Best of China with Yangtze Cruise
Experience Overview
Discover the cityscapes of Beijing and Shanghai, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and the rare giant pandas of Chengdu on this mesmerizing encounter with China, which includes a leisurely cruise along the Yangtze River.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 7 Lunch (L)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
Be My Guest
- Beijing: Visit and have lunch with a local family in their home in one of Beijing's hutongs and gain a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lifestyle.
Dive Into Culture
- Beijing: Indulge in a foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center.
- Xi'an: Discover the traditions and techniques of dumpling making, indulging in an opportunity to sample them.
- Chengdu: Learn about Sichuan cuisine at a cooking class in Chengdu and taste some of your creations.
Iconic Experience
- Great Wall of China: Visit the Great Wall of China to marvel at the historical and physical prominence of this renowned landmark.
- Beijing: Gain insights into this fascinating city during a sightseeing tour of Beijing. See the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square before stepping through the south gate of the Forbidden City.
- Beijing: Hop on a traditional rickshaw and weave through Beijing's ancient alleyways.
- Fortifications of Xian: Visit the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and see the terracotta warriors.
- Xi'an: Visit a jade factory to admire the "imperial gem" and marvel at the mineral's historic value.
- Chengdu: During your orientation of Chengdu, visit People’s Park and experience the energy of Jinli Old Street.
- Enjoy an introductory orientation of Chongqing prior to boarding your river cruise.
- Visit the cliff-top temple Shibaozhai.
- Fengdu Ghost City: See the mystical Ghost City of Fengdu and visit its shrines, temples and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife.
- Yangtze: Cruise on a small motorboat through the magical landscape of the Goddess Stream.
- Shanghai: Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Shanghai. See the famous Bund waterfront and Yu Garden.
- Shanghai: Enjoy a performance by the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
- Shanghai: Visit Jin Mao Tower and take in panoramic views of Shanghai from 88 floors up.
- Shanghai: Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession and Xin Tian Di district.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Chengdu: At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, learn how your visit contributes to their conservation efforts to rescue and protect the endangered giant panda of which fewer than 2,000 remain.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai
- Visit the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, and the 'Bund' waterfront, Jade Buddha Temple and Jinmao Tower in Shanghai
- See local people practicing T'ai Chi in the morning, the Three Gorges Dam and the Shanghai Acrobats
- Cruise the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
Stays With Stories
- Shanghai: The year was 1988, The Kunlun Beijing opened as the first Chinese designed and built five-star hotel in Shanghai City, welcoming state and foreign dignitaries, and international clientele. Relax at The Kunlun Jing An, a landmark city hotel exceptionally located in one of Shanghai's most fashionable and commercial districts, only a short walk from the famous Jing An Temple and West Nanjing Road.
Trip Details
Product Code: 22220
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 411
Starts: Beijing, China (Peoples Republic)
Finishes: Shanghai, China (Peoples Republic)
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- Flight from Beijing to Xi'an and Yichang to Shanghai.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,975 ($665 /day)
Itinerary
Journey to the “Northern Capital” – a land of emperors, epic monuments and the cultural heart of China. On arrival in Beijing, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you can relax before meeting your Travel Director for a welcome drink and appetizers at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Visit the iconic Great Wall of China at Juyongguan this morning – its stone ramparts and walls snaking thousands of miles into the distance to defend the empire against nomadic invaders since 5th century B.C. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and this evening for dinner indulge in a Regional Dinner of succulent Peking Duck – a must during any visit to Beijing.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Surround yourself with the grandeur of Beijing’s landmark Great Hall of the People, Qianmen Gate and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong as you walk through one of the world’s largest public areas, Tiananmen Square. Delve into China’s imperial heritage, passing the south gate into the frozen-in-time Forbidden City – once home to emperors and their households and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, indulge in a relaxing foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center to ease you into an evening at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience.
Accommodation: Novotel Peace
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Navigate the ancient alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences, weaving through lively neighborhoods on the back of a traditional rickshaw. Stop at the home of a local family where you’ll Connect With Locals, enjoying a Be My Guest lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine, then visit a nearby tea house. Here, you’ll delve into the art of chayi, joining a Local Specialist who’ll share first-hand the age-old ritual of tea-making. Leave Beijing behind, bound for Xi’an, an ancient departure point on the Silk Road.
