Air included- Panoramic China: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai & Yangtze River Cruise – 17 Days/15 Nights

After breakast, we will visit Tiananmen Square, the second-largest public square in the world, followed by the Forbidden City—an iconic imperial palace complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1987. Located in the heart of Beijing, it spans approximately 180 acres and is enclosed by massive defensive walls and a deep moat, making it one of the largest and best-preserved ancient palace complexes in the world.

Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the famous Peking Roast Duck, offering a perfect balance of traditional flavor and culinary refinement.

This afternoon, you may join the optionals excursions to Temple of Heaven & Hutong Life tour (US$89 per person). This experience offers an authentic glimpse into Beijing’s heritage, beginning with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven.

Continue by rickshaw through the city’s historic Hutongs, where you’ll explore traditional alleyways and gain insight into local life with a visit to a local family.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Today’s highlight is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall—China’s most iconic landmark—where you’ll have the opportunity to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel.

En route, visit one of the largest jade exhibitions in Asia. Continue with a drive past the striking modern exteriors of the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, built for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Both structures have become symbols of modern China and stand as impressive examples of the country’s architectural achievements.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, continue to the legendary Summer Palace, once the retreat of the Empress Dowager. Enjoy a serene boat ride across the lake while taking in the breathtaking scenery, then stroll through the expansive palace grounds and experience the elegance of imperial leisure.

After exploring the world of Chinese herbal medicine, you may choose to attend  the Beijing Acrobatic Show (US$60 per person), an optional excursion showcasing an impressive blend of agility, precision, and theatrical flair. Marvel at gravity-defying stunts and intricate performances set against vibrant costumes and dynamic music—an unforgettable experience.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Today, embark on the modern high-speed rail to Xi’an.

For over 2,000 years, Xi’an served as the capital of eleven dynasties. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a traditional Shaanxi dinner at a local restaurant.

This evening, you may join an optional visit to the Grand Tang Everbright City (US$69 per person), a 2,100-meter pedestrian street in Xi’an inspired by the Tang Dynasty. You may also choose to try on a Tang Dynasty costume and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, experiencing a glimpse of ancient cultural life brought to life at night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, where you will see the life-sized army of soldiers built to protect China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. This site is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Continue to an art ceramics factory before visiting the Ancient City Wall, one of the most complete ancient military defense systems in the world.

This evening, enjoy an optional Imperial Dumpling Banquet dinner along with a traditional Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show (US$68 per person).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, take a high-speed train (bullet train) to Luoyang Longmen Station.

Begin your exploration at the magnificent Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its thousands of intricate Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs, representing the pinnacle of ancient Chinese artistry and devotion.

Next, journey to the legendary Shaolin Temple, nestled in the scenic Songshan Mountains. Celebrated as the cradle of Chinese Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism, the temple offers a fascinating glimpse into centuries-old martial arts traditions.

Continue onward to Zhengzhou for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, board a high-speed bullet train to Yichang, the gateway to the majestic Yangtze River. Sit back in comfort and watch the landscapes transform—from bustling cities to tranquil countryside—as you travel deep into the heart of central China.

Upon arrival, transfer to the river port and embark on your Yangtze cruise, where a warm welcome and seamless check-in await. Settle into your cabin and begin your journey in style, with time to explore the ship’s amenities, enjoy onboard entertainment, or simply relax on deck as the river sets the tone for the days ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, visit the awe-inspiring Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. Stand before this monumental feat of modern engineering and gain fascinating insight into its vast scale, innovative design, and vital role in flood control and clean energy generation.

Later, return to your cruise and sail through the breathtaking Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges, stretching over 41 miles. Relax on deck or from the comfort of your cabin as towering cliffs, rugged peaks, and winding river passages unfold before you—offering some of the most dramatic and unforgettable scenery along the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, continue your journey with a scenic cruise through the majestic Qutang Gorge, the shortest yet most dramatic of the Three Gorges, where sheer cliffs rise steeply on either side of the narrow river, creating a truly awe-inspiring panorama.

