Classic China with Yangtze River Cruise
From the Great Wall to the Three Gorges — twelve days across China's most iconic landscapes and cities.
This 12-day journey through Classic China with Yangtze River Cruise connects the imperial grandeur of Beijing, the ancient wonders of Xi'an, and the dynamic skyline of Shanghai through a unifying thread — a leisurely downstream cruise along Asia's longest river. The tour is rated moderate in difficulty, making it suitable for travellers who enjoy active sightseeing at a comfortable pace.
Beijing opens the journey with visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace. A rickshaw ride through the city's historic Hutong alleyways provides a more intimate view of neighbourhood life before a high-speed train carries you south to Xi'an.
Xi'an anchors the ancient chapter of the trip, offering the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the well-preserved Ming Dynasty city wall, and the lively Muslim Quarter with its mosques and street food markets. From Xi'an, a train journey to Chongqing marks the beginning of the Yangtze cruise, which passes through the famous Three Gorges and concludes at Yichang before a final high-speed train links the journey to Shanghai.
Shanghai rounds out the experience with guided walks through the historic Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Road, and the storied Bund riverside promenade. Together, these destinations present a layered portrait of China — ancient, modern, natural, and urban — across a single coherent route.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the Forbidden City, the largest ancient palatial complex in the world and a masterpiece of classical Chinese architecture preserved over centuries.
Explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where the restored ramparts wind across forested ridgelines and dissolve into the distant horizon.
Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, home to over 2,000 excavated figures from the burial complex of China's first emperor — praised as the eighth wonder of the ancient world.
Cruise downstream along the Yangtze River through the legendary Three Gorges, passing dramatic cliff faces, traditional riverside settlements, and the colossal Three Gorges Dam.
Discover Shanghai's contrasts along the Bund promenade, where early twentieth-century bank facades face a futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.
Ride a pedal rickshaw through Beijing's historic Hutong alleyways and share a home-style meal with a local family in one of the city's oldest residential neighbourhoods.
Stroll through Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, a vibrant district of mosques, spice stalls, and street food that reflects centuries of Silk Road cultural exchange.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive in Beijing and settle into the capital before visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. The Summer Palace and the Beijing Cloisonne Factory round out a full programme of historical and cultural sights.
Begin the morning with a rickshaw ride through the Hutong lanes, including a stop at a local home for lunch. In the afternoon, board a high-speed train at Beijing West Railway Station for the journey south to Xi'an.
Spend two days in Xi'an visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Ming Dynasty city wall, the Great Mosque, and the bustling Muslim Quarter market streets.
Board your river vessel in Chongqing after a city tour and cruise downstream through Fengdu, the three gorges — Qutang, Wu, and Xiling — and an excursion to Shennong Stream before reaching the Three Gorges Dam.
Visit the Three Gorges Dam on a morning shore excursion, then transfer to Yichang Railway Station for a high-speed train to Shanghai and evening hotel check-in.
Explore Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Road, and the Bund on a guided morning tour, then enjoy a free afternoon before checking out on day 12 for onward travel or a return flight.
What Is Included
Included
- Private airport transfer on arrival in Beijing
- Hotel accommodation throughout (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai)
- Cabin accommodation on board the Yangtze river vessel
- Daily breakfast; selected lunches at local restaurants
- High-speed train tickets: Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chongqing, Yichang to Shanghai
- Guided visits to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven
- Guided visit to Mutianyu Great Wall section
- Guided visit to Terracotta Warriors Museum
- Rickshaw ride through Beijing Hutongs with local family lunch
- Shore excursions: Shennong Stream and Three Gorges Dam
- Guided city tour of Chongqing
- Guided tour of Shanghai old town, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Bund
- Visits to Cloisonne, Jade, Terracotta, and Silk factories
Not Included
- International flights to Beijing and from Shanghai
- China entry visa fees
- Cable car at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Entrance to Forbidden City exhibitions
- Boat, theatre, and Longevity Hill entrance at Summer Palace
- Tower climb entrance at Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal spending and souvenirs
Important Information
Ready to Explore Classic China?
This 12-day itinerary covers Beijing, Xi'an, the Yangtze River, and Shanghai in a single well-structured journey. Spaces are limited — secure your place today.
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