China Highlights - Discovery Your Way! (Since 1959)

 

Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze Upstream Cruise

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Shanghai, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today's Activities: Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Market, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Jade Buddha Temple: An active Buddhist temple, and one of the richest in Shanghai. The main treasures are two statues of Buddha, carved from rare single blocks of white jade adorned with precious stones. The temple is a hive of activity with monks, worshippers and visitors, and photos of the Buddhas are forbidden.
- Yuyuan Garden: In the centre of Shanghai next to the Yuyuan Bazaar, this exquisite old 5-acre garden is famous for its design. The paths wander across bridges, past rockeries and miniature lakes, and through pretty halls and pavilions. The trees and shrubs are planted with an eye to providing charming views, and a sense of peace and harmony.
- Shanghai Museum: The biggest, and many think the best museum in China. The galleries in this outstanding building display stunning collections of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics and porcelain, paintings, calligraphy, seals, jade, coins, furniture, ethnic artefacts from minority groups, temporary travelling exhibitions from places like the Guggenheim, and so much more ... give yourself time to enjoy it.
- Yuyuan Market : Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yuyuan Gardens.You can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, tea-houses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenhuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- The Bund: Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do – and by night it's magic!

Day 3

Place & Transport: Shanghai to Yichang to Yangtze, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai), Airport Transfer (Yichang), Cruise pier Transfer (Yichang), Board the ship from 5:00pm to 10:00pm and departs Yichang at night--00:00am.(Dinner is not included)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Day 4

Place & Transport: Yangtze
Today's Activities: Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam Site(8:30-10:30am).

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner

--Three Gorges Dam, the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man and it has been a dream for several generations of Chinese people. The construction of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and the whole construction will be competed in 2009. It will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom. The tourists can get access to the top of the dam and enjoy different kinds of photo opportunities.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Yangtze
Today's Activities: Shore excursion to Shennong Stream(8:00am-12:30pm).

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner

--Shennong Stream is another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, crystal clear water runs southwards through deep gorges. The stream races past large and small karst caves, flocks of swallows, sheer cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, three-colored springs, rapids, the ancient plank path, a suspended coffin in the cliff, groups of ancient tombs and marvelous karst formations.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Yangtze
Today's Activities: Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (8:30-10:30am).

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner

--Fengdu is where the devil lives, according to Chinese legend. They say that spirits go to heaven, and evil goes to Fengdu. The town is overlooked by Ming Shan Hill, home of Tianzi, the King of the Dead. The whole place has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, tower blocks, empty shops and banks. The only people here are those who make a living from visiting cruise boats.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Yangtze to Chongqing to Xian, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Chongqing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Cruise pier to airport Transfer (Chongqing), Panda Room in Chongqing Zoo, Ciqikou Old Town, One day tour in Chongqing, Arrives in Chongqing at 9:00am.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Panda Room in Chongqing Zoo: Here you can see Giant pandas, Lesser pandas, Golden hair monkeys, South China Tigers and some other national protected animals.
- Ciqikou Old Town: This lively old area has been partly restored, and remains an authentic and busy community. The old wooden houses and narrow streets furthest from the river are mostly unimproved, closer to the river there are craft and souvenir shops, teahouses and music, and lots of local food and snacks. The locals certainly love their food – this is a good chance to try some.
--One day tour in Chongqing: An air-conditioned van with driver and private guide are at your disposal for the day(Chongqing)

Day 8

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Terracotta Warriors: Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- Bell Tower: One of the oldest and best-preserved Bell Towers in China, the ancient wooden tower stands on a huge brick base in the city centre. There are many legends attached to its past, and traffic is no longer allowed through the vast archways, which form the pedestrian access to the tower. There’s also an interesting exhibition of ancient musical instruments, with regular free performances.

Day 9

Place & Transport: Xian to Beijing, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing), Great Mosque, City Wall
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Great Mosque: In the heart of Xi'an's Muslim quarter, close to the city centre, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the combination of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travellers.
- City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Forbidden City, Summer Palace with boat Cruise & The Garden of Virtue and Harmony, The Tian'anmen Square
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Summer Palace with boat Cruise & The Garden of Virtue and Harmony: The palace is positioned in the west suburb of Beijing, about 12 kilometers northwest of the city center. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called'Yiheyuan'(Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. You may regret it if you come to Beijing without visiting this grand imperial garden.in the palace, you can also cruise on the lake. It will take 10 minutes by the ferry boat.besides this ,you can also visit The Garden of Virtue and Harmony, it was built as a theater for the Empress Dowager. Its construction began in the 17th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1891) and lasted for five years.
- The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.

Day 11

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Mutianyu Cable Car(One way), Temple of Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner at Roasted Duck at Hepingmen

- Mutianyu Cable Car(One way): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Temple of Heaven: One of the most famous sites in Beijing, this is Ming architecture at its best: beautiful, controlled, and highly symbolic. The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activity, particularly weekend mornings. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Roasted Duck at Hepingmen: In the evening enjoy the Peking Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of Beijing

Day 12

Place & Transport: Depart Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Hutong Tours in Rickshaw
Meals: Breakfast

- Hutong Tours in Rickshaw: A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.

 

Featured Hotels

City Superior Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
Shanghai Radisson Shanghai New World The Bund Hotel Shanghai Pacific Luck Hotel Shanghai
Xian Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian Meihua-Goldentang International Hotel Xian Citylion International Hotel
Beijing Crowne Plaza Beijing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing

 

Price of this tour

Tour ClassYour Group Size 1 person 2-5 persons 6-9 persons Single room supplement
Superior Class 4137* 2770 2498 861
Deluxe Class 3171 2219 1948 445
Tourist Class 2938 2105 1836 333

* Prices are in US dollars, for one person. Prices are for references only and may vary according to your travel time . Click here to change prices to your Currency

* Better discounts are available when traveling in low season (from November to March) or when traveling in a large group. Please Contact Us for more details.

* The Price quoted for one person includes the single "Single room supplement".

 

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