14 Days China Highlights Tour with Yangtze River Cruise: Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu-Chongqing-Yichang-Shanghai

After breakfast, begin your exploration at Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares and an important landmark in modern Chinese history. Walk through Tiananmen Gate to enter the magnificent Forbidden City, the imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Explore its monumental halls, ceremonial courtyards, marble terraces and traditional palace architecture while learning about life within China’s former royal court.

Continue to nearby Jingshan Park and climb to its central hilltop pavilion. From the summit, enjoy a panoramic view over the golden rooftops and symmetrical layout of the Forbidden City, with Beihai Park, Shichahai and the historic Drum Tower visible to the north.

In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Stroll beside Kunming Lake, admire the wooded slopes of Longevity Hill and walk through the celebrated Long Corridor, decorated with thousands of colorful paintings inspired by Chinese history, landscapes and mythology. After the visit, return to your hotel.

In the evening, you may optionally attend a Chinese acrobatic performance or enjoy traditional Peking Opera.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Beijing

Travel approximately 70 kilometers from central Beijing to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a beautifully restored section surrounded by forested mountains. Take an enclosed cable car to Watchtower No. 14 and walk westward along the wall, passing ancient watchtowers while enjoying sweeping views across the mountain ridges.

Travelers seeking a greater challenge can continue up the steep Great Man Slope toward Watchtower No. 20, the highest accessible point in this section. After exploring the wall, return to Watchtower No. 14 and descend by cable car. An optional toboggan ride from Watchtower No. 6 may be available for eligible travelers, depending on operating conditions.

Continue to the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, the ceremonial approach to the imperial burial complex of 13 Ming emperors. Walk beneath its monumental stone archway and along the avenue lined with impressive statues of officials, generals and mythical animals that symbolically guarded the imperial tombs.

On the return journey to Beijing, stop at Beijing Olympic Park to view the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside. In the evening, you may enjoy an optional dinner featuring Beijing’s celebrated Peking Roast Duck.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Beijing

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed sacred ceremonies and prayed for good harvests. Explore its magnificent ceremonial buildings, including the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, while learning about traditional Chinese cosmology and imperial rituals. The surrounding park is also an excellent place to observe local residents practicing tai chi, dancing, singing and exercising beneath the ancient trees.

Continue to Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods and travel through the narrow lanes by traditional rickshaw. See courtyard houses, small shops and quiet residential alleys that preserve the atmosphere of old Beijing. A visit to a local family offers a closer look at everyday life inside a traditional courtyard residence.

After the tour, transfer to Beijing West Railway Station and board a high-speed train to Xi’an, with a journey time of approximately five hours. Upon arrival at Xi’an North Railway Station, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Xi’an

Travel approximately 40 kilometers outside Xi’an to visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, created more than 2,000 years ago to protect China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. Explore the major excavation pits containing thousands of life-size warriors, horses and chariots arranged in military formations. Each figure has distinctive facial features, clothing and expressions, demonstrating the extraordinary craftsmanship and military organization of ancient China.

After lunch, return to Xi’an and visit Da Ci’en Temple, an important center for Buddhist scripture translation during the Tang Dynasty. Its best-known structure is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built under the direction of the monk Xuanzang to preserve Buddhist scriptures brought back from India. Learn about Xuanzang’s historic journey and his influence on Chinese Buddhism and literature.

In the evening, you may visit Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a lively pedestrian district illuminated by elaborate Tang-style decorations and cultural displays. Optional experiences include wearing traditional Hanfu clothing for photographs or attending a Tang Dynasty music and dance performance.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Xi’an

Begin the day at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum, located within a peaceful landscaped park. Admire the elegant Tang Dynasty pagoda, which has survived numerous earthquakes, and explore the museum’s collection of ancient ceramics, jade, calligraphy, Buddhist sculptures, seals and other artifacts illustrating Xi’an’s long history as an imperial capital.

Continue to the Xi’an Ancient City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved city walls in China. Enter through Hanguang Gate and visit the small museum displaying archaeological remains of the Tang Dynasty wall, historic gateways and ancient drainage channels. Walk along the broad ramparts for panoramic views of the old city and modern Xi’an. Bicycle rental is available for travelers who would like to cycle along part of the wall.

