China, Mountain Adventure, National Parks, Panda
About this Tour
This itinerary offers a structured and culturally immersive introduction to China’s historical depth and contemporary vitality.
Beginning in Beijing, explore the political and ceremonial heart of imperial China before walking along a restored section of the Great Wall. In Xi’an, encounter the legacy of the Qin and Tang dynasties. Chengdu provides a conservation-focused experience with giant pandas, followed by Chongqing’s distinctive mountain-city landscape.
A three-night Yangtze River cruise presents the dramatic scenery of the Three Gorges and key engineering landmarks, including the Three Gorges Dam. The journey concludes in Shanghai, where classical gardens, Art Deco heritage, and modern skylines reflect China’s global outlook.
The program balances landmark visits with experiential elements, regional cuisine, and carefully paced logistics suitable for first-time and culturally curious visitors.
About China
China is a vast and diverse country known for its rich history, ancient wonders, and vibrant traditions that span thousands of years. From the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors, China offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Tour Highlights
- Walk the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, followed by a Champagne toast overlooking the mountain landscape
- Explore the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Prince Gong’s Mansion
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors, widely regarded as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century
- Participate in a structured Panda Keeper Program at Dujiangyan Panda Base
- Experience China’s advanced high-speed rail network across multiple regions
- Cruise through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and the western section of Xiling Gorge
- Transit the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (subject to operating conditions)
- Discover Shanghai’s historic Bund, Yu Garden, and contemporary Lujiazui district
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Transportation: High-speed trains or optional domestic flights, and luxury coach
- Lodging: 4-5 Star Hotels and Cultural boutique inns with daily breakfast (twin-sharing basis)
- Meals: As per itinerary with complimentary daily drinking water
- Activities and Tickets: All listed entrance fees and guided experiences as specified in the itinerary
- Tour Guide: Professional English-speaking local guides for listed sightseeing arrangements
What’s Excluded
- International flights and airport taxes
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tour guide gratuities (recommended 10% gratuity)
- Personal expenses, optional activities, and any items or attraction tickets not mentioned in the Inclusions section
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Single supplement
- Visa fees (if applicable)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, private transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest. The remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from international travel.
Day 2: Beijing Imperial Heritage & Hutong City Walk
Begin at Tian’anmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Continue to Yonghegong Lama Temple, one of Beijing’s most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
In the afternoon, explore traditional hutong neighborhoods to gain insight into courtyard life and community traditions. Evening dinner features Peking Duck, a culinary specialty long associated with the capital.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall, Champagne Toast & Glazed Tile Workshop
Travel to the restored Mutianyu Great Wall, known for its scenic setting and comparatively moderate gradients. Walk at a comfortable pace along this remarkable architectural achievement while taking in expansive views across forested ridgelines.
Pause for a Champagne toast set against a sweeping panorama of the Wall as it winds across the peaks — a quiet moment to appreciate both landscape and history.
Later, take part in a hands-on glazed tile craftsmanship workshop, gaining insight into traditional decorative techniques once used in imperial architecture. This experience offers a deeper understanding of material culture and historical construction practices.
In the evening, enjoy a refined Beigala-style hotpot dinner, where each guest is served an individual pot. This personalized approach allows for a balanced and unhurried culinary experience, highlighting the depth and nuance of Beijing flavors.
Overnight in a thoughtfully restored architectural residence nestled within the Great Wall landscape, where traditional materials meet contemporary comfort.
Summer: Enjoy the outdoor pools during the day and take in evening views of the Great Wall softly lit against the night horizon.
Day 4: Summer Palace, Prince Gong’s Mansion & High-Speed Train to Xi’an
This morning, explore the poetic landscape design of the Summer Palace, where pavilions, bridges, and Kunming Lake reflect classical Chinese garden philosophy — harmony between architecture and nature.
Continue to Prince Gong’s Mansion, offering insight into aristocratic life during the Qing Dynasty.
Later, transfer to the railway station and board China’s modern high-speed train to Xi’an. Watch the landscape shift from northern plains to the historic cradle of Chinese civilization.
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Area & Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
Travel to the archaeological site of the Terracotta Warriors, where thousands of life-sized soldiers stand in silent formation. Your guide will contextualize the ambition of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the scale of this funerary complex.
Return to Xi’an to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, once a key center of Buddhist translation during the Tang Dynasty.
In the evening, stroll through the illuminated Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, where architecture, performance, and lighting evoke the cosmopolitan spirit of ancient Chang’an.
Day 6: Small Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter & High-Speed Train to Chengdu
Visit the elegant Small Goose Pagoda, a quieter architectural relic of the Tang era. Continue to the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, symbols of the city’s historical urban layout.
Walk through the lively Muslim Quarter, where Silk Road influences remain visible in cuisine and street culture.
In the afternoon, board the high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, experience the convivial atmosphere of Sichuan hotpot, where bold spices and layered flavors define the region’s culinary identity.
Day 7: Dujiangyan Panda Base & Panda Keeper Program
Travel to Dujiangyan Panda Base for a structured Panda Keeper Program. Under staff supervision, participate in bamboo preparation and observe feeding routines at close range.
Beyond the novelty of seeing pandas, this experience highlights China’s long-term conservation efforts and habitat protection initiatives. Return to Chengdu in the afternoon.
