Memorable Yangzte Cruise Tour - 10 Days

Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yu Garden is a classic example of a Jiangnan region garden and the most famous of five classical gardens in Shanghai. The Yu Garden compound consists of more than 30 halls and is divided into six sections by "dragon walls", tall white walls with undulating grey tiled ridges each terminating in a dragon’s head. Next to the garden is Yuyuan Bazaar, a labyrinth of small streets and lanes where you can find a large number of restaurants, tea houses and shops. The most popular restaurants are NanxiangMantou Restaurant, famous for its xiaolongbao, Lubolang Restaurant and Old Shanghai Restaurant.
The Jade Buddha Temple is famous for its two precious jade Buddha statues brought from Burma, which are not only rare cultural relics but also exquisite artworks.
The Shanghai Museum has a collection of 120,000 pieces of Chinese ancient treasures. Optional tour: Top of the Pyramid - The Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization is on display from July 19th, 2024 to August 17th, 2025.
One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and the pride of Shanghai for over one hundred years, the Bund is a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. On the west side of the road stand 52 buildings of various architectural styles, including Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical styles. It is often called an outdoor museum of buildings.

Ideas for leisure time:

1. Acrobatic Shows in Shanghai are known as the best in China. You can never imagine how exciting the show is.

2. Or you could take a Huangpu River Night Cruise which is the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous night view of Shanghai.

Upon arrival in Yichang, transfer and embark on your Yangtze River Cruise Ship. The Yangtze River originates on the Tibetan Plateau and traverses a distance of 3900 miles before flowing into the East China Sea, near Shanghai. It has been the lifeline in China for millennia.

In the morning, enjoy your choice of optional excursions to the Tribe of The Three Gorges or the Hometown of Qu Yuan. Following a buffet lunch, you can experience the optional Three Gorges Dam ship elevator, followed by an included shore excursion to the grand Three Gorges Dam Site. Before dinner, you are cordially invited to the Captain's Welcome Reception. Wrap up your evening with a vibrant Minorities and Dynasty Costumes Show onboard.

In the morning, board a smaller boat for an included shore excursion to explore the scenic Shennong Stream. Afterward, relax on deck for a spectacular scenic cruising through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. In the late afternoon, you can enjoy your choice of optional excursions to White Emperor City or the Peak of the Three Gorges. Conclude your evening with a buffet dinner followed by an entertaining Cabaret show performed by the ship's crew.

In the morning, you can join the included shore excursion to Fengdu "Snow Jade Cave" or "Xiao Guan Shan" Folk Culture Park, or take an optional tour to the legendary Fengdu "Ghost City". Alternatively, you can opt for a full-day additional excursion to the spectacular Mt. Wuling Great Rift Valley, which includes lunch onshore and reboarding the ship later at Fuling. For guests staying onboard in the afternoon, relaxing cultural activities are available. In the evening, everyone will gather for the highlights of the cruise—the Captain's Farewell Dinner—followed by settling accounts for your journey.

After breakfast, disembark in Chongqing and transfer to the airport or train for your departure.

Stand in the heart of modern China at the world’s largest public square, a site of profound historical significance and grand architectural scale. Walk into or drive through (sedan/minivan) Tian'anmen Square to marvel at its iconic surroundings, including the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.
Constructed from 1406 at the very centre of Beijing, the Palace Museum is more widely known as the Forbidden City. Previously home to 24 different emperors, it is the largest palace complex in the world at approximately 720,000 square metres. Note: Closed on Mondays. In case of closure or ticket unavailability, the itinerary adjusts to Jingshan Park for a premier panoramic view overlooking the entire Forbidden City.
Completed in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is the largest complex of sacrificial buildings in China that still stands to this day. The temple was visited by Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) emperors on an annual basis to pray to the heavens for a good harvest. The subtle employment of acoustic principles used in the construction of the Echo Wall, Triple Sound Stone and Dialogue Stone reflects the advanced architectural technology in use in ancient China.

Good to know: Usually the guide service for a full day tour is about from 9:00 to 17:00, and the evening time is on your own. If needed, your guide is happy to offer some tips or help you buy tickets for evening entertainment.

Ideas for leisure time: If you are interested in Chinese Kung Fu, the Legend of Kung Fu is a good choice for tonight. It is stunning Kung Fu show with a great story line and martial arts skills.

The Great Wall is the largest ancient defensive project ever undertaken in China and even the world. Built continuously over 2,000 years starting in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), the Great Wall now snakes its way across vast areas of northern and central China and has a total length of more than 20,000 km. The wall is a physical illustration of the Chinese philosophy of defending and tolerating rather than expanding and invading.
This Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) imperial palace and garden (1636-1912) is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Modelled on the West Lake in Hangzhou and borrowing design techniques and artistic ideas from the gardens of Jiangnan south of the Yangtze River, this landscaped park offers the perfect summer retreat.

Ideas for leisure time:

1. Enjoy the Peking Duck dinner at time-honored restaurant - Quanjude or Bianyifang. The duck is characteristic with its crispy skin, tender meat and the fragrance from the fruit-wood.

2. Watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater or Tiandi Theater.