Later, transfer to smaller riverboats for an immersive excursion into the enchanting Lesser Three Gorges. Glide through narrow waterways framed by lush vegetation, towering rock formations, and hidden valleys rarely seen from the main river. For those seeking an even more intimate experience, an optional upgrade takes you deeper into the Little Lesser Three Gorges, where the scenery becomes even more secluded and pristine.

Conclude the day with a peaceful cruise through the elegant Wu Gorge, famed for its mist-shrouded peaks and tranquil, almost mystical atmosphere. As the light softens over the river, soak in the serene beauty of one of the Yangtze’s most iconic landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Embark on a captivating shore excursion to Fengdu’s Snow Jade Cave, a natural wonder celebrated for its dazzling rock formations and crystal-like clarity. Step into a cool, otherworldly realm where shimmering stalactites and stalagmites have been sculpted over millennia into intricate, jade-like formations. Carefully designed lighting enhances the cave’s ethereal beauty, casting a magical glow over its chambers. As you explore its winding passages, expert guides share fascinating insights into the cave’s geological history and cultural significance, making this both an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, conclude your unforgettable Yangtze River cruise in Chongqing.

Disembark and continue to the renowned Panda House, where you’ll come face-to-face with China’s most beloved national treasure. Watch the adorable giant pandas up close as they leisurely munch on bamboo, play, and lounge in their specially designed habitats—an experience that’s as heartwarming as it is memorable.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to the enchanting city of Hangzhou. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel to unwind after a day of discovery. This evening, you may choose to attend the optional “Enduring Memories of Hangzhou” performance (US$90 per person), a spectacular open-air show set against the backdrop of West Lake. Blending music, dance, light, and water, this mesmerizing production brings local legends vividly to life in one of China’s most scenic settings.

Hangzhou—praised by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”—welcomes you with its timeless elegance.

Today, visit the serene West Lake, the city’s crown jewel, where poetic landscapes of willow-lined banks, graceful bridges, and historic pagodas create one of China’s most iconic scenes.

Afterward, enjoy an authentic tea-tasting experience at the famed Dragon Well (Longjing) Tea Plantation. Stroll through lush tea terraces and savor the delicate flavors of one of China’s most celebrated green teas while learning about its centuries-old cultivation traditions.

Later, continue to Suzhou, often referred to as the “Venice of the East” for its charming network of canals, ponds, and waterways. Upon arrival, you may choose to join an optional cruise along the historic Grand Canal (US$50 per person), offering a glimpse into daily life along this ancient waterway that once thrived as a vital trade route.

Today, visit the exquisite Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest classical gardens in China. Explore its beautifully designed layout of four themed sections, seamlessly connected by elegant covered walkways. At its heart lies a tranquil pond framed by meticulously crafted landscapes and a striking yellow stone grotto, a masterpiece attributed to the renowned artist Zhou Binzhong—an inspiring example of traditional Chinese garden artistry and harmony between nature and design.

Continue to a silk factory, where you’ll uncover the fascinating journey of silk production, from delicate silkworm cocoons to finely woven textiles that have made Suzhou world-famous for centuries.

Afterward, transfer to Shanghai, China’s dynamic modern metropolis, where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. This evening, you may opt to join the spectacular Huangpu River Night Cruise (US$50 per person), offering unforgettable panoramic views of Shanghai’s glittering skyline, where historic waterfront architecture meets the futuristic glow of Pudong’s illuminated skyscrapers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Shanghai, China’s vibrant commercial hub, offers a striking blend of historic charm and modern energy.

This morning, take a leisurely walk along the iconic Bund, a mile-long waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. Admire its beautifully preserved colonial-era architecture, which reflects the city’s fascinating history of Western influence and trade during the early modern period, while enjoying sweeping views across to the futuristic skyline of Pudong.

Continue to the Shanghai History Museum, home to an impressive collection showcasing ancient Chinese art and cultural heritage, offering deeper insight into the city’s evolution through the centuries.

Next, explore the lively City God Temple area, a bustling traditional district filled with local snack vendors, artisanal pearl shops, and charming souvenir stalls. Stroll through its vibrant lanes and experience the lively atmosphere of old Shanghai, where culture, commerce, and tradition come together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer hotel-airport for your return flight home.