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Descend into the subterranean tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang to view his legendary army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, followed by a delicious traditional meal of Chinese noodles. Your final stop today is to a Jade factory where you’ll admire the favored stone of emperors, more precious to the Chinese people than gold.
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, your choice of activities gives you an opportunity to join a Local Specialist in their T'ai Chi practice or embark on a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. Get stuck in to the ancient art of dumpling making next, with an opportunity to sample the juicy results for lunch, then transfer to the railway station for your high-speed bullet train trip to Chengdu. On arrival in the hometown of the giant panda, you’ll Check in to your hotel and savor the leisurely pace of local life on your terms.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Witness the ground-breaking work being done by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding this morning. Join a Local Specialist and learn how this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the non-profit research breeding facility which rescues and protects the endangered giant panda, of which fewer than 2,000 remain. Afterwards, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Indulge in the bold and spicy flavors of local cuisine as you Dive Into Culture and learn about regional cooking practices at the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine. Experience the art of grinding chili into powder using a Qing Dynasty pestle and mortar, and discover ancient kitchenware, books and manuscripts faithfully recording the history of Sichuan culinary cultures. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating scents wafting through Restaurant Alley, pay tribute to the Kitchen God before attempting to create your own culinary magic under the guidance of a local chef. Stomach and soul sated after a delicious encounter with Chengdu, you’ll have an afternoon to relax, explore further or perhaps take the opportunity to do some shopping.
Accommodation: Rhombus Park Auro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Rub shoulders with the locals during a visit to People’s Park with its beautiful Chinese gardens, lake and tea houses. Gain insights into the day-to-day lives of the locals who spend their free time in tranquil surrounds indulging in a leisurely game of mah-jong, a quiet nap or neck massage. Venture to lively Jinli Old Street next, crossing beneath the imposing archway into a world of intricate handicraft, paintings and calligraphy. Stroll along the narrow street whose façades were modelled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province, then transfer to the railway station for a high-speed bullet train ride to Chongqing. Here, you’ll enjoy a city orientation tour with dinner before boarding your Yangtze River Cruise.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Disembark this morning for a short visit to Shibaozhai to admire its 12-storey cliff-top temple, built in the 19th century. Stretch your legs and climb up to the temple, tackling the red pavilion which leans against the side of the steep peak, now an island due to the rising waters of the Three Gorges Dam. Return to the Yangtze, cruising to Fengdu’s ‘Ghost City’ to explore the mystical shrines, temples and monasteries that are dedicated to the afterlife.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Connect with your exquisite natural surrounds as you cruise gently down the Yangtze to the imposing Three Gorges. Squeeze through the narrow Qutang Gorge, admiring its dramatic vistas, before your journey takes you through Wu Gorge, renowned for its quiet beauty, forest-clad mountains, and cliffs so sheer the sun barely penetrates their precipices and finally, Xiling Gorge. A small motor boat will ferry you through the magical landscape of the Goddess Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze – its limestone cliffs covered in greenery provide a tranquil backdrop for your relaxing encounter with this mighty river.