Afterward, explore the bustling Muslim Quarter, known for its historic mosques, lively market lanes, traditional handicrafts and wide selection of local snacks. The neighborhood reflects the cultural exchange that developed when Xi’an served as the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Later, transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Chengdu, a journey of approximately four hours. Meet your local guide upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Chengdu

Begin the day at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of China’s leading centers for giant panda conservation and scientific research. Walk along bamboo-lined paths to observe pandas eating bamboo, climbing trees, playing and resting in spacious natural-style enclosures. Visit the panda kindergarten to see younger pandas and, depending on the season, look for newborn cubs in the nursery. The Giant Panda Museum offers further insight into panda behavior, reproduction and conservation.

Continue to Wenshu Temple, a peaceful Buddhist monastery hidden within central Chengdu. Admire its traditional architecture, religious halls and quiet courtyards before strolling through the nearby Wenshufang neighborhood.

In the afternoon, experience Chengdu’s relaxed lifestyle at People’s Park. Sit in a traditional teahouse, enjoy a cup of Chinese tea and watch local residents play mahjong, practice dancing or socialize beneath the trees. Finish the day at Jinli Old Street, a lively pedestrian area filled with local snacks, handicrafts, traditional buildings and folk performances.

Optional evening activities include a Sichuan hotpot dinner and a Sichuan Opera performance featuring face-changing, fire-spitting and traditional music.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Chengdu

After breakfast, drive approximately two hours from Chengdu to Leshan, home to the UNESCO-listed Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved directly into a riverside cliff during the Tang Dynasty, the 71-meter-high statue is the world’s largest ancient stone-carved seated Buddha and has watched over the confluence of three rivers for more than 1,300 years.

Begin at the upper scenic area, where you can admire the Buddha’s enormous head and examine the remarkable drainage system that has helped protect the statue from weathering. Depending on visitor numbers and operating conditions, descend the narrow stone stairway beside the cliff for a close view from the Buddha’s feet.

Afterward, take a sightseeing boat for a panoramic view of the entire statue and the surrounding cliffs from the river. Boat services may be adjusted or suspended due to water levels and weather conditions. Return to Chengdu after the visit.

In the evening, you may enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine, a traditional hotpot dinner or a Sichuan Opera performance.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Chengdu

Transfer to Chengdu East Railway Station and take a high-speed train to Chongqing, with a journey time of approximately one to two hours. Meet your local guide upon arrival and begin exploring this remarkable mountain metropolis.

Visit the Three Gorges Museum, whose extensive collection introduces the history of the Yangtze River, the formation of the Three Gorges, Chongqing’s wartime past and the development of the modern municipality. From outside the museum, admire the imposing People’s Assembly Hall, known for its grand classical Chinese architectural design.

Continue by Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba Metro Station, where trains pass directly through a residential building—one of the city’s most distinctive urban sights. Afterward, visit Hongya Cave, an 11-level riverside complex inspired by traditional stilt-house architecture. Its layered wooden buildings, hillside setting and illuminated evening façade create one of Chongqing’s best-known city views.

Following the city tour, transfer to Chaotianmen Dock and board your Yangtze River cruise ship. Boarding normally takes place in the early evening, with departure later at night. The exact boarding pier and time depend on the cruise company, water level, weather and operating conditions.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Yangtze River cruise ship

Wake up to peaceful views of the Yangtze River and begin your first full day aboard the cruise ship. You may practice tai chi on the sundeck, enjoy morning coffee, attend a lecture about the history and culture of the Yangtze or simply relax while watching the riverside landscape pass by. Depending on the cruise schedule, daytime and evening activities may also include cultural demonstrations, entertainment performances and the Captain’s Welcome Party.

Today’s main shore excursion is usually arranged in Fengdu County, an important part of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region. The best-known attraction is Fengdu Ghost City, an ancient temple complex built around Chinese beliefs about the afterlife. Walk among shrines, statues and symbolic gateways depicting legendary judges, spirits and trials of the underworld while learning about traditional Chinese mythology, Taoism, Buddhism and folk customs. The visit involves extended walking and numerous steps, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

Some cruise companies include Fengdu Ghost City in the standard program, while others offer it as an optional excursion. Depending on the selected ship, Fengdu may be replaced by another riverside attraction such as Mount Shuanggui, Snow Jade Cave or Shibaozhai Pagoda.

