14 Days Private Best China and Yangtze River Cruise Tour
From the Great Wall to the Three Gorges, a journey through China's most iconic landscapes and centuries of living history.
This 14-day private China and Yangtze River cruise tour connects Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai in a single, logistically seamless itinerary that balances imperial heritage, natural scenery, and modern urban culture. Every transfer, guide, and admission is arranged in advance so travelers can focus entirely on the experience. The pace is designed for comfort, rated easy, and suited to a wide range of travelers.
The route opens in Beijing with visits to Mutianyu Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the historic Hutong neighborhoods before continuing by bullet train to Xian. In Xian, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the Great Mosque, and Muslim Street offer a layered picture of China's military past and its diverse cultural traditions.
Chengdu introduces a different side of the country, from the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system to the Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu. The journey then moves to Chongqing and onto the Yangtze River, where a multi-day cruise passes through Fengdu, Qutang Gorge, the Daning River Small Three Gorges, Wu Gorge, and finally Xiling Gorge before concluding in Shanghai.
Tour Highlights
Walk the imperial halls of the Forbidden City and survey its rooftops from Coal Hill Park in Beijing.
Stand before the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, widely regarded as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to one of the world's most active giant panda conservation programs.
Cruise the Yangtze River through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge, with a small-boat excursion on the Daning River.
Explore Shanghai's contrasting layers from the classical Yu Yuan Garden to the futuristic Shanghai World Financial Center observation deck.
Ride a rickshaw through Beijing's ancient Hutong lanes for an unfiltered view of traditional neighborhood life.
Enjoy regional cuisine throughout the route, including a Peking Duck Banquet in Beijing and local Sichuan-style meals in Chengdu.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive at Capital or Daxing International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Over the following three days, visit Mutianyu Great Wall, the 798 Art Zone, Coal Hill Park, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and Beijing's historic Hutong neighborhoods. Evenings include a Peking Duck Banquet and a Peking Opera performance.
Travel by bullet train from Beijing to Xian. Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the Great Mosque, and the Muslim Street market quarter. Optional excursion to a Ming Dynasty folk house with a shadow play performance is available on Day 5. Day 6 covers the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Ancient City Wall, and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum before an evening flight to Chengdu.
Spend Day 7 in Chengdu visiting the Giant Panda Breeding Base, the Dujiangyan Dam, and the Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu. On Day 8, travel by train to Chongqing to visit the Dazu Rock Carvings and the Great Hall of the People before pre-boarding the Yangtze River cruise ship.
Sail eastward along the Yangtze River with stops at Fengdu Ghost City, a small-boat excursion on the Daning River through the Small Three Gorges, and passage through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. The cruise concludes at Yichang after passing through the Gezhouba Dam.
Fly from Yichang to Shanghai and spend two full days exploring the Shanghai Museum, the Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Road, the Bund, and a Huangpu River night cruise. Day 13 includes Yu Yuan Garden, the Shanghai World Financial Center observation deck, and the Tianzifang arts and crafts quarter. Depart on Day 14 from Shanghai airport or train station.
What Is Included
Included
- Private English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Private driver and vehicle for all transfers
- 3-star hotel accommodation with breakfast daily
- 3-star cruise cabin accommodation with all meals on board
- Cable car at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Bullet train tickets Beijing to Xian
- Train ticket Chengdu to Chongqing
- Flight Xian to Chengdu and Yichang to Shanghai
- All entrance fees to listed attractions
- Peking Duck Banquet dinner in Beijing
- Huangpu River night cruise in Shanghai
Not Included
- International flights to Beijing and from Shanghai
- Personal travel insurance
- Chinese visa fees
- Optional excursion to Gao Yue Song's folk house in Xian
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Drinks with included meals
Important Information
Reserve Your Private China Tour
Secure your place on this 14-day private itinerary spanning Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, the Yangtze River, and Shanghai. Private departures are available year-round and can be customized on request.
Book Now
