till the last day. The Tour Director, Yocel Atik is very knowledgeable and Excellent. The health director and coach driver are helpful and supportive as well. The hotels selected were comfortable especially Rixos Hotel and Movenpick Hotel. The Best of Turkey is better than I expected.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Barbara, Canada  

Irish Experience

09-Nov-2021

I am single and travel alone. I always feel secure and well-looked after when I travel with Trafalgar

Feefo Trusted Reviews

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Prices last published on 23-Dec-2024

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    Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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