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

After breakfast, begin your exploration at Tiananmen Square, an important landmark surrounded by monumental buildings such as the Great Hall of the People, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and Tiananmen Gate.

Walk through Tiananmen Gate to enter the magnificent Forbidden City, the imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Follow its central axis through grand gateways, ceremonial courtyards and important halls, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserving Harmony. The vast palace complex contains one of the world’s finest collections of preserved ancient wooden architecture.

Continue to nearby Jingshan Park and ascend its central hill for panoramic views over the golden rooftops and symmetrical layout of the Forbidden City. From the summit, you can also see Beihai Park, Shichahai Lake and the historic Drum Tower.

In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Stroll beside Kunming Lake, explore the landscaped slopes of Longevity Hill and walk through the celebrated Long Corridor, which is decorated with thousands of colorful paintings. Return to your hotel after the visit.

Optional evening activities include a Chinese acrobatic performance or traditional Peking Opera.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Beijing

Travel approximately 70 kilometers from downtown Beijing to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a scenic and relatively less crowded section surrounded by forested mountains. Take an enclosed cable car to Watchtower No. 14 and hike westward along the wall, passing ancient watchtowers while enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding ridges.

Travelers looking for a greater challenge may 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 chairlift and toboggan descent from Watchtower No. 6 may also be available, depending on operating conditions.

Continue to the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, a seven-kilometer ceremonial route leading toward the burial complex of 13 Ming emperors. Walk beneath the monumental stone archway and along the avenue lined with impressive statues of officials, generals, mythical creatures and guardian animals.

On the return journey, 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 magnificent Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed ceremonies and prayed for abundant harvests. Explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar while learning about the symbolic relationship between heaven, earth and imperial authority.

The surrounding park is also an excellent place to experience local Beijing life. Residents gather here to practice tai chi, dance, sing, fly kites, play traditional games and write Chinese calligraphy on the pavement with water.

Continue to Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods and travel through the narrow lanes by traditional rickshaw. See courtyard houses, small shops and residential alleys that preserve the character of old Beijing. Visit a local family home to learn about traditional courtyard architecture and everyday community life.

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

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Xi’an

Travel approximately 40 kilometers outside Xi’an to visit the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. Created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, the vast underground army includes thousands of life-size soldiers, horses and chariots arranged in military formations.

Explore the main excavation pits and observe the distinctive facial expressions, hairstyles, uniforms and poses of the warriors. Your guide will explain the history of the Qin Dynasty, the construction of the imperial mausoleum and the remarkable craftsmanship involved in creating the terracotta army.

After lunch, return to Xi’an and visit Da Ci’en Temple, an important Buddhist center established during the Tang Dynasty. Its landmark structure, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, was built to preserve Buddhist scriptures and relics brought from India by the celebrated monk Xuanzang.

In the evening, you may explore Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a lively pedestrian district known for its Tang-style architecture, illuminated streets and cultural performances. Optional activities include wearing traditional Hanfu clothing for photographs or attending a Tang Dynasty music and dance show.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Xi’an

Begin the day at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, an elegant Tang Dynasty Buddhist structure that has survived numerous earthquakes over the centuries.

Continue to the Xi’an Ancient City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Enter through Hanguang Gate, explore the archaeological displays and walk along the broad ramparts for panoramic views of old and modern Xi’an. Bicycle rental is available for travelers who would like to cycle along part of the wall.

Afterward, explore the lively Muslim Quarter, where narrow lanes contain local restaurants, food stalls, traditional shops and Islamic cultural sites. The neighborhood reflects Xi’an’s historic role as the eastern starting point of the Silk Road.

Later, transfer to Xi’an North Railway Station and take a high-speed train to Chongqing. The journey normally takes approximately five to six hours. Meet your local guide upon arrival and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Chongqing

Begin your Chongqing tour at the Three Gorges Museum, whose extensive collection introduces the history of the Yangtze River, the formation of the Three Gorges and the development of Chongqing. From outside the museum, admire the monumental architecture of the People’s Assembly Hall.

Travel aboard Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba Metro Station. After leaving the station, walk to the viewing platform to watch metro trains pass directly through a high-rise residential building.

Continue to Hongya Cave, an 11-level riverside complex inspired by the traditional stilt houses of the Ba and Shu regions. Explore its layered architecture, shops, local food streets and elevated viewpoints. The hillside buildings become especially impressive when illuminated in the evening.

Later, transfer to Chaotianmen Port and board your Yangtze River cruise ship. The exact boarding pier and embarkation time depend on the selected ship, water level, weather and port operations.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Yangtze River cruise ship

Wake up to peaceful views of the Yangtze River and begin the day with tai chi on the sundeck, morning coffee or leisure time aboard the ship. Onboard activities may include cultural lectures, demonstrations, seasonal programs, evening entertainment and the Captain’s Welcome Party.

