China Essence: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Yangtze Cruise, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai 14 Days

Welcome to Beijing, the capital of P.R.China. Upon arrival by flight or train, you will be met and transferred to Beijing hotel by our representative. 

Today you will take 2-hour ride to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which was built 600 years ago in the early Ming Dynasty. You can choose walk up or take cable car up to the Great Wall, and view the imposing ancient Chinese military construction. The impressive Wall extends like a dragon on the top of the endless mountains. It is a nice walk on the Wall to enjoy the fantastic scenery.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant before moving back to Beijing hotel.

You will visit the biggest city square in the world, the Tiananmen Square. Then walk to The Forbidden City, the biggest palace in the world. Explore the main buildings with a local guide in the palace. Note the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so we will change the visiting day when it is on Monday. 

Then you will catch 5-hour bullet train to Xian after included lunch. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. 

Today you will take one-hour car ride to The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum that is one of the highlights of the Silk Road. Discovered and excavated in 1974, the museum was built on the original site, and each of the warriors is unique one with its own uniform. You will learn the history and story about this site with your local guide.

In the afternoon, your will visit Muslim Quarter, and the old city wall of Xi'an.

Today you will take 3-hour bullet train this morning from Xi'an to Chengdu. 

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to explore the Kuan & Zhai Alleys, Qingyang Temple in the afternoon. The yummy hot pot is a well-known meal in Chengdu, so taste the hot pot here! You can choose the Sichuan opera performance as option this evening to learn Chinese traditional drama culture.

Visit the Chengdu Panda Base to observe the giant pandas during their feeding time.

Then head to explore the Sanxingdui Museum, renowned for its exceptional collection of ancient bronze artifacts.

Later: Transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Take 2-hour morning bullet train to Chongqing. Then you will explore the wonderful city Chongqing. You will view the light train through the Liziba Station, and wander around the Ciqikou Old Town, then you will visit Hongyadong(view it from the bridge during the holidays because too many people). In the evening, you will board the Yangtze cruise and start sailing at night.

Today continue sailing on the Yangtze River, and you will take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu's“Ghost City" or Yuhuang Shengdi (Jade Emperor Sanctuary) or others.

Note: The included excursions are subject be change as per different boat schedule, please check the onboard cruise itinerary.

Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. 

Today you will pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (8km), narrowest, and most dramatic. The 46km long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. 

Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream or or Small Three Gorges or others. 

Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (76km), and the deepest of the Three Gorges. 

Additional optional Shore Excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting), an ancient city overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge. 

Note: The included excursions are subject be change as per different boat schedule, please check the onboard cruise itinerary.

Enjoy breakfast. Then it is the included shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, and optional tour to Ship Lift.

Afterwards, take cruise bus to Yichang Sanxia Tourist Center.

Then you will take 5-hour car ride to Zhangjiajie hotel.

Today, you will be transferred (approximately 1 hour) to Zhangjiajie National Park. The adventure begins with a breathtaking ascent on the glass-walled Bailong Elevator, which swiftly transports you to the Yuanjiajie summit for unparalleled cliffside views. Here, you will encounter the monumental "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain," the soaring pillar-like landscape that inspired James Cameron’s blockbuster film.

In the afternoon, continue to Tianzi Mountain, celebrated as the "Monarch of the Peak Forest." This scenic area offers spectacular panoramic vistas and is famed for its four natural wonders—most notably the ever-shifting Sea of Clouds.

Your tour concludes with a visit to the picturesque Ten-Mile Gallery, a tranquil valley adorned with stunning rock formations. For a relaxed yet immersive experience, you will enjoy a one-way ride on the electric sightseeing train.

Drive to Tianmen Mountain, then walk along the road leading to Gateway of Heaven. The glass walkway makes it so distinctive. You will take Tianmen Mountain Cableway to explore Tongtian Avenue (a way to Heaven), Tianmen Cave (Heaven Gateway), Tianmen Temple, Tianmen glass walkway, Ghost-valley plank road, and Yunmeng Fairy Summit. You will take a small cable to the main cable, then take the world's longest cableway, with a length of 7455 meters and elevation of 1518 meters to go down. (The round-way of the main cable and upper way for the small cable are included. If you take round-way small cable car, you will miss some sights.) 

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Zhangjiajie Airport to catch your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your Shanghai hotel.

City explore in Shanghai today with a local guide, you will visit the Bund that is riverfront of the Huangpu River, Yu Garden that is an old pretty garden, Xintiandi that is former French Colony, and Jade Buddha Temple etc. Note we will arrange to visit City God Temple instead of Yu Garden that is closed on Mondays. 

Today is departure day, you will be transferred to Shanghai Airport to catch your flight back home, where the wonderful tour concludes.