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iExplore China Experience(Trip #36962)

Tour Overview

China, a mysterious land of red pagodas, cosmopolitan cities, manicured gardens, and Great Walls, is yours to explore on this 10-day tour.

Start in Beijing, where you explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Fly to Xi'an, home to the terracotta army guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi. Xi'an was the largest city in the world during the Tang dynasty (618-907).

Enjoy an unforgettable three-day cruise on the Yangtze River. Pass through towering gorges and join fascinating shore excursions, including the Ghost City of Fengdu and ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream. Your journey through China concludes in Shanghai, with its excellent museums and elaborate temples.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Beijing, China
Arrive Beijing and transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.
Overnight, Beijing

Day 02: Beijing
Full day Beijing city tour. Start your tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, then visit the impressive Forbidden City within the Imperial Palace. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, set in a 670-acre park and enjoy a rickshaw tour of the hutongs, the "Old City" neighborhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing's modern facade.
Breakfast
Overnight, Beijing

Day 03: Beijing - Xi'an
Enjoy a morning excursion to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China; one of the greatest wonders of the world, which was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. After lunch, stroll through the lush gardens of the Summer Palace. Transfer to the Beijing airport to board your flight to Xian. You are met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast
Overnight, Xi'an

Day 04: Xi'an
Full day Xi’an tour. Start with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, a terracotta army guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, which lures travelers from all over the world. This afternoon, you will visit to nearby Banpo Neolithic Village, offering 1,000-year-old artifacts, and the Hot Springs of Huaqing, baths that have been in use for 3,000 years.
Breakfast
Overnight, Xi'an

Day 05: Xi'an - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise
Morning tour of Xi’an’s City Wall. Visit one of the gates and take a stroll on the wall. Midday transfer to the Xi’an airport to board your flight to Chongqing. You are met upon arrival and time permitting, you will have a short tour of Chongqing. Transfer to the M/V President (4/6) to board your Yangtze River Cruise. The highlight of your cruise is the spectacular Three Gorges area. To make the most of your time on the river, the cruise anchors at night and sails during the day.
Breakfast,
Overnight, Cruise Boat

Day 06: Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursion to the Ghost City of Fengdu. Fengdu got its reputation as the "Ghost City" in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight, Cruise Boat

Day 07: Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursion to the ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream. Cruise the Yangtze River, passing through two of the Three Gorges of towering craggy peaks and intriguing rock formations.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight, Cruise Boat

Day 08: Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project. Continue this morning as you pass through the last of the Three Gorges. Disembark in Yichang. You are met at the cruise port and time permitting, enjoy a city tour of Yichang. This afternoon you are transferred to the Yichang airport for your flight to Shanghai. You are met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Breakfast
Overnight, Shanghai

Day 09: Shanghai
Full day Shanghai city tour. First visit one of the oldest tourist sites in Shanghai, the Yuyuan Gardens. With ponds, traditional red walls with upturned tile roofs, and an excellent teahouse – the Yuyuan Gardens is a wonderful respite from city chaos. Then transfer to the west side of the city to visit the Jade Buddha Temple, home to two famous white jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in 1882. This afternoon, you will visit the Shanghai Museum, which boasts the best bronze collection in the world, along with Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, jade, coins, paintings, and ceramics. Later, enjoy a stroll along The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, the famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.
Breakfast
Overnight, Shanghai

Day 10: Shanghai - Departure
Morning at leisure, then transfer the Shanghai International airport to board your departing flight.
Breakfast


OPTIONAL 2 NIGHT EXTENSION (for Gold Priced trips) includes two additional nights one in Beijing (on Day 03) and one in Shanghai (on Day 10 per the above) and a full day trip to Suzhou.

Additional overnight in Shanghai on Day 10: Suzhou
Full day trip to Suzhou by train.

Dating back to 482 B.C., Suzhou is known as the town of gardens and canals. At least 150 gardens flourish in large open spaces or unexpectedly tucked away between narrow streets, all following the principle of Chinese garden construction: the representation of a tiny universe. Fishponds, zigzagging bridges connecting small islands, tiny gardens with fountains – nearly every aspect of nature is found in these gardens.

Enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal and visit two private gardens and a local silk factory. Return by train to Shanghai, where you are met at the station and transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast
Overnight, Shanghai