Today’s main shore excursion is usually Fengdu Ghost City, a historic temple complex associated with traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife. Explore temples, shrines, statues and symbolic gateways depicting moral judgment, rewards for virtue and punishment for wrongdoing.

The excursion involves considerable walking and numerous steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended. An optional evening excursion to the outdoor Three Kingdoms Fire Show may also be available.

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

Sail through the spectacular Qutang Gorge and admire the towering cliffs of Kui Gate, one of the most recognizable landscapes along the Yangtze River. An optional visit to White Emperor City may be arranged, offering historical connections with Chinese poetry and the Three Kingdoms period.

Continue through Wu Gorge, famous for its deep valleys, mist-covered mountains and Twelve Peaks. Later, transfer to a smaller sightseeing boat for an excursion along Shennv Stream. Sail through a narrow tributary surrounded by steep cliffs, forested mountains and remote scenery while learning about local history, ancient hanging coffins and Tujia ethnic culture.

Return to the cruise ship and continue through Xiling Gorge. In the evening, join the Captain’s Farewell Party and enjoy the final night aboard the ship.

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

After breakfast, check out and disembark with your luggage at Maoping Port. Take the cruise company’s sightseeing bus to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project. View the dam and reservoir from several observation points while learning about its roles in electricity generation, flood control and river navigation.

An optional journey through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift may be available, depending on maintenance, weather, water levels and operating conditions.

After visiting the dam, continue to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center, where your private guide and driver will meet you. Travel by road from Yichang to Zhangjiajie, covering approximately 270 kilometers in around three to four hours. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and rest.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie

Enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area and famous for the sandstone pillars associated with the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

Begin at the Ten-Mile Gallery, a scenic valley surrounded by forested peaks and unusual rock formations. Take the sightseeing tram into the valley and walk back along the trail to appreciate the landscape at a relaxed pace.

Ride the spectacular Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie, where thousands of slender sandstone pillars rise from the forest. Visit viewpoints overlooking the celebrated Hallelujah Mountain and other Avatar-inspired landscapes.

Continue by park shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain, known for its dense peak forests, drifting clouds and distinctive formations such as Imperial Writing Brush Peak and Fairy Presenting Flowers. Descend by the scenic Tianzi Mountain Cableway and return to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie

Ride the spectacular Tianmen Mountain Cableway from downtown Zhangjiajie to the summit. During the ascent, enjoy panoramic views over the city, mountain forests and the winding Tongtian Avenue with its famous 99 bends.

Explore the mountain’s cliffside paths, including the dramatic Guigu Cliffside Path. An optional glass skywalk experience may be available. Continue to Tianmen Mountain Temple, a historic Buddhist monastery surrounded by forest near the summit.

Ride the transmountain escalator down to Tianmen Cave, an enormous natural arch cutting through the mountain. Descend the famous 999 Steps before taking the express cableway and shuttle bus back to the visitor center. The sightseeing order may be adjusted according to weather, visitor numbers and cableway operations.

After the tour, transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport and fly to Shanghai. Meet your local guide upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shanghai

Begin your full-day Shanghai tour at Shanghai Museum East, home to an extensive collection of Chinese bronzes, ceramics, jade, sculptures, paintings and calligraphy. Its exhibitions introduce more than 5,000 years of Chinese history, craftsmanship and artistic development.

Continue to Yu Garden, a classical garden dating from the Ming Dynasty. Walk through its elegant pavilions, decorative corridors, rockeries, ponds and landscaped courtyards, all designed according to the principles of traditional Jiangnan garden architecture. Explore the neighboring Yuyuan Bazaar, where traditional-style buildings contain local snack shops, handicraft stores and souvenir stalls.

Cross the Huangpu River to Lujiazui and ascend to the 118th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. From approximately 546 meters above the city, enjoy panoramic views of the Huangpu River, the historic Bund and the surrounding skyscrapers of Pudong.

Later, stroll along Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai’s best-known commercial streets, before continuing to the Bund. Admire the historic European-style buildings lining the waterfront and look across the river toward the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui. This striking contrast reflects Shanghai’s transformation from a historic trading port into a modern international metropolis.

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

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Shanghai

After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to trace the city’s development from a riverside settlement into one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. Historical photographs, architectural models, multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits illustrate Shanghai’s urban evolution and future development plans.

A major feature is the large-scale city model, which presents Shanghai’s roads, waterways, landmark buildings and urban districts in remarkable detail. Historic photographs also show how familiar places such as the Bund, Nanjing Road and Yu Garden appeared during earlier periods.

Continue to Tianzifang, a creative arts and crafts district developed within a renovated residential neighborhood. Walk through narrow lanes lined with preserved Shikumen houses, independent studios, galleries, cafés, boutiques and handicraft shops. The neighborhood combines traditional Shanghai architecture and local community life with contemporary art and international influences.

After the visit, transfer by private vehicle 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 cities, the Terracotta Warriors, Zhangjiajie’s Avatar landscapes, the Yangtze River and modern Shanghai.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None