An optional evening excursion may be available to the large-scale outdoor Three Kingdoms Show, which uses lighting, sound, special effects and live performances to present stories from the Three Kingdoms period. Return to the ship and continue sailing along the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Yangtze River cruise ship

Today, the ship enters the most spectacular section of the cruise—the legendary Three Gorges. Relax on the sundeck as the vessel sails through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three gorges. Admire the towering cliffs and dramatic scenery of Kui Gate, one of the most recognizable landscapes along the Yangtze River.

Depending on the cruise company, an optional morning excursion may be arranged to White Emperor City near Fengjie. Known as the “City of Poetry,” this historic site has appeared in numerous classical Chinese poems and is closely connected with stories from the Three Kingdoms period. Its viewing platform also provides one of the finest panoramic views of Kui Gate.

Continue sailing through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its mist-covered mountains, deep valleys and the famous Twelve Peaks. In the afternoon, transfer to a smaller sightseeing boat for an excursion along one of the Yangtze’s scenic tributaries. According to the selected cruise, this may include Shennv Stream, Shennong Stream or the Lesser Three Gorges. Travel through a narrow side gorge surrounded by steep cliffs, forested peaks and remote riverside scenery.

Some cruise programs may offer alternative mountaintop excursions to the Three Gorges Summit or Goddess Sky Road, both providing panoramic views over the river and surrounding mountains. In the evening, return to the ship for the Captain’s Farewell Party and onboard entertainment as the cruise continues toward Yichang.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Yangtze River cruise ship

After breakfast, check out of your cabin and disembark at Maoping Port near Yichang. Continue to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project and one of the most impressive modern engineering achievements in China. View the enormous dam from different observation points, learn about its construction and role in flood control, navigation and electricity generation, and admire the surrounding scenery of Xiling Gorge.

An optional journey through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift may be available. This remarkable engineering system raises and lowers passenger vessels between the different water levels on either side of the dam. The optional experience and operating schedule depend on water levels, maintenance, weather and local arrangements.

After visiting the dam, take the cruise company’s shuttle bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center, where your local guide will meet you. Transfer to Yichang Airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s largest and most dynamic international metropolis. Upon arrival, meet your Shanghai guide and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shanghai

Begin your Shanghai exploration in Lujiazui, the city’s futuristic financial district. Ride a high-speed elevator to the observation deck of Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building, and enjoy sweeping views over the skyscrapers of Pudong, the historic Bund, the Huangpu River and the vast Shanghai cityscape.

Continue to Shanghai Museum East, where extensive collections of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, jade, sculptures, paintings and calligraphy present more than 5,000 years of Chinese art and civilization. The museum’s modern exhibition spaces provide an excellent introduction to China’s artistic heritage.

In the afternoon, visit Yu Garden, a classical garden dating from the Ming Dynasty. Walk through elegant halls, traditional pavilions, decorative corridors, rockeries, ponds and landscaped courtyards that demonstrate the refined design of southern Chinese gardens. The nearby Yuyuan Bazaar offers traditional architecture, local snacks, handicrafts and souvenir shops.

Continue to Nanjing Road, one of China’s best-known shopping streets, before walking to the Bund. Admire the historic European-style buildings lining the western bank of the Huangpu River and enjoy impressive views of the modern Lujiazui skyline across the water. The contrast between the Bund’s early 20th-century architecture and Pudong’s futuristic towers reflects Shanghai’s transformation into a global financial center.

In the evening, you may take an optional Huangpu River night cruise to see the illuminated buildings of the Bund and Pudong from the water.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Shanghai

After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to learn how a former riverside settlement developed into one of the world’s largest and most modern cities. Through historical photographs, architectural models, multimedia displays and interactive exhibits, trace Shanghai’s urban transformation and discover its plans for future development. One of the main attractions is the large-scale city model displaying Shanghai’s buildings, roads, waterways and major urban districts.

Continue to Tianzifang, a creative arts district developed within a traditional residential neighborhood. Wander through narrow lanes lined with preserved Shikumen houses, independent studios, craft shops, galleries, cafés and small boutiques. The district combines traditional Shanghai residential architecture with contemporary art and international influences, making it an enjoyable place for a final stroll and last-minute souvenir shopping.

At the appointed time, your guide and driver will transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or the railway station for your onward journey. Your 14-day China tour concludes with memories of imperial capitals, giant pandas, Sichuan culture, the Yangtze River and modern Shanghai.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None