Accommodation: Victoria Jenna, Victoria Sabrina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
View the engineering marvel that is the world's largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam, before disembarking your cruise ship and transferring to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival into China's biggest city, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast
Shanghai’s famous ‘Bund’ waterfront is the first stop on a day of sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Admire the ornate neoclassical colonial buildings and skyscrapers that have sprung up from this former marshland, then Dive Into Culture during a visit to a silk museum. Embrace the tranquillity of the famous Yu Garden next, with its pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters. Then, enjoy some free time for a local lunch of soup dumplings perhaps and shopping in the Old Town, a treasure trove of winding streets and vibrant markets that was once enclosed by the ancient walled city of Shanghai. Our final stop this afternoon is a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1928 after the original temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Admire the beauty of its precious jade Buddha statues made out of crystal-clear white jade, before you settle into an evening performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast
Ascend to the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower for panoramic views of the skyscrapers that loom over the most populous city on earth. Then embark on a walking tour with a Local Specialist through the Shanghai French Concession, for an exhilarating encounter with the opulent age of French colonial China. Wander through the narrow alleyways, past elegant villas and apartments dating back to the early 1900s when the territory was proclaimed a French settlement. Later this morning, you’ll see where the First Conference of the Communist Party took place in Xin Tian Di, whose charming antique façades hide a 21st century world of bars, cafés, boutiques and theme restaurants. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, letting the sights and sounds of Shanghai infuse every sense or consider joining an Optional Experience. Say a fond farewell to newfound friends this evening during a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our epic encounter with China at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Michael Wolf - Traveled, December 2024
Your travel director was fantastic. Passing on the culture and making sure every traveler got the best experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Kevin, our tour director always kept us informed on what to expect daily from each location that we were visiting and the stories behind the shows. The local tour guides named Jackie and another Kevin told us of stories related to the history of locations that we visited. We got priority in the long lines so we did not have to wait to enter each location. Kevin, our Travel Director is very organized, well planer and very knowledgeable in the history of all locations that we visited. He would plan the good restaurants so that we could share the China experience of living there as he does. He shared his knowledge of the areas that we saw, the people and their activities of their daily lives. We learned a lot of Chinese culture that we would never have known, if it was not for Kevin's expertise. We enjoyed Foot Massage, a cooking class, the silk factory to see how the silk products are made, the operas to learn the history of the China ancient dynasties, the High Speed train to see the country side of the farm land and mountain areas of China We were very pleased with Kevin and his local tour guides that he had on our bus tours for us to learn all we can about the different cities in China. We loved all the hotels that we stayed. We appreciate how Kevin handled our luggage and how he kept an eye on all of us on these tours. We appreciate the drivers he had taken us to the different parts of the cities to see on our tour. We would recommend Trafalgar to any one going on this tour to China. Thank you for the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2024
Joseph Sacco - Traveled, October 2024
The highlight of our trip was Keven our group leader. I very much like the idea of a buffet as I am a picky eater. One of the highlights of the trip was XIAN. I liked the hotel you've Pacenta next to the street all the lights and girls dressed up in customs
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Wonderful trip. We saw so much of China and learned a lot of the culture and history. Tour leader, Kevin, was fantastic!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2024
Alice Bradley - Traveled, November 2019
Good itinerary! The guide was excellent, very good English with minimal problems understanding, took care of the needs of all 16 clients very well, was diplomatic, efficient, capable, resourceful, reliable, intelligent and with a good sense of humour. I heard no complaints about or during the trip, the only one being that the schedule was a bit hectic for many. (the group was all seniors) The group of travellers was very cooperative, agreeable, and able at being tourists. It was nice to see both the high spots, famous sites as well as the day to day life of local citizens. Facilities were good and staff worked hard to please travellers, the on ship entertainment and 70th Anniversary celebration was very good and enjoyed by all. Food was not as good as most of the trip but OK.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2019
James Tortorici - Traveled, November 2024
Our travel director, Rocky, was excellent. He went out of his way to attend to the concerns and choices of all on the tour. My favorite part of the trip was traveling down the Yangtze river viewing the Grand Canyon like landscape. Additional, all the other side tours were exciting and never to be missed! Tour price is very reasonable for this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2019