Day 8: Chengdu to Chongqing by High-Speed Rail
Explore Du Fu Cottage, once home to one of China’s greatest poets, before wandering through Kuanzhai Alley, where Qing-era architecture meets modern leisure culture.
Later, travel by high-speed rail to Chongqing, a city defined by dramatic topography and layered urban design. Evening views from Kuixing Pavilion reveal the vertical character of this mountain metropolis.
Visit Jiefangbei Square and Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Then the guide will walk you to the Liberation Monument and gradually reveal the stories of the city.
Day 9: Chongqing City Discovery & Yangtze River Cruise Embarkation
Begin the day aboard the Yangtze River Cableway, gliding above the confluence of two rivers.
Explore Longmenhao Old Street and witness the surreal scene at Liziba Light Rail Station, where a train passes directly through a residential building — a striking example of Chongqing’s vertical planning.
After a traditional Chongqing hotpot lunch, visit Shibati and Shancheng Lane before transferring to the port to board your Yangtze River cruise.
Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception and cruise safety briefing as the vessel sets sail. Enjoy your welcome buffet dinner on board.
Day 10: Yangtze Cruise, Shore Excursion & Three Kingdoms Night Show
As the cruise moves deeper into the Yangtze corridor, enjoy a shore excursion to either Baiheliang Underwater Museum & Fuling Zhacai History Memory Hall or the 816 Underground Project, depending on docking conditions.
Baiheliang Underwater Museum & Fuling Zhacai History Memory Hall: Explore the world’s oldest hydrological station, featuring Tang Dynasty stone carvings and inscriptions preserved underwater. Then learn about Fuling’s century-old pickled vegetable heritage.
816 Underground Project: Visit a once-secret 1960s military base, one of the world’s largest underground man-made structures.
In the evening, attend the open-air performance of Feng Yan San Guo, where history, landscape, and large-scale staging bring the Three Kingdoms era to life.
Day 11: Three Gorges Scenery, White Emperor City or Three Gorges Summit
Choose between visiting White Emperor City, steeped in poetry and legend, or ascending to the Three Gorges Summit for sweeping views.
White Emperor City: Known as an ancient “Poem City,” this historic site is mentioned in around 1,400 Chinese poems. It is also associated with the story of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang. The Kui Gate Viewing Platform is one of the best places to admire the view featured on the 10 RMB note.
Three Gorges Summit: The highest peak of the famous Three Gorges area, offering impressive views of the gorge landscape and winding river below.
Throughout the day, the ship sails through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and the western section of Xiling Gorge — towering cliffs, shifting light, and narrow passages defining one of China’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
Qutang Gorge is the shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. Wu Gorge is known for its deep valleys, rising peaks, and picturesque scenery. Xiling Gorge is the longest of the Three Gorges; due to the port change to Maoping Port, the cruise passes through the western section of Xiling Gorge.
Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner and Crew’s Artistic Showcase in the evening.
Day 12: Yichang to Shanghai by Flight with Optional Yichang Sightseeing
Pass through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift and the Gezhou Dam Ship Lock, witnessing modern hydraulic engineering on a monumental scale, subject to operational conditions.
If the Three Gorges Ship Lift is unavailable due to weather or other operational conditions, the itinerary will be adjusted to include a visit to the Three Gorges Dam and a cruise through Xiling Gorge, followed by arrival at the Three Gorges Tourist Center.
Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift: The largest and most sophisticated ship lift in the world, with a lifting height of about 113 meters.
Eastern Section of Xiling Gorge Sail: Sail through a 37-kilometer stretch of natural scenery and historic landmarks along the Yangtze River, including views of Huangling Temple, Tribe of the Three Gorges, and Three Visitors Cave.
Gezhou Dam Ship Lock: Gezhou Dam is the first large hydropower station along the Yangtze River, located 38 kilometers from the Three Gorges Dam and adjacent to Xiling Gorge.
Disembark in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, where China’s river civilization meets global modernity.
Day 13: Shanghai Highlights with Bund Discovery
Explore Yu Garden, a classical Ming Dynasty garden that contrasts sharply with the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui.
Visit the Shanghai Museum, then walk along Nanjing Road toward the historic Bund, where colonial-era façades face the towers of Pudong across the Huangpu River.
Day 14: Shanghai Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) according to your flight schedule.
Itinerary Note: To ensure the best possible travel experience, the order of visits and daily arrangements may be adjusted by the guide based on local conditions, travel time, visitor traffic, weather, cruise docking arrangements, and operational considerations. All key included experiences will be arranged as appropriately as possible throughout the journey.
Hotel Rating System
Although some hotels on this itinerary may appear to have a lower star rating on international booking websites, they are officially classified by the China National Tourism Administration. This government-regulated system evaluates hotels based on a strict set of standards for quality, facilities, and service. Some differences in rating systems and cultural expectations may account for the variation in online ratings. In order to ensure quality, we rate hotels by this system.
Customer Cancellation Policy View refund eligibility and cancellation fee details
We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be as fair and transparent as possible:
| Cancellation Timing | Refund | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days or more prior to departure | 80% | 20% |
| 59 to 35 days prior to departure | 50% | 50% |
| 34 days or fewer prior to departure | No Refund | 100% |
Travel Insurance Recommended: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect your trip investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.