Exploring the Yangtze & Hong Kong
17 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hong Kong
17 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hong Kong
This classic tour combines China's most popular cities together with a Yangtze River cruise, and finishes with a stay in vibrant Hong Kong. Begin in Beijing, the capital city and political and cultural center of the nation. Magnificent sights here include the Forbidden City, enormous Tian'anmen Square, the Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. No visit would be complete without an excursion to the Great Wall of China, certainly one of China's greatest wonders and "must see" places. Next fly to Xi'an, home to one of China's greatest wonders, the Terra Cotta Warriors. A truly amazing discovery was found in 1974; the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang was uncovered, guarded by an amazing terra cotta army of generals, warriors, officials, horses and chariots. The figures are numbered in the thousands, and many are yet to be excavated. Then fly to Chongqing, embarkation point for your Yangtze River cruise, where you will cruise downstream, traversing the famous Three Gorges, and tour the impressive Three Gorges Dam Site. Your ship offers all the amenities expected to make your journey a comfortable and memorable one. In Shanghai, visit the popular Bund area to see the many historical buildings that line the banks of the Huangpu River, and tour Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and Shanghai Museum. Also see the Xiantiandi area, one of Shanghai's premier entertainment areas. Then it's over to scenic Guilin, where the natural beauty of the Karst mountains and meandering Li River are a sight to behold. See the Reed Flute Cave, and enjoy a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, the lovely town filled with wonderful shops and restaurants, and surrounded by the magnificent scenic beauty of the area. We finish in Hong Kong, truly one of Asia's most exciting cities. The unique blend of eastern and western influences, matched by diverse attractions and stunning countryside has made Hong Kong Asia's prime tourist destination. With great sights, world-class shopping, exquisite dining, and a vibrant nightlife, Hong Kong has it all.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Beijing. Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Full-day private tour of Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and tour the Hutongs (backstreets of Beijing). In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3: Beijing. Full-day private excursion to the Great Wall of China. Also visit the Changling (Ming Dynasty) Tomb and "Sacred Way", a seven kilometer road lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Beijing. Full-day tour of the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Xi'an. Fly to Xi'an, one of China's oldest cities with over 3100 years of history. In the afternoon tour Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Xi'an. Full-day tour to see the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, guarded by more than seven thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7: Yangtze cruise. Fly to Chongqing, starting point of your 3-night downstream Yangtze River cruise. Time permitting, enjoy lunch and an afternoon tour of Stilwell Museum. Afterwards, transfer to the pier to board your ship, and set sail this evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Yangtze cruise. The Yangtze River is the world's third longest river, and Asia's longest. Enjoy the scenery and facilities onboard the ship as you cruise along the river. Embark on a shore excursion to Fengdu, the famous Ghost City located along the banks. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 9: Yangtze cruise. A highlight of any Yangtze River sailing is passing through the Three Gorges area. First traverse Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most spectacular, followed by Wu Gorge, and finally Xiling Gorge. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 10: Shanghai. Visit the Three Gorges Dam site. An engineering marvel, it is the largest dam project and hydro-electric power station in the world. Disembark the ship after lunch and transfer to Yichang Airport for your flight to Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11: Shanghai. Full-day private tour of Shanghai. Visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Xintiandi area. In the evening enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 12: Guilin. Fly to Guilin, known for it's lovely scenery that has inspired poets and painters throughout the years. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 13: Yangshuo/Guilin. Take a cruise on the Li River today. Wind your way through an amazing landscape of karst topography, where beautiful limestone peaks rise from the green plain at odd angles, and daily life happens along the riverbanks. Visit a local market in Yangshuo; a picturesque town of wonderful shops and restaurants, surrounded by karst mountains and bordering the Li River. Return to Guilin in the evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 14: Hong Kong. Tour Reed Flute Cave, where amazing stone formations of stalactites and stalagmites take on familiar shapes of people, nature, food, and other familiar objects. Afterwards see the scenic Fubo Hill, and Elephant Trunk Hill. Later transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 15: Hong Kong. Enjoy a private half-day tour of Hong Kong Island, with visits to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, and Stanley Market. Afterwards have a dim sum lunch; no visit to Hong Kong would be complete without trying these tasty dishes of steamed buns, dumplings, noodles, and veggies. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 16: Hong Kong. A free day to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 17: Depart Hong Kong. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (16), fourteen lunches, and five dinners.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Day 1: Beijing. Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Full-day private tour of Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and tour the Hutongs (backstreets of Beijing). In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3: Beijing. Full-day private excursion to the Great Wall of China. Also visit the Changling (Ming Dynasty) Tomb and "Sacred Way", a seven kilometer road lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Beijing. Full-day tour of the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Xi'an. Fly to Xi'an, one of China's oldest cities with over 3100 years of history. In the afternoon tour Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Xi'an. Full-day tour to see the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, guarded by more than seven thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7: Yangtze cruise. Fly to Chongqing, starting point of your 3-night downstream Yangtze River cruise. Time permitting, enjoy lunch and an afternoon tour of Stilwell Museum. Afterwards, transfer to the pier to board your ship, and set sail this evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Yangtze cruise. The Yangtze River is the world's third longest river, and Asia's longest. Enjoy the scenery and facilities onboard the ship as you cruise along the river. Embark on a shore excursion to Fengdu, the famous Ghost City located along the banks. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 9: Yangtze cruise. A highlight of any Yangtze River sailing is passing through the Three Gorges area. First traverse Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most spectacular, followed by Wu Gorge, and finally Xiling Gorge. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 10: Shanghai. Visit the Three Gorges Dam site. An engineering marvel, it is the largest dam project and hydro-electric power station in the world. Disembark the ship after lunch and transfer to Yichang Airport for your flight to Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 11: Shanghai. Full-day private tour of Shanghai. Visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Xintiandi area. In the evening enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 12: Guilin. Fly to Guilin, known for it's lovely scenery that has inspired poets and painters throughout the years. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 13: Yangshuo/Guilin. Take a cruise on the Li River today. Wind your way through an amazing landscape of karst topography, where beautiful limestone peaks rise from the green plain at odd angles, and daily life happens along the riverbanks. Visit a local market in Yangshuo; a picturesque town of wonderful shops and restaurants, surrounded by karst mountains and bordering the Li River. Return to Guilin in the evening. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 14: Hong Kong. Tour Reed Flute Cave, where amazing stone formations of stalactites and stalagmites take on familiar shapes of people, nature, food, and other familiar objects. Afterwards see the scenic Fubo Hill, and Elephant Trunk Hill. Later transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 15: Hong Kong. Enjoy a private half-day tour of Hong Kong Island, with visits to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, and Stanley Market. Afterwards have a dim sum lunch; no visit to Hong Kong would be complete without trying these tasty dishes of steamed buns, dumplings, noodles, and veggies. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 16: Hong Kong. A free day to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 17: Depart Hong Kong. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (16), fourteen lunches, and five dinners.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Our deluxe China tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