Tour director was helpful and knowledgeable but a little difficult to understand at times.I find this tour hard to rate because we had much trouble on arriving due to the 70th anniversary celebration in China. We were picked up at the airport by a non English speaking person in a dirty van and had many non successful detours, Roads were blocked with hundreds of police and soldiers, we had to walk with our luggage for about 45 min to meet staff from hotel and a representative for Trafalgar before we could get to the hotel. then were told not to leave hotel that evening. the next day we had to be back to the hotel by 3pm due to the police and soldier closings. we were unable to see the Forbidden City and everywhere we went the crowds were huge. I feel Trafalgar is aware of this yearly event and we should have been warned. Some waits were in excess of 3 hours and I found that a waste of time. We also did an extension to Hong Kong and Macau. I had my travel agent call Trafalgar twice, once before we left on this trip and once while in China because we had heard of escalations in the protests and were told no problems, but when we arrived no one there to meet us at airport till we called for info, roads were blocked, more detours. we were again told not to leave our hotel area that night. we were unable to do the optional evening river cruise and dinner. this was scary and disappointing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2019
Seemless travel. Very good travel director. Local guides were okay. Great hotel in Xian. Poor hotel in Chengdu. Yangze River cruise not that great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Cristina Lima - Traveled, September 2019
Love how you made me feel special. The attention to details. If not feeling well our guide took time to care for us or get something local OTC. Each city visited was more beautiful and unique--the local guides knew the history and at times shared there personal story. Been in a small group allowed us to move about more easily and to try more local cuisine. I'm looking forward to my next trip and hoping my tour director is like John. The price was affordable and included much of what I wanted to see--The Wall, Terra Cotta and the river cruise on The Yangtze. The local food our guide suggested was awesome. Which I could be there now lol time went too quickly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Kevin, our group leader was excellent. He found out what our group liked to do. We wanted to see the Summer Palace in Beijing but it was not in the inital plans but he made it happen. He personalized our trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
John - Traveled, September 2024
Our travel director (Kevin) was absolutely fantastic, and he made sure everything ran smoothly and even improved the regular itinerary in a few ways. The hotels were good, and the food was terrific (again thanks to our tour director, who ordered for us all at the group lunches and dinners). The tour itinerary was excellent, and included most of the biggest tourist attractions in China. There was also sufficient free time to visit many other sights if desired.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
William Robinson - Traveled, September 2024
Our tour leader, Kevin, was fantastic. He helped us many times especially with food purchases. The itinerary was excellent and the optional extra shows were excellent. All in all we had a great time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Stephen Dawson - Traveled, September 2024
It was excellent. Kevin, our guide, made sure the trip and our investment was not wasted but, instead, well worth every penny.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Bertha Sanchez - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent. The itinerary kept us busy and full of new experiences every day. Our guides name was Kevin and he had so much knowledge about all of the places we visited - answered all of our questions and always made us feel safe and comfortable. We liked how we were met at the airport upon our arrival in Beijing and until the end all of our transportation was confirmed/directed by Kevin and there was not 1 problem. We were so very impressed with China - the friendliness of the people, the cleaniness of the cities/areas (we didnt see any garbage on the streets or anywhere and no homeless either) Not that we were expecting to see homeless but I know of no other city or country where homelessness and garbage is not a problem. Also, the cities were high tech lots of lights, decorated streets, pleasant shopping areas. We loved our trip to China and reccommend it as a country that everyone should visit.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
In country service could not be beat. Pre-trip communications and the visa process could be confusing. This trip was fabulous. Our travel director Kevin brought the history and culture of China alive for us through his extensive knowledge, attention to detail, unfailing good humor and an itinerary that can't be beat. Be aware, you will walk a lot! So grab your walking shoes, pack your bags, and embrace the adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/15/2024
Mary Smith - Traveled, November 2019
Small group, excellent tour guide, great sites to visit. We saw great sites that are different than anything we had ever seen.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2019
As usual, the Trafalgar team went above and beyond to ensure a great trip. Lee, our TD was outstanding. Full of information that he delivered in a timely and interesting way with a dash of humour added in. All the hotel staff, particularly on the Yangtze cruise were great to deal with. This was a very comprehensive trip! We saw all of the highlights that we wanted to see and more. The hotels were in great locations and the standards ranged from very good to outstanding. Our Travel Director Lee was full of information and humour and was extremely organised and attentive to the group. The cruise was very relaxing and over all the food was plentiful and very well done. The Be My Guest and the cooking school were nice surprises!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Christopher Walsh - Traveled, September 2019
Itinerary through China was excellent. Nice to have 2/3 nights in each hotel. Standard of hotels was high. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, kind and caring. A great variety of excursions. High standard of hotels. Great guide and local specialists. Nice to travel in various forms of transport - coach, plane, train, cruise boat.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2019
This was our 5th trip with Trafalgar and although the others were great, this exceeded all expectations. Luxurious hotels, a tour guide who couldn't do enough to ensure the comfort of every guest, and an unbelievable itinerary. Fantastic! Very knowledgeable local specialists and the included experiences, like the Chinese gourmet cooking class, were all phenomenal. And our tour guide, Li, was the best we have ever had.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2019
Yes I will recommend this trip the Yangtze cruise was beautiful this was dream trip every trip I took with you were excellent Shanghai, Xi'am, Yangtze River, Chengdu and Beigin and Rocky Shri our Uniworld Tour Manager guide explain everything in detail
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2019
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